It was another one of those mornings when the sun stubbornly stayed behind a bank of low clouds.
So the light wasn’t great but I was surrounded by wading birds. This Tricolored Heron was working on acquiring breakfast.
Stealthily and slowly he worked his way into the open water.
And was rewarded with a very small morsel.
Progress is being made on repairs to the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens which was severely damaged by a falling maple tree on July 7.
Some of the safety barricades that were in place on my last Update have been re-positioned which allowed a closer look when I was there on August 20.
A garden cherub is supervising the whole process, but couldn’t tell me what this yellow thing is.
The maple tree that fell was at the far left, on the other side of the bridge. That end of the bridge sustained the most damage, but cracking of the fascia and decking, along with the support framing went the length of the structure, leading to a major overhaul.
The view through the gazebo is not as dramatic without the white bridge; a few long blooming Azaleas spiff up the lawn. I look forward to taking a similar shot when the repairs are complete.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
August 20, 2020
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
Triangles of grass and their reflections caught my eye.
The dragonfly was a bonus.
No, they didn’t meet in a bar.
And when they did meet nothing happened, not even a glance.
They were just passing by.
In a couple of minutes they had both wandered to the left, searching the mud for lunch.
Lodge Pond, Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 16, 2020
Yesterday I went to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens for the first time since the Long White Bridge was damaged on July 7.
In an email update today Magnolia said that “during an inspection on Thursday morning, July 8 that the hard realities were revealed.”
“Decking boards were pulled up. Upright posts with railing and lattice detail were analyzed. Copper sheeting for waterproofing under the deck and 100 years of assorted hardware, straps and layers of wood structure were exposed. On that brilliant morning, the bridge showed every one of its 180 years of age.”
Two South Carolina companies have joined forces to recreate the bridge: one that specialize in old growth wide planks and slabs, including recovery of old growth sinker cypress and heart pine and another that custom mills lumber products.
A Little Blue Heron, just visible in the lower left corner, had the best view of the exposed bridge structure.
Access to the immediate area of the bridge is restricted for safety, limiting what you can see. Enlarge this close up for more detail on the condition and how the bridge was put together in the 1840s.
Amazingly, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens reports that no one heard or saw the tree that landed on the bridge come down.
“At 6:00 PM, the bridge was whole. At 8:00 PM, more than forty percent of the railing was in pieces and the structure was torqued in both the vertical and horizontal planes.”
View from the back side of the bridge, with a temporary structure for worker access. Remember, there are Alligators in this water!
The next image is a similar view that I took in March.
This small replica of the bridge was the centerpiece of a display at the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC for their 2019 Gardens Across America exhibit.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 30, 2020
Quotes from Magnolia Plantation & Gardens public email and Facebook page, July 31, 2020
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
I’ve taken hundreds of pictures of the Long White Bridge at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens over the last five years. Even when there isn’t anything extra going on, like blooming azaleas, a Great Blue Heron hunting, or a perfect reflection–it just calls out to be photographed. I took this image the last time I was there, July 3rd.
On Tuesday this week a large tree on the left end of the bridge came down on the bridge. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but there was extensive damage to the structure. The bridge dates to the 1840s and plans are underway to rebuild promptly and exactly as it was.
My other photos of the Long White Bridge
There was a nice reflection of the water lily and the surrounding foliage, if a bit far out into the pond.
These images combine a few of my favorite photography opportunities: Brown Pelicans, Reflections, and Birds in Flight.
The colored reflections in the water come from piers and docked boats on the other side of the creek.
March 28, 2020
Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC
Hydrangea, Day Lilies and a gazebo were reflecting in a small pond on the grounds of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
Alligators take casual swims around this pond, often looking for a sunny spot to get out of the water. After some heavy rains they have less places to choose.
I liked the mottled reflections of the trees in the pond, dissected by the passing Alligator.
Lines and more lines of an Alligator, a dead branch, lots of vegetation and all of their reflections.
