Fly by

Last week I went to South Carolina and visited Huntington Beach State Park. Huntington is right at the beach and offers great views over the marshes. With lots of waterfowl to be admired. When I just drove in to the park I was greeted by an osprey. So rushed to park the car and was rewarded by a fly by.....





And not by one, there must have been an osprey meeting going on, because at one point there were three of them flying right in front of me. So cool!







Don't know how to explain but it sure gave me a humble feeling to see them flying this close. It was low tide and definitely feeding time. Lucky me, to be there and witness it all.

Fort Fisher, North Carolina

Last week I went to Fort Fisher in North Carolina. I usually go to the beach but this time I took a walk around the old fort and went in to see the exhibit which b.t.w. is free of entry.



The trees on the grounds are just fascinating. The wind has blown them all in the same direction.

The drama in them is just screaming to make pictures of.




This fence has dealt with its share of wind too I suppose.




These two came to check the photographer out and posed in the perfect light for a bit.  And I spotted a standard "Bird on a wire", near the parking. Which looked like it bowed when I made the picture. 



Besides all the history that was made around this place, it really is a great area to explore a bit and I so enjoyed the walk.






It already was later in the day so decided to watch the sunset from Battery Buchanan point. Right next to the Port Fisher/Southport Ferry. And it was just beautiful to see the sun go down there. Again the trees added the drama. Absolute perfect ending of a great day.









So serene and calm. Who would have thought an old fort could be like that.

A little bit of NC fall.....

Beacons of Maine

I am back! My body is at least. My mind is still wandering of up North every now and then.





Just love the dramatic lighthouses of Maine. The setting is just perfect.





The tides, the sail boats and the boulders along the shore. Just a perfect.

Pure

I know the colors of Water lilies are stunning. But wait until you see them in Black & White. The simplicity and beauty....





















They just wow me with their texture and simple beauty. So pure... I absolutely love them!

One of my favorites

I have been editing some of my photo's during this oh so rainy week and I came across this one. I made this one while getting to an appointment last Fall. Early,  I mean early early,  morning and along the side of the road was this swampy area. While driving my eye just got a glimpse of it. But just had to turn around and make a picture of it. 

The lake was located off to a sort of abandoned place, so had to hike a bit to get the best view. Hoping nobody would come barging out of any unattended buildings or so. So was very alert,  to be honest. But the beauty of the lake got me. Absolutely stunning. The fall colors, the elegance of the trees. Breath taking. And together with the mist, it made it so mysterious. And I was so glad I turned around to make this picture. Well, several pictures that is. But I like this one the best. And furthermore I was very happy,  to make it out alive again too. Just so you know ;-) 

So here it is, my favorite from last year.

First & Last Stop

This Memorial Day weekend I went on a little road trip along highway 42 here in NC. Love driving through the backroads. And highway 42 in particular. Some parts along it makes you think time stood still for at least a little while... So I passed this old gas station. And just had to stop to take a closer look.

All the little details the building still showed. Like what was there to love at one point, as it was written In big red letters on the wall? Someone must have painted that on the building for a reason. And then the name of it. First & Last Stop? Thought it was funny. How can a gas station be your last stop? Isn't it supposed to get you further anyway? That alone made me wonder.

At least they had some Coca Cola while you were on your "First and last stop". And bait and tackle, let's not forget those! You wouldn't ever want to be without that right? Especially on your last stop.

I didn't know the place at all, but I'm sure it has provided some special memories to people that were living in this area at a certain point in time. And like all memories.... We don't remember days, we remember moments.

 

Just lovely my dear.......

When I went to Duke gardens a few weeks ago, I noticed that they also had an enormous amount of peonies planted. At that time not in bloom yet. So really I had to go back, because I just love peonies. Besides roses & hydrangeas that is. They come in that order on my favorites list too. And yes indeed, so true. I really love the "drama" flowers. So I took my chances this morning and drove up again. And ah..., they were so beautiful!

As like walking in one of those old English gardens somewhere in Cotswold. They all had the signs of an high tea just waiting to happen. "Just lovely my dear"....

Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.  ~Gerard de Nerval

Spring trip to Sullivan's island

This week I went on a short trip to Sullivan's island near Charleston.

There is a little boardwalk along side the harbor which I love.

This friendly and a bit nosy pelican was also there.

Somehow seeing pelicans around me, gives me the ultimate vacation feeling. It means I'm near water and near warmer temperatures ;-)

Even spotted some dolphins in the harbor, that probably were hoping to get some leftover fish from the fishing boats.

Sullivan's island beach in the early morning.

The dogs had a great time on the beach since they are allowed to go off-leash there at certain times a day.

Some of the other visitor's on the beach.

 

There were a lot of Sand dollars to be seen at the beach that morning. And there was me thinking those are very rare shells to find. Not on Sullivan's Island at least.

 

On the way back home the GPS really had a hard time to get back on the I95. And kept directing to all these backroads of backroads. So we ended up passing through a town called Lakeview. Which, as the name suggests, had a really nice lake. Although, more of a swamp if you ask me. It would be the perfect spot to film a very scary horror movie there!

Right at the edge of the lake there was this old cabin. Which said it was from 1870 and was called Page's mill Pond.

The wooden deck had holes and big cracks in it, so did not take my chance to stand on it.

Very mysterious place don't you think? After this little town the GPS suggested to take a right on Chicken road and then a left on Turkey Branch (Seriously! :-) ) and then the first right was I95. Just had to laugh about that! But made it home safe again.