Day 97 : Japanese Witch Hazel

Chicago Botanical Gardens arranged the 'Three Friends of Winter' Bonsai Exhibition, presenting many leafless bonsai trees. It was interesting to note the tree structure without the leaves. But the star attraction was the Japanese Witch Hazel or Hamamelis japonica. The tree blooms early in Japan and these yellow fragrant flowers look crumpled yet they are delicately beautiful. The temperature was altered for this little tree to bloom early here in Chicago. I have included closeups to get a better sense of this beautiful tree. Here is the picture of the day:

'Japanese Witch Hazel'

I also decided to post pictures of the flowers and the base of the tree because they are so exquisite:

'Japanese Witch Hazel Flowers'

'Japanese Witch Hazel Flowers Close-up'

'Base of the Tree'

Day 96 : Friendly Neighborhood Cow

This picture brings a smile to my face. As I entered from the chilly snowy dock of the Navy Pier, into the warm Harry Caray's Tavern... this cute mascot greets me with a warm smile! When I started clicking the camera, he gave me a few poses while dancing for the music in the restaurant. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 95 : Firebird

Navy Pier organized a Snow Sculpture festival this weekend and Chicago enjoyed the evening with wowing or aahhing different art pieces. Some children were petting snow dogs while some were skating down the snow-covered wooden slopes. There were some exquisite features like Arctic Alarm, Figurehead, Tribute to Duchamp N02, Eels on Coral... but I love this 'Firebird' or 'Bird of Luck' the best. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 94 : Orange Orchid

Aah... Orchids... Another picture of a beautiful orange orchid! The contrast colors of orange and red is so brilliant. I wonder how evolution of the plants can end up so perfect. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 93 : Infinite Shades of Green

I felt so good posting a picture of India that I want to post another picture I took in Kodaikanal, India. This valley was filled with so many shades of green that took my breath away. Here is the picture of the day:

'Infinite Shades of Green'

Day 92 : My Beautiful India

Happy Republic Day to fellow Indians!!

This day signifies our own rule, our own constitution, and formation of one of the biggest democratic countries in the world. To honor this day, I decided to post a photograph I took in India. This picture is the core of India, as it captured the little village embedded in the middle of acres of Green Paddy fields, Coconut trees, and juicy Mango trees. There is a fresh water supply to the village that probably is the source of water for the village and the whole land surrounding it. I wish I had Canon T2i here. Here is the picture of the day:

'My Beautiful India'

Day 91 : Canons of Cactus

When I saw these desert cactus, I felt like they were canons waiting to shoot off thorns at enemies coming their way. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 90 : Learn to Skate

This little girl was learning to skate from her father... the way she was holding her father's hand told me that she was on the ice for the first time. The father was trying his best, his protectiveness of his daughter is evident by the way he arched over her so that she would not fall down. This picture reminded me of the time my dad taught me badminton when I was a little girl. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 89 : Trapped Bubbles

I took this picture of bubbles trapped in the frozen water pool in some lawn grass. The pattern of these air bubbles coming from bottom of the little pool to surface is so amazing that it makes me wonder how so much beauty can be wrapped up in a 30-cm diameter pool. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 88 : Body Works

Day 87 : Melting Snow

Day 86 : Stained Glass Potrait

Stained Glass art is so delicate and intricate that one can feel the patience needed to make an art piece. I had the opportunity to see some great work in the Navy Pier art exhibition. I took this picture when a lady was passing by and she literally became a part of that art piece in this picture. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 85 : Patch in White

Snow so white so pure
Cold breeze gently nudging the snow off branches
Snow so white so pure
Time for the Snowman and snow ball fights
Snow so white so pure
Sprinkle a little on a Squirrel's tail or a Sparrow's beak
Snow so white so pure
A Magician's hat once in a while
Snow so white so pure

Hiding the spring beneath its thick blanket
Snow so white so pure....

Felt a little poetic when I saw this. Here is the picture of the day:

'Patch in White'

Day 84 : Green Orchids

It has been a while since I have posted a picture of the orchids. I think Green orchids or the Chartreuse Cymbidium orchids are one of the most beautiful flowers in the world just because of the color. Green is a color you associate with leaves, but never to a flower of beauty. The chartreuse orchids with their unique color look like they were born out of an artist's dream. Here is the picture of the day:

 

Day 83 : Other Side of Fence

The fence generally has two kinds of effects on people: One is the people who put up the fence feel warm and secure when they see it; Second effect is on the people other than the ones who put the fence up, feel hostility though just for a split second. But this fence was different, though it was guarding an airfield, it looked like it was protecting the forest beyond it, it was both warm and fierce at the same time nudging you to enjoy the view, but at a distance. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 82 : Bésame Mucho

Yesterday, my Husband and I went to a great Mexican restaurant in Rosemont and had a very romantic dinner in Maria's. The food was real tasty, but what made the night very romantic was that Gabriel, the singer in the restaurant, sang my favorite song Bésame Mucho. I listen to the Bésame Mucho sung by Andrea Bocelli and the song is filled with love, longing, and passion. Listening to this song and looking into my husband's eyes, I felt I was in a romantic movie. Seeing a professional play guitar is really mesmerizing. So here is the picture of the day:

Day 81 : Work Hard, Play Hard

I saw this little boy dragging his sled, which was as big as him, with all the strength that he got. He was struggling with the sled and yet there was this sense of excitement that the snow hill was just a few meters away and he would get his reward. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 80 : Heart of Thorns

Sometimes I wonder that in an attempt to catch that single wonderful moment on my camera, I am missing the chance to live the moment. But this picture put my doubts to rest. When I took this picture, I loved the leaves in the heart of the plant were all wrapped up like a gift wrapper waiting to reveal a surprise, but when I was editing the picture, I was surprised to see the thorns in so many colors! The older leaves had pink and purplish thorns while the newer leaves had yellow and orange thorns. The camera reveals so many things that a naked eye cannot seek. Here is the picture of the day:

