I've had this idea for a contest theme for a while now, and this seems like a fun place to give it a try. The June Challenge Theme is:

"Crystal Clear"

What do I mean? Well, that's up to you. Many different things can be "crystal clear": glass, water, the sky, a concept, a tone, an instruction, or an outcome, to name a few. Your task is to illustrate something, anything which is "crystal clear". Combine different meanings in a single image for extra credit. I hope that everyone can find an angle on this theme that intrigues them. Have fun!

Great idea! I've got houseguests coming next weekend, so will have to scurry to see if there is something I can pull out of a hat for this. Carolly

This looks like fun!! (and less daunting than what I wanted to do with last month's) I just may be able to do something for this month!! :D

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Good entries! This is a fun challenge to watch develop.

Very interesting topic. Crystal clear in fact lol.

It's clearly getting toward the end of the month... only a few days left... but! We are in luck, although family and friends (for those in the states) may cause a little delay, there is a 3 day weekend to start of July. So what do you all say to holding the voting off until Tuesday July 5th? That will give you next weekend to get things in order and rendered/scanned/whatever'ed and uploaded. :)

That would be great for me (she said selfishly). :)

I'm just back from vacation and houseguests... if I have a day or so, might be able to complete something (who needs sleep?). Carolly

"Even as she looked at the earth for the last time, she realized it was crystal clear that life endured."

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:)

Well... I didn't see a sign saying "closed, too late, no admittance, go away or we'll throw you to the seamonsters!" ;) Not quite matching my vision (if I'd photographed the phial rather than scanning, I could have controlled the light better, but no time for that), however, it is done and it fills out the ranks of the entries. Moving stars and dustclouds helps me to appreciate how beautiful the night sky really is. Carolly

A day late I know. Anyway, please place your votes for the top three images as we normally do. 1st choice, 2nd & thrid. We'll close the voting down on Sunday and announce the winner. :)

This is always the hard part for me. 1. hauksdottir 2. tresamie 3. rjbourc waynehgunnelljr did a beautiful job with the reflections...I am so impressed with how realistic that graphic is. This was indeed a challenging challenge, but you all came through brilliantly. Thank you for sharing your works. :)

All great entries but here goes . . . 1. rjbourc 2. hauksdottir 3. waynehgunnelljr

1.waynehgunnelljr 2. rjbourc 3.hauksdottir

This was fun for me. Thanks to all participants for your vision. 1. tresamie - I just really like the imagery in that droplet. 2. dialyn - the tunnel vision / looking through a hole thing makes the mood. 3. hauksdottir - so brilliantly clear that I find I have to lok away. Very nice.

1. dialyn 2. rjbourc 3. waynegunneljr Not many entries, but they are all so good it's hard to decide!

Folks seem to be posting votes in choices rather than in points, so I'll follow the crowd so as to not confuse things any more. ;^) 1. dialyn (extra credit for outcome as well as substance) 2. rjbourc (very nice castle treatment) 3. tresamie (dew is so clear that one could fall into that drop)

For once there was no entry from me, a combination of sick computer syndrome, plus going down with a nasty bout of shingles myself. I had an image planned, but it just was not to be. however I will be back. In the meantime here's my vote:- Ist......Dialyn 2nd......Hauksdottir 3rd.......Tresamie.

Shingles... :( I've heard that there is a promising new treatment in the pipeline, though.

First off... sorry for the delay. Been dealing with my wife. She got bit by one of the birds and didn't take care of it. Now, we doubt it's from the bird, but something got into the hand and it was infected. She had a balloon, not a hand. Anyway... that's been the distraction for the last few days. And on with the Tally: in 5th place with 5 points: waynehgunnelljr in 4th place with 7 points: tresamie in 3rd place with 9 points: hauksdottir in 2nd place with 10 points: rjbourc and, in first place, with 11 points: Dialyn. :) Congrats Dialyn. please start a new thread with July's theme.

Wow, I'm stunned. Thank you all. I don't think mine was the best...I'm definitely touched that you voted for me, and definitely surprised.

Dialyn, Congratulations! :) I hope that you've got a nice diversion planned for us. RimRunner, Sorry about your wife. Whether the bloating is due to tetanus or an allergic reaction or whatever, if the body swells up like that (balloon, not a hand) it is fighting hard, and a trip to the doctor is always in order. I garden and hike, so a tetanus shot every 10 years is very cheap insurance. Having a tube of cortisone and another of an anti-bacterial ointment on hand are good, too. But when I had 2 tics on my back I went to the doctor, because nothing in a home medicine kit will take care of Lyme disease. Even we self-reliant types have to show some common sense occasionally. ;^) That said, having a hand out-of-order can be a nuisance (brushing hair and teeth, tieing shoes, etc.), so having your help was invaluable. My cat is sympathetic, but she can't make a cup of coffee or braid hair! Carolly

I was so stunned at winning, I am sorry that I didn't also send my sympathy for your wife's condition. It sounds very painful (not to mention highly inconvenient). I too hope she is well soon.

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Lost our broadband for the last couple of days, and too busy to check in at work. Congrats, dialyn. Hot Dog. I think I'll go with the "warm canine" approach and drag Spot out for this one.