| Rocky
Shoals Spider Lily
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Landsford Canal State Park near highway 21 south of Rock Hill, SC, is home to the worlds largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies. The flowers bloom in a spectacular display from mid May to mid June with peak bloom around the first of June. The flowers thrive in the middle of the river and getting to them is difficult. There is an element of danger in walking in the river and you assume a certain degree of risk. I find it preferable to use a canoe and put in at the Park Office/picnic area and taken it out at the lower gate parking area. I put my camera gear in a small cooler, tape it shut and then secure it with a rope. Alternatively, I have walked in the river right up to the lilies. The park offers canoe trips during the peak Lily bloom. Inquire at the Landsford Canal State Park office (803-789-5800) for more information. If I wade (I don't recommend this), I put the cooler with my gear in a small inflatable raft and tie it securely. The raft is a safer than hand carrying camera equipment in the river because of the possibility of falling (very real!!!) into the water and getting soaked or injured. I also found that a wading stick will help navigate the rocky river. Cloudy/overcast days are better than bright sunny days both for light and temperature. If you do decide to wade, use the buddy system and be sure to check to make sure that the dams up river wont be discharging water. Stop by the park office to inquire about water levels and let the staff know that you will be wading in the river. Please remember that the plants are protected. I use a 105 mm f2.8 macro and
a 75-300 mm f4.5-5.6 with a tripod to photograph the flowers. A 24mm f2.8
works well for wide angle shots of the showy flower display. I prefer to use
Velvia or Kodachrome 64. More information on Landsford Canal State Park and
the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies is available in the ARCHIVES
Please note that the images and the articles on these pages are copyrighted by Angelo Sciulli. Reproduction or use in any manner without permission is prohibited.
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Maintained by Angelo Sciulli
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