It’s that time again. Time to re-live the past year, photographically speaking. What a year it’s been! It’s always difficult to narrow down my favorites to just ten, but this year was even more challenging because of all the wonderful photographic opportunities that came my way. Following are my personal favorites of 2018, which are not necessarily the best sellers or most popular of the year.

10. Desert Bighorn

When picking personal favorites, I lean toward the unusual or unique. While this image is not really either, it was my very first sighting of one of these elusive animals, so it qualifies as both for me.

9. Pheasant Away

When I shot this photo, I was disappointed that the bird flew directly away from me. Usually, “bird butt” photos end up on the cutting room floor. But, when I saw the detail of the plumage and that fantastic curl at the end of the tail, I knew this was a keeper.

8. Winter Solstice – Signal Peak, Utah

While staying in Hurricane, Utah, I noticed how the rising sun lit up the mountains most mornings. Hoping to catch the light when clouds were present, I set out before dawn on the morning of the Winter Solstice to an unobstructed viewpoint I had discovered a few days earlier. Nature kindly gave me the sky I was hoping for.

7. Owl Scowl

What can I say? 2018 was the Year of the Owl for me. There are four owl images in my top ten this year, and honestly, I probably could have done a top ten of just the owls. This is one of the newly fledged youngsters hanging around Malheur National Wildlife Refuge when I arrived to volunteer in July.

6. Glorious Whitney

Working around the availability of RV sites and a list of destinations during the month of October resulted in an eight day stay at Lone Pine, California. For the first six days, there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. Then, one afternoon, magic happened.

5. Barn Owl Hiding

While volunteering at Malheur NWR this summer, I was told of a pair of barn owls spotted along the auto tour route several miles south of headquarters. Since this bird was missing from my life list and had eluded me for many years, I set out early in the morning for two mornings in hopes of a sighting. Both times, I came back owl-less. The second time, I accepted the disappointment, ate breakfast, and took the dog for a walk. On our walk, we spooked a large bird from a tree near the RV. Turns out it was a barn owl! I felt almost as if my longing to see one called it to me.

4. Painted by God

While traveling up the Oregon Coast this spring, I stayed a few days at Sunset Bay. Given the name of the place, I had to go down to the beach for sunset at least one time. While waiting for the sun to set, I noticed some unusual, wispy clouds out on the horizon and wondered what effect they would have on the sunset. As the sky began to take on color, those clouds transformed into “brushstrokes” over the rocks that took my breath away! It was one of the most amazing sunsets I have ever witnessed, and now I know how the place got its name.

3. Burrowing Owl Joy

The first time I set out to find the burrowing owls near Burns, Oregon, I really didn’t know what to expect. I found them in the morning, and the sun was behind them, making photography challenging. A week or so later, I went back in the evening. Not only was the light great, but the fledglings were flying around, practicing landings and takeoffs, and generally having an owl party. What a joy it was to watch them.

2. Last Light on the Watchman

If you’ve ever visited Zion National Park, you’ve seen the crowds of photographers gathered on the bridge at Canyon Junction at sunset. This is one of the iconic views in the park that everyone wants to capture. Because of this, I have avoided that bridge each time I have visited. This year I happened to be there on a cold winter day when only two other photographers were on the bridge, so I decided to go for it. I couldn’t have asked for a better sunset, but was wishing I had remembered to bring my gloves. Cold fingers aside, it was a fortunate decision.

1. Flasher

It’s only fitting that the number one image for my Year of the Owl is an owl. There were several that could have gotten the honor, but this one wins for the unusual pose and that mischievous expression. I already miss the owls who allowed me to spend time with them and photograph them this summer. And I look forward to discovering what 2019 has in store.

Happy New Year and thank you for taking the time to indulge my “top ten” ramblings!