A year in review 2013

[James Shadle]

I figured with all of the year in review stuff going around (and Rachel's nudge) we should have some fun. No critiques, just "great shot" and "WOW".

Post as a reply to this thread, one of your images that you most enjoyed from 2013.

If you want comment on an image and it is not the next in order, just click "Reply with Quote" on the image you want to comment on.

[David Stephens]

I didn't post it here because it's really more effective as a series of playful poses, which is how I show it on my wall. This is a coyote playing with a snake, which I've posted as a series of images on Flickr.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/8831004170_646a604f28_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcstep/8831004170/)
There it goes. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcstep/8831004170/) by dcstep (http://www.flickr.com/people/dcstep/), on Flickr

Here's the set on Flickr, for anyone interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcstep/sets/72157633691822038/with/8831004170/

[John Chardine]

Incredible David!

[Andrew Merwin]

Cool Shot. TFS

[Diane Miller]

Amazing!! Did he eat the snake?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks for also including the link David...that is a pretty darn neat observation you had!

[Grace Scalzo]

Super sighting, Dave and nicely photographed, too.

[Rachel Hollander]

Great sighting David. Since I nudged I thought I better post. It's always hard to pick one image to represent a year but I think this one best sums up my year. I had some great opportunities this year, including traveling to Svalbard in search of polar bears. I also feel like perhaps this year I have grown more photographically than other years, getting a bit more out of my comfort zone and experimenting more. A big thank you to all on BPN who have helped me in that process. So here's my favorite from 2013.

Happy Holidays and wishing everyone health, happiness and great photographic opportunities in the New Year!

Rachel

[Grace Scalzo]

Rachael, This is beautiful. Unconventional and creative.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks for the idea, James and Rachael. Never easy to pick a favoirte, but this series rises to the top for me. I took a great trip to a far away place, and am now enjoying the snowy owl invasion, but this one is from close to home and that's one of the reasons why I picked it to share. I love the combination of behavior, light, and species interaction that I witnessed. I was truly able to get right into these birds' world, no baiting, calling, setups, etc, just the birds and me.

[Randy Stout]

I love loons, the birds and the environment, the quiet times floating around with them. I have taken a few images of them over the years, and wanted to move away from just close ups. This image was my favorite composition of the year.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

Every few years it gets cold enough to freeze the great waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge.
This event occurred last week in Oregon.
Temps in the teens for several days and you get this.
Happy Holidays!

The Spectacular Multnomah Falls.

002_1598bp.jpg (http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=136049&stc=1&d=1387920443)

[David Stephens]

Amazing!! Did he eat the snake?

No Diane, after around ten-minutes the coyote lost interest and walked away.

[David Stephens]

Rachel, love the polar bear in silhouette.

[David Stephens]

Grace, love the crab's fighting pose.

[Terry Johnson]

Hello, this image was taken at Wildlife Safari in Wintrop, Oregon. Image was taken with a Nikon D7000 with an 18-200mm attached, ISO 100.

http://www.tj622.com/images/Web-Large/050-Zebra-7%201626x920.jpg

Let me know if the link works. I would appreciate any feedback as I am a new member and would like to hear from the rest of you...Thanks...Terry Johnson

[Linda Dulak]

Several years before I picked up a camera we planted several weeping cherry trees on our property as an area where my husband could photograph birds, especially during the period of time when the trees were in bloom. The fun he had encouraged me to get interested in photography. So, when I retired, he bought me a camera. Every year since then I've photographed birds in those trees.

This spring we both were out with our cameras. Tree swallows were checking out a nest box and occasionally one would land in a tree. I was busy photographing one male swallow sitting on this sloping branch when another male flew in and this squabble began. I knew immediately I had captured something special. Although I've done a lot of traveling over the years, this one image, captured in my backyard, is my favorite.

Linda

[Norm Dulak]

Every year Linda and I make two trips to a little rookery in the heart of York, Pennsylvania. Around Mothers' Day, several dozen pairs of Black-crowned Night Herons and a number of Great Egrets are busily mating, nesting and incubating eggs at the rookery. Around Fathers' Day, there are chicks, and some of them are "branching", exploring their new world outside the nest.

Here I've selected my favorite for this year, in which one Black-crowned Night Heron chick is ready to join its sibling on a lower branch.

Norm

[David Stephens]

Rachel, love the polar bear in silhouette.

[David Stephens]

Linda, wow!

[David Stephens]

Terry, love your image, but no critique in this tread. I'd suggest that you post it in the Eager To Learn critique thread.

[Terry Johnson]

Sorry Dave, I am still learning the navigation of this site. I will repost where you suggested...Terry Johnson

[Grace Scalzo]

Randy, Gorgous!!

