# Monthly Photo Competition #38– January, 2026 – “Fire or Ice" \[Poll added\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** photo\ **Created:** [January 1, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256 "2026-01-01T21:19:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/21 "2026-01-15T20:05:01Z")
[![](https://alex.strinka.net/photography/photos/Let8qxq.jpg) ](https://alex.strinka.net/photography/photos/Let8qxq.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/22 "2026-01-21T18:21:01Z")
Vineyard fire, Napa CA: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55054098319_714aa6c1d2_b.jpg "DSC\_4206.NEF") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/11822576@N08/55054098319/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/23 "2026-01-21T19:26:15Z")
my bad… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/24 "2026-01-21T19:45:54Z")
Ummm. . .??? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/25 "2026-01-21T21:36:03Z")
I had made a comment, and then saw that there’s a separate commentary thread, so I removed it. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/26 "2026-01-21T21:39:57Z")
Ah. The juxtaposition made it appear as if you were claiming responsibility for the fire in the above photo (I hadn’t noticed you were actually replying to Chefguy’s post). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/27 "2026-01-22T00:07:31Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I had made a comment, and then saw that there’s a separate commentary thread, so I removed it. I see. I thought perhaps you might be reacting to a photo of ICE. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/28 "2026-01-22T01:05:08Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > **Please post only your photo and, if you want, a title in this thread. Any other text belongs in the** [rolling discussion thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-monthly-photo-competition-rolling-discussion-thread/975642). Exception: discussion can commence in this thread after the poll has closed. (I realize I’m breaking the rule but it had to be done) mmm ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/29 "2026-01-22T02:40:02Z")
[![](https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-SywgaamM-4PzOnUMghPb1jQPEFRcRwy8b6XRWrpaxUbgvUQpm2Jl9NuVnQrLik6pUnDnu4gHHWpfyYq5WwzmNg?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1769049438834) ](https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-SywgaamM-4PzOnUMghPb1jQPEFRcRwy8b6XRWrpaxUbgvUQpm2Jl9NuVnQrLik6pUnDnu4gHHWpfyYq5WwzmNg?cn=THISLIFE&res=medium&ts=1769049438834) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/30 "2026-01-23T21:25:28Z")
Hotheads. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55057579949_284479ab9d_b.jpg "P1050747") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/197666118@N08/55057579949/in/dateposted-public/) ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/31 "2026-01-24T16:12:42Z")
Squirrel! [![](https://i.ibb.co/MxTdhx2Q/IMG-3229.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/MxTdhx2Q/IMG-3229.jpg) [![](https://i.ibb.co/39XKs9rQ/IMG-3229.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/39XKs9rQ/IMG-3229.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/32 "2026-01-24T21:22:05Z")
Warming up on Tuesday 6 Jan 2026, 2:27 pm. Click thru for the full image. [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOt7OoxXQVuJ9n9iJ0xfw2uNgXD-kmUsmNetxLt9n0AE7eOtlB9ke8_XdNUU1H_a6y0Cdgr_Xc2lAJBQXWLU4ftrT1s1w3DEoQFKRy8fZ6aYCO4FA0=w600-h315-p-k "New photo · Tuesday, Jan 6 📸") ](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPMfYpkWopFiY-D2InFq_aZYOr6IZ6PRJd4ZIslnVRKlf-IJIn7jq4i3hhsetEHNw?key=OGh6OEVnR3FfTVU2RURIdUJLbVQ5eGlRcm9XY0Rn) j ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/33 "2026-01-27T03:41:04Z")
Candlesticking (click for full image) [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55063370569_d4a4d18a1d_b.jpg "Candlesticks") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/74663312@N08/55063370569/) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/34 "2026-01-27T08:25:07Z")
**Mount Pinatubo Volcano, Philippines, on a cloudy day - 09 Jan 2026** [![](https://i.ibb.co/pjc7x1KL/01-27-2026-00-23-02.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/pjc7x1KL/01-27-2026-00-23-02.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/35 "2026-01-27T13:39:03Z")
Please vote for your 3 favorite photos, using whatever criteria you feel is best. All Dopers are welcome to vote - you don’t need to have submitted a photo. **You cannot vote for your own photo**. Select up to 3. **The voting deadline is 11:45 p.m. US EST** **on Saturday, January 31.** _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/35))_ ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/36 "2026-01-31T00:07:00Z")
Bumpity bumpity bump. Tomorrow is the last day to vote, so I’m bumping the thread as a reminder to vote. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/37 "2026-01-31T23:47:15Z")
Last call. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/38 "2026-02-01T12:04:37Z")
Congratulations, @EddyTeddyFreddy! Yours was the only entry I was certain I was voting for. Let us know our next topic. mmm ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/39 "2026-02-01T15:25:57Z")
Thanks so much! Has “Snuggles” already been done? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256/40 "2026-02-01T17:55:29Z")
I think it was “cozy." [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monthly-photo-competition-38-january-2026-fire-or-ice-poll-added/1026256.md?page=3)