Two in One: the challenge continues

I’m including two more shots for the 30-day photo challenge (see biobabbler’s blog for more). The first is on the topic of “Where You Live”:

Our condo unit overlooks a neighboring building whose roof is in a state of disrepair and collects—and retains—water. This is bad for the building next door but good for us, since we can practice puddle meteorology—if the water’s frozen, it’s cold; if it’s rippling, it’s windy, if there are pockmarks on the surface, it’s raining. It’s a great system.

It also serves as a place for starlings and other birds to drink and wade in the morning, and it captures the stunning sunsets we see from our window with a clarity that’s almost better than the original.

The second is “black and white”:

And probably needs no real explanation.

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}