layered

layered, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Fungi is still thriving, even in the cold weather we've been having. A commenter on Flickr says that this is called Tree Ear Fungi, and is used as an insect repellent. It does kind of look like ears, doesn't it?

misty

out, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

The fog continued into midday yesterday, when I went down to the wildlife sanctuary by Stanley Park. By the time I came out of the woods, the breeze was noticeably warmer, and the snow was melting all over the place. Which, of course, meant mud. *g*

stand

stand, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went out in the fog this morning to capture the ethereal beauty, and took this shot of the Steiger family memorial in Pine Hill Cemetery. It is apparently the same family as the late, lamented, local Steiger's department stores. They certainly like to make a statement. ;)

crisp

crisp, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Dried hydrangea decorates Grandmothers' Garden on a grey rainy December day.

Merry Christmas

wreaths, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

A very merry holiday to all who celebrate!

Winter Solstice

snowy cheer, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Today is the shortest day of the year. After today, the days will start getting longer, and the light will return. Fitting, perhaps, that it is snowing (again) all day. Nature has covered us in a blanket of white to celebrate.

emmisary

emmisary, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I bundled up and ventured out into the snow earlier today. It's so pretty! The sky is pearly grey, and it's even still snowing a little bit.

This scene is in Pine Hill Cemetery, Westfield, MA. The TV news this morning said we got about 9"; it didn't look like quite that much to me, maybe more like 7". Still, nothing to sneeze at!

snowfall

snowfall, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Today marked the first big snowstorm here in the Pioneer Valley. A lot of us were spared during last week's ice storm, but today there was no avoiding the snow. We've gotten about 6" so far here in Westfield, with more expected. I don't think we're going to make the 8-12" they were forecasting, though.

This shot is from my commute home today, which took nearly twice as long as normal. This is the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, where I sat at a red light for just long enough to take out my camera and snap a shot.

I hope you all made it home safely, and are warm and cozy!

Popular

Star of David, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

This photo has been the most popular one on my Flickr stream lately. Flickr now has a "stats" feature that allows you to see how many hits your photos get, and how people came to them. It seems that a lot of people are searching for Star of David photos on Yahoo lately; 28 of them clicked on mine yesterday.

Here are some of my other popular search results:

Mustang logo


Corvette logo


Laurel wreath


I can haz cheezeburger


Annapolis Courthouse


bodypainting


Barney mausoleum


baton twirlers


Sometimes I get amusing searches, like the time someone searched for "butt panty" and found a pic I had taken at a Yankee Swap party of someone wearing the world's largest panties. People sure are weird sometimes. *g*

twinkle

twinkle, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went out yesterday evening to take pictures of this lovely little tree and the chapel at the cemetery, figuring it might be the last one warm enough to go out after dark. You just never know around here!

back to normal

back to normal, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

They finally got the flooding under control at Heritage Park today. Compare today's views to Friday's:















Quite a difference!

sad

sad, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I was very sad to come across this sight today in the wildlife sanctuary. I guess this tree didn't make it through the last storm.

It used to have a heart-shaped scar on its trunk. I'm really glad I got a good picture of it before it was gone.

Flooding at Heritage Park

emerging from the waters, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I went down to Heritage Park in East Longmeadow on my break today to take pictures of all the flooding there. Amazing! I've never seen the water this high there.

Picnic tables and benches almost submerged!





They were working hard to clear the drains, and pumping water onto North Main Street. Dunno how effective that's going to be...



Weird to see trees and shrubs sitting in the water.





The geese and ducks, on the other hand, were having a grand time.

medallion

medallion, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Detail from a rusty old iron fence at Pine Hill Cemetery. Below is the wider view of the fence, setting off what looks like a family plot.

justify

justify, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

Snow settles on a maple leaf still clinging to a tree in Pine Hill Cemetery on Sunday. Today it is raining cats & dogs. When they said "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute," they weren't kidding!

fetter

fetter, originally uploaded by Lizzie~Belle.

I've taken lots of pictures of this mausoleum in Pine Hill Cemetery, and I never seem to tire of it.

Same thing with the nearby chapel. They're just so darn picturesque!