Transit of Venus
My single favorite photo from 2012 was an accident. While in Istanbul, Turkey on vacation, I woke up early on June 6th to try to photograph the Transit of Venus - the last for more than a century. From this part of the world, the transit would be visible only at sunrise. I had a thick filter (a piece of welding glass) that I used for several photos of the transit. Some of those photos came out OK. My best photo, however, was this one that I took for fun, without a filter, just as the sun began to emerge above the clouds. I wasn't expecting this photo to show the shadow of Venus, but - to my surprise - after reducing highlights and increasing contrast, it produced a remarkable image. (Another fun fact about this photo was that I was standing in Europe, but watching the Sun rise over Asia!) (June 6, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/1600s @ f/9, 300mm, ISO 200.)
You Looking at Me?
Was this cute seal staring at me as I photographed it at dusk from Point Lobos, California? Probably not, but I like to think that perhaps it was. I also liked the circular ripples in the water. (May 6, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/100s @ f/6.3, 300mm, ISO 200.)
Takahe
The "Takahe" is a rare New Zealand native bird. These (flightless) birds are so rare, in fact, that they were thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered in the 1940s. Even today, only about 200 remain. This photo was taken at Tiritiri Matangi Island - a wildlife sanctuary near Auckland, New Zealand. (February 15, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/200s @ f/6.3, 300mm, ISO 200.)
Turkish Fisherman
In Spring I vacationed in Turkey, and three photos from this year's "10 favorites" album came from this trip. Around noon on a bright sunny day I photographed this man fishing - cigarette in mouth - just outside the marked-off public swimming area at Ölündeniz Beach, near Fethiye on Turkey's 'Turquoise Coast'. (June 1, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/125s @ f/16, 300mm, ISO 200.)
Monument Valley at Sunset
Monument Valley, in northeastern Arizona, is one of the US Southwest's most iconic sights - having been used as a backdrop in several western movies. In 2012 I visited it for the first time, and took this wide-angle photo shortly before sunset. (July 10, 2012. Nikon D5000, exposure blending from a 3-shot bracketed exposure @ f/16, 22mm, ISO 200.)
Inside the Hagia Sophia
Just hours after photographing the Transit of Venus, I took another photo that became one of this year's favorites. This photo shows the expansive interior of one of the world's most historic buildings - the "Hagia Sophia", in Istanbul, Turkey. Completed in 537 AD, this was the largest Christian cathedral in the world for almost 1000 years. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it became a mosque. It is now a museum. (June 6, 2012. Nikon D5000, exposure blending from a 3-shot bracketed exposure @ f/7.1, 13mm, ISO 200.)
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.)
The Wave
This natural sandstone formation - in northern Arizona's "Vermillion Cliffs National Monument" - is prized by photographers. However, it is difficult to reach, because access to the area is by permit only, and only a few permits are made available - by lottery - each day. After applying several times, I finally got a permit to hike here on July 11th, 2012. This turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year; temperatures during my 7-mile round-trip hike were around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C)! (July 11, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/200s @ f/11, 12mm, ISO 200.)
Stay Away!
This crab - on Saint George Island, off Florida's Gulf Coast - stood up on its hind legs in a defensive posture as I approached. (I was pleased at the detail that was captured here.) (November 2, 2012. Nikon D5000, 1/800s @ f/6.3, 85mm, ISO 200.)