Best of 2023

[Bob Israel]

Wow, this was hard but here are my 10 best of the year. It was a good year . . .

#1 - Summerland Sunrise - We spent the month of February in Summerland, CA to get away from MN winter. I walked this beach every morning

#2 - North Shore of Lake Superior - The greatest Northern Lights display I am likely to ever see. For scale, Split Rock Lighthouse is at the end of the lower left outcrop.

#3 - Lone Boater - The view from my deck in May. So fortunate to be able to simply step out onto my deck and have this view.

#4 - I waited out this Bald Eagle who was perched high in a tree until it saw lunch in the water. He missed but I didn't! LOL

#5 - White Pocket - Part of a Mark Metternich workshop in northern Arizona. What a fabulous place.

#6 - White Pocket - We had to hurry to get a decent shot as the clouds started to roll in.

#7 - Ship Rock, NM - The skies were dull and gray when I arrived and all of a sudden I got glow and a double rainbow!

#8 - Monument Valley - Rain in the distance kept making us pull off the road again and again to take photos.

#9 - Sunrise on the Bend - Morning near Mexican Hat where we car camped and were treated to an awesome sunrise.

#10 - Autumn at Home - Drone shot of Phelps Island on Lake Minnetonka (Home).

 

[JimFox]

Wow Bob!

You really had a special year for photography!

I have to say that while I hope you can get more Aurora photo's in 2024, I do have to agree I am not sure how you top #2. The shape and position of that Aurora is as good as it gets. I have captured the Northern Lights 4 times this year, and they have been exciting for sure, but the shapes of my Northern Lights are very tame compared to this one of yours. So for me in 2024, I am going to dream of trying to capture an aurora hopefully similar to this one.

Super timing on your #4. Those are not easy photos to take, but I would call this one perfect!

All of your SW images are worthy of being in a book, and I like them all. I think I will say that #7 is my favorite. Shiprock is such a simple but cool place. Those unexpected colors and the rainbow arching across in front of the sunset is stunning!

 

[AlanLichty]

You had a very productive year to say the least Bob. My favorite has to be #6 with #2 and #1 close behind.

 

[Bob Israel]

Wow Bob!

You really had a special year for photography!

I have to say that while I hope you can get more Aurora photo's in 2024, I do have to agree I am not sure how you top #2. The shape and position of that Aurora is as good as it gets. I have captured the Northern Lights 4 times this year, and they have been exciting for sure, but the shapes of my Northern Lights are very tame compared to this one of yours. So for me in 2024, I am going to dream of trying to capture an aurora hopefully similar to this one.

Super timing on your #4. Those are not easy photos to take, but I would call this one perfect!

All of your SW images are worthy of being in a book, and I like them all. I think I will say that #7 is my favorite. Shiprock is such a simple but cool place. Those unexpected colors and the rainbow arching across in front of the sunset is stunning!

Thanks Jim. We'll have to try to be in the same place to go after those auroras . . . that would be a blast!

 

[Bob Israel]

You had a very productive year to say the least Bob. My favorite has to be #6 with #2 and #1 close behind.

Thanks Alan - One never knows what the year will bring but looking back, I'm happy with the results!

 

[Rick Nantais]

Wow, this was hard but here are my 10 best of the year. It was a good year . . .

#1 - Summerland Sunrise - We spent the month of February in Summerland, CA to get away from MN winter. I walked this beach every morning
View attachment 68260

#2 - North Shore of Lake Superior - The greatest Northern Lights display I am likely to ever see. For scale, Split Rock Lighthouse is at the end of the lower left outcrop.
View attachment 68267

#3 - Lone Boater - The view from my deck in May. So fortunate to be able to simply step out onto my deck and have this view.
View attachment 68268

#4 - I waited out this Bald Eagle who was perched high in a tree until it saw lunch in the water. He missed but I didn't! LOL
View attachment 68263

#5 - White Pocket - Part of a Mark Metternich workshop in northern Arizona. What a fabulous place.
View attachment 68266

#6 - White Pocket - We had to hurry to get a decent shot as the clouds started to roll in.
View attachment 68262

#7 - Ship Rock, NM - The skies were dull and gray when I arrived and all of a sudden I got glow and a double rainbow!
View attachment 68261

#8 - Monument Valley - Rain in the distance kept making us pull off the road again and again to take photos.
View attachment 68265

#9 - Sunrise on the Bend - Morning near Mexican Hat where we car camped and were treated to an awesome sunrise.
View attachment 68264

#10 - Autumn at Home - Drone shot of Phelps Island on Lake Minnetonka (Home).
View attachment 68259

Wow ! My favorite are 2-3 and 5 !

 

[Jeffrey]

What a great year you had, Bob. Of course, you were prepared for those fleeting moments. Sorry we never met up for a shoot while you were in Summerland. All outstanding imagery.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

An amazing set of images. If I have to pick favorites, it will be #2, #4 and #7.

 

[Jon Bev]

Number two is a cracker, I have never seen a more spectacular photo of the Northern lights, It makes all your other excellent images look second rate, congrat's.

 

[Eric Gofreed]

You had a great year, Bob. I can't pick the best because each one is spectacular. That's the best aura I've ever seen photographed. Ditto for the Rainbow!

 

[Trent Watts]

Thanks so much for sharing these images Bob. Ditto on #2 and #7 as jaw droppingly beautiful.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Good grief! I can't pick faves from this list, they are all faves! I will say that #2 is just sick - probably in the running for best aurora image I have ever seen. it is just amazing. #6 is another fantastic night shot too, and #7 would be my favorite if not for that #2 (did I mention #2 is just sick?!?!??!!!). #8 is a great B&W capture and #4 is a wildlife standout. Every image a wall-hanger, but that #2... (Did I mention #2 is jaw dropping??!?! ).

ML

 

[Bob Israel]

Good grief! I can't pick faves from this list, they are all faves! I will say that #2 is just sick - probably in the running for best aurora image I have ever seen. it is just amazing. #6 is another fantastic night shot too, and #7 would be my favorite if not for that #2 (did I mention #2 is just sick?!?!??!!!). #8 is a great B&W capture and #4 is a wildlife standout. Every image a wall-hanger, but that #2... (Did I mention #2 is jaw dropping??!?! ).

ML

Thanks so much Mike! I have one question though, what are your thoughts about #2? Thanks again.