Choosing a top 10 list of photos at the end of every year never seems to be easy for me. It might be better categorized as a list of favourites as my choices do not always remain the same over time. I’ve made many photos this year I am proud of, and I think illustrate improvements over my photography from previous years (always a good thing). The exercise of choosing a list of only 10 photos is difficult, but I think it is a task that is well worthwhile – and I always enjoy being a part of Jim Goldstein’s annual Your Best Photos project. I have to ask myself what I like about my images, what I don’t, and which is a stronger representation of certain categories or locations I photographed during the year. Choosing images for my yearly Calendar is the start of this task, but at the very least I still have to weed out two images from that pile.
So in no specific order: My top 10 Photographs of 2013!
Eureka Falls and Silverhope Creek in the Skagit Valley
(Hope, British Columbia)
A sunset over the Coast Mountain Range and Nanaimo Harbour from Biggs Park
(Nanaimo, British Columbia)
Star Magnolia tree fall leaf colour at Queen Elizabeth Park
(Vancouver, British Columbia)
I struggled to choose between the image below and another from the same evening also on Mazama Ridge in Mount Rainier National Park. Ultimately I like the one below better, I feel it might be better overall. The one linked above has some fantastic flowers and sky colours in it, but I feel it is not as strong an image overall.
Wildflowers and the Tatoosh Range from Mazama Ridge’s Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park
(Washington State)
Mount Webb and fall colours at Chilliwack Lake in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
(Chilliwack, British Columbia)
Twin Falls on Lynn Creek at Lynn Canyon Park
(North Vancouver, British Columbia)
During my August trip to Mount Rainier National Park I got up before sunrise to photograph at Tipsoo Lake. While sunrise colours in the clouds did not materialize, I really like this shot anyway. Something a bit different than the oft photographed “iconic” view of Rainier reflecting in the waters of Upper Tipsoo Lake.
Early morning sun lights up Mount Rainier from above Upper Tipsoo Lake
(Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State)
Evening Panorama of Kalamalka Lake, Vernon and Coldstream
(Vernon, British Columbia)
Vine Maple Fall colour foliage along Rolley Creek in Rolley Lake Provincial Park
(Mission, British Columbia)
I am an opportunistic wildlife photographer. I do not often go out seeking wildlife specifically, but am always happy to photograph them when they are around. This large Black Bear was munching on Dandelion flowers along side the road in Manning Provincial Park. I stopped on the opposite side of the highway and watched it for about 30 minutes and was able to make some photos and video of it eating dinner.
A Black Bear (Ursus americanus) eating dandelion flowers
(EC Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia)
Lovely collection, sir! Here is to an even better 2014!
Keep up the great work.
Thank you Younes!
Wonderful set of images Michael! A lovely year!! Wishing you an even better one in 2014!! 🙂
Thanks Rachel!
Wonderful work Michael! Hard to pick favorites, love the Rainier images and the touch of fall color along the stream on the image of Rolley Creek.
All the best to you in 2014, happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
Thank you Alex! Hope you have a great 2014 too!
Superbes les photos de ton blog ! Un seul regret je ne connais pas l’anglais et donc je ne sais pas traduire et donc je ne profite pas de tes textes !
Fécitations pour tes photos et ta présentation ! J’aime beaucoup !!
Merci beaucoup Godenne – content que vous aimiez mes photos! J’utilise habituellement le traducteur sur Google pour d’autres langues (translate.google.com). Il sera également traduire des sites web. Pas toujours exacte si (ce qui était il traduit) mais permettra compréhension.
Nice work Michael! Here’s to more great work in 2014, Have a Happy New Year !
Thanks Alan – Happy New Year to you too!
Beautiful set of images Michael. Many look like very secluded places to take in the great views. Hope you have an equally if not better 2014.
Thank you Mark!
Great images Michael. Hope you have a great 2014!!!
Thank you Jim you too!
Can’t beat the PNW. Great stuff Michael and wishing you a happy 2014.
Thank you Richard – Happy 2014 to you as well. 🙂
Nice one Michael! Glad you snuck in the bear too 🙂
Thanks Morkel! I am a wildlife opportunist though – mostly just when they wander nearby.
Really wonderful work Michael!
Thank you Patricia! Enjoyed your top 10 as well!
Very nice selection Michael! I’ve enjoyed being a part of your fine Mountain Monday group online and wish you all the best in 2014.
Thank you Russ! Hope you have a great 2014 and I appreciate your frequent Mountain Monday participation!
Great images, Michael. Great views from the PacNW. Btw, are you 100% on the ID as a Black Bear? That shoulder rump looks awfully much like a Brown Bear (Grizzly). I’m sure you know Black Bears can be brown and vice versa.
Cheers & have a great 2014!
Thank you Gary! Well, I was 95% sure on the Black Bear but every time I post it anywhere I get a lot of questions as to the accuracy of my ID. The hump you see there seems to be much more a consequence of posture than anatomy – if my other photos made at the same time are any indication. While there are a few Grizzlies (literally just a few) in the North Cascades and Manning Provincial Park, it would be pretty surprising to see one there, and at the edge of the highway at that. I wish it were a Grizzly, that would be much cooler!
Perhaps I should ask this ID question of a few people I know that photograph a lot of bears of varying species. I strive for accuracy. 🙂
Michael: If you know Kennan Ward, I might ask him and send a link to the photo. He’ll probably know as good as anyone. If you don’t know him, he spent many years as a ranger and naturalist in Alaska before becoming a photographer. You can try mentioning my name as a referral. Been a bunch of years since I last connected with him at all, but hopefully he’ll remember.
– Cheers,
Michael,
Excellent set for 2013. I really enjoy #2 and #3. Hope you have a productive 2014!
Thank you Derrald you too!