Around Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, morning of June 16th.
I liked the imperfection at the top of this bloom.
Swamp Sunflower
A thistle, with such an interesting shape and so many textures.
Thistle
I’ve always liked the alien look of the Button bush flowers, but they have taken on a new feel in the post-COVID world after we’ve seen so many magnified viruses.
Button Bush
Many of the older Magnolia trees don’t seem to have bloomed as well this year as I remember. This was a good specimen.
Magnolia Bloom
I don’t know what this is, but I do like it.
Pretty Pink Something
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023
If any of you follow my husband, Ted Jennings/TPJ Photo, you might have seen his post He Couldn’t Wait, Alligator, a series of an Alligator walking across a walkway.
I had passed by before the Alligator came out of the pond on the right, and turned just to see him disappearing into the pond on the left. This was what I saw:
I’ve been on this corner at the back of the old rice field when the Nature Train was passing and heard the tour guide point out this Redwood Tree as they pass.
Redwood Tree – February 23, 2023, Looking towards the rice field
They either didn’t say, or I’ve never paid enough attention, why this single Redwood happens to be right here.
Redwood Tree – March 11, 2023, taken with my back to the rice field
For such an amazing architectural beauty, this staircase is in a very small space, making it is difficult to photograph it all. Standing underneath and looking up provides an interesting view.
Up Through the Staircase
This view shows a small door to the outdoors, which seems out of place. The light shining out of the underside of the staircase allows a view of the construction.
Cantilevered Staircase, First Floor, Trap Door to Root Cellar in Floor
And it sticks out on the other side of the staircase, just like the window in my post about the second floor view.
Looking Across a Tread of the Staircase
This is that little door from the outside. One of the museum volunteers told me this was used to access the root cellar, again a bit of practical over maintaining full symmetry.
I’m 5′ 8″ (1.7 M) and when I stood on the step of this door my hair would have grazed the header if I could have stepped in.
Door Under Staircase From Outside
Nathaniel Russell House Museum, Charleston, SC
January 27, 2023
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
Built in 1808, the design of a Charleston merchant’s home was all about symmetry. And impressing your neighbors, like this three-story, cantilevered, flying staircase was intended to do.
Window Behind the Cantilevered Staircase, Second Floor
Sometimes, reality didn’t match the rules, and this window is not evenly placed behind the staircase. But it does illustrate that the staircase doesn’t touch the wall for support.
Window Behind the Cantilevered Staircase
This window seen from the outside, taken from what is now the narrow driveway to the back of the property. My back was at the wall of the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church next door and the trees reflected in the glass are in the graveyard.
Window From Outside
Nathaniel Russell House Museum, Charleston, SC
January 27, 2023
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
Yes, it is pink. And pretty dramatic looking in the Gothic Revival style.
French Huguenot Church, Charleston, Ted just visible in lower right
A gap in vehicle and pedestrian traffic, no leaves on the Crepe Myrtles, and a beautiful sky came together on Friday for an unusual photo opportunity of this landmark.
French Huguenot Church, Charleston
The church sits across Church street from the Dock Street Theater, and as a fan of reflection images I couldn’t pass this up.
French Huguenot Church Reflected in Dock Street Theater Window
French Huguenot Church, Charleston, SC
January 27, 2023
The symmetry and bling of the historic Nathaniel Russell House is on full display in the oval drawing room.
Oval Drawing Room Ceiling and Chandelier
I am fascinated by these tri-column mirror panels. Rather like a fun-house mirror, just shifting your position an inch or two changes the scene. Here, triplicates of a music stand with varying amounts of a standing harp next to it.
Oval Drawing Room Rounded Mirrors
Despite the wealth and import business that would have allowed the Russells to have mahogany doors, the hallway doors are faux. The skill and expense of applying the design to a pine door was valued over real mahogany.
Oval Drawing Room Rounded Mirrors, Open door that leads to hallway
Nathaniel Russell House Museum, Charleston, SC
January 27, 2023
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
This was taken about 15 minutes after sunrise, after the coolest night we’ve had this fall, down around 40 F (4 C). Hardly a creature was stirring and I saw no wading birds.
Sun Rising Behind Big Island, Ravenswood Pond
Ravenswood Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
October 20, 2022
