Top 10 Favorite Images From 2023
This post is a couple of weeks behind when I would have liked it posted, but better a little late than never! As you know as I prepare for the next year, I always take some time to reflect upon my photography from the previous year and my goals. This year I took a two week trek to Canada and my goal was to revisit some of the locations I had visited in 2005 with some new places as well. I managed to make it to all the places I wanted while taking in all the beautiful surroundings. Overall, a wonderful year to be a photograph! I hope you enjoy my top 10.
Before I present the images, I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
Also, all the images from 2023 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2023.
My yearly disclaimer: As with every year, with each selection I consider the technical and aesthetic aspects, but also if they hold any special memory or meaning for me. The following images are in no particular order.
![The Milky Way arcs behind a lone windmill in the Sandhills of Nebraska.](https://i0.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A2174-windmill-stars-h.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
The area around Merritt Reservoir is dark sky country and I wanted to make the best of it. On an amazingly clear night I hiked out to this windmill and took several images of the Milky Way and caught a couple of shooting stars as well!
![After catching a fish an Osprey flies above a lake in eastern Nebraska.](https://i1.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/F8A6270-osprey-shadow-lake.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
In the last couple of years I’ve seen an Osprey fishing on lakes in eastern Nebraska. I managed to capture this one right after he caught his prize.
![Beautiful Mt. Edith Cavell is reflected in Cavell Lake in Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.](https://i0.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A5320-edith-cavell-1.jpg?resize=660%2C990&ssl=1)
In 2005 I visited Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, Canada. I missed this location on the first trip to Jasper and I wasn’t going to miss it again. I made the drive up the mountain on a beautiful morning and caught this spectacular sunrise over Lake Cavill and the mountain.
![On a cool morning the sun rises over Lake Yellowstone on the east side of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.](https://i2.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A8524-lake-yellowstone.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
On the way back from Canada I spent a couple of nights in eastern Yellowstone near Lake Yellowstone. I walked the shore before dawn and got more excited as the clouds began to glow. The sunrise did not dissappoint.
![Early morning sun illuminates a field of hay bales in a valley in the sandhills of Nebraska.](https://i0.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A2645-haybales-early-sun.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
I love the smell of freshly cut hay and I’m a sucker for expansive landscapes dotted with hay bales. I always stop and photograph them whenever I have an opportunity. This is one of my favorite captures of this type of scene to date.
![A road winds through the sandhills while sunflowers pop everywhere.](https://i2.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A9999-road-to-nowhere.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
I love the open road and what’s better than a scene of a road winding into the distance beckoning for adventure?
![A drop of rain on a lily pad reflects the setting sun on a lake in eastern Nebraska.](https://i2.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/F8A5233-lily-pad-droplet.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
Sometimes the little things catch my eye…..
![A porcupine pauses in the forest near Consolation Lakes in Banff National Park, Canada.](https://i0.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/F8A8200-Porcupine.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
I’m always thrilled when wildlife poses, what wildlife photographer wouldn’t be? I was especially surprised to see this porcupine in the wilderness of Banff National Park. Careful not to disturb him, he spent a couple of minutes with me before heading on.
![Deep in the sandhills of Nebraska a windmill is nestled in the valley while sunflowers bloom bright yellow across the hills](https://i2.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/F8A8770-windmill-sunflowers.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
Two windmill shots in the same list, I couldn’t pick just one! The beautiful sunflowers dotting the landscape around this windmill deep in the sandhills just demanded to be photographed.
![Lake Moraine reflects the ten peaks on fire with an early morning glow.](https://i1.wp.com/www.journeyoflight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/R0A7865-2-3-moraine.jpg?resize=660%2C990&ssl=1)
The must-see location of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Moraine. I rose at 3 am to grab this capture of the sun hitting the peaks. Beautiful, beautiful location.