A Winter Refuge

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



Courtyard gardens in Charleston are often protected
 from winter chills by the tall houses
 and brick walls that enclose them.

Moors in the South

Arcade, Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Moorish influence is echoed in the architectural style
 of Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre.

Southern Home and Garden Show

Lantern with Row Houses, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Row houses along East Bay Street display
 a variety of horticultural delights for the springtime.

Dawn at the Battery

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



A new day silhouettes the railing at the Battery promenade.

Curlicue

Avenue of Oaks, near Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A curlicue in the branch of this live oak
 gives the illusion of a loop in the tree.

Curls and Curves

Scroll on Hand Railing, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A curling banister and curving steps welcome visitors
 to a house in the Historic District.

Time For Reflection

Sunset, Shem Creek Park, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A boardwalk over the tidal marsh at Shem Creek
 reflects the last light of a sinking sun.

King Midas Was Here

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



I wouldn't say that Charleston is paved with gold,
 but the warm light some mornings
 pointed at just the right angle
 sure makes it seem that way.



 

Deep South

Sea Island Road, Edisto Island, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Arching limbs of live oaks
 festooned with Spanish moss
 are the ingredients of a
 quintessential Deep South photo.

Rocky Obstacles

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



A boulder-strewn stream bank offers rushing water
 an obstacle course of stone to work around.

Daybreak

Sunrise near Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved
(Click on image for larger view.)



Rosy hues tint a house near Rainbow Row at first light of day.

Show Time

Shutter Clasp, Charleston, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Colors and shapes collaborate
 for a visual show near Cabbage Row,
the setting for Catfish Row in
Gershwin's Porgy and Bess opera.

(This image makes an appearance in the
Spoleto USA ticket brochure which premiered this week.)

White Rainbow

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



While visiting the Folly Pier recently,
 a layer of sea fog hugged the coastline.
When the sun finally shone,
 a rare weather phenomenon occurred...
a fog bow appeared and stretched across the beach.

Unity

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



The hues of this brick path harmonize with the leaves
 of the crepe myrtles. In turn the green grasses complement
 the hues of the leaves and brick. Everything is
 getting along today.

Mysterious Mood

Fenwick Hall, Johns Island, SC
 © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A misty morning adds a mysterious air
 to the avenue of oaks at Fenwick Hall.

Shady Spot

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



A large oak spreads its limbs wide to provide
shade for those sunny Lowcountry days.

Fresh Perspective

Wave Pattern, Charleston Harbor, Mt. Pleasant, SC
© Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



A walk on the Ravenel Bridge gave me a new perspective
 on Charleston Harbor, inspiring me to photograph
 this mesmerizing wave pattern from high above.

Here's to hoping the New Year
gives us all a fresh take on life.

Essential Ingredients

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



All that is needed is light and water,
 and you have life's essentials.

A Charleston Sunrise

Sunrise, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Morning greets the balconies
 and lanterns along Tradd Street.

Evening Blush

Garden Statue near the Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok  All Rights Reserved



Evening light paints a blush on a statue
 tucked in the cool shade of a Battery garden.