#246 Roadside

Roadside art on one of the highways in Las Vegas. For the inexperienced, the animals are left to right: Road Runner, Gila Monster, and Fox. Behind the wall is the Desert Springs Preserve where Las Vegas began. (I love interstate wall art.)

By the way, Gila Monsters grow to two feet long and are venomous on the same level as coral snakes. There hasn't been a report of a human fatality since 1939. They move slowly compared to a rattlesnake so don't fear. Heat stroke and dehydration are more common dangers in the desert. Gila Monsters just look ferocious.

#10 Art

This piece, also by Dale Chihuly, is displayed in the lounge at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. I tried to lighten it up a bit. Lounges have a way of being dark. This hotel doesn't skimp on the artwork!

I'm thinking it's a bouquet of flowers but the tendrils could be underwater, octopus-like? Nah, flowers.

#138 Hanging

Imagine checking into a hotel with this gorgeous collection of glass flowers above you! Created by Dale Chihuly, they are three to four feet in diameter. Of course, the photo does no justice to the size and "wonderful-ness" of it. Magnificent!

See more about the artist at www.chihuly.com.

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada

#223 Playful

We heard about the Pinball Hall of Fame and thought that would be an unusual thing to do. There are over 400 working machines collected by a man who loves the genre. We spent a fun twenty minutes dropping a couple of dollars in quarters. It was our only gaming experience in the gambling capital of the world.

http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

#209 Orbs

Mardi Gras beads on speed. These seem to be a big seller in the Las Vegas kiosks.

#338 Tri-Colors

Forget the green desert foliage in the foreground. See the red, white, and blue? I felt so clever. Interstate 15 through the Utah desert is a lovely drive - prettier than some other deserts. This was taken near St. George.

I knew there would be another "Three" submission.

#300 Textured

TEXTURED blazed from the canyon walls on Interstate 15 in Arizona. My driver (DH) indulged the photo-op. You should see the rest of the shots!

(Last week we drove to Las Vegas to see friends. Since I took over 300 photos, it will be a major source of theme-fulfillment for awhile. Just warning you.)

#69 Dark

A few days ago the moon was full and we still had icicles hanging from the roof. The cats woke me up and the clouds were gone (for a short time) and I had to take this photo just to see what would happen. I'm more impressed with the light on the icicles than I am with the moon. AND I wasn't going to fiddle with a tripod at 3:30 a.m. The moon was gorgeous on the snow also.

#302 The Letter "A" = Aspens

"Aspens on Edge" by Bland Hoke - one of the Art You Can Sit On collection of benches in Idaho Falls. The second photo shows the bench from the front which faces the river (and features Mr. Mallard). I like the silhouette better with the river in the background. It's a pretty spot to watch the river flow by (after the ice melts and the sun shines!).

I just want you to know that I have given my body to photography. I slipped on the ice getting back to the car. No big deal as I was already on hands and knees trying to make progress. That ice was not allowing any grip. The good news is spring is coming!

#287 Stripes

The boys don't sleep in the same place very often so this was a great photo opportunity. I love their stripes and ring tails. The horse blanket makes them even stripe-ier. The horse blanket has never seen a horse. We bought it on one of our trips to Arizona.

Simon, the gray one is 9 years old and weighs in at twenty pounds, give or take. His tummy doesn't have a dirty spot - it's just a spot. Garfunkel is the Orange One, three years old and "only" fifteen pounds. Everyone comments on how big they are. I guess we are used to it.

#332 Through a Window

I love the trees I see through my front window. The flower box is impatiently waiting for spring flowers.

#173 Lots & Lots & Lots

I'm on track for getting the W2s in the mail on time. There are lots and lots. Just one more big batch this week. I love it when a plan falls together!

#243 Repeating Patterns

Affectionately called "the lattice," this repeating pattern serves as backdrop to the chancel action in our church every worship service. Below is the big picture.

#112 Footwear

A disorderly arrangement of my DH's footwear including dress shoes for church, two pair bicycle shoes, one pair of boots, couple of running shoes, and various casual shoes depending on the occasion. He takes his footwear seriously which is still cheaper than visits to the podiatrist. I could wish he would put them on the rack instead of piled on the floor but we all have our issues.

My personal collection is not as large. This is one woman without a thing for shoes.

