- 'Blood Supermoon'
Clouds blocked the view of the September 27th lunar eclipse (coinciding with an unusually large 'supermoon') from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area - but fortunately at the time I happened to be vacationing in southern Arizona - where the skies were clear. (September 27, 2015. Nikon D5000, 0.8s @ f/5.6, 300 mm, ISO 3200.) - Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe
Polarizing filters often add drama to photos of sky and water - especially at elevation. ('Bonsai Rock' is near the center of the photo.) (September 30, 2016. Nikon D7200, 1/50s @ f/7.1, 22 mm, ISO 100.) http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bonsai-rock-lake-tahoe - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This 'golden hour' photo captured the beauty of a small portion of Utah's vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. (September 27, 2021. Nikon D7200, 1/125s @ f/10, 16mm, ISO 100.) - Jellyfish, Monterey Bay Aquarium
This year’s list includes three photos from s smartphone - including this serene photo of a jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (September 6, 2022. Apple iPhone 13 Pro, 1/60s @ f/2.8, 26mm, ISO 160.) - Mars Base
I’ve often been intrigued by the Monolith Cement Plant (officially, the "Martin Marietta - Tehachapi Cement Terminal”) that you pass while driving along highway 58, near Tehachapi, California. It reminds me of a Mars base from a science fiction movie. This image is exposure blended from three separate photos (taken from a drone), and processed using software to create a harsh, ‘techo’ look. (September 17, 2022. DJI Mini 3 Pro, exposure blending from a 3-shot bracketed exposure @ f/1.7, 24mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monolith,_California - Mesquite Sand Dunes
Death Valley, California, is a harsh place. Even during this late September afternoon, it was exceptionally hot: about 110 F (43 C). I liked this telephoto view of Mesquite Sand Dunes - in particular, the shadow formed by ridge between two of the dunes' peaks. (September 25, 2014. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/18, 300mm, ISO 200.) - Millau Viaduct
While on vacation in France, after paying a toll of 10.5 Euro each way, I was pleased to get a good photo of the world's tallest bridge (September 22, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/160s @ f/9, 24mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct - Monument Valley
A photo of Monument Valley, Arizona, made it to my “10 favorites” list ten years ago, in 2012. Here’s another view of this beautiful natural landmark, taken from a viewpoint within the park. (September 22, 2022. Nikon D7200, 1/160s @ f/10, 24mm, ISO 100.) My photo from 2012: https://photos.rossfinlayson.com/picture.php?/183/category/31 - New Brighton Pier
New Brighton Pier - extending out into the Pacific Ocean near the city of Christchurch - is normally just a boring concrete pier, but I was able to find a composition that made it more interesting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Brighton_Pier (September 15, 2020. Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 1/5988s @ f/2, 6mm, ISO 20.) - Panther Beach
Yet another 'Golden Hour' photo - this time of a sunlit wave breaking on northern California's Panther Beach. (September 25, 2016. Nikon D7200, 1/1000s @ f/4.5, 24 mm, ISO 220.) - Pekapeka Wetlands
As the saying goes, "The best camera is whatever camera you have with you". For this photo I had only an iPhone with me, and yet was able to get this nice photo. Phone cameras keep getting better; this year, 4 of my "10 Favorite" photos were taken with an iPhone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekapeka_Wetland (September 17, 2020. Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 1/466s @ f/2, 6mm, ISO 20.) - Sunrise at Bryce Point
With three photos in this year's 10 favorites, Utah may be the most photogenic state in the U.S. This photo was taken in Bryce Canyon National Park, shortly after sunrise. (September 28, 2021. Nikon D7200, 1/320s @ f/6.3, 24mm, ISO 100.) - The Last Space Shuttle Flight
The recently-retired space shuttle "Endeavour" flys over Moffett Field, Mountain View, California - en route to Los Angeles, where it will be put on display in a museum. (This is the last time we'll ever see a space shuttle in the air.) (September 21, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/1000s @ f/8, 300mm, ISO 200.)