Okay, I don't post on here a whole lot, but here's a shot I got less than two weeks ago at Chincoteague NWR. It's special to me because it was the first time I had ever seen a grebe and this one and his mate were quite tame and allowed for some awesome photos. I don't know if I'll ever be so lucky again.
After much pondering, waffling, and just general indecision, I decided to go with this photo of two cheetah from Djuma, South Africa taken while on safafri last August.
Laura, you're photo is outstanding, as is every photo in this thread. I started shooting seriously about 2 years ago, and found out about FM about 10 months ago. I was on the sidelines here, admiring the images, reading the comments and critiques, and absorbing as much wisdom as I could from this talented group of photographers.
I finally registered a few weeks ago and up to now have yet to post an image, so here goes.
I chose this image simply because of the look....a look only a mother can give.
A thousand thanks to everyone here for unknowingly helping someone who loves taking wildlife and nature photos.
First let me say there is some spectacular photos being displayed here. It has been a wonderful year for me and I have learned and grown tremendously as a person and photographer. I want to thank everyone here that has been so helpful and supportive to not only myself, but everyone else here. FM is such a warm and friendly place, I feel like it is my second home. I am glad to be part of this little slice of the net. All the best to everyone, now and the coming years. May you always have the light to your back!
It is a very tough decision to make to narrow it down to 50 or 60 shots, so I am going to post a few.
This year I really wanted to conquer some objectives I set for myself. Here are 3 of them. I think the Northern Harrier is one of, if not the best looking Raptor out there. I didn't have any good shots of them. I found an area they frequented and dressed in camo and went after them with an obsession. It paid off. This is the best shot I got, I think of these gorgeous Raptors.
Secondly I always see Redtail Hawks, but didn't have any good shots of them either. After seeing GeneO, Laura and others repeatedly posting, simply astonishing photos of these gorgeous Birds, I had to get one. I tried many times quite unsuccessfully to get some shots of one. Then one day by chance, I happened upon this Juvenile Redtail....
This was my favorite from the many captures I was lucky enough to receive.
And lastly I wanted to get a good Bluejay in flight showing the wonderful, colourful backside. Well I got some and here is one of them that most of you haven't seen yet.
This Snowy Owl is one of my best from 2006. Every day I would pass the area where the Owl was as I traveled to and from work. I was consumed with capturing this Owl and had several good meetings with him.
Laura Hughes wrote:
Please post your SINGLE best shot of the year and tell us why it is special to you. .
Wonderful image Laura. I'll play with a common bird albeit a more uncommon color for the Common Grackle. I like this shot for the "Egyptian" like geometric pose and subtle control of the ambient and fill flash light. Great thread. Thanks !
Well here is my contribution.
My 1st is special as it was my 1st and best capture of a skimmer doing its stuff. It's also signiificant to me as the shot was with a 300mm f4 and 1.4tc combo that I had 15 mins to field test. When I used the lens combo I knew I wanted it, when I processed this image, I knew I had to have it. And the combo has gone on to give me many more great opportunities.
My 2nd is in honour of all the great raptor photographers in this forum that have inspired and educated me over the last year. This is my best Osprey image yet, and hope that next year it might be a Holy grail pic!
I knew that there would be a lot of participants in this thread so in order to prevent bandwidth overload it made sense to request that each contributor post a single image.
Awesome shot Laura. There are so many great shots here I'm not sure I belong. I don't think this is my best, but its my favorite. This mother Sparrow was bringing food back to its young one over and over again, in scorching heat, and at the time, I thought it was sick, and felt so sorry for it, but later found out it was probably just molting. Anyway, I think this just exemplifies what mothers do, no matter what the species. Vern
All the best to everyone, now and the coming years. May you always have the light to your back! 
