Formidable Frosty Fountain

Flair Fountains has been around for a long time.  They have a small demo fountain outside their building that bubbles away 24/7/365.  In the winter, however; it is not so small.  The tiny fountain is now a gargantuan ice sculpture.  But it's still bubbling.  That little wisp at the top that looks like mist is really water bubbling.  (A 5 second exposure will do that to water.)  A hearty fountain for a hearty Minnesota winter.

I checked out their website for the first time tonight.  They do some really nice looking stuff!  If they can keep their fountain bubbling with all the below zero weather lately, I guess they know their stuff.

Candy Cane Lane

I've kinda got a Christmas display theme going on, so I might as well run with it. 

Christmas Dreams

There is a house a few blocks from me that has a big beautiful Christmas display.  I stopped by around 10ish this evening to take some shots.  This is just a small portion of the display, but I liked it the best.  I've always loved snowmen. 

It was so peaceful out there.  No traffic.  Cold, crisp air. (11 degrees above zero, which is a lot nicer than some of the weather I've been out shooting pics!) Twinkly lights.  The soft humming of the air machines for the blow ups.  It was a nice little moment.

Beacon in the night

This is the most beautiful light-wrapped tree I have ever seen!  I first noticed it last night as I was driving over the Cedar Avenue bridge.  It is so huge and shines like a beacon from the river bluffs.

I decided to try and find it, so I got off the highway and took a couple turns and there it was.  I didn't add any light to the house, that is all glow from the tree!  It is so breathtakingly beautiful  in person and so big.

I went back tonight with my camera and tripod to take some shots.  My iPhone pics from last night just didn't do it justice.  As I was taking pictures, a cop came slowly down the street and rolled down his window.  Oh oh, now what?  I'm just taking pictures.  When I got close enough to hear him, he said he was gawking too.  Too funny.

Got Snow?

We got our first "real" snow of the season today.  The trees looked very pretty when they were flocked.  Unfortunately, the snow was so wet and heavy that it was snapping tree branches off all over the neighborhood.

The first snow is always wondrous and pretty.  I'm sure by April I'll be wishing it was gone.