Brown's Island, Auckland
My favorite drone photo of 2020 was this photo of yet another of Auckland's volcanic cones - Brown's Island, in the Hauraki Gulf (Auckland's outer harbour). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browns_Island_(New_Zealand) (June 10, 2020. DJI Mavic Pro, 1/1429s @ f/2.2, 4.73mm, ISO 100.)
Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach
These islands - just offshore from the South Island's Wharariki Beach - also appeared in 2015's "10 Favorites" list. The 2015 photo was a view of the islands from the beach. This year, I got the chance to revisit this beautiful beach, and get a drone's eye view. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wharariki_Beach The 2015 photo: http://photos.rossfinlayson.com/picture.php?/208/category/34 (November 11, 2020. DJI Mavic Pro, 1/1499s @ f/2.2, 4.73mm, ISO 100.)
Atop Tokatoka Peak
On New Year's Day 2020, I took this drone selfie ('dronie') from the top of Tokatoka Peak, in New Zealand's Northland region. (Fortunately, the path to the top was not on the side of the peak shown here.) (January 1, 2020. DJI Mavic Pro, 1/926s @ f/2.2, 4.73mm, ISO 100.)
Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia
All of the photos in this year's list were taken in New Zealand - except for this photo of Tasmania's scenic Bruny Island - which I took during a short trip in March, just before the Covid-19 lockdowns. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruny_Island (March 10, 2020. Nikon D7200, 1/80s @ f/8, 24mm, ISO 100.)
Pukeko, Tahuna Torea Reserve, Auckland
The Pukeko is one of New Zealand's most common native birds; so common, in fact, that they're often considered a pest - and can even be hunted in some places. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pukeko (May 13, 2020. Nikon D7200, 1/500s @ f/10, 280mm, ISO 4500.)
Champagne Pool
I 'broke the rules' by taking this photo - of the large "Champagne Pool" in the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Area - facing towards the Sun. Fortunately, however, this gave me a good result, as the light emphasized the steam coming off the pool. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champagne_Pool (May 19, 2020. Nikon D7200, 1/640s @ f/7.1, 10mm, ISO 100.)
Auckland from Mount Eden
My home city of Auckland, New Zealand was built on a dormant volcanic field. Several volcanic cones are visible in this photo (an iPhone panorama). This photo itself was take from the summit of the largest volcanic cone: Mount Eden. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_volcanic_field https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maungawhau (April 25, 2020. Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 1/1115s @ f/2, 6mm, ISO 20.)
Hot Water Beach
New Zealand's famed "Hot Water Beach" is normally crowded with overseas tourists. In 2020, however, with overseas tourists gone, the beach was much less crowded than usual. On this day, low tide coincided with the 'golden hour' near sunset, leading to especially good lighting for this photo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Water_Beach (July 24, 2020. Apple iPhone 11 Pro, 1/259s @ f/1.8, 4.25mm, ISO 32.)
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.)
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.)