Contrasting Styles

East Battery Mansions, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



The neo-classical architecture of one antebellum mansion contrasts with the eclectic style of another along Charleston's Battery. These homes face east toward the harbor and bask in the morning sun.

Old Winter Snow

Snow and Clouds, Alpine Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Remains of old winter snow, appearing like layers of white sedimentary rock, can be seen at the Alpine Visitor Center on Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road. The two lane road is the highest paved road in the country at 12,183 feet above sea level (or in other words, over 2 miles above Charleston level!)

Everything's Rosy

Hand Rail and Lantern Shadow, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



Here's my optimistic take on a Charleston hand rail,
 as might be seen through rose-colored glasses.

Churchyard Shadows

Gate Shadow, Saint Philip's Churchyard, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved




Early morning sunlight delineates the scrollwork designs
 of an iron gate on a stone walkway in Saint Philip's churchyard.

Imagined

Pineapple Fountain at Night, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This night fountain becomes a colorful subject
 for a mind flush with imagination. 

Rocking in Texas

Rock Layers, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Geology always intrigues me. It was the subject I first studied in college until I realized I was better at taking pictures of rocks than analyzing their chemistry. 

Colorful outcrops such as these in Palo Duro Canyon rocked my eyes everywhere we explored. Very thin layers of white gypsum can be seen threading through this section of orange sedimentary stone, which dates from roughly 200 million years ago.

I am still a bit of a rockhound, collecting interesting specimens here and there. Consequently our yard is full of rocks from many places around the country.

The Art of the Rock Wall

Rock Wall Pattern, Pleasant Hill Shaker Village, Kentucky  
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The well honed skill of making a beautiful wall is on display at a 19th century Shaker village in Kentucky.

Twin Frames

Twin French Doors, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



The reflections of a brick chimney and a dormer window
 are framed by two french doors. This South of Broad neighborhood in Charleston dates from the 1700's.

A Plug for the Modern Era

Fire Plug and Round Door, French Quarter, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



This fire plug standing sentinel next to one of Charleston's old cobblestone streets is a reminder of the modern era.

The Odd Couple

Lion and Pigeon, Florence, Italy  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Velvia slide film)



A perching pigeon seems to take no notice
 of this lion's fierce visage.

Resurrection

Bronze Jesus, Todos Los Santos, San Luis, Colorado  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view)



Happy Easter!

Do the Flamingo!

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



When shopping for souvenirs at the beach, why not take home a red flamingo? You can dance with the flamingo in your yard, while all your neighbors watch in amazement!

Ohio Steampunk

Detail, Antique Harvester, Old Depot, Village of Lewisburg, Ohio
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The rusting remains of an antique harvester provide us with a steampunk subject for today's monochrome adventure.

Jack-O-Lantern

Rocky Shore, Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Rocks catch the rays of morning light creating a face of shadows, 
like a scowling jack-o-lantern.

Still Waters

Bald Cypress Trunk and Reflections, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



The submerged trunk of a bald cypress grows in the still waters
 of a cypress swamp.

Night of the Living Dead

Boneyard, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Remains of a maritime forest at the edge of Folly Beach
 provide a stark portrait in black and white.

Welcome to Monday

Marsh Grass at High Tide, Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Time for your Zen moment.

Charleston Crabapples

Flowering Crabapple and Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved


The final spring image of this series is of blooming crabapple trees with Saint Michael's Church in the background. This image was selected for the cover of  Traveler of Charleston magazine's spring edition.

Traveler of Charleston Magazine Cover

Azalea Clusters

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



Clusters of red azaleas poke through openings in a wrought iron fence to greet walkers. Azaleas were first brought from Japan to the United States in the 1800's to Magnolia Gardens, just up the river from Charleston. Today many varieties flourish throughout the Lowcountry.

Festooned

Wisteria Vine and Cherry Tree, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Flowering vines festoon a fence surrounding the garden
 of a Meeting Street mansion.