WordPress tells me I posted 851 photos during 2015 in 395 blog posts. I’ve forgotten many of those photos, but I want to share ten of my favorites with you today as we start the new year.
I used a very unscientific approach in selecting them—I simply chose ones that I really liked without looking at numbers of likes or views or comments. So often I am focused on getting new shots that I sometimes forget how wide a spectrum of subjects I like to shoot. These images remind me of my varied approaches and techniques.
I didn’t include any of the fox photos or contest entries that I featured recently, figuring that you were already familiar with them. I should note that this selection of favorites is representative and not exhaustive—there are probably some awesome shots that I have neglected to include. I haven’t tried to put the images in any kind of rank order, but if forced to choose, my favorite image of the year is probably the first one, the Green Heron with a kind of Rembrandt lighting.
Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged me so much in 2015. Best wishes for a wonderful 2016.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
These are really beautiful Michael. The first is my favorite.
Thanks, Jean. I think we are in agreement about the first shot. There is something so special about the way that the light was shining when the Green Heron turned its head. I was thrilled when I was able to capture that special moment.
Those are 10 winners Mike. Looking forward to 2016! Enjoy the day.
Thanks, Dan.
Outstanding photography! All worthy of top ten. Best to you in 2016!
I think the first shot would be my favorite, too. You don’t see lighting like that in photos very often and when you do it’s usually done in a studio.
Thanks, Allen. This was definitely not the studio. Initially the green heron’s face was in the shadows and then he turned his head–I couldn’t have asked for a better result if I had been giving him instructions.
I love them all! What a terrific selection of images for your creme de la creme. The one I keep coming back to though is the first shot of the heron. The lighting, composition and sense of movement make that one my winner.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Laura. The shot of the green heron with the shadows and the light is probably my favorite shot of the year–I think that’s the one you liked too. 🙂
You’ve had so many wonderful shots to choose from. I’m looking forward to seeing all the images you create in 2016.
Thanks, Laura. I’ll be looking forward to following your artistic pursuits and well as your family adventures in 2016. I hope to continue to create lots of fascinating and beautiful images this year.
I like that beaver. I never see many around here. Very nice selection, Mike, all are beautiful. Happy New Year.
Thanks, Donna. I tend to be an opportunistic shooter and will photograph almost any subject that I see (and I spend a lot of time trekking about looking for interesting things).
I see why these are on your favorites list, they are pretty amazing…Have a wonderful 2016 Mike.
Thanks, Charlie. You have been one of my most faithful supporters this past year. Have a blessed 2016.
It’s always a treat to see your work Mike. I look forward to seeing more wonderful photos!
Thanks, Christy. I try to get out as often as I can with my camera, mostly at Huntley Meadows Park, to try to capture the beauty that I somehow manage to find. We’ll have to go out again soon.
Un solicited, I have two favorites among your grouping. Both dragon flies. The first is the black dragon fly that looks like a huge monster is behind it ready to eat it. The second is the dragon fly on the purple flower. The colors of the flower and the dragon fly against the background are stunning! Keep up the good work. Thank you for all the trouble you go through to keep the rest of us amazed with your work. You bring the wonder of nature right into our lives. Things most of us would overlook, or frankly, never see ! Try as we might!
I admire your dedication to your blog and your photos.
Thanks, Sally, for providing such detailed feedback. When I was thinking about my favorite photos, I was really drawn to those that have an artistic component to them. Sure, it’s nice to capture some unusual moments in nature, like a snakes swallowing a frog or a heron with a snake, but the images that speak to me most loudly are the creative ones. I took the shot of the Blue Dasher dragonfly on a purple water lily bud at Kenilworh Aquatic Gardens in Washington dc. The “black dragonfly” that you noted is, I believe, my shot of a female Ebony Jewelwing damselfly that is in the process of depositing eggs in the vegetation at a stream near Wickford Park in Alexandria. As you can see, I am pretty passionate about both my writing and my photography–both provide me with a creative outlet and my blog provides me with an easy way to express myself.
Giff Beaton,
photographer of dragonflies and damselflies will be giving a Keynote at the 2016 Space coast Birding and wildlife Festival. I think you would like to meet him. http://www.spacecoastbirdingandwildlifefestival.org/keynotes/
Wow. The presentation looks like it will be amazing. I wish I could be there, but my work schedule won’t permit me to do so.
In my opinion, the quality of your photography has improved noticeably during the past year, Mike. Practice makes perfect?
Thanks, Walter. I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to take photos this past year and am happy that I have been able to take advantage of many of the opportunities. I definitely agree that practice has paid off, along with patience and persistence. As for perfect, well that’s an aspirational goal that I suspect will always remain elusive, given the nature of wildlife photography.
I agree that that this batch of photos is a significant improvement – all are beautiful but the first one is special.
Thanks, Lyle. I think I may just have to get that one printed to see how it looks in a frame. As I noted, it’s probably my favorite shot of the entire year (at least of the ones that I remember taking).
What I like best about your wonderful images here Mike is that you showcase your subjects in simple, uncomplicated scenes that really helps to draw attention to them. In addition, you’re starting to show more of your subjects’ personalities with great action shots.
I appreciate your feedback, Sue. I am gradually developing a style that is a bit clearer to me when I step back and look at a broader selection of my images. I’m still very much of an opportunistic shooter, but I have a clearer idea than I used to have about the kinds of images that I want to shoot. I also feel a lot more confident with my camera and manipulating the setting to get the kinds of results that I am seeking.
Well, you’re doing a better job of that than me, because I still don’t know what my style is, although one if my Masters at the Arcanum said he could easily pick out my work from among a collection of images.
Good choices but I love the Swallowtail on the thistle. Amelia
Thanks, Amelia. As I looked over those images again, I realized that there was enough variety to appeal to lots of different tastes. The swallowtail image is, in my view, one of the most beautiful images in that group.
Fabulous. I love all of them. The eagle, the beaver, and the osprey (?) are great. But they are all great. I can’t really choose a favorite.
Thanks. The bird is in fact an osprey. I too would be hard pressed to choose a favorite among those photos from last year.
A set to be very proud of Mike, the Green Heron shot is rather special with perfect colour, light and composition.