Top 10 Favorite Images from 2019

First, I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I always wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. As most of you know as I prepare for the next year, I always take some time to reflect upon my photography from the previous year. Unfortunately, I had other priorities come up that kept me from capturing as many images as I would have liked, something I hope to address in 2020. With that being said, I did manage to get out to Colorado and western Nebraska and experience nature and capture a few images here and there.

Before I begin I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

Also, all the images from 2019 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2019.

My yearly disclaimer: As with every year, with each selection I consider the technical and aesthetic aspects, but also if they hold any special memory or meaning for me. The following images are in no particular order.

One goal I had this year was to capture more images of Chimney Rock in western Nebraska. I had previously found a high vantage on a nearby bluff and I wanted to capture sunrise from this location. When I arrived the surrounding landscape was cloaked in fog. I loved how the fog isolated the spire.

As I was capturing the previous image, I turned my attention to the east where the fog was hanging over the rural landscape. I loved seeing the light play off the fog as it rolled through.

I wanted a beautiful sunrise/sunset with Chimney Rock in Nebraska. This was the evening, the clouds were spectacular.

Every time I visit Toadstool Park in western Nebraska I always find myself looking back when I’m leaving at this scene. I’ve captured this before, but I couldn’t help capture it again with the beautiful warm hues.

High above Toadstool Geologic Park there is a small section of Toadstools. I found this one still illuminated by the setting sun and loved how the light isolated it.

I’m big into climbing to high vantage points to capture images. I especially love hiking the buttes at Fort Robinson. It’s a great combination for photography. Here the sun is just below the horizon casting a warm glow across the on the Red Cloud Buttes and across the landscape.

I have a fondness for hay bales. I love the smell, I love how they dot the landscape, and I love how the glow in at sunset. When I see a hay bales set in a scenic area I stop to capture. I really liked how the late afternoon sun cast the long shadows while the clouds floated above in an azure sky.

My oldest daughter and I continued our tradition of camping. This time we went into the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park on the East Inlet trail. We spent two nights under the stars and enjoyed our meals by this beautiful lake, Lake Verna.

Spirit Lake is just up the trail from Lake Verna. A beautifully clear lake, it was calm on this evening as my daughter and I sat and watched the sunset play out on the peaks and trees. A magical place within the wilderness.

Pikas are cute. I love watching them and photographing them. There might be a billion images of these little critters, but I don’t care, I will continue to photograph them whenever I see them.