'Heart of Thorns'

Day 79 : Stop Here on Red

I took this picture when I was traveling in the car to buy some groceries. I took this picture at the exact time when we stopped for the signal and the women in red was passing by.This picture needs no description. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 78 : Little Chandelier

I love Christmas Tree hangings, the possibilities are as limited as the creativity in the world. There are paper ornaments, porcelain hangings, crystal balls, glass ornaments, and more. I saw this little chandelier was hung on a Christmas tree and I loved the way light was reflecting through the teardrop hangings. Here is the picture of the day:

'Little Chandelier'

 

Day 77 : Sleigh in Pink

Taking pictures of kids is one of the best things about photography... you try capturing their best moments, but you never know what you are going to get. But this picture is really close to my heart. The girl in pink, is sleighing down the slope and I could feel her happiness. I remember when you are kid, you do not think about what others think of you or about keeping up appearances, you just enjoy the moment. That is why I used the "Focal B&W" edit to enhance her happiness. She was living in the moment and world just does not exist outside that moment. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 76 : Dun Che Lao Ren

I love the Chinese Santa Claus or Dun Che Lao Ren with his red silk robe, green parasol, Kite, and paper lanterns on the Christmas tree or "trees of light." Christmas in China is called Sheng Dan Jieh, which means the “Holy Birth Festival.”  The Chinese light their homes with beautiful paper lanterns and decorate Christmas trees with paper ornaments. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 75 : Swiety Mikolaj

In Poland, the Father Christmas is called Swiety Mikolaj and I love the way his outfit is decorated with metal stars, even his boots. Though he is portrayed like the famous Santa Claus originally dressed in Red and White in the modern Poland when I researched, I like the way Santa Claus is dressed according to culture of different countries here. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 74 : Joulupukki

The Santa Claus of Finland is called Joulupukki and this idol of him made me think of the Vikings, though he looks more friendly. In Finland, Christmas trees are set up on December 23. Red-coated gnomes called Tomar (like Elves) help Joulupukki prepare and deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The Finns, along with family and friends, also give holiday treats to animals. A sheaf of grain is often tied to a pole and left for the birds to eat. Some Finnish people will not eat their Christmas dinner until the birds have been fed. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 73 : Grandfather Frost

This 'Grandfather Frost' was a surprise to me with his blue outfit unlike the traditional red suit worn by Santa though there was a touch of red in his cap. This Santa of Russia carries a rustic birch staff and an emerald Christmas tree, symbolizing the reward of the gifts. In a traditional Russian Christmas, special prayers are said until Christmas Eve, celebrated on January 6, when the first star appears in the evening sky. Then begins a twelve-course supper in honor of the twelve apostles. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 72 : Father Christmas of Ireland

Father Christmas of Ireland became my favorite as soon as I saw him. His long red cloak with colorful bag of Christmas gifts, his crown of stars and grass made him a Rockstar of Santas for me. Here is the picture of the day:

Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve until the feast of the Epiphany on January 6,  which is also referred to as little Christmas. Ireland’s holiday celebration is more religious in nature than a time of fun. 

Children honor Father Christmas on December 26 as they parade through the streets donned in extravagant dress straw. Known as the Wren Boy’s Procession, the children go door to door singing for money for the captured wren.

Day 71 : Viejo Pascuero

Viejo Pascuero is the Santa of Latin America with his own set of reindeer. He contents himself with climbing in windows to leave gifts. Before Viejo Pascuero arrives, most families set up their own nativity scenes. Everyone in the family works together to arrange the pieces, just as North American families father to decorate the Christmas tree. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 70 : Father Christmas of Germany

I learnt something new this year that different countries have different Santas or Father Christmas as they call him. I decided that this week would be the theme of Father Christmas. I was surprised to see so many different Santas and the diverse culture of celebrating Christmas. I guess I was ignorant of the worldwide culture.

Kris Kringle is the Father Christmas of Germany. On December 5, the German holiday season begins as Kris Kringle delivers candy and other sweets to be opened on December 6. A window is often left open so that he can enter the house. A pastry called Christbaumgeback is molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations. I love the candy cane decorated Christmas tree that Kris Kringle is carrying. I also love the sleeves that were lined with red satin. Here is the picture of the day:

'Kris Kringle'

Sources: Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest 2011

Day 69 : Navy Pier

When I went to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest on January 1st, I tried to take night pictures of city from the dock. I was alone on the cold windy dock; it was so empty that it felt like I was on a secluded lakeshore in a forest. I remembered how full of life Navy Pier was when I visited it in Autumn, so today I decided to post a picture I took in Autumn. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 68 : Poinsetta Hanging

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) brings with it the spirit of holiday season and apart from the snow, I think Poinsettias are the real harbingers of Christmas. The interesting thing about the Poinsettia is that they are not really flowers, they are technically 'bracts' or modified leaves. This ball of Poinsettias was hanging, just in like the Hanging Neoregelia in my earlier post. This ball of Poinsettias was also lit with red lights that made it look like a mirror ball in the middle of the dance floor. Here is the picture of the day:

Day 67 : Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all!! I would like to dedicate this post specially to Chicagoans for today I understood the creativity of Chicagoans who worked so wonderfully on the Winter Wonderfest 2011 of Navy Pier. I have never seen so many varied and exotic Christmas Trees with more colors than a rainbow. This picture felt perfect to me with its many gift boxes, crystal balls, and other decorations that all look like someone put together all the New Year party stuff together. Here is the picture of the day: