Each of my 12 favorites below became a favorite as it representas a special moment, unique scene, or most successful translation of what I saw in my mind’s eye into the final photo as well as an attempt to show a wider range of photographic subject matter.  Enjoy!

(You can also review my past favorites from 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007)

Quail Lake in Southern California's Angels National Forest (January, 2011)

Sunrise at Keys View, Joshua Tree National Park, California. (January, 2011)

Breaking light from a storm near the California-Nevada Border. (January, 2011)

Read the backstory for the above photo…

Petroglyph Canyon at Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. (February, 2011)

Fremont Cottonwood trees along the Virgin River at Zion National Park, Utah. (February, 2011)

Sunset near Zion Canyon entrance at Zion National Park, Utah. (February, 2011)

Window abstract at de Young Museum in San Francisco, California. (March, 2011)

Visitors at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, California. (March, 2011)

Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Kona, Hawai'i. (April, 2011)

Read the backstory for the above photo…

Carousel at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, California. (December, 2011)

Read the backstory for the above photo…

Sunset through sea arch at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California. (December, 2011)

Sunset through Big Sur Portal at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California. (December, 2011)

If any of the above photos spoke to you as well, you can click on the photo to order Art Prints.  As always, I appreciate your support of my photography!

Note: this yearly ritual started thanks to my friend Jim Goldstein and his anual Your Best Photos of the Year blog project.  Huge thanks to Jim for his continued time and effort to run this blog project year after year!  If you found this posting via his project, please take the time to subscribe to the blog feed or follow me on your social network of choice (see links in the sidebar).

Back in April, the Mrs and I were able to get a few days away from family life for a trip to Kona, Hawaii. While this trip wasn’t a photography focused trip, we did have a few days to ourselves and were able to make it to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  As we drove around the Big Island toward Hilo, we could see that the higher elevations at the center of the island were covered with clouds.  As we started our ascent from Hilo to the park entrance, the clouds and VOG (volcanic originating gas) got thicker, by the time we arrived at the park you had limited visibility.

We both were hoping to see the Kilauea Caldera but it appears that the weather wasn’t going to cooperate.  Following the advice of one of the Park Rangers, we headed down to the coast to catch sunset and then back up to the crater in hopes of seeing the red glow at night.  As we arrived at the Jaggar Museum and walked toward the lookout over the crater, I thought we were back in San Francisco.  The fog was so thick that you couldn’t see 20 feet in front of you!

Lucky for us the museum was still open.  We popped in and learned more about the history of the crater and watched an amazing thermal webcam of the crater for about 20 minutes.  As we walked out the museum doors, we were both shocked that there was no fog anymore, it had completely disappeared, the near full moon was showing thru the thin clouds, and there in front of us was the glowing red vent of the Halema’uma’u Crater!

Volcanic Gas Plume from Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Kona, Hawai'i. (Greg A. Lato / latogaphoto.com)

Of course, we all know what I did…grabbed the camera gear from the car and turned the Mrs. into a photography widow for the next hour. As you stood watching the crater, the glow from the lava would get brighter and dimmer as the lava would rise or lower within the vent.  Between my own photos, I also ended up teaching an impromptu night time photography class for all the other visitors who were trying to photograph the spectacle. The German couple who just bought their new camera 2 days before leaving on their trip was much appreciative of that.  As was the gentleman with the the Wounded Warrior Project group that ended up with a few great photos for the solders to use as mementos of the trip.

Another great example of the core tenant of landscape photography…the weather changes, so don’t be afraid to wait it out for a photograph. Sometimes, the wait is worth it.

(This photo is part of my new Hawaii Volcanoes NP gallery where it can be purchased as an Art Print or licensed for stock usage.)

Maidu Indian Grinding Mortars in Lake Oroville

One of the advantages to the low water level at Lake Oroville is the exposure of some Californian Indian artifacts that are usually 50 feet below water.  The divots that you see on the right hand side were created by the Maidu Indians who inhabited this part of California for the past 2000 years.  These mortars served the purpose of grinding acorns and other nuts; after drying and grinding the Maidu would use water to leach out bitter tanic acid from the ground food.

