Top 10 Favorite Images From 2022

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 and my goals. My goal from last year was to capture a wider variety of images, not necessarily a greater quantity of images. Additionally, I wanted to travel to some destinations that put me outside my normal landscape and nature comfort zones, so I had an opportunity to photograph New Mexico and west Texas.

Before I present the images, I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

Also, all the images from 2022 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2022.

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.

While kayaking on Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota I watched this little feather dance across the water. I loved how the swirling caused the green of the forest to take an abstract pattern while the feather maintained its near perfect reflection.

I love sunflowers. The bright yellow, the form, everything mimics, well the sun. I wanted to capture the flower as well as a taste of the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Meet Lizzy. Lizzy is a Mountain Short-Horned lizard that my oldest daughter spotted while on a hike at Toadstool Geologic Park in northwestern Nebraska. I’ve never seen one here before and I would have missed this little lizard if it wasn’t for her. My daughters and I had a blast watching and photographing this little creature for a few minutes before she scurried off.

Every time I visit Independence Pass in Colorado I have to stop and photograph the tarns and mountains. Beauty at the top of the world.

After selecting my favorite 10 images from this year I went back and looked at 2021’s list and found a similarly composed Monarch on that list. The bright colors drew me to this swallowtail and subsequently this photograph when I was making my selection.

I always strive for new vantage points and perspectives in familiar places. In Fort Robinson, I saw this lone gnarled tree from the road and had to climb up to study it. After capturing this photograph I spent some time enjoying the view and all this tree has witnessed through the years.

As I mentioned above, I had an opportunity to visit a location I’ve always wanted to photograph – White Sands National Park in New Mexico. On the second night I witnessed this incredible sunset.

This barred owl has been a resident of our neighborhood for a couple of years. While he keeps his distance, there are times that he’ll stay if you don’t approach too closely. It was fun watching him and getting these images while he napped in the morning sun.

Fort Robinson made this list twice. In this second entry, this is once again another vantage which I climbed high to find a composition. The beautiful clouds and the illumination of the warm autumn sun across the landscape made for an enjoyable morning.

The last image is the one that is most different than any other photograph I’ve ever presented in these lists. On an October evening my daughter and I went to Toadstool and watched the dusk turn to night. When it was dark enough she illuminated the landscape while I photographed. It was a fun night and probably the most memorable image of 2022.