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 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!

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.

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 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.

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.

I love the open road and what’s better than a scene of a road winding into the distance beckoning for adventure?

Sometimes the little things catch my eye…..

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.

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.

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.

The post Top 10 Favorite Images From 2023 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

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.

Also, all the images from 2022 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2022.

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.

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.

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.

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’ve never seen one here before and I would have missed this little lizard if it wasn’t for her. My daughters and I had a blast watching and photographing this little creature for a few minutes before she scurried off.

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.

After selecting my favorite 10 images from this year I went back and looked at 2021’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.

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.

As I mentioned above, I had an opportunity to visit a location I’ve always wanted to photograph – White Sands National Park in New Mexico. On the second night I witnessed this incredible sunset.

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’ll stay if you don’t approach too closely. It was fun watching him and getting these images while he napped in the morning sun.

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.

The last image is the one that is most different than any other photograph I’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.

The post Top 10 Favorite Images From 2022 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

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.

Also, all the images from 2020 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2021.

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.

A small tarn near Thunder Lake deep in the backcountry of the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. I camped here with my daughter for 2 incredible nights and were greeted with this scene at sunrise.

I had hoped to create more images in 2021 and I certainly kept that promise, in wildlife images. I came across a few baby critters throughout my travels. This little bunny was nestled in the forest near Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Near where the bunny was nestled, this scene was just a few feet away. I captured this image on a beautiful July morning, a near perfect reflection.

Sunlight glows behind the clouds as a storm rolls through the Sandhills of central Nebraska.

Forest Fires from the west created perfect conditions for a beautiful sunrise over Twin Lakes near Leadville, Colorado. I spent two days exploring the shores looking for the perfect composition.

A waterfall near Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park glows with warm hues from the rising sun.

Captured near a small lake in eastern Nebraska this monarch butterfly was sunning its wings on a warm late summer day.

Two bighorn sheep kids butt heads playfully on a butte in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. I captured this scene on a July afternoon. For quite a time I put the camera down and simply watched these kids play. Sometimes its better to just take it all in.

While kayaking I found this little duckling snuggling up to mother. I wasn’t expecting this scene. It always pays to keep your camera close at all times!

I captured my last image while watching this magnificent eagle fishing in a lake in Nebraska. I was thrilled to be able to capture him with his dinner.

The post Top 10 Favorite Images from 2021 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

Before I begin I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.

Also, all the images from 2020 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2020.

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.

After a long hike into the backcountry wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park, my daughter and I camped near this idyllic lake. A beautiful sunrise greeted us on the last day as we were about to hike out.

As I was heading to hike at Fontenelle Forest with a friend of mine, this raccoon and sibling climbed a tree and watched with curiosity as I fumbled with my camera. Needless to say, I’m sure they were amused.

My first real foray into aerial photography came at Toadstool Geologic Park in northwestern Nebraska. The perfect sunrise allowed me to create this dramatic panoramic of the otherworldly landscape.

Every winter I love going out on the (hopefully) very frozen ice to capture designs. This was my favorite icy design capture of 2020.

I had a goal of making it to Chimney Rock this year. I was able to accomplish that task and had a beautiful purple-hued sunset to boot.

I’ve always wanted to visit Toadstool with snow and this year I got my wish. A late October dusting allowed me to capture this landscape with a different perspective.

Still and willing, an easier subject than my kids are most days. I didn’t even come close to bothering him.

How do you focus on the beautiful colors from a beautiful sunset in a lake? With some reed silhouettes!

On a warm summer eve I headed back from what I thought was a pretty uneventful photography hiking trip. In the last stretch I looked at the composition before me and realized I the best truly was last.

Who doesn’t like a cute duckling family?

The post Top 10 Favorite Images from 2020 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

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Before I begin I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.

Also, all the images from 2019 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2019.

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.

One goal I had this year was to capture more images of Chimney Rock in western Nebraska. I had previously found a high vantage on a nearby bluff and I wanted to capture sunrise from this location. When I arrived the surrounding landscape was cloaked in fog. I loved how the fog isolated the spire.

As I was capturing the previous image, I turned my attention to the east where the fog was hanging over the rural landscape. I loved seeing the light play off the fog as it rolled through.

