Built between 1751 and 1761 St. Michael’s is the oldest surviving church in Charleston. The person who help create the US, George Washington, and the person who almost destroyed the same, Robert E. Lee both worshipped here.
Two signers of the Declaration Of Independence are buried in the church yard.
Out and about in town, found on a walk.
We had left the last marsh, it was close to noon, definitely time to quit. Of course a big bird flew up from the center of the road. Assuming it was a vulture we almost passed by. The white tail gave him away.
The trees are thick and dark, even the road is under a canopy.
I had a quick chance to get a few shots in the trees before he dropped out of site.
The long Leica/Panasonic lens has not been delivered yet so this was taken with a spur of the moment purchase. A 150 mm budget lens.
Bald Eagle, ACE Basin, South Carolina.
All the larger buildings here were rebuilt or repaired after the US Civil War. In many cases the original bricks were used. It makes sense to use brick, even in the 1700’s. This land is marshes with clay, has termites, and fire was always a danger. There were a few rice plantations that also had a thriving business making bricks.
The pond in the foreground above had been for Water Buffalo. During the rice planting era Water Buffalo were imported and used in the rice fields like all other rice growers around the world. During the federal army’s marsh past Charleston the Buffalo were confiscated.  Several actually turned up in the NYC Central Park zoo.
The other night we were chatting with some other photographers in the old avenue of Oaks that leads up to the Magnolia Plantation main house. There is always something blooming along here, now it’s some Iris.
The main plantation home is the backdrop for these bright blooms.
End of the day, all the visitors had left.
A few photographers stayed late and were wandering around. We were hoping for a colorful sunset. This is the best we had. A storm was passing by off the coast bringing winds and clouds.
Most of us had stocked up on snacks and sweet tea (unsweet tea) curtesy of the plantation and had moved on to their favorite spots to shoot a bit before heading home.
Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina.
The wrought iron fences from 100+ years ago is a continuous fascinating photo subject for me. The ‘rust and ruin’ can be beautiful.
The other day I made a point of focusing (pun intended) of the different styles I found on a walk.
Besides an interesting subject it was a good way to work some new gear, and teach my fingers an entirely new set of buttons and dials.
This is a family plot dating to 1858, pre Civil War. The date is important since in a short 5 years the wealth and style here would completely change due to the war.
The fence looks like a garden arbor.
Not all the fence has survived unfortunately. It’s still better than some which are out in the open to the wet, sun, and storms of the Lowcountry.
One of the locals, a goat at Middleton Plantation farm, ignoring me and the world in general.
However suddenly things changed quickly. Two voices he recognized from the other side of the tall fence. At least one of those voices was sure to have food.
It was basically ‘out of my way’ when he stood on two legs looking over the fence. And yes! One of them had an arm full of fresh straw.
The sounds he made were pitiful. Goat calls confused as to why the hay was not for him. I was standing next to him and he kept looking at me, the hay, then back to me. An ‘Open The Door’ noise started.
Finally I moved away, if he turned his head fast one of those horns would hurt. We did have a pretty nice conversation for a time though.
Taken in the barn yard, Middleton Plantation, Charleston.
This image was shot while passing behind the Middleton Plantation buildings. Before the US Civil War the houses were much larger. The main building of today was actually only a side structure to the big house, maybe the library.
This rice plantation was known to have one of the largest formal gardens in North America. Some of the formal gardens still exist and each spring colorful blossoms and visitors are everywhere.
Note; variations of this photograph have been published multiple times on this site. Each a bit different, this particular was taken as I learned new gear and for comparison to other images.
