Fireworks for New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!

Enjoy the New Year festivities and celebrate with friends and family.

Balloons will fall, music will play, and horns will blow.

I remember a fabulous New Year's Eve spent in Madrid, Spain at Puerto del Sol. Everyone eats 12 grapes at midnight and drinks champagne, as well as sprays champagne everywhere. That was quite a party place.

Be safe and have fun. Pura Vida!

Check out Winter holiday photos in Vienna from our travel site at Viva la Voyage!

Clouds Swirling at Sunset

Look at this gorgeous sky and sunset!

The clouds swirling like a painting in the sky.

The yellow glow of sunset silhouetting the mountain.

2009 is almost to a close so a sunset photo seems most appropriate to share as we move towards the new year.

We hope your 2009 has been peaceful and that you are optimistic and excited about 2010.

I took this photo while hiking on Camelback Mountain.

Check out the winter holiday photos of Vienna at Viva la Voyage!

Cozy Fireplace at the Fairmont Princess

And, here is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the fireplace and a drink while taking in the warmth of the Arizona sun even in winter.

I truly do not know how those of you who live in the truly cold parts of the world tolerate the cold.

I love our Arizona sunshine and am content to occasionally visit cold countries to play in the snow and the return to the desert for warmth.

It is true that Arizonans have thin blood so we really cannot handle cold weather at all.

I am often in a full coat, scarf and gloves even if it is only 50 degrees. My husband always makes fun of me as I bundle up at the slightest bit of cold.

This is the last photo in my series from the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess resort.

Speaking of cold winters, check out our travel photos of Vienna at Christmas at Viva la Voyage!

Elegant F in the Sand

Here is the fancy F for the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale.

It is a very unique touch to have such an elegant F imprinted into the sand in cigarette receptacles at the resort.

This is a modern day Zen approach to playing in the sand with small tools to create a visually aesthetically marketing brand when placing discards in this container.

Some may say it is art and some will say it is branding.

Check out gorgeous winter holiday photos in Vienna at Viva la Voyage!

Weathervane at the Scottsdale Princess

This weathervane is at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess and you could see it as a tiny image within yesterday's photo.

We do not often see weathervanes in the Phoenix-Scottsdale metropolitan area.

If you lived in a rural area or on a ranch, you might see a weathervane, but not in the cities.

Today is Sunday so check out new winter holiday photos from Vienna at Viva la Voyage! Vienna was such a wonderful place to enjoy at Christmas that we decided to share some additional photos to keep everyone in the holiday spirit!

Date Palms and Scottsdale Princess

Here is a photo taken at the lovely Scottsdale Fairmont Princess.

You have the large date palms and the peaceful and inviting places to sit and enjoy the warm weather, luxurious resort environment, desert landscaping, and decide whether to play a round of golf on the superb golf course at this resort.

The Scottsdale area has some of the best resorts and spas for visitors to enjoy.

Check out our travel photos of Vienna, Austria at Viva la Voyage!

Merry Christmas!

Tis the season to be jolly and to enjoy friends and family.

We wish you a happy holiday season and a fabulous new year.

Let's all make a goal of enjoying life more and finding time to take more photos!

Happy Everything to you!

Check out holiday photos from Vienna at Viva la Voyage!

An Angel for Christmas

For those who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas or Feliz Navidad!

This photo is of a ceramic angel holding a Calla Lily from Oaxaca, Mexico. I bought it when I was in Oaxaca and it always makes me smile.

Scottsdale and all of Arizona is closely entwined with our friends South of the Border. Arizona is a border state with Mexico so much art and tradition exists in Arizona.

I hope you have wonderful day with family and friends.

Check out winter holiday photos from Vienna at Viva la Voyage!

White on Blue

Such a white tree with white clouds against the blue sky.

I found this unusual tree when I was walking at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

The image seemed rather Zen like and serene.

Enjoy your Day!

Check out winter photos from Vienna, Austria to get you in the holiday spirit. Click Viva la Voyage!

Clouds Lifting as Sun Starts Shining

It is hard to believe, but here is the same shot from yesterday but it is taken just a short time later.

I thought yesterday's photo might mean actual light snow in the desert. Once in a decade or so that does occur.

We so rarely have such overcast weather and rarely ever see clouds lying low on Camelback Mountain.

You can still see the clouds hugging the mountain. This makes me appreciate those of you who actually have rough weather on a more frequent basis.

Check out winter holiday scenes from Vienna, Austria at Viva la Voyage!

Clouds Lying Low on Camelback Mountain

This is a very unusual sight for Arizona. We mostly have sunshine every single day.

I woke up and saw this overcast, stormy mood over Camelback Mountain. This is the view from my bedroom when I look into the backyard.

It is rare to see clouds lying on the mountain like you see in this photo.

