Mysterious

Old Maple, near Fancy Gap, Virginia   © Doug Hickok



Fog envelopes old trees near
the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

Campmeeting

Balls Creek Campground, Catawba, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

At Bandy's Crossroads, North Carolina, there is a colorful
 community of "tents" which forms a National Historic Site known
 as Balls Creek Campground. Dating back to 1853, this Methodist
 meeting camp is one of the largest church camps in the Southeast.

 For two weeks every year in August, these "tents" are rented
to members attending the camp, which is quite a contrast from
 the original members who gathered here in covered wagons.

Shop Till You Drop

King Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A row of 19th century commercial storefronts forms part of the King Street Shopping District in downtown Charleston.
 Attractions include antique shops, art galleries, restaurants,
 cafes, wine bars and hotels.

Mystery Road

Rural Road, near Fancy Gap, Virginia   © Doug Hickok



Mountain mist shrouds a narrow road
 not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.

Rim Rock Drive

Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, Colorado   © Doug Hickok



Clouds tower above the Colorado River Valley
 as seen from Colorado National Mounument's
Rim Rock Drive.

Line Performance

Atlanta, Georgia   © Doug Hickok



A convergence of lines puts on a show
 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.

Iron Ivy

Gate Detail, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok




Ivy wrought in iron climbs a garden gate
 in Charleston's Historic District.

Battery Landmark

Antebellum Mansion, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



This neo-classical mansion stands tall
 while facing morning light along Charleston's East Battery.

Feeder Art

Bird Feeder, Asheville, North Carolina   © Doug Hickok



An ordinary bird feeder is transformed into a surrealistic
 work of art at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville
in North Carolina.

Battery Sunrise

Sunrise, High Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A new day begins on the promenade
 along Charleston's East Battery, a favorite spot for visitors
 and locals alike to watch a sunrise.

Partial Eclipse

Partial Solar Eclipse, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A crescent sun peeks through a patch of blue,
 to the delight of all who observed with patience.

Day to Night

Horse Fountain, Belmond Charleston Place, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok



We witnessed a rare event in Charleston yesterday,
 a total solar eclipse. I did a photo shoot for Belmond
 with the purpose of photographing their iconic fountain and the total eclipse. Unfortunately, we had cloud cover all day,
which was heavy at times. But the sun was bright enough
 to shine through the veil of clouds as day turned into night.
It was amazing to experience!

Ornate Door

Wooden Door, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



A fleur-de-lis adorns a wooden door in Charleston's
 historic district, one of many small attractions
 visitors can see while taking the time to stroll around town.

Shrines of Rome

Mary Shrines, Rome, Italy   © Doug Hickok



When walking around Rome's historic center
the stylistic variety of its many Mary Shrines
can be seen on many corners.

Battery Mirror

Reflection in a Rain Puddle, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



One of Charleston's East Battery mansions is mirrored
 in a rain puddle on a bright sunny Lowcountry morning.

Summer Hues

Red Hibiscus, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Tropical blooms accentuate the colors
 near Charleston's Rainbow Row.

Cloudland

West Ashely Park, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



Coastal clouds over the Lowcountry are typical
 during our humid summer months.
But the last few weeks have been unusually wet and rainy.

Impressionistic Sunrise

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Warm light shimmers on the surface of Charleston Harbor
 in this impressionistic rendering of a Lowcountry sunrise.

Park Bench

Shem Creek Park, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok



Benches along the boardwalk at Shem Creek
 are perfectly placed to watch a sunset
 over our Lowcountry tidelands.

A Fine Twine

Blue Plumbago, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



This blue flowering vine twines and arches over
 the ornate ironwork at one of Charleston's famous historic inns,
 the John Rutledge House bed and breakfast.