{"id":25662,"date":"2023-01-09T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/?p=25662"},"modified":"2023-01-09T13:31:32","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T19:31:32","slug":"top-10-favorite-images-from-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2023\/01\/09\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Favorite Images From 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I always wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. As most of 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. My goal from last year was to capture a wider variety  of images, not necessarily a greater quantity of images.  Additionally, I wanted to travel to some destinations that put me outside my normal landscape and nature comfort zones, so I had an opportunity to photograph New Mexico and west Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before I present the images, I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2013\/01\/07\/12-best-photos-of-2012\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2012<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2014\/01\/03\/top-10-favorites-images-from-2013\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2013<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2015\/01\/01\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2014\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2014<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2015\/12\/31\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2015<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2016\/12\/31\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2016\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2016<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2018\/01\/01\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2017\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2017<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2018\/12\/31\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2018\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2018<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2019\/12\/31\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2019\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2021\/01\/04\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2020\/\" title=\"2020\">2020<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/2021\/12\/31\/top-10-favorite-images-from-2021\/\" title=\"2021\">2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, all the images from 2022 on my website can be viewed: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.journeyoflight.com\/photo-gallery\/2022\/0\/all\/0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Images from 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25663\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water.jpg\" alt=\"A feather dances across Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A0862-feather-in-water-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While kayaking on Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota I watched this little feather dance across the water.  I loved how the swirling caused the green of the forest to take an abstract pattern while the feather maintained its near perfect reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25668\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands.jpg\" alt=\"A sunflower grows in the seemingly inhospitable landscape of Badlands National Park in South Dakota.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A4276-sunflower-badlands-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I love sunflowers.  The bright yellow, the form, everything mimics, well the sun.  I wanted to capture the flower as well as a taste of the beauty of the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25670\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy.jpg\" alt=\"A Mountain Short-horned lizard cautiously looks back at Toadstool Geologic Park in Sioux County, Nebraska.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A5716-lizzy-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet Lizzy.  Lizzy is a Mountain Short-Horned lizard that my oldest daughter spotted while on a hike at Toadstool Geologic Park in northwestern Nebraska.  I&#8217;ve never seen one here before and I would have missed this little lizard if it wasn&#8217;t for her.  My daughters and I had a blast watching and photographing this little creature for a few minutes before she scurried off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"456\" class=\"wp-image-25671\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano.jpg\" alt=\"Morning sun shines across the tundra as clouds drift above a tarn near Independence Pass in the White River National Forest in Colorado.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano-300x171.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano-1024x584.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano-150x86.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano-768x438.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_5083-independence-pass-pano-700x399.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time I visit Independence Pass in Colorado I have to stop and photograph the tarns and mountains.  Beauty at the top of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25669\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail.jpg\" alt=\"A Swallowtail butterfly feeds on a flower near a lake in Sarpy County, Nebraska.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/F8A1545-yellow-swallowtail-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After selecting my favorite 10 images from this year I went back and looked at 2021&#8217;s list and found a similarly composed Monarch on that list.  The bright colors drew me to this swallowtail and subsequently this photograph when I was making my selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25665\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson.jpg\" alt=\"An old tree grips the side of the bluff, a witness to all that has happened through the years at Fort Robinson State Park, Nebraska.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A5164-old-tree-ft-robinson-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I always strive for new vantage points and perspectives in familiar places.  In Fort Robinson, I saw this lone gnarled tree from the road and had to climb up to study it.  After capturing this photograph I spent some time enjoying the view and all this tree has witnessed through the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25666\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes.jpg\" alt=\"The setting sun illuminates sand dunes deep in White Sands National Park in New Mexico.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A59780-white-sands-np-evening-sun-sand-dunes-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I mentioned above, I had an opportunity to visit a location I&#8217;ve always wanted to photograph &#8211; White Sands National Park in New Mexico.  On the second night I witnessed this incredible sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"wp-image-25667\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly.jpg\" alt=\"A Barred Owl sleeps peacefully on a tree in the woods in eastern Nebraska.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A0423-barred-owl-mouth-open-slightly-700x467.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This barred owl has been a resident of our neighborhood for a couple of years.  While he keeps his distance, there are times that he&#8217;ll stay if you don&#8217;t approach too closely.  It was fun watching him and getting these images while he napped in the morning sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"536\" class=\"wp-image-25664\" style=\"width: 800px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte.jpg\" alt=\"From high atop a bluff at Fort Robinson State Park, a beautiful sunrise streams across the landscape.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte.jpg 1320w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte-300x201.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte-1024x686.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte-768x514.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A3982-sunburst-south-butte-700x469.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fort Robinson made this list twice.  In this second entry, this is once again another vantage which I climbed high to find a composition.  The beautiful clouds and the illumination of the warm autumn sun across the landscape made for an enjoyable morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.journeyoflight.com\/photo\/riley-and-the-night-sky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ufffc\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"870\" class=\"wp-image-25672\" style=\"width: 580px;\" src=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky.jpg\" alt=\"The badlands of Toadstool Geologic Park are illuminated by a single flashlight while the stars above shine brightly.\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky.jpg 880w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky-683x1024.jpg 683w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky-768x1152.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/R0A1971-Riley-and-the-night-sky-700x1050.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last image is the one that is most different than any other photograph I&#8217;ve ever presented in these lists.  On an October evening my daughter and I went to Toadstool and watched the dusk turn to night.  When it was dark enough she illuminated the landscape while I photographed.  It was a fun night and probably the most memorable image of 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I hope everyone had a great holiday season and I always wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. As most of 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. My goal &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25672,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73,196,209,91,7,96,97,101,207,108,11,116,119,130,215,30,38,41,42,44,144,48,216,69],"tags":[161,166,178,186],"class_list":["post-25662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abstract","category-barred-owl","category-black-hills","category-close-up","category-colorado","category-custer-state-park","category-desert","category-fall","category-fort-robinson-state-park","category-ft-robinson-state-park","category-great-plains","category-lake","category-landscape","category-nature","category-new-mexico","category-photograph","category-rocky-mountains","category-season","category-south-dakota","category-spring","category-stars","category-summer","category-white-sands-national-park","category-winter","tag-landscape","tag-nature","tag-scenic","tag-wildlife","column","twocol","has-thumbnail"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25662"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25676,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25662\/revisions\/25676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blog-vm.journeyoflight.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}