Hummer

I recently ordered an extender for one of my lenses that allows me to get closer to my subject. After a long wait it arrived yesterday, so I attached it to my lens, walked out onto my deck and what did I find but hummingbirds at our feeder. My hummingbird feeder usually does not interest the local hummers but this particular subject liked my flowers and feeder enough to pose for me for about a minute!

This was taken with a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. The part added was a Nikon 1.4X Teleconverter. Settings: ISO 800; 250mm (courtesy of the teleconverter); f/4.0; 1/125 sec.

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Ashley River

Middleton Place

The Ashley River is a blackwater and tidal river in South Carolina, rising from the Wassamassaw and Great Cypress Swamps in western Berkeley County. It consolidates its main channel about five miles west of Summerville, widening into a tidal estuary just south of Fort Dorchester.

This is just before sunrise wakes up the still water.

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Charleston

Another interesting doorway in Charleston. Note this one does not seem to go into the dwelling but into a courtyard. This is common in these Southern homes where many have full length porches on the side. Some of these have entry doorways onto the porch and then from there you can go into the home.

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Doors of Charleston

Charleston

A favorite subject of photographers of Charleston, South Carolina, is various doorways. The doors seem to be colorful and somewhat rustic or nicely decorated. Some of the buildings are very well maintained and in a few cases you get these interesting worn walls. Recently I enjoyed walking around the old section of Charleston defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the French Quarter and Battery districts. This is where you will find the elegant homes that take you back a few centuries.

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Path Along the Ashley River

Middleton Place

This is a Southern Live Oak on a path along the Ashley River. Middleton Place in South Carolina is covered with these mossy trees. You can stroll the grounds and enjoy the vista of lakes and and the Ashley River intermingled with interesting trees.

Also there are gardens which Henry Middleton envisioned and began to create in 1741, reflect the grand classic style that remained in vogue in Europe and England into the early part of the 18th century. The principles of André Le Nôtre, the master of classical garden design who laid out the gardens at Vaux-le-Vicomte and the Palace of Versailles were followed. Rational order, geometry and balance; vistas, focal points and surprises were all part of the garden design.

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Footbridge

Middleton Place

I always like photographing old footbridges like this.  Their unique designs and scenic settings make interesting photos.  This particular bridge connects The Inn at Middleton Place with the restaurant and main grounds. The walk takes you around the lake with a view of the Rice Mill, manicured lawns and mossy trees. Also, there could be an alligator encounter or two but, while you want to steer clear of them, they don’t like people and will move away from you!

Middleton Place is a plantation in Dorchester County, directly across the Ashley River from North Charleston and about 15 miles northwest of Charleston, in the U.S. state of South Carolina.

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Old Mill

Middleton Place

About 15 miles northwest of Charleston South Carolina, along the Ashley River, is a plantation called Middleton Place. This is a National Historic Landmark, home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, scenic lakes, old buildings and wildlife.

This is an old rice mill on one of the lakes. The lake is surrounded by manicured lawns and trees covered with moss. Walking around the lake you will encounter herons, swans and watch out for the alligators!

This is a very scenic place with an attached inn and restaurants on the grounds.

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Rustic Door

Charleston

Doorway in Charleston, South Carolina, historic district. These old doors in Charleston seem to be a popular thing to photograph with their rustic look and interesting colors. The district is full these well worn buildings and doorways.

The area is home to over 1,400 historic structures, with an unparalleled collection of 18th and 19th-century architecture. Built of brick, stucco, or clapboard, many of these structures are Charleston “single houses,” one room wide, with a gable end to the street and tiered piazzas. Others are plantation style houses.

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Japanese Garden Lake

Missouri Botanical Garden

A walk through the Missouri Botanical Garden is interesting just about any time of the year. The daylilies in the Japanese Garden down by the lake are a perfect example. The well trimmed Japanese Garden is probably the most popular part of the Botanical Garden with a lake bridges, and exotic plants.

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