I'd made attempts on a number of days to get a photo of a butterfly called a Large marble (Euchloe ausonides). They fly fast and don't land often. I couldn't believe my luck when two which were circling around one another decided to mate and landed right in front of me and stayed longer than I did.
All posted images are impressive ! The year is not quite over yet though... . We still have 20 or so days to create that once-in-a-life-time, uh, the best image of 2009.
I'm with Joshua. I think I still have my best image forthcoming in the next couple weeks, but here is one of my favorites of the year so far. This year was my first encounter with the Short-eared Owl. I previously didn't understand the fascination with these great birds, but that changed pretty quickly once I experienced them. I picked this not only because of the subject, but Fir Island which lies between the banks of the Skagit River is a pretty special place. I don't mind too much that the wing is clipped, I really like the colors, background and sharpness of this SEOIF.
Ken, thanks for starting this annual thread. This is simply an awesome shot. I love the eye contact that the Harrier is making. Wow. Double wow!
Dave
Mr Zoom wrote:
I was hoping Laura Hughes would pop up and start the annual "Best of 2009" thread this year but she's running late so I'm going to get it started this year.
So, per our FM tradition I'd like to start this thread to showcase everyone's favorite shot of 2009! Please explain a little bit about the image and why it is special to you.
As hard as it might be to choose just a single favorite out the many you've taken this year please start off with just one. It's also a challenge to try and single out one shot that represents the best of 2009. Once the tread starts to wind down we can open it up to your 2nd and 3rd best shots of the year.
I'll start with mine:
During my recent visit to Bosque del Apache I was treated to a 30 minute exhibition by Harriet the Northern Harrier. I was special to me as I have never had so many opportunities to get ground level shots like this.
Wow great stuff so far. Hey Ken thanks for starting this thread. I always enjoy it every year. This year I even have one that I remember as a favourite.
I looked through my archives for 2009 and was surprised at how little wildlife shots I actually took. I hate to admit it, but for the 1st 6 months of 2009, I hardly got out to shoot much at all. Finally in July, I met up with Andy and Hanh at Bolsa Chica for a late afternoon walk. I don't know if it was the fresh ocean air blowing across my face, the energy of those feeding terns or just the simple beauty of photographing a bird in flight, but I had a blast. It was like I had rediscovered my enjoyment of wildlife photography. I submit this shot for the Best of 2009 post not because of the pic itself, but that it represented a turning point for me in regards to wildlife photography. I don't think I had ever truly lost my enthusiasm for wildlife photography. It was more like it had gotten buried somewhere under all those long days at work and the ever present needs of taking care of a growing family. Ever since then, I have been making it a point to try to get out more often to shoot and to come onto the Nature forum and participate and see what all you guys are up to. I swear you guys always keep the bar raised so high. But I wouldn't have it any other way. You guys motivate me to go out and shoot and improve my craft. I want to thank you all and wish you and your families a happy holiday.
For me I had to go way back to January to pick my personal favorite, Chad and I went to Iowa to the Mississippi to photograph eagles. It was -10 that day and we stayed out all day long with a lot of action. Lucky for us it had gotten so cold the eagles feed a lot. Hope to make it back there again.
Keep me posted if and when you decide to make the trip. I've been wanting to go as well.
Here's mine. This was an exciting moment to see an adult and juvi playing.
All these images remind me of how much talent there is here and how lucky we are to see what we see and share it, I am always impressed on this forum, great shots
An easy choice for me this year as it's probably my favorite photo of mine, period. I got to spend two amazing days with 4 fox kits in my mom's back woods, a memory that will stick with me forever, which makes the picture all the more special.
This shot was fairly special to me because it was part of one of the best days down at one of my favorite spots near my work called the black river riparian forest. The waxwings were absolutely nuts and i decided to try for a close up shot at MFD for my 300mm. This bird was kind enough to give me 5 frames.
This image isn't my "best" of 2009 but it is one very special to me...along with the subject in the photograph.
As some of you know I have been photographing a pair of Bald Eagles nesting at Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, VA since March 2008. I found out about the Eagles after they had already started nesting for the 2008 season so I got a late start documenting this pair of Eagles.
The first two eggs were laid but a Great Horned Owl startled the female early one morning by landing on the edge of their nest and when she jumped up to defend the eggs she stepped on both eggs cracking them. She laid two more but another adult female tried to move into their territory and in the process the next two eggs were left unattended for too long. She laid the fifth and final egg of the season and we all crossed our fingers everything would be fine...not to be.
At 21 days old a growth on the beak of the Eaglet was noticed and it turned out the Eaglet had Avian Pox on it's beak...it was removed from the nest and taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
A lot of time and money was spent on this one patient....the Wildlife Center flat out told us if this Eaglet didn't have the following/support it had it would have been put down due to the cost involved in maintaining the Eagles beak. (It has to be dremeled monthly)
Once the Eagle was no longer considered a patient we were allowed to visit the Wildlife Center and the young Eagle. We got to see what it will have to go through for the rest of it's life to keep the beak in check so it can eat.
I donate part of my print sales to the care of this one Eagle and the other patients at the Wildlife Center...and I will continue to do this as long as I can.
He has been named "Buddy" and we're not sure what his future holds.
Lottsa good images, it would be almost impossible, and perhaps unfair too, to pick a single favourite of mine. That's why I'll pick a few images which appeal most to my non-birder eyes.
Environmental shot: Bobby Tan
Complex behaviour: Kearley
Eagle master: Sanders (So seldom we get to see an eagle in that perspective against such colourful background.)
Best of BIF: Zoomer (in addition to the bird which was hard enough to get, he has very nice composition/environment)
Cliche busting shot: Thang.
This photo was taken on one of my favorite photo trips of the year. We spent a few cloudy hours at the pond. Thing did not look good for the day. Just as the golden hour was inching up on us the clouds opened up and the golden rays hit the fall reflections on the pond.What a great ending to a day with your photo buds.
! The year is not quite over yet though... 
. We still have 20 or so days to create that once-in-a-life-time, uh, the best image of 2009. 
