A few weeks ago on my way to a conference in Las Vegas, the weather was gray in Seattle, no surprise there, but what a magnificent view of Mt. Rainier emerged when we ascended above the clouds. I love air travel for this reason. The views are truly heavenly.

Even though this is water frozen and water gaseous, it’s still water, and it qualifies for an entry to Watery Wednesday. Visit Blue Monday for more blue in photos, too. Shadow Sunday has more neat shadows. Outdoor Wednesday has more outdoor shots, of course, and Scenic Sunday the same, but different. Skywatch Friday has great skies to see.

If you see only one photo here, you’ve arrived via a link. Click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the full blog experience.

Here’s some early Christmas decoration for you. I’m not sure if these are holly berries or what, but they sure are pretty, aren’t they? They were at the Pike Place Market in Seattle not too long ago.

Visit Ruby Tuesday and Color Carnival for more colorful photos. SOOC has more straight-out-of-the camera shots, too. Outdoor Wednesday is showing Xmas decor, indoors and out. And if you see only this one photo here, please click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the complete blog with lots more photos you might like.

These starry yellow mums with orange centers are just so cheerful, aren’t they? They almost look like the fall version of some daffodils. In any case, here they are for your gray weather pick-me-up. They were on display at the Volunteer Park Conservatory a couple of weeks ago.

Visit Macro Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday for more neat photos. Color Carnival has more bright colors, too.

Only one photo below? Do click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the rest of them.

‘Princess Flower’ or ‘Glory Bush’ is blooming now at the Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle. The flowers are only an inch or two (3-5 cm) but bloom at such a dark time of year here. In the background are chrysanthemums, coleus leaves, and more huge pink mums further back. Do pay them a visit if you are in the area.

Visit Today’s Flowers for more beautiful flowers from all around the world. I have the honor of being Guest Friend there today. Thank you, Today’s Flower!

This post really holds up for me so I’ve put it in the Best Posts of the Week category. Hope you agree.

I had to share this video of the Aurora Borealis with you. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. More wonderful skies at Skywatch Friday.

Aurora Borealis timelapse HD – Tromsø 2010 from Tor Even Mathisen on Vimeo.

Only three short weeks ago, this bloomed in my garden. Astrantia is one of my new favorite perennials. It bloomed and bloomed and bloomed, and seemed to be perfectly fine in quite a bit of shade. With pretty and unusually shaped leaves to boot, what more could you want from a garden plant?

Visit Macro Friday, Pink Saturday and Macro Flowers Saturday if you have a chance. This one is SOOC, or straight out of the camera, too. If you’ve found only one photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for more.

Looking at the new snow that had fallen out back on Monday, we could see from that dark, laden sky that more snow was coming. When the sky is darker than the land, it’s such a strange kind of look. I like the way this is a full color image but looks almost monochrome.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies seen around the world, and Scenic Sunday for great scenery. And have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Yesterday when the snow was just getting going, it collected so beautifully on the trees in the backyard. That is one old cedar tree, and I’m sure it has seen worse storms than this one. And check out the bonus little video of the snow falling in the front yard!

Visit Watery Wednesday for more versions of water in all its forms. Outdoor Wednesday has more views of the world outdoors. This one is straight out of the camera, or SOOC. Scenic Sunday has more scenery, naturally!

If there’s only one photo here, it means you’ve arrived by a link. Click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the entire blog.

Well it’s snowing hard outside, so winter is truly here, calendar notwithstanding. But here’s one more look at the glorious colors of autumn, taken just a week or two ago. Aren’t those red stems great? I like them so much I’m calling this my Best Post of the Week.

Visit Macro Monday and Mellow Yellow Monday if you’d like more close ups and more cheerful splashes of yellow, and Blue Monday for more blue shades. Ruby Tuesday has more exciting reds. Color Carnival is always a fun browse, too. Taking a look at other straight-out-of-the-camera shots is fun. And if there is only one photo here, be sure to click on Sara’s Fave Photos to see the rest of ’em.

On last week’s trip to Las Vegas for that conference held at the Flamingo Hotel, mid strip, like most conferences we were stuck inside for long hours, but there was a short break that included a walk through the Habitat section of the hotel’s grounds, with real flamingoes, by the way. I’ll post them later, but today wanted to share how the hotel looked reflected in one of the pools for the abundant birdlife. Do you see the fish?

Visit Weekend Reflections, Shadow Shot Sunday, Scenic Sunday, SOOC (straight out of the camera), Window Views and Blue Monday if you’ve a yen for more variations on a theme, or the home blog of some great photo memes. And if there’s only one measly photo showing here, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for lots more.