Spanish America

Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This old mission, nicknamed "The White Dove of the Desert",
 dates from 1783 and is considered America's
 leading example of Spanish Colonial architecture.
 It stands on the Tohono O'odham San Xavier Indian Reservation
 near Tucson, Arizona.



 

Desert Music

Organ Pipe Cactus, Sonoran Desert, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A cluster of colorful cacti stand tall
 in the clear blue sky of the Sonoran Desert.

Desert Shaman

Saguaro Skeleton, Sonoran Desert, Tucson, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The remains of an old saguaro takes the shape of an imagined
 Native American shaman conducting a long forgotten ceremony.

GRAND Canyon!

Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The overlook at Desert View makes it easy to see the Colorado River,
 the great carver of the Earth's grandest canyon.

From Beyond this World

Raven, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A raven surveys the otherworldly expanse of the Grand Canyon
 from a cliff's edge. In Native American lore,
the raven is venerated as shapeshifter, trickster,
 magician, and above all, messenger from beyond.

Not the Old West Anymore

Traffic Lights, Sedona, Arizona  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Red rocks provide a colorful backdrop
 for traffic lights in Sedona.

Reach for the Sky, Partner

Saguaro, Superstition Mountains, Sonoran Desert, Arizona
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Arms of a saguaro cactus stretch into the desert sky
 in the Superstition Wilderness of Arizona.

Veiled Mountains

Small Bridge, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Rain veils the mountains that enclose Cades Cove.

Painterly Light

Bridge Tower, Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A fading sunset adds soft warmth to clouds
 and the bridge over the Cooper River.

Passing Fancy

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



This garden gate features an elegant scroll motif
 that catches the eye of the passerby.

Sea Island Tunnel

River Road, John's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A car hurries toward a misty light
 beneath an oak tree tunnel on John's Island.

Siesta Time

Sleeping Cat, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Sometimes it is hard work being a lazy cat,
 which is why frequent naps are an essential daily routine.

Ashley Overlook

Patio Along the Ashley River, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This view from a restaurant patio overlooks
 the Ashley River and the James Island Connector
on a soft misty morning.

Spring Hug

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



A street lamp finds itself embraced by spring blooms
 in the heart of Charleston.

Two for One

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




The angle of light creates two windows from one.

Walk in the Park

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



Hues brighten your spirits when strolling
 through Washington Park in the spring.

Draped with Springtime

Front Door with Wisteria, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Wisteria blooms festoon the entry
 to an old mansion in the Historic District.

Light on the Mountains

Crepuscular Rays, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)


Columns of light break through heavy clouds
 during an afternoon thunderstorm in Cades Cove.

Spring Courtyard

Bicycles, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This brick courtyard with blooming cherry trees
 makes a lovely spot to park your bike.

Local Wildlife

Gate Detail with Carolina Anole, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



One of the wild denizens of Charleston keeps watch
 on this decorative entry gate for a possible meal.

Mists of Fenwick

Fenwick Hall Gate, John's Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Behind this old gate an avenue of oaks
 fades into the mist at this colonial era plantation.

Lush Garden

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



This pineapple fountain is the focal point
 of a lush garden with cherry trees in bloom.

Charleston Bunny

Bunny Wreath, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A carrot-toting bunny peeks out of a wreath
 to make a special appearance on this spring day.
Happy Easter!

Dip in the Trail

Tanawha Boardwalk, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A boardwalk trail built above a fragile Appalachian ecosystem
 takes a dip down the mountain side toward blue ridges.



 

Window Dressing

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



Hues of a stained glass window delight the eyes
 in the Victorian-style Sottile House,
 located on the College of Charleston campus.

A Shining Gray

Stream, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A silvery sheen highlights this fast flowing stream
 as it tumbles down a mountain cove in the Smokies.

Entrance to Paradise

Restaurant Window, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



An arrow points the way into a restaurant along a street in Rome...
and when in Rome, do as the Roman's do,
enter and enjoy the delectable food!

Spring Brings Color

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



Spring brings a delightful atmosphere to a home
 in Charleston's South of Broad district.

Finding Safe Harbor

Anchored Boats, Ashley River, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Boats find their niches during a foggy morning
on the Ashley River.

Evening in the Cove

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A copse of trees stand alone in a mountain meadow
 as evening envelops the Great Smoky Mountains.

Warming Up the Details

Palmetto Detail, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The unusual texture of a palmetto trunk
 comes to light as the sun begins to set,
tinting our state tree with a wash of color.

Scroll Patterns

Ironwork Shadows, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Ironwork shadows stretch across slate squares
 at South Carolina Society Hall.

The Art of Stone

Colonnades, Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Italy
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Rows of colonnades designed by Bernini
curve in a graceful arch
 around the edge of Saint Peter's Square.

Spring Cheer

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



A cherry tree brightens historic Tradd Street
 on a warm spring afternoon.

From Before Our Time

Mountain Stream, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A long exposure transforms a mountain stream
 into ribbons of motion that rush past boulders
 formed millions of years ago.

Rosy Spring

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



Rosy spring hues form a soft background
 for this ornate garden gate in the Historic District.

Marooned in the Mist

Sailboat, Ashley River, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



An abandoned sailboat lies in the tidal marsh
 of a fog shrouded river.

Sea Island Dusk

Dusk, Kiawah Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



A clutch of live oaks witnesses the calm
 of sunset along the coast of Kiawah Island.

Charleston Color

East Bay Street, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Sunrise enhances warm hues
 along East Bay Street during springtime.

A Tangle of Oaks

Live Oaks, near Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A tangle of arching limbs
 recedes into a misty woodland.

March of Time

Doorway, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



An ancient door in Rome shows the passage of time.

Walk in the Park

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



A sunny afternoon is the perfect time for a stroll
 beneath the oaks in Hampton Park.

Tulip Paradise

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



A warm spring day in Charleston is the setting
 for this tulip garden at the Nathaniel Russell House.

High Battery Finery

Balconies, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Blooming palo verde adds a fine adornment
 to a trio of cast iron balconies on the High Battery.

Crouching for the Sunrise

Sunrise, Folly Beach, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Crouching low behind remnants of a maritime forest
 gave me diagonal lines to silhouette against a morning sky.

The Feeling of Spring

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



A mixture of textures highlights a Charleston garden
 at an historic home South of Broad.

The Red

Cliff in the Mist, Red River Gorge, Kentucky
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Mists clear momentarily to reveal a sandstone cliff
 in the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Kentucky.
This area is famous not only for its rock formations
 but also for its challenging rock climbing.

A Moonlight Sea

The Surf at Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Silvery moonlight shimmers
 on the surf at Folly Beach.

Brand New Day

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



Oleanders add hues for the eyes to enjoy
 as Charleston's East Battery greets the morning sun.

Aromatic Sunset

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



A sprig of rosemary adds texture to a sunset
 at the Meditation Garden. I love the fragrance
 of this aromatic herb... so soothing and calming.