Members of the UAF Fire Department raise the Patriot Flag, a giant 9/11 memorial flag, in front of the Butrovich building on Christmas Eve. The flag is travelling state to state in honor of those who died in the World Trade Center collapse in September 2001. The 30-foot by 58-foot flag will be back to fly above the WTC site on the 10th anniversary of the attack. Photo by Bess Rounds

A holiday amaryllis brings color to mid winter. Photo by Bess Rounds

Tamarack trees glow gold in the late-day light of early winter. By mid-winter the needles drop. Each spring they grow anew. Photo by Bonnie Speck

Temperature inversions cause hills in the Tanana Flats to contort in an optical illusion called Fata Morgana. Photo by Monique Musick