Home / Miscellaneous / 2023 - 10 Favorites 10
Of the many photographs that I took in 2023, these are my 10 personal favorites.
Elephant Seal, Point Reyes
The first of four (quite different) animal photos in this year’s favorites was of this expressive Elephant Seal at Point Reyes, California. (January 30, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/8, 300mm, ISO 7184.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_seal
That Wanaka Tree
Perhaps the most photographed tree in New Zealand is this willow growing just offshore in Lake Wanaka, in New Zealand’s South Island. (March 15, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/2000s @ f/3, 27mm, ISO 100.) https://destinationlesstravel.com/that-wanaka-tree/ https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/thatwanakatree/
Rainbow Lorikeet in an Umbrella Tree
Australia is known for its colourful birds. In March, shortly before returning to the US, I took this photo of a Rainbow Lorikeet feasting on the fruit of a native “Umbrella Tree” in Gold Coast, Queensland. (March 24, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/4, 300mm, ISO 200.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_lorikeet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptapleurum_actinophyllum
Superbloom!
After an exceptionally wet Winter, California’s hills exploded into a burst of wildflowers in the Spring. Some of the most spectacular ’superblooms’ could be found in Carrizo Plain National Monument, in central California. (April 17, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/320s @ f/5.6, 26mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbloom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrizo_Plain
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
My favorite drone photo in 2023 was this HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo of the spectacular Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in northern New Mexico. (July 12, 2023. DJI Mini 3 Pro, HDR-processing from a 5-shot bracketed exposure @ f/1.7, 24mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Gorge_Bridge
Hanging Lake
The short but steep hike to Hanging Lake - near Glenwood Springs, Colorado - is so popular that you need to reserve a time slot in advance. (July 17, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/40s @ f/8, 19mm, ISO 100.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Lake
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
The Dish
While walking in the Stanford Foothills in the Autumn, I captured the famous Stanford Dish, backlit by the late afternoon Sun. (November 4, 2023. Apple iPhone 13 Pro, 1/1449s @ f/2.8, 77mm, ISO 32.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_Dish
Bee in a flowering Pohutukawa tree
December in New Zealand is marked by the flowering of the native Pohutukawa tree. For this reason, it’s also known as the “New Zealand Christmas Tree”. It has also been introduced to many places outside New Zealand (including San Francisco, where it can be seen flowering in June or July). (December 6, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/125s @ f/16, 85mm, ISO 281.) https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/pohutukawa-flame-of-the-north/
Kereru
Pigeons are common in cities around the world. But New Zealand has its own species of native (rural) pigeon - larger (and prettier) than the common domestic pigeons found in cities. (December 20, 2023. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/8, 300mm, ISO 640.) https://www.nznatureguy.com/2019/01/24/kereru-facts-new-zealands-native-pigeon/