Chicago does many things to make downtown attractive in the winter. Weekly fireworks is one of them. My family spends a weekend downtown every January or February and it is always a special time. The photo was taken by the Chicago River near Michigan Avenue. The Wrigley Building is in the background. Photo taken by Steve Pearce (United States) - Travel/Vacation

I couldn't resist his cute eyes and wild hair. Photo taken by Jessica Hughes (United States) - Humor

I saw this giant flag flying high in a California bank parking lot and was inspired to take this close up shot of it. I'm in the military and everytime I see a flag I think of all of my fallen comrades. Photo taken by Bobbie Davis (United States) - Artistic/Creative

This picture was from the very first set of pictures I took with my new camera. It was taken at the grand opening of the Radisson Hotel in Morgantown, West Virginia. Photo taken by Loren Greene (United States) - Holidays/Events

No flash, a tiny bit of cropping, and behold a picture that looks like an old master oil painting. The picture was taken at a spring dance recital in Buffalo, NY. Photo taken by Joe Verrastro (United States) - Artistic/Creative

This picture was taken in my garden. These innocent little creatures always brighten my day when I find them among the blooms. Photo taken by Dora Meeks (United States) - Nature

I took this shot during my niece's baby shower. She had just finished opening the gifts when the water display started. We are facing the NYC sky line from New Jersey. Photo taken by Arlene Krassner (United States) - Travel/Vacation

This photo was taken in Seminyak Beach - Bali, Indonesia, in December 2004. I was walking on the beach when I saw these local boys playing football on the beach with sunset as the background. Lovely times! Photo taken by Abdul Kadir Audah (Germany) - Travel/Vacation

I just love the look on this little guys face, and how focused he is on the ball. Taken in Memphis, TN. Photo taken by Stacey Martin (United States) - People/Family/Friends

A picture of my dog. I found him in a pet shelter in Huntington Beach, CA 6 years ago. He's now living with me in the Czech Rep. Photo taken by Michal Hlousek (Czechia) - Animals/Pets

This was taken at Van Dusen Gardens in Vancouver during the summer time. There were quite a few frogs out and about sunning on the rocks. The pond was the best part of the day! Photo taken by Sylvia M. Gunnarson (Canada) - Nature

This was taken in Edinburgh whilst on holiday, and was one of the many street performers in Edinburgh entertaining visitors. I particuarly liked the way he was made up, and thorougly enjoyed his act. Photo taken by Alonzo Marshall (United Kingdom) - Holidays/Events

I took this picture on the way home from a trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I had wanted a shot of the Body Head Lighthouse earlier in the day, but was happy to have stumbled upon it at night. The shot was taken in April, 2004. Photo taken by Benjamin Snyder (United States) - Travel/Vacation

I spotted this image of some copper tins at an antique dealership - and felt that it was a simple, colorful, and an interesting composition. Photo taken by Christopher Davis (United States) - Artistic/Creative

I caught this old man sitting in solitude and literally 'watching the world whiz by' the Jaffa Gate, Old City, Jerusalem. (I'm sure he would love to watch N.Y. traffic whizzing by too ... :-) Photo taken by Nir Alon (Israel) - People/Family/Friends

This bear was in our yard this morning at 8AM. Seems he was as curious about us as we were about him ;>) Just another day in Minden, central Ontario. Photo taken by Lyn Winans (Canada) - Animals/Pets

This picture is of my oldest child. She looked so pretty in green. Pink is her favorite color, but green just brought out her beautiful eyes. This image made me think of "pretty in pink" but here she is "pretty in green." Photo taken by CJ Patterson (United States) - People/Family/Friends

This picture was taken in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in Feria Mundial La Grande -- a mobile amusement park. It was a very pleasant afternoon of joy with my family. Photo taken by Edwin Cupely (Puerto Rico) - Holidays/Events

Took this photograph of a father and his sons, skipping stones on the water at sunset in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Photo taken by Stephen M. Alberts (United States) - People/Family/Friends

This picture was taken in June while visiting Shogran in Pakistan. We were actually in a meadow about 7,000 ft above sea level with an amazing view of the surrounding peaks. This picture just reminds me of wanting to do nothing but gaze at the incredible beauty around us. Photo taken by Zoshia Minto (United States) - Travel/Vacation

This picture was taken during the Queen's Annual Birthday Parade. Photo taken by Alastair Turner (United Kingdom) - Holidays/Events

My 7-year-old was fascinated by the new bubble kit given to her by her grandparents as a gift. Photo taken by John DeSanto (United States) - People/Family/Friends

This picture was taken on a trip to Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. The skyline is beautifully detailed in the reflection. Photo taken by Filomena Trombino (United States) - Travel/Vacation

A self portrait. Photo taken by Mata Patanè (Italy) - People/Family/Friends

Street artist in Singapore, shot the weekend of May 21, 2005. He was "performing" in one of the city's underpasses, with passerbys largely ignoring what he was doing. Photo taken by Robert Go (Singapore) - People/Family/Friends

Selective desaturation of all colors but yellow. I did some spot editting to clean up some ugly power lines at the top of the frame - and I cleaned up excess noise using NeatImage. Photo taken by David S. April (United States) - Humor