See the winning images of our weekly photo contest

Two Airedales named Tara and Scarlett are posed last week with a candy-like decoration stuck in the ground coated with a little peanut butter to encourage the dogs to lick it. Eleanor Goss of Des Plaines

I was taking photos of a rainbow from my backyard in Gilberts when I noticed this bird in our neighbor's tree. The colors of the rainbow were directly behind him. Robert M. Sharp of Gilberts

This photo was taken after a recent snowfall. Our dog, JJ was curious about the change to our backyard landscape. Our tall bushes were bent over to the ground with the weight of the heavy snow, creating the illusion of a snow cave. Something he had never seen before. Sue Waskiewicz 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

I found some old craft supplies in the closet, one of which was a set of pearlescent paper. Each piece of paper had a unique pattern and shimmer, similar to how a CD looks when hit by the light. I took an eye dropper and strategically placed water droplets on the paper where the color shifted and made a sharp line between purple and green. I used a macro lens to photograph the water droplets and capture the way the color shifted and "divided" the droplet's background in half. Angela Cichosz of Carol Stream

Rainbow at Bridal Veil Falls Yosemite National Park. I just happen to be at the right time at this spot where I was able to capture the beautiful rainbow through the silhouette of trees. Pat (Dushyant) Patel of Glen Ellyn

We often don't appreciate the things around us because we are somewhere else within our own worlds. When walking into a building, many people don't take the chance to admire the decor on the walls and the ambience of the place. This wall panel caught my eye at a medical building. I pulled out my phone, stopped texting long enough to admire it, and then took a few snapshots. The vivid texture of the petals created a lovely flowing contrast. Who knew staring at a wall could be so interesting! Angela Cichosz of Carol Stream

A cardinal eats at a bird feeder in Libertyville on February 2, 2015. Jim Huskey of Libertyville

On a cold windy day, water from the crashing waves freeze on the rocks along the east shore of Grass Lake along the rocky sea wall at Dolphin Harbor Marina/Campground on December 19. R. Payne of Antioch

It was a winter wonderland on November 22nd in Loch Lomond in Mundelein. Sherrill Miller of Mundelein

Bears defenseman Willie Young leaps over a blocker to sack 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert during the December 6 game between the Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field in Chicago. John Wysocki of Mount Prospect

The trees are lit up during Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo on the evening of December 12. It was a warm evening and perfect for enjoying the animals and the laser show at the zoo. Jeanne Garrett of Arlington Heights