--- and the January contest WINNER is ---

[tabatha]

First place: A Dream of Falling Waters --- by regnaD kciN


Second place: Fishing Hole at Sunset --- by Mira


Third place: The Magic Of Life --- by handmade34



Fourth place: Cascade --- by HappyCynic
Fifth place: Mahalo --- by Richard D
Sixth place: Water Three Ways; Solid, Liquid, Gas --- by Callalily
Seventh place: Hatteras --- by Blues Heron
Eighth place: Tahquamenon Falls --- by HarveyDarkey AND USS Arizona's Black Tears dissolving --- by CC
Tenth place: The Sea Refuses No River --- by JeffR

and a very special mention of Alfredo, who withdrew his entry so that my goof of not closing at 30 entries, could be fixed:



And, lastly, thanks to all of those who posted encouraging, supportive comments - they made a HUGE difference in finding my way through this.
Thank you all!

I can't believe it is over - there were so many wonderful submissions.

[Tunkamerica]

1. Cool. I voted for 2/3 of the top places.

I love the colors of that first pic.

[CC]

2. Congrats to all the winners.

And the rest of the contestants too.:toast::toast::toast::toast::toast:

tabatha you did a great job and that little hiccup might have saved you from being permanent contest host.:evilgrin: We used threaten to vote those that appeared to do the contest effortless permanent host. :yourock:

[tabatha]

27. Thanks -

I don't think anyone should be permanent host :-) - 'tis a little tense.

But I loved the photos, and was happy with the voting response.

[hlthe2b]

3. Heavens... Is this DU or National Geographic? Amazing!

Simply and absolutely amazing. So proud to know what talent we have here. KUDOS!

[housewolf]

4. 'there were so many wonderful submissions" - agree many times over

All of of submissions this month were breath-taking. I had the hardest time ever trying to pick a favorite - they were all wonderful.

My hat's off to all our great DU photographers - thank you for your monthly displays of your incredible works. We have MANY talented photographers here on DU! I never would have guessed and love that you share some of your works with us each month.

Great contest this month!!!!!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[midnight]

5. Congrats to all the great photographers...

[CherokeeDem]

6. Wow....

I had so much trouble with this month's voting...these were amazing photos... Congrats to all!

Special mention to Alfredo...that is a powerful image...well done!

[handmade34]

7. Congratulations regnaD kciN!

Awesome photo :applause:

[Cassandra]

8. Congrats to regnaD kciN!!

and to the other winners and finalists. Yay, Mira for 2nd place!! ;-)

[nenagh]

9. Breathtakingly beautiful photographs..

I thank you all...

Especially during snowy January :)

[lamp_shade]

10. Wonderful. I'm glad "Magic of Life" made it into the top 3.

[Callalily]

11. Congrats regnaD kciN!

That's a very fine photo.

All such great, great photos.

Edit = Opps! :blush: I wanted to thank tabatha for all of her hard work.

[Joanne98]

12. WOW! I love the water drop!

[handmade34]

23. reminds me of "Horton Hears a Who"

an entire other world within that drop...

[Celebration]

13. Wonderful contest

And fantastic winners. Love all of these.

Good job, tabatha, and all photographers.

Nice array of different kinds of photographs in the finals, and entries, as usual..........

[Mira]

14. Congratulations to Regnad Kcin and handmade34 - and to every single other finalist

Also congrats to every person who entered.

Thank you to Tabatha for a difficult job very well done.

I felt outclassed and am genuinely stunned that the Golden, Lucas, did this well in a lineup of stellar photographs; they made my chin drop every time I looked. I think it was the ultimate proof of our long held suspicion that once a dog is in the mix there goes objectivity.

Thanks for your votes, and your support, and here is another photo of Lucas, who is doggedly determined to catch a fish. He is there many many nights I am told, and ONCE he got lucky

[bluedigger]

18. You know 2nd Place is really a win, right?

:rofl:

And you thought it was just going to be a placeholder until you selected something more worthy...:)

Keep fishing, Lucas!

[Mira]

21. Here is the dance I did for my second place:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1cLOIxsQ8

I do know about the value of second place!

And Lucas remembered me a year later, and paid me just as little nevermind as before.
He is into his work!

Of course now I'm glad I chose to submit that photo.

[handmade34]

22. a sincere thanks for the

picture of Lucas... and my partner knows an excellent picture when he sees one...

[Mira]

25. That was a nice bonus. Thank him for me.

If I post a "what on earth to use as a winter photo" poll please get his input.
Thanks - and huge congratulations to you.

[Solly Mack]

15. Congratulations regnaD kciN!

and to Mira and handmade34! Congratulations to all!

Thank you, tabatha... for all your hard work!!

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. Solly has expressed exactly my sentiments!

[Earth_First]

16. Great shots everyone...

Thanks for allowing me to participate, I enjoy these! :hi:

[bluedigger]

17. Congratulations to all

Really great entries this month, and, I have to say, the winner was just spectacular!:applause:

[Phentex]

19. Beautiful!

Congratulations to all!

[NV Whino]

20. Congratulations everyone!

The contests just get better and better.

[Mz Pip]

24. Spectacular!

Congrats to all the winners! :applause:

[BuddhaGirl]

26. CONGRATULATIONS!!

they were all so wonderful :bounce:

[Blues Heron]

29. Congrats to the winners!

Nice job tabatha. I think all the entries this month make up a beautiful group essay on the subject of water. Well done everybody! Keep clickin'!

[Richard D]

30. Congratulations to all

Great topic, great photos, great contest. So much beauty and inspiration!

[JeffR]

31. Loved all of the top 3.

Glorious work.

[HappyCynic]

32. Congrats regnaD kciN!

And congrats to everyone else too!

And thanks to tabatha for all your hard work!

[alfredo]

33. Thanks for the great contest and good words.

[Sheepshank]

34. My gosh these were so good

congrats to the winners and placers, really, they were all excellent representations fo the theme.

To the host, tabatha.....wonderful job, congrats on pulling this month's contest off so well!

[Gamey]

35. Great work! Congrats all

It's what keeps us coming back, eh?

[Blue_Tires]

36. well done to everyone...