My annual look back on the year. For the first time since I started these “best of” posts, this year’s selection is all wildlife. I did shoot some landscapes over the past year, but none of them made the cut. My photographic emphasis this year was on wildlife, and these results bear that out. When choosing these photos, wildlife behavior is a primary criteria, along with lighting and composition. Habitat is also important. So, with that, I present these photos, which I consider to be my personal best ten of the year. Happy 2020!

10) Black Phoebe Display

Shoshone Village, California, near the southern end of Death Valley, is a very special oasis in the desert. Much restoration of the springs has been done over the last decade or so and the birds are appreciative of the marshes and vegetation surrounding the natural, but scarce water in the midst of the Mohave Desert. I watched this Black Phoebe dart around over the marsh catching bugs. Then it rewarded me with a lovely display of its tail feathers.

9) In a Rush

Early May of 2019 found me in the Klamath Basin on the border of California and Oregon. I spent a week on my way to volunteer for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuges. The grebes were actively courting at Putnam’s Point in Klamath Falls at the time. I was fortunate enough to catch several “rushes” with my camera. I chose this one because of the wing positions and the visible foot out of the water. My short stay in the area inspired me to move here in 2020.

8) Elegant in Velvet

While volunteering on the coast, I was stationed in Brookings, Oregon, just a short distance from the California border. I made several trips down to one of my most favorite places in Del Norte County, the mouth of the Smith River. On one trip, I encountered a herd of Roosevelt Elk grazing near Highway 101. This young bull obliged me with a stunning pose as the slight breeze showed off his wispy mane.

7) Song of the Meadowlark

In April of 2019, I spent some time near Susanville, California and discovered the Honey Lake Wildlife Area, administered by the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. This little-utilized refuge was teeming with life in the early spring. The meadowlarks were abundant and active. After many failed attempts, I finally caught one singing enthusiastically and close up.

6) Gull with Sea Star

Spending the summer as a volunteer wildlife interpreter was very rewarding and educational. I learned so much about seabirds and marine mammals and had the opportunity to share what I learned with the birders, campers, and beachcombers at Harris Beach. I also learned that Western Gulls not only feed on sea stars, but swallow them whole!

5) Dropping in for a Snack

When the year began, I never would have imagined that two of my top ten images would be gulls. But, here we are with two of my favorites being gull behavior photos. This image was a surprise as I was watching and photographing a small flock of Bonaparte’s gulls swooping and diving over the lake. Only later, upon review of the photos, did I discover that I had captured one making a catch!

4) Wilsons Warbler with a Caterpillar

Many people who camp at Harris Beach State Park don’t realize there is a short, but delightful trail from the campground to the beach that goes behind the bluff and away from the road. The trail runs through a heavily forested area full of songbirds in the summer. It was there I met this cute little bird scoring a big meal. Since it was the height of nesting season, I presume most of that caterpillar was regurgitated for hungry chicks.

3) Home Sweet Nest

2019 was the year I discovered the unexpected beauty of the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. I had the pleasure of observing this very active great blue heron rookery during the early nesting season. This image is a sweet greeting that happened after one of the couple flew in from the refuge and the partner incubating the eggs stood up. They had a tender moment before switching roles on the nest. If you look closely, you will see that the other nests in the photo are also occupied.

2) Nesting Sandhill Crane

Between the Honey Lake Wildlife Area and the Klamath Basin, is the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge in Alturas, California. This wildlife refuge has a small army of volunteers from the local area and afar who are dedicated to the sandhill cranes and their habitat. Over the years, their efforts have paid off greatly, with many pairs returning to nest on the refuge annually. I discovered this nest, viewable from my car on the side of a road, with the help of one of these hard-working volunteers. Since it is a short trip from the Klamath Basin, I hope to return to Modoc NWR this year after the colts hatch for a long-sought-after photo of a baby crane.

1) Eye of the Gray Ghost

My number one pick for this year now has an even more special meaning. I chose this image a few days ago as I was preparing to put together my “best of” post for the year. It is a male northern harrier, aka “gray ghost” from the Honey Lake Wildlife Area. It is the closest I’ve ever been to one of these elusive birds as it was sitting atop an old fence post looking much like a piece of weathered wood as I drove by. I think we both surprised each other at about the same time. But, today, January 1st, 2019, the image became even more meaningful. As part of a new year tradition, suggested by my daughter, the first wild animal seen on the first day of the year is my totem animal for that year. You guessed it, the gray ghost is the first animal I saw this morning. Not only that, but there were two of them flying around first thing this morning–unusual to say the least.

So there you have it. Another year gone by and another top ten. Here’s to a wonderful 2020, filled with the abundance of nature and the fascinating and beautiful wildlife with which we share our journey on this fragile spaceship earth.