[Grace Scalzo]

Beautiful, Terry.

[Norm Dulak]

Several years before I picked up a camera we planted several weeping cherry trees on our property as an area where my husband could photograph birds, especially during the period of time when the trees were in bloom. The fun he had encouraged me to get interested in photography. So, when I retired, he bought me a camera. Every year since then I've photographed birds in those trees.

This spring we both were out with our cameras. Tree swallows were checking out a nest box and occasionally one would land in a tree. I was busy photographing one male swallow sitting on this sloping branch when another male flew in and this squabble began. I knew immediately I had captured something special. Although I've done a lot of traveling over the years, this one image, captured in my backyard, is my favorite.

Linda

Linda, this is a wonderful moment beautifully captured!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Awesome stuff everyone!! I always love to take a look at these types of threads and look back on what was...

For me 2013 will always be remembered for the Great Gray Owl irruption we got in Ottawa. It was not a huge irruption, but the owls did congregate in good numbers in a couple of spots...including one that was a short few minutes from my place:c3:. These owls brought with them lots of fun, camaraderie, frozen fingers and toes, controversy, new friendships, and a bunch of other stuff too numerous to type here. Tough to pick one image, but here is the one that I like the most from those sessions:

[Steve Kaluski]

Well folks, for me it's not been so much about the shot, but more about gaining the trust and building on that trust with these three owlets. From their first emergence, to the day they fledged they have allowed me into their world of curiosity, rivalry and general owl antics, with on looking parents. The trust has meant they come to me, so by giving them space & respect they have given me a real insight into their 'growing up'. Although there has been a truck loads of hours put in, some of the sights have been priceless, even to the point where you just watch without firing a shot.

This image is where the three have built up confidence and decided to investigate one of the remotes, with the eldest pushing by, wanting to be the first in. I'm sure those of you who are parents can appreciate this. :bg3:

Cheers
Steve

[John Chardine]

Yes they are laterally compressed to allow easy movement through reeds.

This was the first time I had called a Virginia Rail in and he did not disappoint. I of course had no clue about the midge until I got home!

BTW there are some SUPER images posted already on this thread!

[Steve Kaluski]

Great sighting David. Since I nudged I thought I better post. It's always hard to pick one image to represent a year but I think this one best sums up my year. I had some great opportunities this year, including traveling to Svalbard in search of polar bears. I also feel like perhaps this year I have grown more photographically than other years, getting a bit more out of my comfort zone and experimenting more. A big thank you to all on BPN who have helped me in that process. So here's my favorite from 2013.

Happy Holidays and wishing everyone health, happiness and great photographic opportunities in the New Year!

Rachel

Hi Rachel, the Polar bear trip has been the making of you this year and as I have said before, you and Anette have posted some outstanding work of these guys. :cheers:

[Steve Kaluski]

I love loons, the birds and the environment, the quiet times floating around with them. I have taken a few images of them over the years, and wanted to move away from just close ups. This image was my favorite composition of the year.

Cheers

Randy

A cracking image Randy, the environment is priceless, love it.

[Linda Dulak]

Nice one Norm. I don't remember seeing that one before. There weren't many opportunities this year but you made the best of it.

Linda

[Don Lacy]

I have always loved the beautiful light I have seen in images made at Bosque and this year for the first time I had the opportunity to experience and photograph it.

[Raybel Robles]

This was my most memorable photo from 2013. I may have had nicer one, but I struggled a lot to get a Swallow in flight and this one was a perfect timing :)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8654364674_3b2a95b9ed_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/raybelr/8654364674/)
Barn Swallow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/raybelr/8654364674/) by Ray (Bird Photography) (http://www.flickr.com/people/raybelr/), on Flickr

[Paul Whitbread]

In terms of local wildlife, I didn't have the most successful year, and plans had a habit of going awry. The highlights of my year were definitely the two big trips I had. The first was to the Welsh island of Skomer, to photograph puffins. I immediately fell for the place and I'll be back in 2014. A couple of months later I found myself in Finland on an organised photo trip in search of brown bears. Living in the UK, all our large animals were shot to extinction long ago, so seeing such a large majestic animal was a pleasure far outside my usual world.

I'm not sure if I have a favourite image as such, my views on my photos tend to vary by the day. So I'll simply share the latest Finland photo that've put online.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/11588116004_ffd21bc242_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/myphotograph/11588116004/)
Playtime (http://www.flickr.com/photos/myphotograph/11588116004/) by Paul Whitbread (http://www.flickr.com/people/myphotograph/), on Flickr

[Gabriela Plesea]

Warmest greetings to you all from sunny South Africa, hope you are enjoying the festive season and looking forward to 2014!