Surprisingly, this cloud cover did not last long and tomorrow I will show you how this same scene looked just a few short hours later with a nice view of the mountain.

Check out holiday photos from Vienna, Austria at Viva la Voyage!

Red Tiger Lilly with a Sun Star

This photo is of one of Chihuly's Tiger Lillies at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

I like the sun star that occurred near sunset, and I liked the way the sun's rays made the glass glow with yellow streaks.

The glass generally is only red, but at the right time of the day when the sun's light streams through the glass, the yellow stripes appear. Very Cool!

Today is Sunday so we have new travel photos on our site. Check out the holiday photos from Vienna, Austria at Viva la Voyage!

Phoenician Golf Course

And now, how about finishing a round of golf at The Phoenician Resort and Spa?

This is one of the holes and sand traps on the Phoenician golf course late in the day when the shadows are long.

You can see part of Camelback Mountain. This golf course is located in a gorgeous desert setting.

Check out the water animals from Monterey Bay, California at Viva la Voyage!

The Pool Amid the Boulders

Would you like to lay by this pool and soak of the sun's rays while watching the water fall down the boulders?

You can drink up this view at the Boulders Resort and Spa in north Scottsdale.

Maybe a nap by the pool would be a great afternoon activity if you stay at this resort. Don't forget your sunblock lotion.

Check out photos of water animals from Monterey Bay at Viva la Voyage!

A Romantic Lunch

This photo depicts a beautiful spot to have a picnic or elegant brunch at the Boulders Resort and Spa.

The tree ever so slightly hangs above the table, the interesting boulders and peaceful water co-exist artfully along the green golf course and superb housing. The spot makes for a lovely setting.

Would you like a glass of champagne to go with this view?

We are lucky in Scottsdale to have so many wonderful restaurants and resorts.

Check out our travel photos of Monterey, California at Viva la Voyage!

Beautiful Aloe Vera Flowers

The flowers of the aloe vera plant are quite a vibrant orange, as shown in this photo.

The aloe vera is a medicinal plant that is popular in many cultures. It is also known as the burn plant. We use it a lot in Arizona by putting the oils on our skin when we get sunburned. You just pull a stem off the plant and bend it in two and place the juice on the sunburn.

The official name is barbadensis and the plant is part of the Lillaceae (lilly) family. The rosette grows approximately two feet high and the aloe vera has over 20 minerals.

Check out water critters from Monterey, California on our travel site at Viva la Voyage!

The Cactus Forest

This photo captures the many types of cactus reaching to the sky and standing guard as Chihuly's The Sun barely peaks through the top left of the photo below the mountain.

The tumbling shapes of the cactus are quite interesting to observe at this angle.

Generally, you do not see such a cactus forest as most different types of cactus have some distance from one another.

The Sun is a spectacular glass art piece that you can see by clicking on the label Chihuly below and revisiting the many Chihuly photos I have posted this past year. Just keep clicking older posts under Chihuly to see them all.

Check out the water animal photos at our travel site, Viva la Voyage! And yes, that is an otter in the water eating a crab right in front of us.

Blue Neon Glow

I took this photo late in the day when the sun's rays could still reach this Chihuly glass to provide this blue glow, like neon.

This is a photo I took when the Chihuly art installation called "the Nature of Glass"was at the Desert Botanical Gardens this past year.

This particular exhibit was called "Blue Reed, Marlins, and Floats.

The blue glass has an elegant neon glow amid the green trees and agave cactus.

Check out the animals from Monterey Bay in California at Viva la Voyage!

Lunch for Two with a View

Here is a photo of an inviting place for lunch or dinner. Don't you love that view? Awesome!

This is a table in the restaurant at the Boulders Resort and Spa, one of my favorite places.

Today is Sunday so that means new travel photos. If you like animals, then you will love these travel photos of taken in Monterey, California. Click Viva la Voyage!

Chihuly's Desert Wildflower Towers

Here is a photo of Chihuly's Desert Wildflower Towers at sunset.

The silhouette of the sun's rays capture the fragile glass tips against the darkening sky.

I can never tire of seeing Chihuly and I am glad that these glass towers are on lease and currently located at the entrance of the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Check out our travel photos of the fabulous show at Xcaret on Viva la Voyage!

Reflections and Patterns in the Water

I love this photo taken at the Phoenix Zoo. You can see a colorful bird amid some fabulous reflections and patterns in the water and in the palm trees in the background.

For those bird lovers, what type of colorful bird is this? Also, did everyone see the second bird in the photo gliding across the water?

Check out the energetic show at Xcaret on our travel site, Viva la Voyage!

Scottsdale Waterfront and Canal

Here is a photo of the new Scottsdale Waterfront project and Salt River Project's Arizona Canal.

