Here are my 16 favorite images taken in 2016 along with a little story behind them… hope you enjoy!
Sunset over the Columbia River: Taken outside Portland, OR along the well-known Columbia River Gorge I think this was beginner’s luck. This was my first visit to Oregon and my first morning out photographing in the area. I think I was treated to a beautiful sunrise and introduction to what is an absolutely breathtaking landscape. The colors were amazing and I was in awe. Tip: Use cloudy white balance to help bring out the colors during sunset or sunrise. 
Pelicans: This image made my top 16 for 2016 because of the 2 pelicans being in sync. I like the circles on the water showing where they took off and the progression they have made in flying. Plus, pelicans are neat birds! Where do you find these birds? They can be found on ponds and lakes as they enjoy fishing for food. There are also brown pelicans that can be found on ocean shorelines. 
Mountain Goat: First, this image is plain silly with the goat’s tongue sticking out. It made the list because it makes me smile every time I see it. Plus, it’s always fun to photograph mountain goat, right? Mountain goats live at high altitude in the Rocky Mountains. They are a treat to find and photograph, but do require some time spent looking for them. 
Walking fox: What a treat to find a family of fox. I originally found anadult in the woods. As I followed him to grab photographs, I realized he took me right back to the den! I was super careful to keep my distance so as not to scare or bother the wildlife. For this photo I was sitting on the ground to get at their level when this little one decided it would be fun to investigate me. I enjoyed the walking towards me, but I did also make noise and move away from it. I don’t like to habituate wildlife to humans and I didn’t want this little fox coming any closer 
Pika with plant tongue: These little animals are the cutest!I love finding them. They live at high altitude and are actually suffering from climate change. They have a “bark” or a whistle and are also known as whistling hare. They are related to the hare or rabbit family. All summer long they gather food for storage through the winter. This one was taking a break from gathering and doing some munching instead. So cute with the leaf looking like an extra large tongue. 
Old truck with door open: I found this in Arizona, but old trucks can be found lots of place. Recently, I have been enjoying finding old vehicles to photograph. The colors are amazing and there is history behind this photograph art. This one is a particular favorite because of the open door. It’s inviting to me. 
Joshua Tree Full Moon: This was my first time visiting Joshua Tree National Park and I unknowingly timed it with a full moon. I know many go here to photograph the night sky with its many visible stars. Well, I found the full moon made for some beautiful evening photos and it was simply amazing. 
Slot Canyon Landscape: While in Green River, Utah I did some research on areas to hike and photograph. I stumbled upon this neat slot canyon which turned out be more fun than I imagined. I like the life coming out of the rocks. 
Wood duck splash: This is a wood duck, a duck that is found on ponds and lakes. These ducks are special because of their colorful plumage. Whenever they get wet they come up and splash the water off their wings. This is a favorite that captures just that. 
Salt River horses: These special wild horses were fun to find. I love the interaction between the two in this image. Once I found a group, I spent a good hour with them enjoying their beauty. 
Desert sunrise: Some find the desert to stark and harsh. I find it beautiful. I spent a week camped in a state park in Arizona and each day the sunrise was more beautiful than the last. The colors in this image exploded in front of me and wowed me. 
Hummingbird tongue: This is a favorite because never before have I been able to capture the tongue of a hummingbird! All I can see is neat and wow. 
Saguaro National Park sunset: Saguaro National Park is a primitive park. The road is dirt, the landscape is harsh and it also magnificent. The sunset on this day was gorgeous and it felt like the sky was on fire. Not a bad way to end the day at all. 
Hummingbird beauty: I love hummingbirds and this one captures my attention. The colors are so vivid and the fact that it stayed still on a branch for me was fun. 
Canyon Lake sunset: I enjoyed the sunsets on Canyon Lake, Texas. It was beautiful with the trees and surroundings. This one was taken about an hour before sunset so as to capture the star of the sun between the branches. I love the shadows of the trees in contrast to the soft light of the late afternoon. 
Fox kit! This is my all time favorite photo from 2016! Why? Because the kit is adorable. I like the grass around it and the look it is giving me. Baby animals are the cutest and this little one didn’t disappoint. It delighted me and made my entire day that much better.