At the end of an afternoon walk around Magnolia Plantation and Gardens I passed the river side of the Plantation House. The dropping sun played with the Spanish Moss.
Magnolia Plantation House, Ashley River Side
The top of the cupola was pierced by a jet’s contrail; the rooster didn’t seem to mind.
At one time a wide lawn leading up to the Ashley River side of Magnolia Plantation would have been the welcome to visitors who had journeyed via boat from Charleston. Now that expanse has narrowed with trees and there is no clear view of the whole house from the river bank.
Magnolia Plantation House Weather Vane
I was ready for wildlife photography with my 100-400 MM lens attached, but the impending storm made a cool sky so I took some images between the trees at 100 MM.
Magnolia Plantation House Cupola and Weather Vane
If you are zooming in to see the weather vane details you’ll see spots. At first I thought my lens might be dirty but after comparing the images I’m pretty sure those are rain drops.
Almost two years ago I posted photographs of these windows from the outside in Triplet Windows.
A couple weeks ago when passing by on my way to the nature trail the back door was open. I stepped in and got the answer to my question about their position: they are centered over the kitchen sink.
Boynton House, Kitchen Looking Out
Those with kitchen duty had a lovely view into a pine forest.
Boynton House, Kitchen Looking Out
The house, well on its way to ruin, was once the hub of a thriving cattle farm. The property is maintained by the SC Department of Natural Resources; periodically they trim back overgrowing vegetation, which may help it last a few more years.
No, I didn’t know what it was either. Per Wikipedia:
A fan vault is a form of vault used in the Gothic style, in which the ribs are all of the same curve and spaced equidistantly, in a manner resembling a fan.
This example is at The Unitarian Church of Charleston where I recently stepped in during their open hours.
It was too crowded to get a symmetrical image, but I rather liked this one, showing off the complexity of the design.
Fan-vaulted Ceiling
The Charleston Earthquake of 1886 destroyed most of the original ceiling along with the church’s tower. Restoration soon returned the ceiling to the 1852 design. Prudently the restoration architect chose a more modest tower which subsequently survived Hurricane Hugo, which in 1989 destroyed many of Charleston’s landmarks.
I’m attracted to gaudy chandeliers, not that I would want one, but the bling does draw my eye.
Joseph Manigault House Chandelier in Front Stairwell
The light from the huge Palladian window (three-sections where the center section is arched and larger than the two side sections) makes images a challenge.
Joseph Manigault House Chandelier in Front Stairwell
The cantilevered staircase (fixed to the wall with no other support) provides an elegant setting intended to impress Charleston society.
Joseph Manigault House Chandelier in Front Stairwell
This home has had a number of uses since it was built in 1803 for the Manigault family’s city residence and was nearly torn down for a gas station in 1920. It is now owned by The Charleston Museum which operates daily interpretive tours.
Joseph Manigault House Chandelier in Front Stairwell
Joseph Manigault House, Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC, is known for its abundance of churches and is sometimes referred to as the “Holy City.” The spires of this trio can be seen from a bird’s eye perspective from one of the parking garage rooftops.
Three Church Spires, Charleston: Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Unitarian Church
The Unitarian Church is topped by a rooster weather vane, which had a summer storm to observe the afternoon I was there.