Christmas Eve in Charleston

Palmetto Tree with Lights, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Colorful lights add holiday cheer to our state symbol,
 the ubiquitous Palmetto tree.

Becky and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas
 and a Happy New Year!

Local Made Christmas

Wreaths on Wooden Door, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



It is common for folks in the Lowcountry to use materials from nature to make their Christmas decorations. In this case, a pair of wreaths are made of red painted seeds from a tallow tree. As you might guess the tree gets its name from the waxy seed coverings used to make candles. Another interesting fact is that vegetable oils from these seed coverings are used to produce biodiesel fuels.

Yet, in spite of its abundance the tallow tree is not native to South Carolina... it originated in China and Japan, but thrives in our warm climate. So thank you Asia for brightening our holidays!

Holiday Whimsy

Santa Hat, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Travel and Leisure magazine recently named Charleston among the top 5 places in the world to spend the holidays. The historic Southern city was noted by the editors for its unique Lowcountry twist on Christmas. If the Santa hat on this colonial mansion's cupola is any indication, a holiday in Charleston will not soon be forgotten!

Beaded Veil

Window Beads, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Beads veil the view through my window.

Mud Flats

Mud Flat, Isle of Palms, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



Low tide exposes mud flats on Isle of Palms,
 revealing patterns sculpted by ocean tides and currents.

Bridge Wednesday - V

Don Holt Bridge, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



V is the shape of a foreshortened view of the Don Holt Bridge
 spanning Cooper River marshes.

Lanterns and Balconies

Near Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A hodgepodge of lanterns and wrought iron balconies mingle 
along East Bay Street.

Misty Monday - Branching Out

Live Oak and Cooper River, Daniel Island, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)



A lone branch looms over the misty waters of the Cooper River one early morning,
as if searching for something lost.

A Thinker

Tomb Figure, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Posed for eternal contemplation.

66 and Breezy

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



A breeze
sways cypresses
which bow
 to a ball
 on a pedestal.

Rare Photograph of a Flying Reptile

"Pterodactyl", Boardwalk, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Today (or maybe it was yesterday or last week), an intrepid photographer made this image of what he asserts is a rarely seen prehistoric animal. In fact it is so rare that some experts speculate it is the first and only sighting of a pterodactyl in, well, 150 million years.

Others (foolhardy skeptics mostly) believe the said photographer displays a delusional imagination, and that the reputed flying reptile is nothing more than the ubiquitous brown pelican.

Believe whatever you wish...
 it's the internet after all
and truth is elusive.

After a Storm

Tips of Palmetto Trees, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film. Click on image for larger view)



After an evening storm sunlight paints the tips of Palmetto fronds.

Old Windowpane

Window Shadow, Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Morning light streaming through a high window casts a shadow on a stucco wall inside Dock Street Theatre. The wavy patterns of distorted light are due to the old glass and all its imperfections.

Edge Lands

Sunset, Salt Marsh, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The edge of ecological zones, where divergent types of plant and animal species converge, are interesting places, not only for biologists, but for photographers too. Wherever land meets water there are sure to be attractive subjects to find. In this case, a salt water marsh merges with coastal lowlands where large live oaks are mirrored in a creek at high tide.

Morning Walk

Walkers, Longitude Lane, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



One of Charleston's narrow stone-paved lanes
 offers a unique setting for a morning walk.

Mary Garden

Mary Garden, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Today the new Mary Garden at 
the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist is being dedicated.

My Motto

Wig and Bikes, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
 (Click on image for larger view)



Where ever you go, what ever you do,
 always bring your hair with you.
You never know when you might need it!

Climbing Vines

Green Railing, Market Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The "climbing vines" of this green railing lend a stylized, 
organic feel to Market Hall.

Chained

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



Like it or not, Charleston's success as top tourist destination in effect "chains" the city to both the good and bad of the cruise ship industry.

Colonial Reflections

Sunset, Colonial Lake, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



A row of single houses along the edge of Colonial Lake reflect sunset colors.