See the winning images of our weekly photo contest

The sun sets at Bass Harbor Lighthouse in Acadia National Park just prior to sunset on Sunday, October 4. The lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction. John Sanfillippo of Hoffman Estates

Through a steamy bathroom window in Libertyville is a landscape of fresh snow on a backyard pine. Julie Bond of Libertyville

A view of downtown Chicago at sunset in November of 2014. Cindy Madson of Grayslake

Fresh snow rests on the sculpture the Bean at Millennium Park in Chicago recently. Deb Marak of Arlington Heights

The Milky Way Galaxy over the dormant Mauna Kea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii on October 30. There is a meteor trail in the lower right quadrant and a satellite trail on the upper left quarter. Scott McNeill of Vernon Hills

A dejected Bear LaRoy Reynolds is surrounded by penalty flags after a punt return for a touchdown was called back due to his penalty during the Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers game at Soldier Field on December 6. John Wysocki of Mount Prospect

Door to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher - Old City Jerusalem, Israel. A door that is over 1,000 years old is more than impressive. It is opened daily by a Muslim. This is a Catholic church. Why a Muslim then? Look it up and discover another interesting fact of old Jerusalem. Paul J. Keenon of Winfield

"The Four Seasons"The setting is the Morton Arboretum West Side, on the bridge where Lake Marmo connects to Sterling Pond.Yes, it took me a whole year to create this collage! Mark Sand of Wheaton

This is a picture that I captured while visiting family in Newton, New Jersey. The landscapes there are beautiful.I was driving around early one morning looking for scenes to photograph (which there are many) when I came across this horse pasture. The tranquil horses and wonderful colors were a perfect scene. Dennis Swanner of West Chicago

The Palouse, a wheat growing area in southwest Washington state is beautiful at any time of year but especially in June when this photo was taken this year. Seen from Steptoe Butte, the fields look like waves ofgreen. Sandra Wittman of Carpenterstville

Sunday the sun was shining on the first snowfall of the season. I checked to see how the horses on the east side of Elgin liked the snow. They appeared to be really enjoying the snow. The fresh new snow evidently tastes good too! Mary Lou Roder of Elgin

Our neighbors Bradford Pear tree was at peak coloration when that snowstorm came through last week. The fruit must also have been at peak flavor and the local Starling population was having its Thanksgiving party early. Tony Pocewicz, of Carpentersville