Just over the far edge of the stone with the mortars was evidence of a creek where spring rains would naturally flow down the hills (before the creation of the reservoir).  One can envision the Maidu brining water up from that creek to leach the contents of these mortars.  With the reservoir being so low, the creek had naturally returned for the immediate future.

Many thanks to the local resident who I meet when I stopped at Lake Oroville.  He was kind enough to mention to me these grinding mortars and where to roughly find them.  He indicated that many of his local neighbors were concerned about the safety of these artifacts.  Luckily the rock the mortars were created in is about the size of a small single story house, so it’s unlikely any thieves will run off with it in the middle of the night.  If you run across any artifacts like this in your travels, please make sure to respect and preserve them for future generations.

March

Yosemite, CA

For some people pulling into Yosemite Valley and coming around that first turn on Highway 120 only to see a valley full of clouds would be a disappointment.  For me, it was a chance to look past the obvious wonder of the valley and capture other marvels.  Like this rocky outcropping with this lone tree peaking through the clouds on the other side of the valley.

Yosemite Valley, CA

Of course, nothing the view of Yosemite Valley in it’s ever changing beauty can’t be passed up.  During this trip, the last winter storm of the season was just starting to break up and granted me this wonderful view down the length of the valley.  I just love how the patchy light from the breaking storm adds such texture to this image.  It has become one of my favorite desktop images and a great way to release my mind during the day.

May

Bay Area – Newark Slough

Nestled along the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, just south of the Dumbarton bridge is the Newark Slough.  I’ve driven past this area hundreds of times and never gave it a second thought until this past year.  During one visit, I noticed how the picnic shelter’s window created a nature frame for the view of the Slough.  I just love how this photo tricks you by being a framed photo within a photo.

August

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Nothing is more rewarding than capturing that decisive moment, except maybe catching that moment while driving by at 20 KM/hour. While visiting Victoria in August I really wanted to photograph the front of the historic Empress Hotel.  Timing during the trip allowed only this one shot as we were driving by the hotel in our car.  In retrospect, the people on the bench are a key element of making this photo work.  Something I might not have gotten if I had more time…

September

Bay Area – Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

September can bless the San Francisco Bay Area with high pressure systems that result in  days and nights of wonderfully clear skies and warm weather.  This year, I was able to capture this unique view of San Francisco from thirty miles away in the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness area.  By hiking up to the highest ridge at sunset, I was granted with this distant silhouetted San Francisco Skyline.  Many thanks to my friend Chris Chin for the loan of the 400mm lens needed to capture this photo!

Bishop, CA – North Lake

As we ascended from Bishop, CA to North Lake, it was completely dark and the eventual sunrise was starting to create a white outline above the mountains to the east of us.  Reaching the North Lake parking lot, we were the first to arrive.  This early morning wake up call allowed me to capture this wonderful early morning alpenglow on the mountain peaks around North Lake during the height of the fall color.

October

Bishop, CA – Eastern Sierra Nevada

Taken at a much lower elevation from just north of Bishop, this pre-dawn view of Mount Tom with snow capped peaks shows how many photographic opportunities exist in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.  This morning it was just myself, my coffee, and a few dozen ducks to enjoy this mountain view.

Bishop, CA – Eastern Sierra Nevada

Too often I’m out photographing sunrise or sunset and see other photographers around me leave right after the the sun fully rises or dips below the horizon.  Waiting around for 30 minutes before and after these moments presents light that is continually changing and can result in amazing photos.  This photo was taken just 30 minutes after the previous one.  While I can’t claim to see in black and white as well as some other photographers, the stronger light of this post sunrise vista resulted in this magical image.

Napa, CA – Mud Slough

The softness and subtlety of the pre-dawn light on the Mud Slough near Napa, CA made this one of my favorites.  Something about this image projects stillness and quite that only these magical early morning times can provide.