I wanted a beautiful sunrise/sunset with Chimney Rock in Nebraska. This was the evening, the clouds were spectacular.

Every time I visit Toadstool Park in western Nebraska I always find myself looking back when I’m leaving at this scene. I’ve captured this before, but I couldn’t help capture it again with the beautiful warm hues.

High above Toadstool Geologic Park there is a small section of Toadstools. I found this one still illuminated by the setting sun and loved how the light isolated it.

I’m big into climbing to high vantage points to capture images. I especially love hiking the buttes at Fort Robinson. It’s a great combination for photography. Here the sun is just below the horizon casting a warm glow across the on the Red Cloud Buttes and across the landscape.

I have a fondness for hay bales. I love the smell, I love how they dot the landscape, and I love how the glow in at sunset. When I see a hay bales set in a scenic area I stop to capture. I really liked how the late afternoon sun cast the long shadows while the clouds floated above in an azure sky.

My oldest daughter and I continued our tradition of camping. This time we went into the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park on the East Inlet trail. We spent two nights under the stars and enjoyed our meals by this beautiful lake, Lake Verna.

Spirit Lake is just up the trail from Lake Verna. A beautifully clear lake, it was calm on this evening as my daughter and I sat and watched the sunset play out on the peaks and trees. A magical place within the wilderness.

Pikas are cute. I love watching them and photographing them. There might be a billion images of these little critters, but I don’t care, I will continue to photograph them whenever I see them.

The post Top 10 Favorite Images from 2019 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

Before I begin I always want to mention that the previous years favorites are available from these posts: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.

Also, all the images from 2018 on my website can be viewed: Images from 2018.

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.

Every year I take my eldest daughter camping. This year I let her pick the location and she choose the beautiful Black Hills in western South Dakota. One evening after we had setup camp we took a hike through the lush forest along the Grace Coolidge stream. I found this beautiful vantage near an opening in the forest that filter through this lovely light. A favorite image from a memorable and wonderful trip.

I’ve only seen a bobcat in nature twice before in my travels. Once in the Arkansas Ozarks and again in a rural area of Montana. In neither case was I able to capture an image. This time, in Custer State Park in South Dakota, I had camera in hand and managed to on a few shots before he had enough of me.

This year I wanted to visit and hike Fort Robinson State Park in northwestern Nebraska. I managed to make three trips out during different seasons. On my autumn trip I brought my family and we hiked to the top of the bluffs for sunset. We were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.

Besides capturing landscapes I had two other goals in mind. One, to capture more images of windmills in rural Nebraska, and two to get new and unique shots of Toadstool Geologic Park. I managed to do both with this one shot.

Another image of Fort Robinson captured during a sunrise climb among the bluffs. Lovely light on Lover’s Leap. Additionally, I wanted to work on capturing more panoramic images so I was pleased with the format on this one.

Perhaps the most prominent identifying landscape of Nebraska, Chimney Rock. I had planned on focusing solely on capturing spire for at least a day. The day I picked could not have been more perfect, fluffy clouds that floated into the distance, deep azure skies, and wonderful light. I found this vantage high on a nearby bluff which allowed me to get a very wide shot of not only Chimney Rock but the expanse of the Great Plains all around.

I mentioned earlier I had a goal to capture more windmill shots. What could be better than an intense sunset with a full tank reflecting the beautiful colors.

While driving through Wind Cave National Park in western South Dakota, I passed over this stream many times. On this beautiful morning I relaxed by the trickling water and enjoyed the fresh air and scene before me.

I explored deep into Toadstool Geologic Park this year and climbed beyond where I had been before. My reward was finding an area that I think few have seen. I waited for late afternoon to capture the beautiful light on the hoodoos among the landscape.

My last image is a common sight on the Great Plains, that of a thunderstorm. I especially love it when dark gloomy clouds have texture and shape. Additionally, roads like these are among my favorite type, quiet, rural and can take you places few have seen. Would you want to take this road into the storm?

The post Top 10 Favorite Images from 2018 first appeared on Scenic Landscape and Nature Photographs by Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston.

I wish for everyone to have a great holiday season and a healthy, prosperous 2019!!!!

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May you enjoy a warm Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends!

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