Solitude at Brookgreen

You often approach the Hallmark Moment but you never quite fall in. It's a talent.

The reflections are just exquisite! I love the bench and the idea that I could just be sitting there day dreaming!

Very well done!

 

Alf

In November of 2011 we had a vacation in Myrtle Beach. On our last

day we discovered Brookgreen Gardens - such a magnificent place -

filled with so many 'Living Oaks. The prominent Alston family settled

here in colonial and antebellum eras. You can visit the location of the

plantation house, the Alston family cemetery, grounds of the slave

village, and other archaeological sites. We did not have time to visit

the Plantation. We did not have time to get a ticket for the Trolley

that takes you to the Family Cemetery - or the grounds of the Slave

Village. Of course this Historic site was back in the days when there

was Slaves - I found it very difficult to imagine - and also to actually

be on the grounds where Slaves were employed. But it did bring

that 'whole era' more 'home' to me. I found it disturbing yet at the

same time I hoped the Slaves were treated well by this family. Even

considering that - it is a concept so 'foreign' to my mind. We can only

hope mankind has improved so much more. There are old

architectural remains of buildings, beautiful gardens that include

many Sculptures by world renowned Artists. There is also a Low

Country Zoo that was amazing to tour - the boardwalk went through

swamp lands that were inhabited by animals known to the area. It

would take a week to tour this very large Plantation. One day we will

go back when the flowers are in bloom - this time of year they

celebrate the Nights of a Thousand Candles - grounds dressed up

for Christmas and lit with beautiful Christmas lights everywhere. I

would like to learn more about the History of this part of South

Carolina during that time in History.

Thanks so much Jack....it was so beautiful there.

Thanks Alf. There were so many benches throughout Brookgreen, just asking for someone to sit down.  Statues everywhere....amazing place.

A beautiful shot.  Love the reflections and the lone bench.  Very well done.

Thanks so much Bill for those kind words.

......

Great reflections have a way of working magic in a photo. Nice shot!

sincere thanks Warren for those kind words of critique

A very beautiful capture, the colours in the reflection add so much. Nicely composed and presented. I'm intrigued by the reflection to the right of the bench, is that a person feeding birds or one of the many sculptures you've mentioned ? That adds a touch of mystery to this beautiful image (6). Best regards Ken.

Well composed and beautiful reflections.

A quiet and restful place; the reflections make the shot for me... Mike

Gail,

  Beautiful scene with wonderful colors & reflection.  Take care, Patsy

Gail,  Yes, the reflection is superb and defines the image.  The bright light in the pond contrasts nicely with the more shadowy upper portion off the image. You continue working your artistic mastery.   Larry

I will be back soon to respond, many thanks for the thoughtful visits!

Cheers

 

PDE

I love the beautiful reflection in the water!

I'm hoping to catch up on replies very soon, wishing you all a safe and healthy New Year.

such strong contrasts - bright/dark, sharp/blurry, warm/cold. best, j

Nice tranquil image, Gail. In fitting with the season. Happy belated New Year, girl.

What a gorgeous image with fantastic reflection. Right to my favorites. Now that I retired I'm looking for places to visit and immediately I added Myrtle Beach Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina. Your mention to Slavery touch me deeply as I was slave many times before in past lives. Every time I see any thing related to the black experience I get involve and it moves me to emotional levesl that I do not understand rationaly. Perhaps if something similar happens to you, you might also experienced slavery in your own flesh! Reincarnation is foreign to many, to me always a reality. Thank you for sharing a fantastic presentation! Take good care my friend.

 

thank you for you visit Jorge. I do know that we believe different things...but I do rejoice that I believe in God, Jesus, and His forgiveness and new life for me. Although I have felt the odd thing about 'deja vu' at times............I Believe I was meant to be here NOW - other Lives are not in my vocabulary - but that is just me. There are many LEVELS of being a SLAVE and I have experienced it in the NOW many years ago. That is all that I relate to. I do hope that you will always come to some PEACE with your BELIEF in other LIVES..........I have no answers for you - wish I did - but I do Believe that I have enough to DEAL WITH in this LIFE................IF EVER THERE WERE OTHERS............thank goodness I do not know or believe there would be...............we have enough to Digest in this life......and actually try to come to terms with. But I would never 'BASH' anyone's Belief. I do hope we all can find UNDERSTANDING - in this LIFE - I think that is ENOUGH TO HOPE FOR THESE DAYS. Mind you I do not, for a moment say anything against those who on this Earth have EVER been ENSLAVED.................there are so many kinds of ENSLAVEMENT - there are times when I don't sleep well knowing I DO have a warm and dry place to sleep - that I have tried my best to DEAL with those who attempted to HURT me in this life.....what more can we do. We can RESPECT those who in the past dealt with this HORROR - and NOW - YES we can HELP those who deal with whatever kind of ENSLAVEMENT they deal with..........this world and all it's DIVERSITY...............has it's HORRORS as well................if I think too long on any of them it is OVERWHELMING - may we EACH do what we can to HELP THOSE WHO PRESENTLY suffer...........I think that is ENOUGH and MORE THAN ENOUGH for us to EFFEFTIVELY DEAL WITH ..............if I had past lives. it is of no use to me now.........if I truly want to make a DIFFERENCE, and I think if we are all to survive in what we have to deal with NOW.........we all need to concentrate on MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LIVES, whether FREE, IMMIGRANT......SO MUCH LESS THAN FORTUNATE - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MAN'S HUMANITY TO MAN ????????? we live in TIMES NEVER BEFORE SEEN ON THIS EARTH..............TIMES WHERE MANKIND CAN BE SO CRUEL AND UNCARING IF THEY CHOOSE - I hope many CHOOSE to CARE.