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Something about the look of this stand of snow-coated poplar trees near Crystal Mountain reminds me of a Bev Doolittle painting. I find myself looking for the hidden Native Americans or horses often elusively portrayed in her famous paintings. I can't spot anything but trees; the scene intrigues me just the way it is. F8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Once in a while Mother Nature coats bare tree branches with snow as well as a snowmaking machine, but not often. I love this snow gun art created by a snow machine near the top of the Buck lift at Crystal Mountain. F20 at 10 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 32mm

Reality at Crystal Mountain Resort looks better to me on Christmas night than a Thomas Kinkade painting. The Cottages at Water's Edge look charming in the daytime but set aglow at night the early 1900s-style cabins look like Christmases past. F22 at 30 seconds, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

On this final Tuesday of 2012, I have chosen to come to a place I know will look magical on Christmas night. I am atop the Buck, a hill I have skied for more than a half-century, and below me lies Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa. A fresh snowfall helps Crystal look, from high above, like a real Christmas village this evening. F16 at 30 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

On this final Tuesday of 2012, I have chosen to come to a place I know will look magical on Christmas night. I am atop the Buck, a hill I have skied for more than a half-century, and below me lies Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa. A fresh snowfall helps Crystal look, from high above, like a real Christmas village this evening. F16 at 30 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm