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.)