An early winter morning: the moon was slowly setting in front, the sun rising behind my back, temperatures way below zero Celsius -- and getting the converter, long lens and tripod ready almost froze my fingers. Natural beauty can sometimes be very simple. The picture was taken February 2004 near my hometown. Photo taken by Wolfgang Dolak (Austria) - Nature

When you have family in other countries, you catch only snippets of their lives during brief visits to distant lands. I last saw Andriyko when he was a few days old. Now he's two. This image of him will be burned into my memory until I have the opportunity to visit Ukraine again someday. Photo taken by Vera Sytch (United States) - People/Family/Friends

I like the lighting, the architecture of the Abbey and the perspective of this picture. Taken at Buckfast Abbey, Devon, UK in 2003. The Abbey is a favorite tourist attraction. Photo taken by Ray Young (United Kingdom) - Travel/Vacation

I took this picture on location in Mysore, Karnataka, India. Photo taken by Srk Pradeep (India) - Animals/Pets

This guy couldn't attend the Halloween party at school because he forgot to bring his permission slip. Major bummer. Photo taken by Damon Fernandes (United States) - People/Family/Friends

We were walking quietly, when all of a sudden this engine appeared. Photo taken by Angel Ros Die (Spain) - Travel/Vacation

I zoomed in to get this air show team performing in Chicago's Air & Water Show, August 2004. Photo taken by Wendy Goeckner (United States) - Holidays/Events

I took this picture last year, on the last day of Hannukah -- a shining reminder of the past. Photo taken by Ilya Zindman (United States) - Holidays/Events

Captured here, the movement and excitement of a beautiful piece of music. Photo taken by L. Kay Bryant (United States) - Artistic/Creative

They're more fun... because they're purple! Photo taken by David S. April (United States) - Artistic/Creative

It was the first snow of the season! My front porch was all covered in a blanket of white, and made the perfect backdrop for me to snap a few pictures of one of my favorite subjects -- Chelsea :-) Chelsea was born on September 24th of 2001. She is native to Long Island and was named in honor of New York. Photo taken by Judy Reinford (United States) - Animals/Pets

Who knew poison mushrooms could look so pretty? I had to lay in the mud to get this nice tight shot on these beauties. Photo taken by Beryl Ness (United States) - Nature

This was taken after a ride on the London Eye at night. Instead of the typical angles to photograph, I decided to try something different and was impressed with the results. Photo taken by Paul Bennett (United Kingdom) - Travel/Vacation

This is a picture of my house. I was playing around with BULB settings and hand held flash. I set the camera on a tripod by the fire hydrant which is on the corner -- and away I went. The "flames" were created using a flare on a pole with me walking around the porch. Fun to do! Photo taken by Greg Marcum (United States) - Artistic/Creative

This picture is special to me because it was taken on the last night of Channukah while my mother-in-law and brother-in-law were visiting. I took it in our dining room where we had the Menorah placed, and was leaning out of my chair and looking upwards towards the flames of the candles. Photo taken by Liz Feitelberg (United States) - Holidays/Events

This is a picture of my granddaughter taken last summer. Photo taken by Evy Johansen (Denmark) - People/Family/Friends

I took this picture in Chicago the 24th of November 2004. It was snowing and wind was really strong. I love that picture because it still gives me the same shiver I was feeling there in the storm. Photo taken by Enrico Corvonato (United States) - Travel/Vacation

This is one of my pet frogs. He is a Fire Belly Toad. Enjoy! Photo taken by Tim Kirkwood (United States) - Animals/Pets

A "macro" shot of our holiday poinsettia. Tis the season! Photo taken by Blake Heminger (United States) - Holidays/Events

This picture was taken in Brooklyn Park, MN. Because the children did not want their snowman to melt, I put up the large umbrella. This makes it special because I was preserving, at least for a while, a new pal of my children. Photo taken by William J. Croteau (United States) - Nature

Holiday greetings to all! Photo taken by Blake Heminger (United States) - Holidays/Events

Fun in PhotoShop with a photo of a "Slinky". I love those Slinky's, you can get them in all sizes and colors :-) Photo taken by Evy Johansen (Denmark) - Artistic/Creative

This is a picture of Jack Norrell, Italian Greyhound, posing for me in a Santa hat in the front of my house. Photo taken by Michael Norrell (United States) - Animals/Pets

This is my grandson Braxton who is 7 months old. As you can see, he is in total "AHH" of Christmas. He brings back the true meaning of Christmas just by looking at his face. I think he see's Santa -- what do you think? Photo taken by Denise Nichols (United States) - Holidays/Events

This was all an experiment! I had fun composing and creating this digital image in Photo Shop after I took the original picture of the cardstock triangles. Using the flood filter plug-in in Photo Shop, now it's more than just a photo. Photo taken by Claudia Kuhn (United States) - Artistic/Creative

This is my first picture in the snow. It was taken in December 2002 -- at Passo Lanciano, on the Maiella mountains in Abruzzo. The theme is "peace and quiet." Photo taken by Alma Sanzullo (Italy) - Nature

What d'ya mean, BIRD house? This guy has moved his whole family into our backyard bird house. Guess nobody told him! Photo taken by Lyn Winans (Canada) - Animals/Pets

This was an instant while visiting "Caminito" street in the city of Buenos Aires this past November. Even though it was a rainy day, these artists are dancing tango in the street. Photo taken by Veronica Kaschirin (Argentina) - Artistic/Creative

Maggie goes everywhere with me, but usually encroaches on my landscape scenes. On this cold winter day, she felt like a queen because I wanted her in my photo. This image was captured near Blue River, Colorado on November 24, 2004. Maggie is a best friend and would wait forever by the river for my return. Photo taken by Richard H. Hahn (United States) - Animals/Pets

Carnival en Brasil is amazing. This picture is just one of the many moments -- but most of them are in my heart... Photo taken by Maria Zerihoun (Sweden) - Holidays/Events