Big Ice

Stepping out of the car at Meyer-Broadway Park, I discovered that the snow had melted and refrozen so that everything was slippery and slick. The dogs didn't care, and I kept to snowy areas where I could break through the crust. An empty park and a nice quiet walk - when a couple of van-loads of Amish teenagers showed up and tore off to the top of the big, icy tubing hill. Some didn't even bother with the tubes, just threw themselves down on the ice and rocketed to the bottom. Faster than a speeding buggy!

Skywatch Sunset

By the clock and by the compass, this is sunset this evening. I have it on good authority that there is a sun up there somewhere, and I'm sure the sunset colors are lovely.

Find links to this week's Skywatch Friday participants and see skies around the world: http://skyley.blogspot.com/.

It is also the annual day for CityDailyPhoto best of the year pictures. Not that it's the best picture I took all year, but I like this photo from last September. I spent a while 'stalking' the picture, getting the flag reflection and the lantern. It's an impromptu 9-11 memorial constructed by local firefighters at the station (click photo to go to the original post).


So, click here to view thumbnails for all participants in Best photo of the year 2009!

Mural

Someone has painted a fence on Seventh Street with this cheerful and summery mural. The mural is quite long - I will have to get a better picture that includes the very appealing alligator!

Cheery Cold

A lovely day for a stroll (at Hidden Marsh Preserve) by the Portage River. The weather has warmed up to a toasty 35 degrees F/2 degrees C. The sun reflecting on the snow and river ice is dazzling!

Slush

Spent most of the day in a meeting, but I did catch this shot of a boy slogging to school with his musical instrument case. The sign announces free parking, if you can get to it through the slush. (Behind the "white house", downtown.)

Sleeping Dragon

It's snowing this morning, but yesterday it was sunny and I took a hike through Hidden Marsh, Three River's nature preserve, and encountered this dragon. Fortunately he appears to be fast asleep, but I will have to avoid this part of the woods around Chinese New Year!

See more monochromes -click over to The Monochrome Weekend, presented by Aileni.

Downtown Duck

This mallard has been living downtown for a while. I just "met" him this evening on my way to a movie. Traffic had stopped for him while he walked across the street.