Favorite Images from 2013

A good photography friend of mine from France (Kristel Schneider) recently published a fun blog from her photography efforts in 2013 entitled:

12 Favorite Photos of 2013

 

Her photo work is very beautiful and inspirational for myself.   Well worth looking at her work and visiting her web site :

Visions and Nature - Photography by Kristel Schneider

Inspired from Kristel's beautiful images, I decided to put my favorites from 2013 for others to see.   Some of these I have posted in my blog and some you may not have seen.

So here are my favorites from 2013.

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Landscapes

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wildlife 

 

 

 

 

 

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  Macro

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For those who have been counting, that is twelve images.   Well I just couldn't stop at 12, and we just had the year 2013 come to a close, so I thought it would be appropriate to have a BONUS 13th image.   This happens to be maybe my favorite landscape that I photographed in 2013:

 

 

 

 

Wishing all of you a joyous, prosperous and loving 2014!!!!   Cheers to nature and more images to share.

 

 

Spring Wild Flower Landscapes

The spring wild flower season is nearly done.   With the memorial day weekend, my mind shifts from wild flowers to insects.   Our dragon flys have started emerging and should be a great show over the next few weeks.

But for now, I'll share some wider wild flower landscapes from this year.   The first image is from Jackson Field in South Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metro Parks.  In mid May each year, a huge display of wild hyacinth greets the visitor.

Late April brings forth the most beautiful display of wild flowers during spring - the beautiful virginia bluebells. 

In late May, to cap off the wild flower season, the yellow flag iris display in wetland areas can be spectacular. 

Enjoy the holiday weekend and SPRING!!!

Spring Wild Flower Landscapes

Spring is a unique time in nature.   Wild flowers compete for space, nutrients and light.  Each species develop strategies to best find there niche in the ecosystem.

As some species grow and find habitats suitable for themselves, they can grow and form some of the most beautiful landscapes for themselves and us to enjoy.

This season has been exceptional for these large landscapes.  It is a real challenge for a nature photographer to find the time to capture all of these areas.    This year I made a dedicated effort to capture as many as I could find.   Here are a few of my favorites.

One the early 'grand' wild flower landscapes are formed by virginia bluebells.

Furnace Run Area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

The late April display is a true visual treat.  There are areas that have acres of the bluebells carpeting as far as the eye can see. 

This year my good photography friend Jeff found some wonderful displays of an invasive species called dames rocket.

Indigo Lake Area in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Even though this is an invasive species, it is really beautiful and inspiring to see.  Just don't tell others that I told you. 

On the more native side of wild flowers, I found a new area for myself this year.  While hiking one morning, I came across a beautiful stand of golden rag wort.   Luckily I had my photography gear and was able to capture some of this beautiful display.

Kendall Lake Area of Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Last wild flower landscape that I'll share is unfortunately another invasive species - yellow flag iris.  Annually an area near Beaver Marsh in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a beautiful display of this invasive wetland species.  On a crisp, foggy morning, watching the sun burst through the trees makes for a special start to a day. 

Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

I am lucky to be able to enjoy these beautiful ephemeral treats of nature (both wanted and unwanted).  

Next up in natures spring wake up is the mass emergence of dragon flies.   I'll share some of those treats later in the week.   

Beaver Marsh Foggy Sunrise

Beaver Marsh is a true gem in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  A good friend of mine (Jeff Gibson) and I visited there last week to enjoy a colorful, and foggy sunrise.

After looking at my images, the above image just seemed to be lacking something.   That something was mood.   I converted the image to black and white and it felt a lot more like what I was feeling when shooting in the marsh.   The peaceful and serene feel of the marsh on a calm morning always makes me glad to get up early.

What is fun is to compare Jeff's image to mine from the same scene at the same time.  It is really amazing how two people bring there own photography and artistic ideas to the same location.  

Here is a link to Jeff's blog and images:

Jeff Gibsons Photography Blog