Once in a Blue Moon

I think I heard someone say this is the first blue moon in 3 years; the first time we have had two full moons in one month in 3 years, hence the expression meaning it doesn't happen often.  It was busy down at Folly beach; folks fishing, photographing, walking, or generally enjoying a summer evening. These images were taken with my new "baby camera" the Sony RX10 II with a fixed 24-120mm lens. For walking in the heat or traveling, it is far more portable than my Nikon with multiple heavy lenses, so this was a test run for the Sony.  I think I'll keep it :)

More from the South Carolina Upstate

I had no commitments this weekend, so I decided to hit the road and photograph some more of our state; specifically the farms and rural areas of Pickens, Greenville and Anderson counties.  A friend (who is also a networking queen), put me in touch with some farmers and property owners who were amenable to me photographing on their land. Some of the images will probably show up on SCIWAY's website, contributions to their "Picture Project", but I traveled over 700 miles in 3 days and had a blast.

Folly Sunrise

It may be as hot as hell in the summer here, and the bugs may be aggressive enough to carry you away, but it's still inspiring to watch the sun rise at the Coastguard end of Folly Beach, with a view of the iconic Morris Island Lighthouse.  It's even better to re-live the experience after a shower, sorting through the images while sitting at your air conditioned desk with a cup of java :)

Life is very good and I am grateful.

Remembering the Assault on Battery Wagner

Tomorrow will be the 152nd anniversary of the Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island.  It was commemorated today, and a wreath was laid in a ceremony held annually by the descendants and supporters of the original 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, a black regiment that fought with the Union forces against the Confederates.  The unit's colonel, Robert Gould Shaw was killed in this battle (immortalized in the movie "Glory"), and after suffering heavy casualties in brutal hand to hand combat, they were driven back.  In a solemn ceremony today, the bravery of those men was remembered.

Photographing Catherine

My sister and her family live in Wales, and Catherine, my niece came to visit her US family for a couple of weeks recently.  Of course she was a prime target for my lens.  Here are a couple of portraits of Catherine - sweet sixteen and very lovely.

Woodburn Plantation, Pendleton SC

This was another plantation on my table of properties with extant slave dwellings that needed to be photographed for the Slave Dwelling Project (http://slavedwellingproject.org/).  As I was in the upstate South Carolina area, it was a perfect opportunity to cross this one off my list.  This property is owned by the Pendleton Historic Foundation, and they are doing a fabulous job of maintaining and restoring these historic grounds.  Here are some photographs of a restored log cabin, carriage house, slave cabin, and the main house.

main house

restored slave dwelling

carriage house

log cabin

This is taken from the Pendleton Historic Foundation's website:
"The Pendleton Historic Foundation today announced that it has been recognized by the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, the SC Department of Archives ad History, and the Office of the Governor for their exceptional efforts in preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage in South Carolina.  The 2015 Stewardship award was presented by the Lt. Governor Henry McMaster to Timothy Drake and Jacqueline Reynolds, Pendleton Historic Foundation board members.  The award citation recognizes the Foundation's reconstruction of an original slave cabin at the Woodburn Plantation to share the story of the African-American slaves and tenant farmers who helped maintain the farm during the 1800's and 1900's."

Chillin' on Lake Jocassee

I have family visiting from Wales and so we rented a house on Lake Jocassee for a week to re-connect and just hang out.  It is almost time to go home, but many memories will live on ....