YOUR BEST/FAVORITE IMAGE OF 2016

So once again it's time for me to start the annual thread showcasing everyone's favorite image of the year. Let's reflect back on the past year and have some fun while doing so. Post your favorite image taken in 2016. No critiques allowed, just "great shot" and "WOW".

Post as a reply to this thread, your ONE favorite image that YOU took this year. If there's a backstory then tell us about it and why it's your favorite.

If you want to comment on an image and it is not the last post, just click "Reply with Quote" on the image you want to comment on.

Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year to All!

The Moderators

I'll also start us off with the first image. Although I had some outstanding opportunities this year with some normally elusive species including pangolins and aardvark, my favorite image is actually a landscape. Not since 1948 had the June full moon, also known as the Strawberry Moon, fallen on the summer solstice. Coincidentally, I was on my annual hiking trip and this year we were in Grand Teton National Park. From the balcony of the room I was able to capture the moon setting over the Tetons about 20 minutes before sunrise. I also loved being able to capture the image while still in my pajamas and bare feet.

Happy Holidays!

Rachel

For Hayley

This was taken for my daughter who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in August.
Her favorite tree.
She is doing well at present.

800_1627ha.jpg

A daybreak scene I encountered on Marie Louise Lake in Ontario's Sleeping Giant Provincial Park during my September trip along the north shore of Lake Superior. A fleeting moment that lasted only few minutes...when I awoke on this morning the sky looked uninviting and I was certain there would be no display to photograph, but the sun found a small opening in the clouds and lit up the clouds across the lake.

Dan, I'm glad your daughter is doing well. I can see why she loves that tree. Great fall colors too.

Andrew, what a fabulous reflection and moment.

Rachel, Dan, Andrew - great images!

This past April I found this Reddish Egret chasing fish at Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island, FL.

Hi Allen, thanks for participating. Great timing and image!

Hi Allen, awesome shot -- I went to Ding Darling a week or so ago but didn't see any action that nice!

Had a few passable images in 2016 but just noted this P'base image today which I feel fairly comfortable with.
Ian Mc.
New Zealand's highest mountain Mt Cook from Tekapo earlier in the year.

I photographed this Redshank last July in Iceland on an overcast, drippy day (i.e., typical Iceland weather). Based on its behavior, it no doubt had chicks (probably near fledging age) in the area. The background is a distant mountain.

Fantastic stuff guys! Here's my favorite of 2016: Bohemian Waxwings that posed nicely for me back in January during my first outing with my then new 7DII.

You can check out my "Top 10 of 2016" here too:

http://www.dancadphotography.com/top-10-of-2016/

Red Fox

I spent about an hour with these playful pups in late spring this year. Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Lovely photos, folks!! Thanks Rachel for starting this thread.

I have just posted my annual traditional "2016 in review" blog post - would love for you to check it out:
http://blog.morkelerasmus.com/2017/01/sixteen-scenes-2016.html

Here's one from the post. A morning scene, on foot, in the woodlands of Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Pretty much my favourite place in all of Africa.

here is one of my fav

Not my best from this past year technically but certainly my favorite bird photo of the year. Looking at it almost puts me back on the river in the fog surrounded by the beautiful fall colors trying to work into the best position of both birds without spooking them was a long rush.

I am new here so I hope its ok to jump in on this thread. Not sure this is my best of 2016 but it is my favorite. I love all wildlife probably waterfowl the most of all but I was so pleased with the colors in this it is my favorite I think. I shot this hand held with the Canon 7d Mark II and the 100 mm f2.8 macro. Camera set at 1/500th f5 and ISO 250. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.

Hi Matthew- Welcome to BPN and perfectly acceptable for you to jump right into this thread. Nice one. Looking forward to seeing more of your images.

TFS
Rachel

This image was taken the morning after hurricane Mathew passed by Palm Beach County, for most of the previous day I had a deadly Cat 4 storm heading right for us I honestly was not sure if I would have a house the next day about 5 hours before it was supposed to make landfall it took a little jog north and missed us.

First Lesson

My favorite (not only because this is my granddaughter) was a serendipitous moment while watching her first horseback riding lesson. The lighting and action all seemed to come together right for me.