Soft Mountain Hues

Early Spring Leaves, Southern Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Soft hues and fine textures greet the eyes on an early spring morning
 in the mountains near Burnsville, North Carolina.



 

Outdoor Draperies

Live Oak with Spanish Moss, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Spanish moss hanging from a live oak
 makes a natural decorative accent.

A Wave of Blooms

Park Bench and Azaleas, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Barely visible among the blooms is a park bench
 engulfed by azaleas at White Point Gardens near the Battery.

Vibrant Touch

Front Porch, Asheville, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A colorful front porch in the mountains of North Carolina
 displays the touch of both a designer and a gardener.

2015 Spoleto Festival USA

Medallion, Trinity Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This photograph is the original image chosen for the cover of this year's Spoleto Festival USA ticket brochure. The subject is a beautifully symmetrical medallion on the portico ceiling of Trinity United Methodist Church located on Meeting Street.

Spoleto Festival USA is one of the largest international arts festivals in the world, and is held each year in Charleston. You can see a digital version of the ticket brochure here, which is a wonderfully designed piece by Stitch Design Co.

Lead the Way

Garden Path, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Cobblestones and pavers entice
 the imagination to enter this Charleston garden.

Spring Pastels

Early Spring on a Mountain Side, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A panoply of early spring hues caught my eye
 on a mountain side seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Potential

Ornamental Tree, Al Ain Palace, Al Ain, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



In a desert palace garden, I see potential in a young tree
 that someday will majestically fill this courtyard.

Border Line

Fence Line, near Burnsville, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A rough fence runs along the edge of Appalachian pastureland,
setting limits for grazing horses and curious people alike.

A Charleston Spectrum

Flowering Dogwood Tree, near Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A spot near Rainbow Row shows many of the hues
 that are in the natural spectrum of light seen in the sky...
but, in this case, much more down to earth.

Nooks and Crannies

Gate and Vines, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Nature seeks its way into every nook and cranny,
as this creeping fig is starting to do around a gate.
If the vines were not regularly trimmed back,
Charleston would eventually be engulfed by them.

Appalachian Spring

An Appalachian Valley, near the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Spring slowly moves up a mountain valley
 in the Southern Appalachians.

Snug

Jasmine Vine, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A Charleston doorway is bundled up in jasmine flowers,
which are sweetly fragrant to passersby.

Transition

Mountain Pasture, near Burnsville, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A mountain pasture retains grasses leftover from winter,
but hints of new life along the edges herald the arrival of spring.

Fanning Out

Palmetto Fronds, Middleton Place Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Palmetto fronds that resemble the shape of natural fans branch out
over the dark waters of a swamp at Middleton Place Gardens.

Blue Ridges

Tree and Fence, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



High above a mountain valley,
 where clouds hover over ridges,
 a view along the Blue Ridge Parkway
 shows a tree still holding onto winter.
But not for long, spring is around the bend.

Antithesis

Gate Shadow on Steps, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The permanence of stone contrasts markedly with the
 evanescence of a shadow on steps in the French Quarter.

Wanderlust

Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Clouds wander over the rocky tops of the San Juan Mountains
in search of something they can't quite explain.

New Life

View from the Cabin, near Burnsville, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Early May in the Appalachians brings spring greens
 to a fading winter landscape, along with a bounty of
fresh mountain air... all so revitalizing and invigorating!

Heart and Soul

Bike Ride, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Taking it slow and easy while exercising the heart,
at the same time sampling the soul of a charming Southern city...
these are both good reasons to ride a bike in Charleston.

Battery Pyrotechnics

Azaleas in the Springtime, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A burst of fiery color enlivens the Battery in springtime.
The park here, called White Point Gardens,
is a wonderful green space
and is a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Have a Heart

Red Heart, Blue Door, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This door wears its heart for all to see.

Hopscotch Light

Garden Path, Middleton Place, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A garden path at Middleton Place is dappled with afternoon light...
Impressionist painters' light, some might say.
But the spots of light and shadow make me want to
try a game of hopscotch.

Sparkling Water

A Live Oak along the Ashley River, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Morning sunlight makes ripples on the Ashley River
 effervescent behind a live oak tree at Magnolia Gardens.

Sunrise Shadow

Lantern Shadow, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Peeking through an entry gate near the Battery, 
a lantern shadow makes a vivid impression at sunrise.

Warmth

Open Gate, College of Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Warm light pervades a quiet morning
 on the College of Charleston campus.

Tip of the Tree Line

Alpine Tree Line, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Above the tree line, the alpine forest can not survive
 the harsh conditions of high altitudes in the Rocky Mountains.

