My Top Images of 2016

Everyone seems to make a list at the end of the year.  Best of, Top X, etc.  Not to be left out starting in 2016 I am going to build a list of my top images.  The selection is a combination of a great image and a sort of category of themes during the year.

2016 was a busy year with an emphasis on getting out and doing more.  I had my pledge drive 54 for Dave to thank getting my out on the trail in the Sierra.  Probably more than 30 miles this summer.  Last year I missed going to see the huge Yellow Rubber Ducky so I made a pledge to myself to check more things out this year, Balloon Fests, Huge White Rabbits, and a long road trip up Hwy 1 and back again.

There were too many great images to chose from.  So I created categories and chose image(s) to visuualize each category:

• Try Something New
• Check Out Your Local Digs
• See Something Don't Be Afraid to Stop and Check it Out
• Give Due to Those Who Have Earned It
• Bucket List
• The Blues
• Clouds are Mother Nature's Spice
• My Beloved Sierra
• Operation Santa

Diamonds in the Sky

Try Something New. At the invitation of a good friend we went to our first Balloon Fest.  It was the Lake Havasu Balloon Fest in January.  It was a great time and the fest is very informal allowing you to get up close and personal with the Balloons and their crews.  Highly recommend it.

Intrude - Great Big Glowing White Rabbits

The second category is "Check Out Your Local Digs".  Intrude was a traveling art exhibit that came to LA for a week or so.  The theme was how a cute little thing that man introduced into a new environment could wreck that environment. In this case the introduction of rabbits into Australia's environment.  The big white rabbits were very cool.

Eureka Dunes

Another item in the "Check Out Your Local Digs" is the Eureka Sand Dunes.  Most folks know of the sand dunes in the southern part of Death Valley but the Eureka Dunes in the northern part of Death Valley.  At 750 feet,  they are actually the tallest dunes in North America.  They were really impressive and I will go back, soon!

The Getty

Another item in the "Check Out Your Local Digs" in 2106 was the Getty Center.  I had been to the Getty for work appointments but never to actually visit until this year.  Wow, what a photographers paradise.  Another location I will visit again in 2017.

Dia de los Muertos

Another "Check it out" event is the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration at the Hollywood Forever cemetery.  I have been multiple times but brought some newbies along this time.  Just guessing, but I think they will become repeat attendees of the event.

Slim Princess #18

Number one in the "Don't be Afraid to Stop" category was the Slim Princess locomotive in Independence.  I was on a solo trip to Mammoth to attend an opening reception of the Mono Arts Council show that had a couple of my pieces in it.  On the way home I took my time coming back.  Gave ma a chance to  take pictures of the remaining fall colors.  Well all that stopping put me in Independence at the very moment they fired up #18 and had it move on its own power for the first time in decades.  This pic got me the most likes and comments on Facebook I have ever had.  Worth the stop.

Hope in Santa Cruz

Another "Stop and Check". I had a business meeting in San Jose that was early enough that I had to come into town the night before.  So once I got up there on the day before the plan was to drive up to San Francisco to take some night shots.  Then I realized Santa Cruz was actually closer.  So off to Santa Cruz I went.

I was waiting for the light to get right before I would take a picture at Natural Bridges when this truck with a trailer pulls into the parking lot on the bluff.  The driver starts to blast out some awesome Rhythm and Blues tunes and dancing on the top of the trailer.  I had a some time before the light was going to be right so went up and checked it out.  I have not met anyone with that much energy or at peace with himself in a long while.  There was no one that went by this man that did not leave smiling.  In fact, when I left a few hours later he had people dancing on the roof of the trailer with him.  Definitely an uplifting experience! 

Shark Tooth Cove

Another "Stop and Check".  I was on the second leg of my Hwy 1 trek and caught this lovely cove out of the corner of my eye.  Debated for a half mile whether I should turn around and go back or not.  Eventually, the curiosity got to me and I did a U-turn and went back.  So glad I did.  It was beautiful. I think I spent more time at this spot than any other than spot on the trip with exception of Pigeon Point lighthouse. 

Recycled Gold

I love Golden Retrievers.  They are the only breed of dog I will ever have.  Unfortunately I am not alone and they have been over bred to the point the majority of Golden Retreiver puppies will develop cancer by the time the reach eight years old.  So going forward we will get rescues.  I am volunteering my photo skills to help the rescue Goldens get adopted.  I feel great every time one of my subjects finds a "forever" home!

Check out the Southern California Golden Retriever  Rescue!

Los Angeles Air Show

Give Due category. I work all year to take photographs that honor our Vets both alive and passed.  They have earned our respect and gratitude.

Paramount Theater, Austin TX

One last photo in the "Check it out" category.  I love music especially Blues.  In 2016 got turned on to this awesome Texas Blues singer  by the name of Ray Wylie Hubbard.  I wanted to see him live. What better place to see him than his home town on his 70th birthday. Better yet at an old restored Theater in Austin.  So enthused I talked a few of my friends to go with me so someone would have bail money.... Great trip and Austin is one great place to visit!

Mammoth Blueappalooza

Every year I go to the Mammoth Bluesapalooza concert to listen to Blues, take concert pictures, and drink beer with my friends.  Every year, I find new Blues bands to listen to. 2016 was no exception.

Mammoth Bluesappalooza

The Blues.  Many types of music tell a story that match the mood or time of life you are in:

Rock - Stories about unrequited youthful rebellion, drugs, and sex

Punk - Stories about unrequited youthful anger

Country - Stories about unrequited lust, trucks, and beer

All of the above tell stories. So does the Blues.  The Blues differ as they not just tell of life's problem but offer you redemption as well!

Bixby Bridge

Bucket List.  Living in Southern California I see all this awesome landscape work from some of my very talented friends in Northern California.  While Southern California has a lot to offer there are some places that our on my bucket list to take photos at.  The Bixby bridge is one of those and I got the chance in 2016!

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Bucket List.  Living in Southern California I see all this awesome landscape work from some of my very talented friends in Northern California.  While Southern California has a lot to offer there are some places that our on my bucket list to take photos at.  The Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of those that I have been dying to go shoot.  I got the chance in 2016!

Looking at Mono Lake From Mono Pass

Bucket List.  With all the hiking I do, I had never gotten all the way up to a named Sierra Pass.  This year I made it a point to get to a Pass.  It was Mono Pass and it was worth every huff and puff to get there.  Started in Yosemite and hiked until you could see Mono Lake 4,000 ft below.  It was awesome!

Clouds on 395

Clouds are Mother Nature's Spice and these clouds make a huge difference in the way the Owens Valley looked this day.

Clouds with a Sun Burst

Clouds are Mother Nature's Spice and they these clouds made a huge difference in an image.  Especially when you get a sun burst at their edge!

Places You Will Go

The Sierra is my favorite place on earth.  This year I explored more of it than in any other year.  This is the trail to Mono Pass.

First Light

I love being in the middle of the Sierra and  seeing the sun's very first light!  Another shot on the trail to Mono Pass.  The light is hitting Mammoth Peak.

Olaine Lake

Another image of the sun's first light in the Sierra.  This time at Olaine Lake on the way th Shadow Lake.  

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows is another Sierra gem.  This time not a first light but at last light.  The deer in the meadow is an inspiring sight!

Fall Colors Bishop Creek

Who says there are no seasons in California.  The fall colors in the Sierra are awesome.  This is at Weir Pond in Bishop Creek Canyon.

Operation Santa

Giving Back. Hopefully you read in my previous blogs giving without expectation of any return is a way to put the joy back into Christmas! This year I participated in Operation Santa to ensure kids in needy families had a great Christmas.

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