Scuffulans hirsutus

A Christmas surprise I could have done without.

Minisa Bridge, impending construction.

The cathedral at dawn.

The view from my porch. I don’t think I’m going anywhere today.

Telephone pole II.

Homeless homes.

Potentilla.

Ajax, Spic and Span, and Glass Plus.

Frosted weeds.

Decorations on the Minisa Bridge in Wichita, too near where I live. The Indian heads and buffalo, kitschy though they are, are Architecturally Significant as examples of Carthalite. The bridge is scheduled to be rebuilt beginning next month, and during the process the arterial traffic will be detoured to the street where I live. The construction process will take longer than usual for such projects, because the city planners want to preserve the art. I’m slightly sympathetic, but only slightly; this means a year of ugly traffic outside my door.

The weather this past year was bizarre, even for Kansas, and now that we’re getting normal winter weather at the normal time, many plants are thoroughly confused. This lilac, for instance, began leafing out as if it were spring a couple of weeks ago. Last night must have been a major shock.

When planning a mural, consider whether there will be a trash dumpster sitting in front of it.

Inflatable Santas, snowmen and reindeer don’t look any better deflated than they do with blowers running, but they are quieter.

The subtle beauty of sodium vapor lights.

On the way to work this morning. Usually I’m annoyed when the camera decides that a scene needs flash, but once in a rare while it does yield a more interesting picture.