Sugar

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



Warm morning light makes an ordinary gate scroll
 float in crystalline sugar.

Island Tranquility

Marsh Grass at Sunset, Daniel Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The soft hues of sunset grace
 Daniel Island's tranquil marshlands.

Wheel of Time

Daffodils and Azaleas, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



As the wheel of time turns, and seasons come and go, 
one thing is certain... beauty abounds at Magnolia Gardens
any time of the year.

Dining Room Dreams

Column Detail, Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Although my dining room doesn't quite look like this,
I can always dream.

Marsh Mood

Perching Heron, James Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



The brooding mood of a sea island marsh on a misty morning
 is reinforced by the posture of a perching heron.

Wave of Hands

Wave Mural, Auburn University, Alabama
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A handy way to make a splash on campus
 is to step-up and paint a boldly colorful mural.

European Influence

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



A courtyard gate lit by a gas lantern
is a charming scene that exemplifies
 the old world ambiance of Charleston's historic district.

Surreal

Reflection in a Tidal Creek, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Marsh grass reflects in the waters
 of Shem Creek at sunset.

Doppelgangers

Live Oaks and Lake Reflections, Charles Town Landing, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A pair of live oaks meet their doubles in a lake reflection
at Charles Town Landing.

Wake Up!

Night Lights, Marion Square, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A dazzling display of colorful lights fills the frame,
making an image
that is sure to brighten your day!

Pattern Recognition

Entry Gate, Saint Michael's Churchyard, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Some of Charleston's most beautiful wrought iron gates
 lead into Saint Michael's churchyard.
These gates' numerous ornate scrolls form a pattern
 unlike any in the historic city.

Western Drama

Dunes and Clouds, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Visual drama is evoked by dunes and clouds
 converging in a western landscape in Colorado.

Enchanting

Gazebo, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This cozy little gazebo adds a decorative accent
to an outdoor space at Magnolia Gardens.

Spring Snow

Lower Blue Lake, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A day hike to nearly 11,000 feet in elevation rewarded
 my wife and me with a view of this lovely alpine lake
 surrounded by snowy slopes, even though it was late spring.



 

Cherry Cordial

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



Fresh blooms on a cherry tree
 remind me of an ice cream flavor.
Lets eat!

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.