#189 Multicolored

Although Christmas is over, Taylor's Crossing still has this multicolored display just across the street from the river. Makes me smile when I see it.

#235 Red

This fire hydrant gives a bang of color in my otherwise black and white world. If the sun had been shining . . .

My first thought of fulfilling color themes is flowers, which I may still do. However, I'm going to look for outdoor man-made items instead. We'll see how far I get.

#50 Circular

I tried to turn the dumbbells so the writing would all be even. Didn't happen and I wasn't going to ask one of the hunks to do it for me. I couldn't decide which shot I liked best so here are two of them - full of circles.

#66 Curves

I drive these curves to the gym in hopes of improving my own, which are more convex than concave, if you get my drift (uh, oh, too many puns).

#5 Amazing

Garfunkel is a love sponge. I am continually amazed at how he trusts me to hold him and doesn't squirm, scratch, or struggle to get away. I love this cat.

#85 Empty

Too dang cold to play in the park (unless you are sledding) so the playground is empty.

#225 Pointed

Health Fair. Opportunity to give blood. I'm grateful that I'm still able. It's a small thing I can do for the community and it's "just a pinch!" Lotsa iodine - gotta be careful.

#31 Broken (uprooted)

The first snows last November were wet and heavy. Before I could get out to knock the snow off this tree broke and fell over. I don't really care as it's not a pretty tree, just a big thorny bush. However, we will have to take it apart to get it out of the backyard. Lots of work for a tree I don't like. Maybe a neighbor would like it for kindling. I'll worry about it in May or June.

#120 Frosted

Just call me copy cat. I saw the frostys on my car this morning and was reminded of this photo:

http://nansphotochallenge.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/120-frosted/

Although this photo doesn't have the cool red behind the glass, I do show a reflection of an evergreen tree next door and the sun just coming up. The sticky gives me away.

BTW - thanks to all who comment. It's so exciting for you to tell me what I did after doing it AND giving a suggestion or two. All appreciated!

#22 Black and White Image

I was afraid for my safety. As I approached the geese and mallards (who all forgot to go south for the winter), they stampeded me thinking I was bringing lunch. The park rangers frown on feeding people food to the wild fowl AND I didn't think about it anyway. The big guy in front didn't want to take no for an answer. He was sure I was holding out. I tried to persuade them that I wasn't a teaser. They let me off with a warning.

The photo was almost a black and white without any Elements tweaking. I am having so much fun.

#363 Winter

Sure are lots of opportunities for us in the Northern Hemisphere to check this theme off the list!

Taken last year at night. The city has spot lights on the river - so cool (no pun intended).

#359 White on White

These wind turbines are visible from town on a clear day but today I had to drive up close. There is a lot of discussion as to whether the turbines are a good thing or a bad thing "for the environment." I vote for good thing.

BTW: it was gently snowing so does that count as white-on-white-on-white? Oh yeah, I knew there would be another opportunity for "Three."

#342 Unfinished

This supposed-to-be hotel looks good on the outside but circumstances interrupted its completion so here it stands, vacant, unfinished, sad. Interested parties are in court but . . .

#236 Reflect

I forget that taking a photo of something inside the vehicle also means taking a photo of myself. I call this one "BCWIC" (Big Cheese What's In Charge). He was so cute guarding the master's truck at the grocery store parking lot. Had to capture him in pixels. (He/she is not my doggie.)

#330 Three

Outdoor sculpture at the Eastern Idaho Art Museum. Photo below shows the whole piece. I hesitate to fulfill the "Three" theme so early in the year because there are so many wonderful possibilities. I may use it again.

#103 - Fences

I liked the semi-circle "tufts" of snow along the boards taken on one of the few sun-shiney days we have had recently.

#1 Abstract

I wracked my brain ever since getting the list - abstract? All I could think of was abstract art and taking a picture of a picture doesn't seem like the point of this project. FINALLY! I remembered the "Art You Can Sit On" collection of twenty-two benches our city has so proudly displayed. You will probably see more of these through the year.

"voodoo chili" by Doug Warnock is a tile and glass mosaic bench in the contour of a young woman. I brushed off most of the snow but couldn't dislodge all the ice. I thought the shadows were a nice touch. Sorry my footprints interfered. I didn't think of it soon enough.