Succulent Closeup

Changing things up quite dramatically, the pattern, texture and color of this succulent closeup captures my attention.  One of the challenges with photography is learning the skill to be constantly zooming in and out with your vision.  Looking not only for the grand vistas, but also for the close up details.  It’s a skill that I continually work on.

December

Chicago, IL – Downtown Skyline

Right before Christmas I was able to spend a few days in downtown Chicago.  The storm front that was moving over the city created this wonderful reflective sky over downtown.  This image was taken from the Shedd Aquarium along the lake front.

Central Wisconsin – Lone Oak

One of my famous images that broke my tripod, trying to capture the perfect tree photo for my wife has become an ongoing project.  While she hasn’t told me yet if this is the one she has been waiting for, it definitely made it onto my list of favorites from the year…regardless of the damaged gear.

I hope your 2009 was a photographic as mine.  Let me know which of my favorites were your favorites too; you can buy art prints of your favorite using the buy button below each photo.  Stay tuned for some website and blog updates that I plan on releasing in the next few weeks as well as more great photos.

2010 is looking to be another great year of challenge and change…here’s to more great photo moments in the year ahead!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and happy holidays!

The above was taken on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago a few days ago. My holiday’s started off in downtown Chicago and continues through the new year visiting family in Wisconsin. The ramp up to the Holidays was extremely busy for me with closing out quarter and finishing projects that needed completing before my trip.  It has been nice to wind down over the last few days and recharge.

Look forward to more posts and photos after Christmas.

Sight Seeing is So Tiring (Sepia)

Sometimes The Decisive Moment can sneak up on you when you’re not expecting it.  But, if you’re photographic instincts are sharp, you’ll be able to react quickly enough.  While driving through downtown Victoria recently we passed in frong of the Empress hotel and I caught this image out the corner of my eye.  I simply raised the camera and captured this out the window of the car as we passed by.  I have since fallen in love with this photo…something about the gentlemen falling asleep on the park bench while smoking his pipe…

BTW:  Is it Site Seeing or Sight Seeing?   Hmmm….

Roman Soldier Going to Work

I was digging through my archive looking for some specific photos from Rome for a client when I stumbled across this gem.  One of those moments where you’re tired from playing tourist all day and so you grab a seat in the shade to just take in the show for a while.  And along walks this Roman Soldier pulling his wheelie case (an actor who poses with tourists in front of the Colosseum to make his rent money).  Classic memory revisited.

Cloud Shrouded Ribbon Falls

While in Yosemite Valley I was surprised to find that I had cell phone coverage.  Just after taking this photo I shot out a quick tweet with a version of this taken on my iPhone camera as I thought this was going to be the best photo of my trip.  While the iPhone version doesn’t even come close to this photo, I still stand by my initial reaction.  I love the effect of this photo and it falls in the top ten from the trip.

Ribbon Fall is just to the east of El Capitan, so the right most stone face in this image is the eastern edge of El Capitan (photo was taken facing north).  The fall comes down that stone face and is a bit hard to see in this image with the cloud (try clicking on the image for a larger view).  The white that you see built up at the base of the fall (just above the tree line) is snow and ice from the water of the fall freezing on the rockface.  As I stood there taking in this scene I would hear a loud cracking noise as a piece of ice broke off the top of the falls somewhere, it would appear as a denser white within he spray of the fall’s water.

So, it’s time for some crowdsourcing feedback.

Which of the following three photos (all from my wine country portfolio) speaks to you most?  Why?

Please leave a comment with your explanation.  I need some feedback in the next couple of days.  Afterwards, I’ll post a comment with which was my favorite and what points that my wife raised that made me second guess it.

Another resurrection from photo purgatory. After a few hours of hiking, you finally get to the the base of half dome. All that stands between you and the summit is a short walk up the cables that are attached into the side of the dome…and about 500 of your fellow hikers who are either waiting in line or stuck on the cables. While waiting the hour and a half to get on the cables, I glanced down and saw the scene above. I couldn’t help but point out the my fellow hiker in front of me that logo on her backpack…and snap a picture (with her permission).