We seem to be in a familiar pattern where after the intense heat of the day, summer storms form and unleash their energy in the late afternoons. This is always an opportunity for creating dramatic images, and this lightning strike was shot over the downtown Charleston skyline, under a canopy of broiling clouds.
Through most of the year, this small barrier island is just another one of many off the coast of the Carolinas, but during breeding and nesting season, it comes alive with activity. The diversity of shorebirds that crowd this space is nothing short of mind boggling, and the cacophony of squawking is carried on the wind for some distance. The smell also alerts you to your imminent arrival at the shores of the island. It is illegal to land, and really you should not get close enough that you change the natural behavior of the birds. These are a few images from our boat trip out there yesterday evening.
I have photographed this iconic lighthouse for years in and out of season, at night, at sunrise, in good and bad weather, but this was the first time I had seen it all lit up, doing what it was built to do. This beloved relic should be fully restored as a necessary and integral part of Charleston’s history. Support “Save the Light” at http://www.savethelight.org/
I took photos of this little guy before he was born when we did Mom’s maternity portraits, and now he has just turned one. How time flies. So much fun to watch families grow. Here are a few of my favorites from today’s shoot, all converted to black and white or sepia. I find that sometimes color can be a distraction, and monotones allow one to better focus on the expressions and personalities of the subjects.
Continuing my current Spring theme of playing tourist in my town, I joined the happy throng of pedestrians on King Street this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, and you could tell folks were thrilled to be outdoors in this gorgeous weather. It was almost a celebratory atmosphere. I know we complain about the flooding, about the bugs, about the heat, but seriously, there are worse places to live than Charleston. I for one feel fortunate to live here.
I am always looking for new perspectives of Charleston landmarks. Here is the Wentworth Mansion and the Grace Episcopal Church steeple with the backdrop of a classic lowcountry afternoon storm.
