Gray and rainy out today (nothing new there) so a dip into the archives yields this pretty blue urn, setting off the hydrangeas so nicely. And of course the shadow is what caught my eye first, being the shadow junkie that I am. Thanks for that, Tracy!

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more intriguing shadows, Today’s Flower for flowers around the planet, Scenic Sunday, and Blue Monday for photos with blue in them. And you might try a tag of Blue or Shadows here (lower right) for some fun, first.

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.

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.

Yesterday there was a bit of sun (yay!) and I ran out to the Volunteer Park Conservatory to get some photos of orchids. I might as well tell you that I am working on a book about the flowers there, coming out later this year. My first book, and a very exciting and big project! I think I may use this image in it.

Visit Today’s Flowers, Macro Friday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Macro Monday, Macro Flowers Saturday, and Shadow Shot Sunday for more neat photos with a theme (that’s what a photo meme is). Before you go, be sure to browse around here and next door at Free Photos, checking out the multitude of photos on so many topics.

I took a photo of this same scene many years ago, taken against a dramatic sky in March, as I remember, but here it is again, taken last week in January. It was great to find the exact spot and I was happy that the sun peeked out for a bit of shadow on the barn wall for me. This huge old live oak tree, certainly over 100 years old, is in Sebastopol, California, out on Sanford Avenue. This photo is one of my very top faves, so I’m putting it in my Best Posts of the Week category.

Visit Scenic Sunday and Shadow Sunday for more intriguing photos, and SOOC for more with no tweaking, or straight out of the camera. And browse around here and at Free Photos for some pretty pictures if you have a moment.

These are some of my top fave mums. I remember that my mom grew them when I was growing up in New York City (it’s not all tall buildings, you know), and the tiny “spoons” of the petals totally fascinated me. And the scent. I was pleased to see some in a recent gift bouquet I received. Lucky me!

Visit Shadow Sunday, Mellow Yellow Monday and Macro Monday for more neat photos. Do browse around this site, as there’s lots to see. Search here or next door in Free Photos for anything you’d like to see.

Happy New Year to everyone! May health, wealth and happiness be yours, in 2011 and in every year.

It was clear overhead but all misty and mysterious out on the water. Can’t you just hear the foghorns?

Visit Watery Wednesday for more interesting kinds of water photos, Outdoor Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Weekend Reflections, Skywatch Friday and Sunday Shadow Shots. This one is straight out of the camera, too.

Do browse the little images, or thumbnails, next door at Free Photos, linked to searchable larger photos you can copy and use for your enjoyment. And if this photo is the only one below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for the rest of them.

Las Vegas is so great on so many levels, and especially to those of us who love travel but can’t quite fit a European jaunt into the budget lately. Since I had to go there for a conference in November, I certainly appreciated the art and architecture, even if it’s all faux. Lovely anyway. The Venetian Hotel has lots to like for people who miss Italy like me.

Visit Mellow Yellow Monday for more splashes of yellow, and Shadow Shot Sunday for more neat shadows. And don’t forget to check out the new photos at Free Photos, next door.

A bit of sunshine perks up everything in the house. These days in Seattle’s northern lattitude when the sun is so low in the sky, the our rare sunshine reaches far into the room. This was taken at my south-facing kitchen table a week or two ago. But now the days lengthen and eventually the sun’s rays will not enter the window at all.

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more interesting shadows of all types, and Blue Monday. Such creativity!

Remember, only one photo below means more will show if you click on Sara’s Fave Photos. And do see what’s new in Free Photos “next door.” Rate your favorites!

On my visit to the Pike Place Market in Seattle on Friday, there was some actual brilliant sunlight streaming in the windows lighting up the unique and beautiful holiday bouquets. Since the flower vendors can sell only those plants and flowers they grow themselves, the most unusual arrangements you will ever see are found there. And cheap!

Visit Shadow Shot Sunday for more interesting shadows, Color Carnival for more bright colors. And if there’s only the one bouquet photo below, click on Sara’s Fave Photos for more.

Dear readers, the new site is almost ready. I’m so excited! Very soon now, all will be revealed.