Herewith a fun image of a mongoose taken in the Kalahari, I have a few favourites for 2013 but I guess I have already posted them all…

Love this thread, really enjoyed viewing your images here:w3

[John Chardine]

Outstanding image Gabriella. I hope it has won some prizes for you!

[David Stephens]

Wonderful thread. Thanks for starting it and thanks to those that are participating.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent images!

and here are my picks

http://arihazeghiphotography.com/blog/a-year-in-review-2013/

[David Stephens]

Stunning collection Ari.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Some great pics all around! Gabriela - LOVE that mongoose pic!! :5

Ari - great selection on your blog - the Snowy Owls rock it for me!

I also do a similar post every year...
Here's mine:

http://saffascapes.blogspot.com/2014/01/moments-of-marvel-in-2013.html

[Morkel Erasmus]

Besides my blog post above, I thought I would share an image from probably my most epic sighting of the year. Exclusive to BPN :w3 (I've never posted this photo anywhere up to now)

For those interested:
D800
70-200mm @ 112mm :Whoa!:

[Rachel Hollander]

Wow Morkel, you've been holding out on us! Awesome sighting and capture!

[Morkel Erasmus]

Wow Morkel, you've been holding out on us! Awesome sighting and capture!

:e3 Thanks Rachel - just backlogged on processing for the most part! Also, keeping this whole series a bit "close to the chest" for now. Hope your New Year celebrations were fun :cheers:

[Marina Scarr]

Besides my blog post above, I thought I would share an image from probably my most epic sighting of the year. Exclusive to BPN :w3 (I've never posted this photo anywhere up to now)

For those interested:
D800
70-200mm @ 112mm :Whoa!:

WOW, Morkel, this is really amazing. Not just an epic sighting but an epic photo. That said, on your 2013 blog favs, the Forest Light is definitely my fav!!! I tried to leave a comment but I had to be on google+

[Marina Scarr]

Warmest greetings to you all from sunny South Africa, hope you are enjoying the festive season and looking forward to 2014!

Herewith a fun image of a mongoose taken in the Kalahari, I have a few favourites for 2013 but I guess I have already posted them all…

Love this thread, really enjoyed viewing your images here:w3

Gabriela...this is just crazy good action you captured!

[Marina Scarr]

I love loons, the birds and the environment, the quiet times floating around with them. I have taken a few images of them over the years, and wanted to move away from just close ups. This image was my favorite composition of the year.

Cheers

Randy

This is most definitely my favorite of yours as well, Randy. I loved it the first time I saw it too!!!

[Marina Scarr]

Yes they are laterally compressed to allow easy movement through reeds.

This was the first time I had called a Virginia Rail in and he did not disappoint. I of course had no clue about the midge until I got home!

BTW there are some SUPER images posted already on this thread!

That's pretty freakin' amazing, John, with the insect and all of the feather details!!!

[Marina Scarr]

Thanks for the idea, James and Rachael. Never easy to pick a favoirte, but this series rises to the top for me. I took a great trip to a far away place, and am now enjoying the snowy owl invasion, but this one is from close to home and that's one of the reasons why I picked it to share. I love the combination of behavior, light, and species interaction that I witnessed. I was truly able to get right into these birds' world, no baiting, calling, setups, etc, just the birds and me.

I don't think I Remember seeing this image in the series you posted, Grace, but whether or not you did, this one is my favorite with the crab right out of the water. The light was your friend that evening too!

[Gabriela Plesea]

Amazing images, dear friends-really glad this thread keeps going, surprise after surprise and I am delighted with every image I see! Morkel-you blew me away with your post, this is stuff I only saw on Animal Planet (yep, at last, we gave in and subscribed to DSTV, not enough wildlife in our busy lives these days...)

Have a great evening, everyone!!!

Regards from sunny (and very hot) Africa,

[Jerry van Dijk]

Awesome images, everyone! Seems you have been holding back your best work......
I hope you all have a great 2014, happy new year.
My backlog still got me stuck in 2012, so I'm not sure if I can contribute a nice image to this thread. I'll do my best!

[Jerry van Dijk]

My trip to Extremadura was definately the photographic highlight of last year for me. Bugs, wildflowers, turtles, deer, breathtaking landscapes and vultures, vultures, vultures. This is my favorite from the trip, in close competition with an in flight image at eye level with a vulture (see it here on my website (http://www.jerryvandijk.com/gallery_551027.html#photos_id=11501150)). More Extremaduran wildflowers here (http://www.jerryvandijk.com/gallery_576805.html).
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful images!

D7000, Nikkor 200mm micro, handheld, ISO-100, f/9, 1/200s.

[Jim Michael]

After a couple of fly-bys the Flight Deck at Bosque I managed to get one that I liked

136532

[arash_hazeghi]

The lions attacking a giraffe is priceless!