Took this last year around this time, over the roof of my house. I totally love clouds like this, and I hope you do, too. So exciting, somehow.

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies around the world. You can post a sky photo and join in if you like. Blue Monday, Scenic Sunday, and SOOC (straight out of the camera) are worth a visit, too. Before you run off, take a look at the newest photos “next door” at Free Photos, and maybe a tag like Cloudscape here (at the right). And one more thing: click on Sara’s Fave Photos if you see only one photo below.

I’ve posted about this unusual flat fountain before, but I thought you might like another look at it in the mysterious dark colors of the night. I was lucky enough to have tickets to the Cinderella ballet by the Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, and to me, the great building and surrounding area is almost as much fun as the performance.

Visit Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, SOOC, Scenic Sunday, Thursday Challenge (textures) and Weekend Reflections for more neat photos. Try a new tag, or maybe search for “shiny”? Click on Sara’s Fave Photos above to view the complete blog.

When I was a kid I didn’t like radishes—too sharp and spicy for me. But now they seem to taste quite a bit milder than they used to. I think they grow different varieties, or maybe my taste buds changed. In any case, aren’t they beautiful to look at, if not to cut into the salad?

Visit Ruby Tuesday and SOOC (straight out of the camera shots), plus Thursday Challenge (textures) and Color Carnival, for more interesting photos with a theme. And they are certainly wet, so hop on over to Watery Wednesday also. Before you go, be sure to check out a new tag or category here, or Free Photos right next door, for a fun browse. And if only one photo appears below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the whole enchilada.

There’s nothing like a flower close up, or macro, to focus your attention. Let’s take a dip into the archives for some sun and color! I crave the July sunshine and the shadows it makes—also the subject of this photo. These hybrid zinnias like a rich soil and lots of sun and heat, and maybe need a little staking to stay up well, and don’t even have a fragrance, but they are so exciting in the garden. I’d say this one was about 4 inches across, or maybe 10 cm. Showy!

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday , Today’s Flower and Macro Monday, as well as Color Carnival and Thursday Challenge (textures). And if there is only one photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos to see them all.

Taken in Windsor, California last month, this photo shows the moss and lichen on the bare winter branches of the oak trees. Amazing what a little sunshine will do.

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday, SOOC, Thursday Challenge (trees) and Scenic Sunday for other photos you might enjoy. And definitely check out something like the Nature category if you have a moment.

I love this photo and I’m putting it in the Best Post of the Week category, but it was a hard choice between this and the radishes above! Just click on Sara’s Fave Photos to see the whole blog with those cute radishes a few photos above this one.

These magenta-and-white African violets with their thick, fuzzy leaves were photographed at our local garden club’s quarterly meeting and horticulture show. Do you see how the pink splotches are heart shaped? I’ve never had any luck with growing African violets myself, but do appreciate their cheerful flowers, especially at this dark time of year. Maybe I’ll try some again.

Visit Pink Saturday, Color Carnival, Today’s Flower and Macro Flowers Saturday for more neat photos. After browsing around here, of course.

Last month I went to Northern California Wine Country, and I am still enjoying the photos I took there and hope you are, too. This was taken at the square in little-but-so-artsy Healdsburg, about an hour and a half north of San Francisco. I love the way some branches are bare, some leaves are green, some still seem to be in autumn mode, and the palm trees wave over all. But it’s all about the blue sky, isn’t it?

Visit Skywatch Friday, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, SOOC (straight out of the camera) and Blue Monday for more photos on a theme. And check out Free Photos next door for more scenic and flower photos to browse, too.

Even bare branches can look good when there’s water, sunshine, and reflections involved. This January view of the lake in Spring Lake Park in Santa Rosa, California, was something that will look quite different in just a few months.

Visit Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Weekend Reflections, Blue Monday and SOOC (straight out of the camera) for some more interesting photos. And you might try a tag like “reflections” or hop over to Free Photos for even more scenic and flower photos. All free for personal use!

I’ve decided I like the almost lace-like texture of the black branches very much and am naming this post my Best Post of the Week. If you see only the one photo below, do click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the rest of them.

While I was visiting Northern California in January, I had a chance to drop into the Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg, right in the Sonoma County Wine Country. The area is famous for food as much as wine, and deservedly so. Don’t these look yummy? Fresh and perfect.

Visit Ruby Tuesday, SOOC (straight out of the camera), and Color Carnival for lots of great photos on a theme. And perhaps try a search for the word Red or Tomatoes here first?

Spring will get here, I am certain of it, but the wait is difficult. Here are some true spring flowers for you. I think those are forget-me-nots in the background of the second photo.

Do you prefer the super close macro shot, or the one with more flowers showing?

Visit Macro Monday, Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday and Color Carnival for more neat photos with a theme. Or click around here a bit if you have a minute.