Return to Historic McLeod Plantation

I haven't visited McLeod for awhile and today was the kind of day suited to photographing this special place.  Contrary to what one might think, it's challenging subject material, notwithstanding the beauty of the ancient oaks and grounds.  I have spent countless hours there over many years, and always go back, trying to find something I may have missed before, or an opportunity for some unusual lighting conditions, etc.  These images are nothing special, I'm not really sure what I am trying to find here, but just for the record ..

Wild Evening at Folly Beach

Today we saw wind gusting up to 40mph, and at the beach you can count on experiencing the full force of the weather.  This evening was no exception as I fought blasts of blowing sand and rain squalls.  Still I needed the fresh air and exercise and this desolate iteration of Folly is infinitely more interesting than the crowded Summer version.  Unfortunately it was distracting enough for me not to notice that my cellphone dropped out of my pocket somewhere along the way.  I missed it as soon as I returned to the car and retraced my steps in an effort to find it in the increasing darkness.  No luck, so I'm incommunicado for at least the weekend.  Gosh, I won't even know what time it is!!

Evening Walk Downtown

I don't get to spend too much time downtown these days.  It is just too crowded for me most of the time.  The off season is better though, just like I prefer Folly Beach in the winter.  These are a couple of shots from this evening's wander.

Christmas Spirit

Seems my blog skipped from Halloween directly to Christmas.  Lots going on, but on this rainy day I went in search of some Christmas spirit in downtown Charleston.  I found the model train display in the Charleston Place Hotel, and spent some time happily photographing the engines as they traveled around their enchanting fantasy world.  Children of all ages were captivated.

BOO!!

OK, so I'm a day late, but this was from last night.  Hope y'all had a fun Halloween.

Lion Alert!

I left South Africa last night and flew 15+ hours non-stop to JFK in New York where I am now waiting for my flight back to Charleston this afternoon.  Soon my 2018 African adventure will fade as it transitions into the normalcy of my life in Charleston, but I thought I would post one more set of wildlife images.  These were taken early yesterday morning (hard to believe sitting here a world away in this dreary terminal) as lion were stalking a herd of Impala.  As you can see, the buck were very aware of the presence of the lion and they were on high alert.  As it turned out, the lions decided they weren't that hungry, and settled down for an extended snooze in the shade of a thorn tree. The large golden dominant lion walked within 2 feet of me while I was sitting in the Land Rover.  I kept my camera to my eye and held my breath as he strode by, his royal status on full display.

Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape

I have spent a wonderful couple of days in a game park, home to the "big five"; Lion, Leopard, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, and Elephant.  So far we have seen everything except the Buffalo, but I will be going on one more early morning ride before starting my journey home to the US.  The folks at the game park are very sensitive about too much information being shared on social media, because sadly poachers use this method (among many others) to target game for their evil gain, especially the rhinos for their horns.  There is a lot being done to protect the animals here and conservation is a high priority.

And you think your squirrels are a nuisance

In Charleston, I spend a fair amount of time trying to keep one step ahead of my squirrels.  They are incredibly creative when given the challenge of accessing seed in supposedly "squirrel proof" bird feeders.  After watching these monkeys at my Mom's bird feeder in Durban, South Africa, I think I'll keep my squirrels!

More Scenes from the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

We have been staying at this wonderful cottage near Bergville and have walked lots, eaten lots, talked lots, and I have taken a lot of photographs!  Wireless was scarce in the area so I haven't posted them often but here are a few more.  On Monday I will be moving on to a game park for a couple of days before heading home to Charleston, so hopefully will be able to post some wildlife images.

The Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa

Well here I am back again in South Africa for a two week stay to visit family.  My three sisters from all over the world, a couple of husbands, and my mom all rented a large cottage in the mountains and so here we all are for the next few days.  These images show the surrounding scenery.  We are having a wonderful time catching up, eating too much food, and trying to get enough exercise to burn up the calories :)

New Aerials of Local Lowcountry Scenes

I had been waiting to get back up in the air and take some new aerial images for a long time, but first the chopper that I use was in the shop for some maintenance, and then the weather was uncooperative.  Finally all the stars came into alignment and we took off on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.  The flight lasted much longer than I had planned, but it was so pretty I didn't want to come back down.  Here are a few quick samples.  I have a lot of editing work to do before I get them all up on my website :)

Rail bridge over Rantowles Creek

Bowens Restaurant, King Flats Creek

Backman Seafood's dock destroyed by one too many storms

Bird Key Shorebird Preserve, Stono Inlet

What's left of Crab Bank, Charleston harbor

Old Coal Tipple ruins, site of the planned Lorelei Mixed Use Development

Johns Island Executive Airport and Burden Creek