Little Blue and Great Blue Herons in Flight

 I am fortunate to live by a golf course pond that is a wonderful ecosystem. It attracts a variety of wading birds (Egrets and Herons especially), turtles, frogs, alligators, and the occasional snake. And there are some fish in there too and residents and guests occasionally fish the pond. Over the years, though not lately because the pond is no longer stocked with bass, I have caught and released a number of bass, crappie and sunfish. 

The other day I photographed a Little Blue Heron that I have seen at the pond for a while. After popping off a few shots as I got closer and closer I set the camera to burst mode to see if I could capture a decent in-flight shot or two. Take note of the dragonfly in a couple of pond-side shots. 

Defending My Favorite Watering Hole!

 

Charleston’s Dewberry Hotel on Meeting Street across from historic Marion Square is an excellent example of successful real estate repurposing. The original structure was built in the 1960s as a federal building housing offices most of us would rather avoid such as the FBI and IRS. (I went there to interview an FBI official for a news story I did at Channel 5 TV back in the early 1990s). 

That building was closed and evacuated in the 1990s due to dangerous asbestos problems. After a really long time vacant the Dewberry Hotel opened several years ago. 

A real drawing card for people staying and not staying in the fine rooms here is the rooftop Citrus Club. A few weeks ago Alesia and I took there our friends from Virginia, Rodger and Tina Slate (see them above). 

Eight stories high on top of the Dewberry Hotel the Citrus Club offers majestic views of Charleston’s historic district and the sunset views from up there are very special. To me, it is easily one of Charleston's coolest places and most romantic too! 

Fort Sumter Visit- Five New Things Learned

 

Since moving to the Charleston area more than 30 years ago I have been to Fort Sumter- target of the first shots of the Civil war- maybe five times. It is always a fun place on a nice weather day to take out of town visitors. 

The ferry ride from Charleston’s Liberty Square is always very scenic. There is plenty to see in all directions.