The reflections of the palm trees in the water look lovely.

We like to walk to this area from our house and enjoy the restaurants and ambiance of this new area. Those are condos in the buildings on the left.

The Arizona Canal is 38 miles in length. The canal starts at Granite Reef Dam at Salt River to 75th Avenue in Phoenix where the canal links to New River.

Please check out the fabulous photos from Xcaret on our travel site, Viva la Voyage!

Saguaro Cactus and Moon

I like the angle of this close-up of a Saguaro Cactus with the moon far away in the sky.

The colors of the cactus spines are almost amber with the soft light late in the day.

Given the number of desert and cactus photos I post, I think I like those images much better than the buildings in Scottsdale. We do have interesting architectural buildings and resorts so I will try to show some of those as well.

Check out the Xcaret photos on our travel site at Viva la Voyage!

Saguaro Ribs and Papago Mountain

Now you can really see the hole in the rock on Papago Mountain.

The Saguaro ribs from the dead Saguaro cactus adds a nice foreground to the red mountain.

Note the number of hikers on this gorgeous day! I am glad I live in Scottsdale where we get so much sunshine and can enjoy our winters.

Check out exciting photos from the wonderful pageant at Xcaret in Mexico. The Mayan warrior is a favorite. Just click Viva la Voyage!

Sunlight Glowing on Polyvitro Crystal

Look at how the last light of the day glows on this one spot focusing on this blue polyvitro crystal by Chihuly.

I was waiting for just the right time of the day to hopefully capture this special glow.

Enlarging this photo does provide more of the detail and light and the wonderful reflections in the water.

I hope you enjoy the beauty of Chihuly from the art installation called the Nature of Glass when it was at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

We have dramatic travel photos from Xcaret in Mexico at Viva la Voyage!

Saguaro Ribs and Sleek Jaguar Auto

This photo shows the jaguar art on the front of the hood of this classic vehicle and the unusual elements of Saguaro ribs from a dead Saguaro cactus and even a stop sign.

Quite a unique desert photo!

It looks like the jaguar might be eating that stop sign!

Today is Sunday so check out photos from a wonderful place called Xcaret in Mexico by clicking Viva la Voyage!

Don't let the Mayan warrior scare you!

Reflection of Papago Mountain on Jaguar Hood

This photo shows the reflection of the red Papago mountain on the polished hood of a Jaguar amid the vibrant blue sky.

I wonder what the owner of this Jaguar would think about these photos. I wonder if the owner has any idea the vehicle served as a wonderful model for a photographer to have some fun with late in the day.

You also can see the many hikers up on the mountain and you can see the hole in the rock!

Check out photos of the pyramid in Ek Balam, Mexico at Viva la Voyage!

Sleek Jaguar and Cool Sky

I like this jaguar amid the swirling clouds and textures of the desert. The reflection on the side of the polished vehicle turned out quite nice. Standing on the right are the ribs from a saguaro cactus that has died.

Scottsdale is known for its luxurious and sporty cars.

The Barrett-Jackson collector auto show and auction is held in Scottsdale each year and it is coming up January 18-24.

Check out our travel photos of the Mayan pyramid at Ek Balam, Mexico at Viva la Voyage!

Jaguar and Papago Park

Who would guess that we would see the sleek, classic Jaguar vehicle parked in front of Papago Mountain when we were hiking.

We had to take some photos and I hope you like them as I have developed a classic series of jags and the red mountain for a couple of days.

This photo was taken near sunset and there was a magenta sky falling all around.

Check out our travel photos of the pyramid at Ek Balam, Mexico at Viva la Voyage!

A Close-up of Chihuly's Blue and Purple Boat

It is almost the holidays and I thought everyone might appreciate some Chihuly, and it is not in red and green colors.

This is a close-up of the glass art that was part of the Blue and Purple Boat.

We all miss Chihuly's art exhibition at the Desert Botanical Gardens, but we still have more to share as there were many great photographic opportunities.

Enjoy this blue and purple feast for the eyes!

Go to our travel photo site at Viva la Voyage to see the unique pyramids and sculptures of Ek Balam, Mexico.

Waiting to Strike

This venomous Mohave Rattlesnake is waiting to strike!

This month's theme is Waiting. I though this photo was perfect for a Southwest perspective on theme day.

This Mohave rattler was holding position with no movement and I was able to capture this phenomenal close up.

You can see this rattler's eye and eye lid in the first photo. The details of the front of this snake are amazing.

The second photo shows the snake further back. I used a 300 lens to capture the details and was very lucky the snake held still and was in a good location for me to capture this image.

We have travel photos from Ek Balam, a unique pyramid, in Mexico. Just go to Viva la Voyage!

Check out the other City Daily Photo photos regarding the theme of Waiting. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants