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Blog and Trip Reviews

My Favorite Photos of  2019

12/16/2019

15 Comments

 
2019 was an odd year for me. I had some health problems which significantly impacted my time "out there" and I made far fewer images than in 2017 or 2018. It is my hope that through a rigorous diet and daily exercise the year 2020 will be better.

I post many of my photos online and invariably I'm surprised at what photos garner the most attention - rarely are they my favorites. Isn't that interesting? Nevertheless, I always enjoy the feedback and find it educational and encouraging. 

​So, it's important to note that these are MY favorites...perhaps not yours. Regardless, I hope you'll kick back for a minute or two, look at these photos and take a tiny respite from the rest of your busy life. 

We will start with a photo of San Clemente that I took last spring at sunset.  It was a peaceful evening after a storm. 
Picture
Next up is a photo I took from my front porch of the Supermoon in August.  I took a series of moon photos this year and, while photographing the moon can be challenging, I like this one. 
Picture
The following photo was my most popular on social media which doesn't mean much really.  But, I kinda  like it too. It's the Bare Mountain Range north of Death Valley in Nevada. 
Picture
Last winter, I went  out to the Mitchell Caverns and spent time in the Mojave Preserve. It is, no question, one of my favorite places in all of the West (I say that often, don't I?). The photo below might merit a click. The clouds, after a few days of rain, are clinging to the mountains as if they can't bear leaving. That afternoon was as crisp and beautiful as any desert afternoon I've known - and I've known some almost painfully beautiful desert afternoons. 
Picture
Another magnificent desert spot I visited last winter was Anza Borrego State Park with my two kind and handsome sons. One afternoon my oldest son, Jordan, and I drove around the park and stopped here at Clark Dry Lake.  I enjoy this photo not just visually but because it also reminds me of the fine company I had that day. 
Picture
Last September my daughter started attending Oregon State University and I drove the truck up with her things to help get her settled in. On my way home I drove east through Oregon on my way to Highway 395. One morning I found a quiet lake with clouds hovering above it between Corvallis and Bend. I stayed for an hour watching the clouds slowly lift.
Picture
Speaking of clouds ... early one morning I found myself on Highway 1 just south of Big Sur and saw this view of the marine layer and sun. I even kind of like the lens flare in this one. It reminded me of my youth driving the Rim of the World Highway (Highway 18) near Lake Arrowhead overlooking the valley. 
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On my southbound drive last autumn from Oregon I stopped along US 95 in the wee hours and made this photo which is near Tonopah, NV. I liked it so much I even made new personal cards with this image. 
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This year, 2019, will be the year I'll remember that I fell in love unexpectedly. For many reasons I am in love with Colonel Allensworth Historic State Park in California's great Central Valley. I have at least 15 photos that I'd like to share from Allensworth State Park!  I will, however, only share two and they are both from my first trip. You'll be seeing many more of that area in the future. The first is an iphone black and white photo that I took while out walking and a storm began to build in the north. 
Picture
The last photo of my favorites is also from the Central Valley and I call it, "Rage Against the Dying of the Light".  It is my favorite photo of the year - the sun's last light as it beams through the Tule fog and shines on two trees, together, but alone. 
Picture
So, there are my top 10 favorite photos from this year.

​Of course, you know I have a western theme that I also love - it's roads, and rails, and telephone poles. Each of those symbolize the West of my heart and my dreams and I will leave you with one of my favorites of those motifs as well.
Picture
I wish you all the best for 2020. May it be the best year of your life.
15 Comments
T.M. Schultze link
12/16/2019 10:46:04 am

Hi Jeff, you have some beautiful scenes here. I know you enjoy life "On The Road," so I hope you have more trips to enjoy. You love Route 66, if you ever want a lesson on Old Highway 80 down here, I'd be happy to be the Guide. - TM

Reply
Jeff
12/17/2019 03:43:19 pm

Tracy, let's figure out how to make that happen! Thanks for your kind words, amigo.

Reply
Darla Carpenter
12/16/2019 11:53:22 am

What a gift to see the beauty all around us. Thanks for sharing your vision of this beautiful Earth. Blessings in the words of John O’Donohue to you and yours for this time ahead:

“May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.”
With Murat,
Darla

Reply
Jeff
12/17/2019 03:44:54 pm

So beautiful Darla, what a blessing it's been having you come back into my life - Thank you so much and hope to see you in person in 2020.

Reply
Joe link
12/16/2019 12:54:52 pm

Nice crop you've harvested this year, Doc. Your work has become noticeably better over the last year or so as this set exemplifies. Keep 'em coming!

Reply
Jeff
12/17/2019 03:45:50 pm

Thanks, Joe! Your kind words have made my day - heck my week! Happy Holidays.

Reply
Elizabeth H
12/16/2019 04:32:09 pm

Beautiful selection! The lake in Oregon looks extra lush against the images of the desert.

Reply
Jeff
12/17/2019 03:46:49 pm

So kind of you to comment Elizabeth - thank you so very much. Maybe we'll run into each other on the road one of theses days!

Reply
Heather
12/24/2019 07:31:01 am

Gorgeous photos, it's hard for me to choose my favorite! Jack is showing an interest in taking photos, you might have an apprentice! 😊

Reply
Tio Jeff
12/31/2019 08:09:04 am

Thanks, Heather! Can't wait until Jack and I go on our first photo walk! Love you and him so much...

Reply
Carol
12/25/2019 07:43:42 pm

Clouds..clinging to the mountains as if they can't bear leaving - love that, Jeff. It's how I feel every time I go to the mountains. All beautiful photos, but your favorite - I can see why.

Reply
Jeff
12/31/2019 08:07:57 am

Thank you as always for your kind comments and support Carol. Truly, you'll never know how much it means to me. Happy New Year my friend.

Reply
Khürt Louis Williams link
12/26/2019 11:21:29 am

I love all of the images. Clouds!

Reply
Jeff
12/31/2019 08:09:37 am

Thank you so much!

Reply
David Leland Hyde link
1/30/2020 01:15:41 am

You had a good year, Jeff. I enjoy seeing a more natural, less over-perfected rendition of desert scenes. Happy New Year. :)

Reply

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