We were on Bulls Island to photograph the Milky Way, but the sunset got our attention for a few minutes.
With my back to the sun the hundreds of dragonflies in the air as the sun set were quite a sight.
Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, SC
September 24, 2022
Light pollution keeps us from seeing much of the sky’s offerings at night anywhere around Charleston. We had a fabulous opportunity to go out to Bulls Island last night at the new moon with the milky way fully extended above us.
I read up all sorts of tips and tutorials; in the end just doing it was the best teacher.
On the negative side I could not get sharp focus on the stars so my images are all soft and I didn’t get to a place with a good foreground element. On the plus side, it was a fabulous experience seeing the milky way, listening to the ocean, and taking it all in. I definitely want to do it again.
Some swaying sea oats lend some visual interest:
Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 24mm, F2.8, ISO 3200, 20 seconds
Bulls Island, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, SC
September 24, 2022
Ted and I visited Drayton Hall, one of the historic plantations on the Ashley River for the first time today.
Due to a confluence of circumstances of our timing, a day where the heat index was going over 90 F (32 C) so they were limiting traffic in the house, and busloads of other visitors we did not go inside.
From the front, or at least the more opulent, entrance. I found it odd that there were no gardens or plantings immediately around the house.
We’ll go back after it cools off a bit here, and the tourist traffic slows.
Drayton Hall, Charleston, SC
September 21, 2022
The Spoonie Tree is still standing, and a single Roseate Spoonbill was perched there on my last visit.
I took a walk down the dike and an hour later he was still there, and still alone.
Just checking things out.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 14, 2022
The clouds were making a nice reflection in this pond where the water level has been raised and some of the vegetation is dying back.
The grass fronds on the back are still going strong.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 31, 2022
This is nearly the same scene I took at high tide on August 10th. Here the tide had actually made the turn and had started to rise, but water was still draining out of the creek.
The scene as I turned 45 degrees to the right:
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 31, 2022
While paddling around the swamp looking at Water Lilies we spotted one Great Egret, patiently looking for his lunch.
This was the Egret’s view out into the swamp.
August 26, 2022
Cypress Gardens, Moncks Corner, SC
It was a hot day and not many creatures were stirring.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
August 10, 2022
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 29, 2022
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 29, 2022
