Kyle Jones
Moderator
2025 was an unusual year for me photographically, as I didn't take any big photo trips this year. I did take an enjoyable European vacation with my wife, though, and you will see some samples from that here. I also have some images from the area around my home in Montana. With that introduction, my favorite images from this year are presented below, in no particular order.
1. Plitvice View - Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Plitvice National Park in Croatia had been on my list for years, ever since I saw the pictures that my father took when he visited the area. When Sandee and I went to Croatia this year, I booked a night in the park so we could explore. This viewpoint is just inside the main entrance and it is hard to beat with all of the water flowing from everywhere.
2. Taipei Lights - Taipei, Taiwan
I have visited Taipei many times on business trips and I have grown very fond of the city. The energy and architecture are great and the food is fantastic. I had some unusually clear skies during a trip early in the year and took advantage by hiking up the stairs toward Elephant Mountain at sunset. The color in the sky and the lights from the downtown buildings made the scene.
3. Stormy St. Mary - Glacier National Park, Montana
After camping (in my car) in the park the night before, I woke up early and drove to St. Mary Lake for sunrise. I knew that the recent storms would be clearing, so I was hoping to catch some dramatic light. I set up to take advantage of the rocky foreground and the waves in the lake. The rising sun did manage to find a gap in the clouds and light up the scene.
4. Piran Sunset - Piran, Slovenia
I had clear skies for most of my trip to Croatia and Slovenia, so when I had some afternoon clouds I knew I needed to find a good spot to take advantage. Sandee and I walked over to this view of the church and the Adriatic Sea and the sky cooperated with some nice color. We finished the evening with gelato - which was also nice!
5. Galovački Buk- Plitvice National Park, Croatia
This was my favorite from my trip to Plitvice. I loved the bright green water in the pool at the bottom made to glow sunlight along with the ring of waterfalls. The real challenge was getting the shot at all. The boardwalk here was crowded and every step that people took caused it to shake. Fortunately I managed a couple of sharp images.
6. McClarty Barn and Clouds - Flathead Valley, Montana
I drove out to this picturesque barn inn the valley with two friends during a heavy thunderstorm. I sat and waited in the, hoping for a break in the rain while enjoying the thunder and lightning. The break came and I waded through the wet grass to find this composition with the sunset color behind the barn. I went home wet and happy.
7. Lake Bled Island and Castle - Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled was another location that I was excited to visit for the first time. The lake is circled by mountains in SLovenia, close to both Austria and Italy. Sandee and I walked all around the lake, but this was my favorite view with the island and church in the foreground and the castle and mountains behind it. I was happy to get a partial reflection too.
8. North Fork Autumn - Polebridge, Montana
I found this spot while driving between Columbia Falls and Polebridge near Glacier National Park. I could see this gooseneck bend in the North Fork of the Flathead River from the road, so I looked for a pullout and then climbed over a small ridge to find this view. This is a spot I know that I'll go back to, but I thought it had some nice fall color.
9. McClures Beach Sunset - Point Reyes National Seashore, California
I had some free time on a Sunday afternoon and decided to go take some pictures. Point Reyes looked like it had the most promising forecast near home, so I drove out to McClures Beach. I had never been there before so at the very least I'd have a chance to explore a new area. I found these sea stacks to the south of the main beach and enjoyed setting up near the foreground rock, catching a quick exposure as a wave broke, and then grabbing my tripod and running to avoid getting wet.
10 - Piran Reflections - Piran, Slovenia
This was just such a calm, peaceful morning that I just had to walk around town and appreciate it. I don't think I have ever gotten reflections like this in an ocean or sea (the Adriatic in this case). The morning light and lack of activity at this point of the morning helped convey that peaceful feeling.
I am also excited this year to have a new website that better represents my work. Take a look around when you have some time - I do still have some books and calendars available as well.
Happy New Year - here is to a great 2026!
1. Plitvice View - Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Plitvice National Park in Croatia had been on my list for years, ever since I saw the pictures that my father took when he visited the area. When Sandee and I went to Croatia this year, I booked a night in the park so we could explore. This viewpoint is just inside the main entrance and it is hard to beat with all of the water flowing from everywhere.
2. Taipei Lights - Taipei, Taiwan
I have visited Taipei many times on business trips and I have grown very fond of the city. The energy and architecture are great and the food is fantastic. I had some unusually clear skies during a trip early in the year and took advantage by hiking up the stairs toward Elephant Mountain at sunset. The color in the sky and the lights from the downtown buildings made the scene.
3. Stormy St. Mary - Glacier National Park, Montana
After camping (in my car) in the park the night before, I woke up early and drove to St. Mary Lake for sunrise. I knew that the recent storms would be clearing, so I was hoping to catch some dramatic light. I set up to take advantage of the rocky foreground and the waves in the lake. The rising sun did manage to find a gap in the clouds and light up the scene.
4. Piran Sunset - Piran, Slovenia
I had clear skies for most of my trip to Croatia and Slovenia, so when I had some afternoon clouds I knew I needed to find a good spot to take advantage. Sandee and I walked over to this view of the church and the Adriatic Sea and the sky cooperated with some nice color. We finished the evening with gelato - which was also nice!
5. Galovački Buk- Plitvice National Park, Croatia
This was my favorite from my trip to Plitvice. I loved the bright green water in the pool at the bottom made to glow sunlight along with the ring of waterfalls. The real challenge was getting the shot at all. The boardwalk here was crowded and every step that people took caused it to shake. Fortunately I managed a couple of sharp images.
6. McClarty Barn and Clouds - Flathead Valley, Montana
I drove out to this picturesque barn inn the valley with two friends during a heavy thunderstorm. I sat and waited in the, hoping for a break in the rain while enjoying the thunder and lightning. The break came and I waded through the wet grass to find this composition with the sunset color behind the barn. I went home wet and happy.
7. Lake Bled Island and Castle - Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled was another location that I was excited to visit for the first time. The lake is circled by mountains in SLovenia, close to both Austria and Italy. Sandee and I walked all around the lake, but this was my favorite view with the island and church in the foreground and the castle and mountains behind it. I was happy to get a partial reflection too.
8. North Fork Autumn - Polebridge, Montana
I found this spot while driving between Columbia Falls and Polebridge near Glacier National Park. I could see this gooseneck bend in the North Fork of the Flathead River from the road, so I looked for a pullout and then climbed over a small ridge to find this view. This is a spot I know that I'll go back to, but I thought it had some nice fall color.
9. McClures Beach Sunset - Point Reyes National Seashore, California
I had some free time on a Sunday afternoon and decided to go take some pictures. Point Reyes looked like it had the most promising forecast near home, so I drove out to McClures Beach. I had never been there before so at the very least I'd have a chance to explore a new area. I found these sea stacks to the south of the main beach and enjoyed setting up near the foreground rock, catching a quick exposure as a wave broke, and then grabbing my tripod and running to avoid getting wet.
10 - Piran Reflections - Piran, Slovenia
This was just such a calm, peaceful morning that I just had to walk around town and appreciate it. I don't think I have ever gotten reflections like this in an ocean or sea (the Adriatic in this case). The morning light and lack of activity at this point of the morning helped convey that peaceful feeling.
I am also excited this year to have a new website that better represents my work. Take a look around when you have some time - I do still have some books and calendars available as well.
Happy New Year - here is to a great 2026!
