Nikki's Photography

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The Robert E. Lee Showboat is one of Lowell / Grand Rapids, Michigan’s tourist attractions in the downtown business district.

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Ornate architectural detail, exterior of Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Malacca, Malaysia. The temple was established in the 1600’s, with two halls added in 1704 and the bulk of it constructed in 1801 by craftsmen from China’s southern provinces. The architecture conforms strictly to the principles of feng shui, incorporating the fundamental belief that every aspect of life is closely related to attaining perfect harmony with nature. The interior is saturated with symbolism and intricate gold-covered carvings framing the walls and ceilings.

The Cheng Hoon Teng temple ministers to Malacca’s Chinese community, particularly those devoted to the order of San Chiao or the Three Doctrinal Systems of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Photos here show various methods of prayer for the souls of the deceased, as in candles, photos of the deceased and messages on gold,  and offerings in the form of mass-produced objects mocking material items they might desire in afterlife.

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Chinese guardian lions, known in the West as Fu Dogs, represent male and female energies, or yin and yang in Chinese philosophical context, supporting the concept of harmony when displayed together. The lion statues are traditionally known in Chinese as Shi, and are usually depicted in pairs at a property entrance or gateway, as they are here at the front entrance to Cheng Hoon Teng temple. Though artistic interpretations and styles may vary, always the male leans his paw upon a ball or similar representation of strength and supremacy, and the female on the right restrains a playful cub representing nurture.

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The Gateway Arch in  St. Louis, Missouri was built in 1965, commemorating Thomas Jefferson and the westward expansion of the United States. One of the most influential people in the history of  United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was the the third U.S. president and author of the Declaration of Independence.

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Canadian Wollastonite Mine, 20 ft. tall Inukshuk at gate entrance, Kingston ON

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Rattlesnake Roundup, Sweetwater, Texas March 13 – 15, 2009

From a cultural standpoint, I was quite curious about the Texan Rattlesnake Roundup. Attending, the view was to try to be unbiased and open-minded without any preset opinions. Still, as an animal rights ally I was interested to know whether the four event-filled days were about rattlesnake-appreciation or rattlesnake-loathing. I remain mystified, because it seems to be a mishmash of both.
Driving the three and half hours it takes to get back to Dallas, I marveled how what is acceptable for some, is taboo and unconscionable for others. Since many customs the world over, and across time, are basically borne of societal needs to collectively overcome threats and various natural causes, did this event begin in a similar way?…only here the rituals include a number of large people walking around eating disgusting, deep-fried rattlesnake that was more bone and grease than meat, and corn on the cob? Were the original celebrations of rounding up rattlesnakes actually efforts toward creating a communal mindset of safety, and have they evolved to dominate, even abuse, a predator that was perhaps more of a concern to the earliest settlers than it is now?
For Sweetwater locals, the occasion is an important part of their heritage and present lifestyle that brings the community together, draws in tourists and boosts their economy annually. Scheduled each year are: a parade, carnival grounds, a Miss Rattlesnake Roundup pageant, a Gun, Knife and Coin Show (because coins are obviously in the same category as knives and guns!), a snake-hunting competition, rattlesnake meat-eating contest, and vendors who earn a living selling various rattlesnake parts, products, and bizarre crafts. Unfortunately for raccoons and turtles it was an opportunity to sell their parts as well.
The demise of the rattlesnakes is undeniably sad and seemingly senseless, but the truth of every matter has many dimensions. It is easy to get caught up in the intrigue, and fall under the spell of groups in a festive state, to the point where I did try the deep-fried snake…but after one nip, threw it in the garbage, on top of others’ waste who had done the exact same thing.
I absolutely love reptiles, but admit to have considered buying one of the open-mouthed, fang-baring, stuffed intact, coiled-up snake souvenirs (not the ones sporting tiny cowboy hats and raccoon tails though). Although, upon guilty reflection, is one by-product any less vulgar than the other? I actually thought the coiled up rattlers ready to strike were really pretty, and only wanted one because I’m not likely to see a living one so up close and personal, hopefully.
Whether we agree or disagree, people earn a living doing things we can’t imagine. Practices and beliefs are incorporated over periods of time and passed down through generations. What was once relevant may have lost all sense currently, or in the future. Our consciousness evolves regardless though, and I wonder if in a distorted sort of way, most people leave the fairgrounds of cotton candy and snake pits every year with a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness of all creatures? I certainly did.
Only a human could come up with something so preposterous as little cowboy hats glued to rattler heads. Only a human would buy them! Generally what every pro/anti-whatever-activist-religious-righteous group is seeking is respect. It’s really about respecting all creatures, including humans, who do strange and unpredictable things.

Update – originally posted September 11, 2008

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This set of photos honors the efforts of a petition to halt construction on John’s Island, South Carolina that would have encroached on an area of land boasting an Oak tree estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.
Charleston, SC is proud of its heritage and respected for its commitment to preserving history in the area. Thanks to individuals rallying together and signing a petition, we are reassured that small efforts can and do make a difference on this planet. The land surrounding the Angel Oak is no longer in jeopardy. 17 acres were purchased by Lowcountry Land Trust, protecting the area adjacent to the tree.

Initially I wrote a longer article promoting the petition and website, which is no longer active. There were pages of exclamations by tourists who have visited the area specifically to see the Angel Oak, and interesting comments and pleas from residents who have fond memories of climbing the branches as children, and whose children now do the same. A nearby elementary school carries its’ name.

During the summer of 2008, my husband and I drove through South Carolina and took a short detour to John’s Island because I had heard of the tree and was very curious to see it. We drove through wicked rains at the edge of Tropical storm Faye, so when we arrived at Angel Oak park no one else was there. The tree trunk and lower branches are so immense, many have been propped up with stakes and heavy cables here and there, which is a little intrusive for photo-taking, but obviously necessary. Growth is spread outward more than upward, occupying an enormous space at least 150 feet wide.

According to after the Category 5 Hurricane Hugo hit the coast of in 1989, Governor Carroll Campbell is reported to say that the storm destroyed enough timber in South Carolina to frame a home for every family in the state of West Virginia. All those trees and forests obliterated, yet The Angel Oak survived. It has since healed injuries inflicted by Hurricane Hugo.

Sequoiadendron giganteum, Sequoia National Park, Mariposa Grove, Sierra Nevada, California
Giant Sequoias are among the oldest living things on Earth – the oldest known tree is 3,500 years old. Sequoias grow to an average height of 164–279 feet, or 50–85 metres, and 20–26 feet or 6–8 metres wide. Record trees have been measured to be 311 feet high (94.8 m). Visiting the Redwood and Sequoia forests in northern California needs to be on your bucket list..certainly, going back is on mine!

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A colony of cormorants lives on SS Palo Alto, a beached concrete ship at Seacliff State Beach, CA

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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

The Booker T Theater, Rocky Mount, NC opened “The Savoy” in 1929. (2015 Post-note: after laying unused and in disrepair for many years, it has been restored and reopened as a multi-purpose entertainment facility on April 28, 2011)

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Pelican, Charleston, South Carolina during impending Hurricane Gustav

An unusual sign for engine repair shop, and below, Pigeons, Birmingham, Alabama

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