Favorite Images of 2009!

As the new year kicks off, I spent some time looking through my archives of all the photos I took in 2009. I had some great trips to Yellowstone and the Tetons a few times, and spent the summer at geology field camp exploring Utah for 6 weeks. Although I didnt have much time to take photos during the summer this year, I made some great memories. The biggest event in 2009, both personally and photographically, was being able to permanently move to Laramie, Wyoming. I adore living in Wyoming, and having two mountain ranges, both 30 minutes away, has given me with an endless supply of inspirational photographic material to work with. It seems every day in Wyoming has good light, and being able to photograph alpenglow on the Laramie Range Mountains from outside my apartment while still in my PJs is definitely a plus!

Here is my selection for my three favorite photos from 2009. They were selected partly based on artistic merit, but they also represent the three major trips and places I was in 2009, and all remind me of great camping trips with good company.

Little Wildhorse Canyon, UT

Note, my friend Kyle is in the lower right hand corner for scale. This shot is from my favorite camping site I have ever been to. It was part of my geology field camp, and we had a representative from Exxon there who did research in this canyon. He brought us to his favorite secret spot, which included driving 15 passenger vans with trailers of camping gear attached over washed out “roads.”  The drive to the site was an adventure in itself that resulted in many screams as we took bets as to when the van and trailer would tip over. The canyon walls towered over you and really put life in perspective. It was a powerful place, and was a nice time to relax from field work (however the gnats were HORRIBLE!).

Yellowstone River from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, WY

I took this from Inspiration Point on another geology camping trip we took. There is just something about the river and texture of this photo and grabs me. Either it is the spectacular colors of the weathered rhyolite that makes up the canyon walls, or the raging rapids of the river that makes you realize that although the river looks small from above, the power of water is not to be underestimated.

Klondike Lake, Snowy Range, Medicine Bow National Forest, WY

As I mentioned earlier, I moved to Laramie, WY in 2009, and this shot shows exactly why I am so happy here. The Snowy Range mountains are only about a 30 minute drive away. The fact that I am able to look out my apartment window, see good light, jump in my car for a half hour, and be able to photograph alpine lakes at 10,000 feet like this is truly a blessing. This shot for me reminds me of what really makes one happy in life. Laramie may only have one clothing store, and may not have a Best Buy or Borders, or even a CVS, but the sheer accessibility to Wyoming scenery is all I really need to be satisfied.

So there you have it, folks! My personal three favorite images from 2009. May 2010 provide even better ones! Thanks for following me throughout 2009, and I hope everyone has a happy new year!