My Favorite Photos from 2016

A Baker's Dozen

Twenty-sixteen was at times a stressful year, at times busy and always an adventure. Here are my favorite images from 2016, in no real order. Hope one of your favorites made the list.

1. Little English Daisy - composite image - I continued my journey creating composite and textured images of flowers this year. It's exciting for me to create these images as if a real artisic potential exists. This was one of my favorites this year.

2. Moon and Silos - while journeying into Eastern Washington with a group of fellow Mountaineer photographers, we stopped in this little town known for it's old crumbling schoolhouse. We were hoping to photograph stars above the schoolhouse. As we waited, a truck drove by us on the dirt road kicking up dust that spread a bit like a fog near the silos. I liked the color in the sky with the moon and the added "atmosphere". 

3. Stars above Umatilla Rock - on the same trip as the image above, after we left the schoolhouse we made it back to camp at Dry Falls State Park. I ventured out to capture the stars above Umatilla Rock and Voc Meyers Lake.

4. Autumn Ptarmigan - sometimes walking alone in the wilderness can lead to some serendipitous moments. But this was along side the road near Heather Meadows at Mt Baker. I startled her and her family. As the others ducked for cover, she watched me with a wary eye as I snapped a few photos. A perfect moment, perfect exposure, perfect background.

5. Mt Rainier in Autumn - for me this image captures the magic of autumnal change in the mountains. As the lower slopes are brilliant with color, the upper slopes are quickly covered in snow.

6. Silver Fox - talk about another serendipitous moment. While I was photographing a scene on San Juan Island this little guy snuck up behind me to watch what I was doing. I turned around and he trotted off a bit then looked over his shoulder at me. We hung out for about 20 minutes. It was a special moment that I will always cherish.

7. Hailee - this was an image that I imagined the minute Hailee agreed to meet me a Lake Sylvia State Park for her senior photos. The park has a wonderful old rustic covered bridge the I thought would have some great diffused light. With Hailee's long neck and legs I knew she'd be beautiful here.

8. Cooper - this was just a fun photo of my friend's dog while we were playing in the snow. Cooper just looked so happy on top of the hill.

9. Gather Together - spring in a marsh will often have ducks and ducklings swimming around. I rarely consider myself a wildlife photographer, just don't have the patience for it. But when I'm given an opportunity of ducks casually hanging out in the same area as I am, I can't resist. 

10. The Colors of Spring - Eastern Washington in the spring is filled with colors. This Skeleton of a barn sat at the base of a hill with the flower-filled hills beyond. A scene from a pastel dream.

11. Zillah - while on a backpack through the Buckhorn Wilderness in the Olympics, we took a brief break to admire the scenery. Zillah on the other hand decided to take a catnap in one of the most scenic areas of the trip.

12. Sunset at Illahee - talk about a perfect setting. Two sailboats moored offshore from Illahee State Park, almost perfectly framing Mt Rainier when ferry passes. Great timing with beautiful evening light.

13. Wild Turkey - This year seemed to give me ample practice in wildlife photography. Often serendipitous moments as I stumbled across critters. This turkey was no different. As I was driving along the road at Dry Falls State Park, I spotted him next to the road.

My 12 favorite images of 2014

What a year it has been! Whew!

So much has happened in my little corner of the world. I've explored a few new places and several old favorites. Put a lot of miles on my boots and my tires. Started a few new chapters in my life including turning a personal project into a book project. To round out the year, I chose 12 of my favorite images (and it was a very difficult choice as I know I'm missing some). Enjoy!

And in no particular order . . .

1) Reflected Sunset, Capes Meares, OR - In January, I joined family on the Oregon Coast and they gladly allowed some time for me to photograph some very beautiful beach sunsets. On this night, sunset wasn't that spectacular but I was able to catch a little of the color reflected in the windows of the Cape Meares lighthouse for a unique sunset image.

2) Misty Mountains, North Cascades National Park, WA - This was one of those place I had been wanting to hike to for years and I finally got the chance with a group of Mountaineers. It was a misty day as we ventured up the trail to Cascade Pass but every now and then the clouds parted just enough. It's easy to see why this is one of the classic hikes in Washington.

3) Sunset under the Oaks, Elma, WA - A visit to my aunt's house this summer rewarded me with a pastel sky. I have always loved my aunt's oak trees and have photographed them often over the years. This time however, the result turned out perfect.

4) Apple Blossom, Fort Simcoe State Park, WA - While exploring Fort Simcoe this past spring I happened across this apple tree with just a few blossoms. What could be better for a sweet spring image? This may be the image I think of as spring rolls around again.

5) Cape Disappointment, Cape Disappointment State Park, WA - This is a story of patience and poor weather. I had already fallen on my tooshie, slipping on wet logs to get to a good vantage point. But looking at the waves crashing on the rocks, I knew the bruises would be worth it. I had already captured a few good images of the roiling sea when I spied the ship on the horizon moving slowly towards the point. I waited until the ship moved into position. Then carefully but quickly retreated back to the warmth of my car.

6) Beacon Rock at Sunrise, Beacon Rock State Park, WA - This is another case of patience paying off. This morning I watched as daylight progressed without the colors of a glorious sunrise, clouds obscured to eastern horizon. But noticing a break in the clouds, I waited. My hope was that a shaft of sun would strike the face of Beacon Rock. Sure enough it did and I jumped for joy.

7) Leaf on Windowsill, Oysterville, WA - Sweet memories. Oysterville holds so very many childhood memories for me. Of summer days spent staying with my grandmother in her little trailer just out of town. Walking to town, playing on the beach - lazy days of exploring as only a child could. When I visited Oysterville this year, I stopped by the church. The church where my uncle married (and I was a candle lighter). Sunlight streaked throughout the church and as I explored the corners and memories I spied this little dried leaf perched in the sill.

8) Window Reflection, Seattle, WA - I do love street photography. There's an element to the art that makes me concentrate on the small details of the world. Here I was sitting outside a cafe and noticed this man's face reflected perfectly in the window. This may be my favorite from the year. An image where everything ties together.

9) Mt Shuksan, an Alpine Tarn and Starburst, Mt Baker NRA, WA - I knew what I wanted. I wanted a starburst over a ridge with a tarn in the foreground and Mt Shuksan in the background. So to get what I wanted I hiked along Artist's Point until I found the setting and waited for magic to happen.

10) Karen's Sunset, Gifford Pinchot NF, WA - I think this might have been the saddest day of my year - the day I found out my friend Karen Sykes who had been lost on Mt Rainier would not be coming home to us. My cousin and drove up to this viewpoint of the mountain she loved for sunset. Her absence is felt throughout the hiking community.

11) Elowah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, OR - Rushing water, green moss, gorges and cliffs - really what's not to love?

12) Abstract in Water, Poulsbo, WA - beautiful abstracts in water. Whenever I'm out kayaking, at some point I focus my lens on the reflections in the water to capture the dancing light and colors.

Bonus Image - Fallen Barn, Choteau, MT - While on my annual trek to visit friends in Montana, I spied this old barn in the middle of the field. I wanted to photograph it. And knew that to capture what I saw I would need my telephoto lens. Maybe all those college classes in photography paid off after all.