Walkabout in downtown Vicksburg

 I, along with 7 other people, took a photo walkabout through downtown Vicksburg the other day as part of the Hobbs Freeman Arts Festival, through the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. How appropriate that I found Hobbs' name down on a wall at the SCHF where sponsors and patrons were allowed to paint their names.

 Above and below are photos of a home in Vicksburg that is so beautiful, but is slowly decaying. It is of Italianate design and could be a showpiece for the city if someone could bring her back to life. It is on Crawford Street.

 The photo above is a photo of the sun shining directly behind the cross of Holy Trinity. The little point-and-shoot I was photographing with couldn't capture the cross completely. But I like the analogy of the sun (Son) obliterating the cross for me and my sins. So the more I look at this photo, the more it means to me. As always, click on the photos to enlarge them for a better viewing experience.

Random photos downtown

I consider this photo to be one of the five best I have taken this year. I love the composition and the early morning light really makes the columns of the Old Court House Museum sing! And don't forget to notice the little bird on top of the first column!

Here's a closeup of another column, another popular bird hangout.

This is the kind of colors you see before sunrise. It was gorgeous and really accented Bloom Fountain and the bell tower of the Old Court House Museum.

A light at the Firehouse Gallery casts a warm glow in the night around it.

In honor of Independence Day

In honor of the celebration of our nation's Independence Day tomorrow, I present to you fireworks in Vicksburg from 2005 and 2006. The top three photos were shot in front of the Old Court House Museum and the bottom four photos were shot from the clocktower of the Old Court House Museum in 2006. My thanks to Bubba Bolm and his staff for affording me such a view. God bless America!

Flowers of the Old Court House Museum

The grounds of the Old Court House Museum are absolutely spectacular with all the foliage and flowers. It is certainly something every citizen of Vicksburg should take pride in and not take for granted. So what are you doing this weekend? How about a visit to the Old Court House Museum?

Old Court House Museum

I had a wonderful time the other weekend shooting photos at the Old Court House Museum in the early morning light. I made it a challenge by just shooting with a wide-angle lens. This is such a beautiful building and has more character on its front porch than some entire homes have. With the dogwood trees, magnolia trees and gingko trees upon its grounds, it's fun to shoot photos here at many different times of the year. The last photo is the entrance to an underground chamber that has seen many uses over the years. One of the hidden treasures of the museum, however, is the beautiful flowers that adorn its exterior. And pretty much each plant has a story, too. I'll show you some photos I shot of the flowers at the museum tomorrow. Y'all come back now, you hear!

Dogwoods at the Old Court House Museum

Somebody asked me the other day if I had taken any photos of the dogwood trees at the Old Court House Museum. Yes, I did. Twice. Here's a sampling. I'll let the beauty of the dogwoods trees and the Old Court House Museum speak for themselves.

Potpourri

Here are four shots I have taken recently that I really enjoy, but they just haven't made it onto the blog yet.

• Do you ever notice the weather vane on top of the Old Court House Museum? Here it is with the full moon behind it. 

• The moon rises at dusk at the Louisiana Monument in the Vicksburg National Military Park. Most people don't see shots like this because they are usually traveling in the other direction and never turn around to see where they've been. There's a lesson there somewhere.

• The cross atop Mercy Chapel at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center is one of the prettiest sights in Vicksburg. The cross and the gable upon which its attached have weathered many a storm. I love the symmetry of this shot.

• The next time you venture to Windsor Ruins don't turn right when you leave the ruins. Instead, turn left and go about three miles to Bethel Presbyterian Church. This historic church is such a peaceful place to visit. The door has always been unlocked when I have ventured there and I love walking into the coolness of the sanctuary. It's simplicity is perfect for the soul. You can get close to God here. Nothing to interrupt you and Him. Spending time in one of the old wooden pews here in prayer can help solve many a problem. I know....