Hot Shots- December 2015

Cynde Merashoff took this photo of a fiery sunset over Scenery Hill.

Brook Ward took this photo inside the abandoned Fisher Body Plant in Detroit.

Allan Jack took this photo of the rising sun coloring contrails above storm clouds.

Sandy Thomas took this photo of a goose she calls "Broken Wing" at Washington Cemetery. Sandy says the goose might not fly, but he gets around. She's been seeing him on the pond at the cemetery for the past two years.

Connie Rice spotted this Ailanthus webworm moth on her deck in Somerset Township.

Line up, guys! It's picture time! Estelle Woodburn of Independence Township took this photo of young steers lined up against a fence.

Connie Rice took this close-up of a spider on one of the maple trees in her yard in Somerset Township.

Mary Ann Friend of Washington took this photo of a November sunset that she said looked more like one from August.

Nancy Tilley took this photo of a November sky in Hopewell Township.

Rita Grubbs of Avella took this photo of winter kale sparkling with morning frost.

Connie Rice put these three photos together. They were taken at the same spot at the same time of day, but in different weather conditions in Somerset Township.

Sandra Caleffe took this photo of the fall colors on the family farm in Mt. Pleasant Township.

Lorie Widdup says she was searching for one of her cats, Keno, when she heard a rustling in the branches of her Christmas tree, and out popped his head.

Allan Jack took this photo of peanuts while in Georgia. He says the plants are unearthed to expose the nuts still clinging to the roots. They are then dried in the sun and wind before harvesting.

Nancy Tilley spotted this buck leaping in a field near Hickory. She thought perhaps it was one of Santa's reindeer doing a practice run.

David Eaton took this photo of a pine tree silhouetted by a recent sunset in Crucible.

Karen Herdman took this photo of a rainbow at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Allan Jack noted that this pot-bellied pig doesn't have a whole lot of ground clearance.

Gary Yarbrough captured this blazing red sunset while driving on Route 28 in Armstrong County.

Amanda Durbin took this photo of the nightly water show at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Kerry Pigeon of Scenery Hill took this photo of a huge lighted pine reflecting its glow on the lagoon at Kennywood Park.

Wait, that's not an ornament! Robin Christofaro took this photo of an addition to her Christmas decorations, the family's kitten, Mateo.

Nikki Phillips says Oliver isn't a fan of cereal, but he's always willing to "help" her eat her breakfast.

Officer Rob "Santa Cop" Dorcon of Donora gets a big smile from Jayden Cursi of Charleroi while making his rounds. For several years now, Dorcon, with the help of family, friends, other donors, and police and fire colleagues, has been overseeing the collection and distribution of Christmas presents to selected families in the Mon Valley. He started off by helping two families with holiday gifts. This year, 13 children from four families in Donora, one in Monessen and one in Charleroi benefited from the effort. Dorcon also passes out presents to children he encounters while he's on duty.

On a visit to Swallow Falls State Park, Stephen Ezarik got a close-up view of Muddy Creek Falls. The 53-foot waterfall is the largest inthe park.

Christan Mitchell took this sunset photo from Canonsburg Hospital.

Susan Jennings took this photo of the bell tower of St. Hilary Church in Washington surrounded by dark clouds.

Connie Rice of Somerset Township said it looked as if this abandoned nest had been decorated for the Christmas season.

Connie Rice of Somerset Township thought this photo of the sun on a December afternoon looked like a shot of a full moon.

Allan Jack took this close-up of George Washington at Mount Rushmore.