Hear Me Roar

Lion Statue, Florence, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved 
(Film photography)



This lion sculpture strikes a regal pose
 in the main square of Florence, Italy.

Leaves on Grass

White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Leaves from live oak trees carpet the grass
 at White Point Gardens in the springtime.

Taking Shape

Spring Garden, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Topiary shapes make this South of Broad garden
 a springtime favorite for photographers, including me.

Japan in the South?

Little Arched Bridge, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Giving a Southern cypress swamp the hint of a Japanese Garden
 is a matter of adding a few azaleas, some bamboo, a stone shrine,
 and a decorative arched bridge.

City Lights

Lantern, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Ornate lanterns are unique architectural features
in Charleston's Historic District.
They come in many styles, shapes and sizes,
 and provide light for entry into houses.
When accompanied by colorful spring blooms,
they are an extra treat for the eyes.

Sail Away

Schoolyard Canopies, Al Ain, UAE  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



When living in the Arabian Desert, finding creative ways
 to make shade can be a challenge. But it is doubly
 satisfying when that method is both functional
 and reflects the local culture. These canvas canopies
 stretch over a schoolyard to keep children cool.
They also resemble the sails of a dhow,
the traditional boat used to traverse the Arabian Gulf.

Light at the End of the Path

Stoll's Alley, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



When wandering along the streets of Charleston,
 try going off the beaten path by exploring one of its old alleyways.
Stolls Alley leads to the Battery by the harbor,
where a sunrise illuminates the pathway's end.

Far From the Madding Crowd

Courtyard Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Beyond this ornate gate, a walkway leads to a hidden garden,
 likely a small sanctuary for the home owner
 in this bustling part of the Historic District.

Blooming Window

Door Window, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Springtime in Charleston brings out the blooms across the city.
 Apparently, flowers can even be seen to flourish on windows,
as this glass etching on a door at the College of Charleston demonstrates.

Imitation

Fence Scroll, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Art often imitates nature...
this fence scroll, so wonderfully proportioned,
 reminds me of the curl of a fern fiddlehead,
 or the spiral of a nautilus shell,
or even the swirl of a distant galaxy.

Let It Rain

Umbrella Canopy, Miracle Garden, Dubai, UAE
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Rain is rare in the Arabian Desert,
 but the Miracle Garden of Dubai is prepared...
or at the very least ready to provide shade
 from the blazing sun.

Two Million!

Azaleas at White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Spring blooms abound at White Point Gardens near The Battery.
I am fortunate to have Charleston as a subject to photograph.
 Colorful scenes like this one draw visitors not only to the city
 but also to my photo blog. I passed 2 million page views
 yesterday. So this is a wonderful opportunity to thank all of you
 for your visits and comments! And I hope you continue enjoying the scenery.

A Post About a Post

Old Fence Post, San Juan Mountains, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Keeping the critters out is just as important as keeping the livestock in.
This old wooden post helps do the job near a mountain range
in the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness in Colorado.

Blooming Path

Azaleas, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A pathway bordered by azaleas makes a colorful
 and inviting springtime vignette.



 

Natural Beauties

Wildflowers, Hill Country, Texas  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The annual blooming of wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country
 makes a most beautiful natural display.

A Simple Globe

Alleyway Lantern, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A small globe-shaped lantern is a departure from the usual
 ornate gas lanterns found in many places around Charleston.
But it is the perfect fit for this narrow alleyway in the historic district.

Arch and Blooms

Dogwood Blooms, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A slant of morning sun illuminates dogwood blooms
 as they span an ornate garden gate.

Paint Colors

Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The light of a new day paints the Pineapple Fountain
 and the City Art Gallery with a wash of golden hues
 at Waterfront Park.

The Stars Were Aligned

Street Lamps, College of Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



An alignment of backlit street lamps, glowing like stars,
adds an element of design to this image taken at
 the College of Charleston. Like much of the city of Charleston,
 the college campus is a garden in full spring bloom.

Marvelous

Cherry Blossoms, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Even though we have lived in Charleston for a long time,
 I still marvel every year at just how beautiful
the springtime is in the historic district.

Askew

Piazza Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




A carpenter's square might be useful here.
On the other hand, I like the character
 of this quirky, old door gone slightly awry.

Molten Stone

Cobblestone Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Stone appears molten on a cobblestone street
set aflame by the morning sun.



 

Garden Spot

Garden Sculpture, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A peaceful spot in a Charleston garden
 is the ideal place for a graceful sculpture.