Lens-Artists Challenge #203 – Local Vistas

Kiawah From Start To Finish

“Sometimes – and it is of course a rarity – a landscape becomes in front of your eyes everything you ever hoped a landscape could be.”

Charlie Waite

There are moments, as Charlie Waite describes above, when the beauty of a vista we see every day becomes something extraordinary. This week, Anne’s Local Vistas challenge gives us an opportunity to invite others into those moments close to home and to our hearts. Here on Kiawah we are all about nature’s amazing gifts. There is much to be seen and savored, so my apologies in advance for what may become quite a lengthy post. 😊 I’ve opened with a triptych of 3 of my favorite Kiawah vistas taken over the years from 3 different locations on the island at sunrise, sunset and moonrise.

Beachwalking

“This is the gift of the landscape photograph, that the heart finds a place to stand.”

Emmet Gowin

One cannot appreciate Kiawah without observing the many moods of our 10-mile coastline. With tide changes that can range up to 7 feet (2 meters) visitors are often seen biking or walking the beach only to find it difficult to return due to changes in the tide or the wind. It’s a mistake most everyone (including yours truly) has made, but only once!

Marvelous Marsh

“Nature is a great artist.”

Brett Weston

Along with our coastline and inland forests, Kiawah’s marsh has a magic all its own. It is beautiful in each of its many seasonal colors and in every kind of weather. While I don’t have a favorite season I’ve chosen a vista from one of many beautiful spring days as winter golds transition to the bright greens of new growth.

Back Tees, #16, Cassique

“Art is not to be found by touring Egypt, China or Peru; if you cannot find it at your own door, you will never find it.”

Peter Henry Emerson

Having been amazed by the beauty I’ve found throughout our travels, I disagree a bit with Mr. Emerson’s quote above, however I certainly agree there is much beauty to be found in our own backyards. In the image above I’ve included one of the many amazing vistas around which our seven golf courses are designed. Although Kiawah’s Ocean Course is world-famous for having hosted national and international tournaments, each of our other courses also takes full advantage of the island’s natural surroundings. Today’s header and the image above are from two other Kiawah courses.

Wildlife Wonders

“Photographic composition is a means to show the strength and dignity of animals in nature.”

Frans Lanting

We humans are not the only ones enjoying Kiawah’s natural beauty. We are frequently gifted with glimpses of the other inhabitants of our island. Dolphins frolic and strand feed in our ocean and our rivers, gators prowl our ponds and their edges, bobcats can be seen strolling along our bridges and huge, endangered loggerhead mothers return annually to give birth to a tiny next generation in the warm sands of our beach. Those who follow me are already familiar with the amazing diversity of our avian residents so I’ve chosen not to include them today.

Spending Time on Kiawah

“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.”

Henri Matisse

The island is also a marvelous playground, enjoyed by people of all ages and interests. In the images above from top left – eventual champion Phil Michelson enjoys Ocean Course golf during last year’s PGA, kayaks (one of the best ways to enjoy our island and its resident dolphins) stand at the ready, a fisherman leaves one of our many fishing docks as a storm moves in, and paddle boarders cruise along one of our many creeks.

Almost Never

“The capture of a rare photograph becomes a real physical delight.”

Henri Cartier-Bresson

As Kiawah residents for over 20 years, we’ve seen one ice storm and two snow storms. In both cases the freeze was gone the following day; hence my delight when capturing a rare image such as the one above.

Inland Beauty

“In nature, every bit of life is lovely.”

Roman Vishniac

The quote above perfectly expresses my thoughts on the natural beauty of Kiawah. Our 10-mile island includes the ocean and its beaches, a dense maritime forest, an ever-changing marsh, rivers and creeks, numerous natural and man-made ponds, and the accompanying flora and fauna prevalent in each. Other local vistas I could also have included (as I have in previous posts), include nearby downtown Charleston, Magnolia Gardens and Middleton Place, historic Fort Sumter or Sheldon Church to name a few – but I’d need far more space and you’d need far more patience 😊. For now I’ll bring this one to a close with a sincere thank you to Anne for her challenge. We look forward to seeing your local vistas. Please remember to link your posts to Anne’s original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

Next week’s challenge will be Guest-Hosted by Sylvia of My Colorful Expressions. Be sure to check out her interesting and beautiful blog. Until then as always, please stay safe and be kind.

Interested in participating in our challenge? Click here for more information.

Tags: Kiawah, landscape, LENS-ARTISTS, Photo essay, photography, vista

• June 11, 2022
• Photography
• 120 Comments