Snow Fighters

The Department of Transportation Snow Plows (although the evening news was referring to them as "Snow Fighters") were out in force the last two nights.

Lights, Lace and Liquor

The Christkindlmarket is an annual event in Daley Plaza. German and American artisans sell their wares at little booths. They start after Thanksgiving and go until Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure they have little heaters in their booths to help them through the cold days. These are just three of the many booths at the market. Now, I was there early in the afternoon so it wasn't as crowded as it gets in the evening and the weekends. The Gluhwein vendor is usually MUCH busier.

Lights

Lace

Liquor

A Sparrow in a Pine Tree

This little white-throated sparrow and several of his friends were enjoying Chicago's Official Christmas Tree in Daley Plaza. I guess the lights are welcoming (they're LED so probably do not give off much heat) and they have a steady stream of food from the Christkindlmarket that is also underway (brat bun scraps, pretzel pieces, etc.). I hope they stay out of the gluhwein, else they'll be flying a bit crooked.


The tree is a single 55 foot Blue Spruce tree. The city budget didn't allow for the usual jumbo tree (made of several tiny trees). The signs say that this is the first time since 1955 that the city has used a single tree. I like the natural and simple look of the single tree.

Framing Yesterday

Yesterday was a winter blue sky day. Nice enough for a lakefront walk -- as long as you were wearing enough layers, gloves and hats. (Today, however, we have already gotten a light dusting of snow and temperatures are dropping.)

This is the gazebo by the Ohio Street Beach, it is between the Jane Addams Park and Olive Park so I'm not sure in which park it "belongs". It gives a nice frame to Lake Michigan, though, as it reflected that pretty winter blue sky.

A Present for Daily Chicago Photo's Anniversary

One year ago today I started Daily Chicago Photo. While I haven't done 365 posts yet, it certainly isn't due to lack of interesting subject matter (I like a day or two off now and then.)

It's funny --when I first started this blog, I thought: "How will I find enough things to photograph for this blog?" Now, I think: "How am I going to be able to post all the things I want to photograph?"

These presents, kept from floating away with sandbags, were waiting to head down Michigan Avenue for the Holiday Lights Parade recently.

Waiting ...

... for their ship to come in?
... for the great Seagull King?

Who knows?

But these seagulls certainly think that this marina
is the place to be while waiting for it!

Today is December 1st, which means it is theme day at City Daily Photo. The theme is Waiting. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

NAB

The North Avenue Baths building in the Wicker Park neighborhood dates back to the 1920s when, apparently, public baths and steam rooms were the place for big shots to do their wheeling and dealing. The building now houses a seafood-focused restaurant, where, surely, some wheeling and dealing occurs over business dinners. The monogrammed terracotta facade remains as a reminder of its origins.

The NAB monogram for
the North Avenue Baths

More detail of the North Avenue Baths building facade

Looking straight up the building