January 2026 Theme Day: Photo of the Year

Happy New Year 2026! On the first day of every month, participating City Daily Photo bloggers showcase a common theme, and on January 1st that theme always photo of the year from the previous 12 months. Here's my pick, a great blue heron that I shared with you on May 27th. I originally blogged this shot in color, but I rather prefer it in black and white. Which version do you like more?

For more takes on photo of the year from CDP bloggers all over the planet, click HERE. Enjoy!

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This larger than life replica of a Van Briggle design sits in Monument Valley Park, just a short stroll from the Van Briggle building. She's been there for a few years now and still looks beautiful. We here in Colorado Springs are very proud of our history with Van Briggle. (Pat and I own a piece from about the 1920s.) If you're curious to know more, click HERE.

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I was in Monument on Sunday afternoon, doing some location scouting for a photo shoot in a couple of week. On my way out of town I decided to take the more scenic route so I could stop and grab this nice view along County Line Road.

Pickle Mania

Have you gotten sucked in to the pickleball craze? I have not, although I have friends who've become pickleball addicts. It seems like almost every municipal tennis court around here, like this one in Monument Valley Park, has been converted for pickleball usage. This makes me feel a little sorry for the local tennis enthusiasts, since pickleball courts seem to outnumber tennis courts at this point. I will say this: these courts get used! There always seems to be a game on. I've heard that pickleball is fun because it's easier to play than tennis, and gentler on your joints. I guess I'll try it for myself one of these days. I used to like playing tennis but it's been years since I've picked up a racquet. 

Cold Weather Blues

Here's a last look at frozen Monument Lake last weekend. Cold weather doesn't actually bring me down, for the record! Our blue Colorado sky is extra beautiful when contrasted with pure white snow, so let's make it all about that. 

And now, for your listening pleasure...

Slippery When Frozen

Monument Lake, frozen solid and hosting a few hardy creatures last weekend, both of the two legged and four legged varieties.

Ice (Fishing) Capades

Today I had to make a run up to Monument to drop off some goodies for my friend Jennifer, who unfortunately contracted a bad case of RSV and is feeling pretty miserable. Our mutual friend JB came with me, and after we dropped off the gifts we made a stop at Monument Lake. It was completely frozen over (surprise!) and there were lots of people on the ice and docks, fishing or simply hanging out.

Jack Frost

I've found that when it's particularly cold outside and I mention that fact on Facebook, my friends who live in warm climates will immediately start crowing that it's 80° at their house. The thing is, I like winter. I also like spring, summer and fall. I grew up in a country where the weather was the same day after day, month after month, year after year. I much prefer living in a place that has seasons, and if I happen to talk about cold weather on Facebook, it's not in a complaining way. It's supposed to be cold here in November! I do not particularly love very hot weather, but that's a topic for another day. 

Last Friday I drove in 15° F temperatures and snow to do some family portraits in Monument, a bedroom community north of Colorado Springs. Here's a shot of my clients' front yard. Pretty!

Wavy Gravy

At first glance this fence east of Monument looks cool and groovy by design, but when you get a closer look you can see it's really just a hot mess. Ha ha!

Fan Boy

I was at the family home of my friend Jennifer last Sunday, helping to celebrate her birthday. This is the house where she grew up so I've been there countless times, yet I've never noticed the "Bronco fan" embedded in a tree next to the driveway. Hilarious! (And maybe just a tiny bit creepy, sorry Jenn.)

A (Dining) Room With a View

The back of my friend Jennifer's house faces west, which gives her an unobstructed view of the foothills. She lives in Monument, so she can't really see Pikes Peak, but this is still awfully nice! I never noticed that rock formation at lower right before, so I zoomed in for a closer shot of it. I'd love to hike up to it sometime but it looks like it's probably on private property.

Edit: Jenn tells me it's called Monument Rock and it's on public land. One of these days I'll hike to it and get a picture for you!

Puppy Pilot

This little Snoopy-piloted biplane can be found in Monument. My friend Jenn lives there and thought it might be a fun subject for the blog. She's right!

Larkspur

Today I shot my second of two weddings this holiday weekend. This one was at a ranch in Larkspur. It's so pretty there! Larkspur is situated north of Monument and south of Castle Rock, and the east half of it's mostly ranchland like this. I know it looks cloudy and grey in this shot I took right before the wedding ceremony, but the sun came out a few minutes later, just in time for the bride to make her grand entrance. Perfect!

Skywatch Friday

Sunday's moonrise over County Line Road. We were in a hurry, so I took this from our moving car (Pat was driving). I thought it came out pretty well, considering. We live in such a pretty place 😊

For more Skywatch Friday pictures from bloggers all over, click HERE. Have a great weekend!

County Line Road

Ah, the golden hour! This butte is on County Line Road at I-25, captured just before that beautiful, warm glow disappeared for the night. It only lasts for a few minutes but it's my favorite time of day.

Palmer Lake

Palmer Lake is a picturesque little hamlet a few miles north of Colorado Springs. It's part of an area generally known as the Tri-Lakes, which also includes Monument. You can see that it's a pretty place! I've only blogged about Palmer Lake once before (with pictures by my friend Jennifer), so last week when Pat and I had a rare idle afternoon ahead of us, we decided to drive up there and take a few pictures. It was a great way to spend some free time. The lake was refilled recently, after a few years of depressing emptiness. It's been restored back to its natural charm, and the waterfowl are just beginning to rediscover the place. So are the anglers! I didn't know this, but there's also a Frisbee golf course right next to the lake, a donation from the Palmer Lake Restaurant Group. A handful of teenagers were playing a round while we were there.

It's nice that the residents of Palmer Lake finally have their lake again. If I lived up there, I'd spend a lot of time just hanging around in this spot with a good book and a camera.

There were only a few ducks on the lake, and no geese. I think it might be another couple of years before the waterfowl return in full force.

Nice view to the south! In the foreground is the disc golf course.

A little bit of local history for you :^)

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On Saturday I shot a wedding in Monument, just north of Colorado Springs. The event took place at a beautiful private residence in an upscale neighborhood. The homes in this neighborhood sit on very large lots, characterized by natural-looking landscaping, copses of trees, and beautiful views in all directions. Certainly a lovely place to live -- not just for the human residents, but for the four-legged ones too! As I was leaving the wedding at twilight, this handsome fellow saw me off at the bottom of the driveway. I was tired but not too tired to grab a camera and take a portrait of him before I sped away. What a nice way to end my working day! :^)

Wisdom Tea House

On Saturday I attended a baby shower for my friend (and photography assistant) Joy, at the Wisdom Tea House in Monument, a bedroom community north of Colorado Springs. What a neat place! They serve many, many different varieties of tea, plus coffee, delicious pastries and desserts as well as sandwiches and the like. It was a treat! I wasn't expecting such a beautifully presented luncheon. Everything about it was charming and scrumptious, and I could see that it's a popular place to hang out with a friend, have some tea, and while away an afternoon. There are comfy little nooks and crannies, couches and armchairs all over. I can't wait to go back!

And on a more personal note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweetie, the love of my life, Pat! I love you honey! 

The hummingbird

This afternoon I was at a client's home in Monument doing some portraits when a hummingbird stopped by their back porch for a snack. I was able to grab a few shots of him before he flitted away. What a beautiful little bird!