An Alligator frequently occupies this spot in one of Magnolia Plantation’s garden ponds. I had stayed out on the dike longer than I had intended on this afternoon and it was nearly sundown when I headed for my car.
I did have to stop for this nearly perfect reflection opportunity even though there wasn’t much light.
I spotted the metal cupola and wind vane through the branches of one of the huge Live Oaks that line the entrance to the Magnolia Plantation property.
I backed up and found a spot that framed the house with the tree, which is many hundreds of years old.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
I often pass this line of Live Oak trees when visiting Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and have taken more than a few photographs, none of which really convey the feel of standing under the old trees.
I love the twisted branches, Spanish Moss, and all that green. Last week I stopped as I passed by to soak in the atmosphere and took a few more images.
July 12, 2019
This is one of the short white bridges at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, as opposed to the “Long White Bridge” where tourists and brides pose for photographs. Around the corner on the same pond and much less visited. Except by the wildlife.
The azalea blooms have gone by but the Long White Bridge is still a big attraction at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. On a recent afternoon this Great Blue Heron and I had the view to ourselves.
The heron slowly waded around the perimeter, creating a small ripple in the water. There was just enough breeze to move the entire surface of the water so no mirror-like reflections this time.
Photographing this iconic spot at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens with Azaleas in bloom is all about timing. The flower blooms, the light, the stillness of the water, the absence of people on the bridge– all things we have no control over. It’s a lovely spot and I tend to take a few captures whenever I pass by, even if the flowers aren’t in bloom.
Taken 3/22/2019
This is the same garden pond taken the same day as yesterday’s Sepia Pond post. Taken from different angles towards the water and a quarter way round the pond, the reflections were much different.
Crossing over the white bridge leads to a path that runs along the side of the rice field canal and eventually all the way around the impoundment.
This is one of the many ponds I pass by at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The water behind the statue is a larger pond that was once part of the plantation’s rice fields.
The sepia treatment of the photo helps hide the unattractive floating bits of dead leaves that fall is leaving behind.
This little pond doesn’t get much attention at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, probably because it isn’t lined with flowers like some of the others. I always liked to stop by looking for turtles and wading birds that found it attractive.
Staff cleared years’ worth of fallen trees and limbs from the water and tidied the edges last fall. This made for a great reflection , but I haven’t seen much in the way of wildlife there since.
April 12, 2018.
A scene that includes the “Long White Bridge” at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is hard to pass up no matter how many times I’ve taken it.
Neither of these shots, taken about eight weeks apart, have much for colorful flowers and there isn’t a bird in sight but the reflections of the old trees in the still water intrigue me.
Click on the images for a larger view.
