This is a tough assignment, Laura, but glad you proposed it.
I am approaching my 1st anniversary on the forum, and yes, it has been a fantastic journey. My colleagues at school, where I teach, say that my photos are improving. I have a long way to go to measure up to many on this board, but I thank you all for the willingness to share your ideas, thoughts and critiques.
This red-bellied has become a regular in my back yard. I see & hear him often and can pretty much count on him showing up when I put the peanuts out. I am delighted with this shot in the mid morning light a few weeks ago. I took this as my Mom laid critically ill in the hospital. I needed to "get away from it all" for a bit and taking photos helps me deal with the stress of life. She passed away about a week later, but did enjoy seeing this series.
Thanks again for the spirit of friendship that I have found on this forum.
What a collection of spectacular pictures! It would be awesome to have a book printed of the best from FM. FM - a year in pictures. Like life magazine did. Anyway, I would like to thank eveyone here for all the help and good advice that is freely givin. I know I've learned a lot in a short time here. I certainly do appreciate it and I hope that I can help some others in the same way. Thanks for starting the thread Laura.
Here's my personal favorite for the year. Some of us were shooting a lot of Swallows this spring and summer. They are really a challenge and I probably attempted around 5000 frames of just these birds. Everything finally came together with the proper focus and bird position on this one. I'll always remember the day I shot it.
I will go with two shots, my favourite mammal photo and my favourite bird shot (sorry for breaking the single photo rule, but could not choose):
The first is my favourite photo of the fox that lives round the corner from my flat. He has been my muse for the last year and it has grown up so much during that time. This autumn it looks much more mature. This was taken back in April:
There have been so many spectacular raptor photos posted in this thread that my common little garden bird might not seem very interesting, but I personally love this shot. I like the bramble, I like the colours, and to me this photo just screams Spring at me. It always makes me smile:
Here's one of my favourite shots from this past year. Taken in the Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska in August. My wife & I were watching a herd of about 200 to 300 caribou stream south about 1000 feet below the ridge we were on, when we caught this ermine spying on us. He was quite curious and bounded up to get a better look at us. Somehow I managed this shot.
Great work, Laura, and everyone. All very inspiring- and humbling. Maybe not my best shot, but this fawn sure was a great favorite, emotionally if not technically. I know I'm getting into her head, but seems like you could read her soul.
Shot taken on the susquhanna in Maryland where some photographers may have spotted Lou Busher and Irv.
The Female made several laps around the river daring others to try and take her fish. She didn't have any takers.
Edited by Andrew J on Nov 23, 2006 at 09:08 PM GMT
Hmmm. I guess photographers can count f1.4, f2.8, f5.6, etc.,, but apparently many can't actually count out ONE photo.
Not to sound rude, but best "SINGLE" photo means one. Not two, not three, not four. If you want to post more than one, just start a separate thread! We'll be happy to look!
Tom Hicks wrote:
Hi laura , you and the other members certainly have most of the best shots this year. I shot very little this year as you know from my lack of post , but i did get at least one that I like. Sorry it doesn't have feathers
Good gracious Tom. How in the world do you get your shots to pop like that. It seems like eyes of every animal you shoot just sparkle. Wonderfully done again.
