Ben Levitan

This photo depicts icicles in the courtyard of the Cloisters in northern Manhattan. The Cloisters always offers a striking refuge from the hectic city around it. Here, the contrast is on full display: the elegant, permanent columns of the museum form a backdrop for the icicles, which are parallel but sharp and fleeting.

Disclaimer: this photo was taken December 30, 2012. Since that was too late for last year's contest, I'm submitting it now.