I’ve been posting about the slow demise of the Spoonie Tree for a couple of years and remain amazed that it is still standing. I took this image on Sunday, before Hurricane Idalia passed by.
Compare that to this image, taken in April when the water had been let out of the pond. The main limbs are still there but some of the smaller branches are gone and more of the bark has dropped.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 25, 2023
I’ve photographed parts of this scene many times, often with alligators or turtles on the far bank. On this mid-June day there were no creatures about but if felt very lush with all those greens. And two red Texas Star Hibiscus.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023
I’ve been posting about the slow demise of the Spoonie Tree for a couple of years. I stopped by on a quiet day at the end of February.
A few Double-crested Cormorants were the only birds around and the scenery was mostly brown.
I was reminded I had taken those shots and not processed them when I was there last week. I was rather surprised that none of the wading birds took a break from feeding in the name-sake Spoonie Tree.
Those that flew off after eating went into some trees further back in the pond.
The tree lost a branch, but it is mostly intact compared to this image from May 2022.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
The sun was working its way up, lighting up this wisteria bloom, though not yet reaching the grounds around the cabins.
These cabins housed enslaved workers when Magnolia was a working rice plantation and are now part of the “From Slavery to Freedom” tour.
This smaller building was likely used for cooking.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
The view across the big field of the Plantation House. Previous visitors to this location may notice that the hedge to the right of the house and the English boxed garden in front of the house have been removed.
Another view taken a few days later, on a grey afternoon, image cooked up just a bit.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 11 & 13, 2023
Good morning!
St. Augustine Beach, FL
January 21, 2023
The Ashley River was clear as glass on Friday morning, and the water didn’t appear to moving, as often happens around high tide. The water coming downstream, from the left in this first image, and the rising tide are equalizing.
Looking upstream, this large Live Oak was dipping in the water.
I passed by that tree then looked back to the east to watch the sun’s rays through the Spanish Moss.
Ashley River From Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC
January 6, 2023
Consolidated from Wikipedia and Google: The Ashley River is a blackwater and tidal river, rising from the Wassamassaw and Great Cypress Swamps in western Berkeley County. It widens into a tidal estuary just south of Fort Dorchester, which was a colonial settlement. Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site is about 7 miles, as the crow flies, upriver from Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
A pair of American White Pelicans were taking the scenic route down the side of the big pond.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 26, 2022
Late on a warm November afternoon Alligators and Yellow-bellied Sliders were hanging out on the alligator ramps.
A touch of fall foliage reflected in the water.
A wider view at a different angle shows the alligator ramp from the first image, with another one a bit further to the left.
Ravenswood Pond
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 28, 2022
