12 of my favorite images and one for good measure

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything this year! It's been a busy and wonderfully healing year for me. I love looking at all your work! Each one of you inspires me to be a better photographer! When I think about the diverse landscapes that I have visited this year, I marvel at the intricate beauty that we have been blessed with on this planet. Nature continues to enchant my spirit, heal my soul and fill me with a peace like nothing else and everyday I feel grateful for the rich experiences I have in nature and the joy it brings me! Thanks for looking and May all of you have a New Year that is rich with enchanting experiences in nature!

#1: Dancing Under the Milky Way- Petroglyph National Monument, NM

#2 Magical Moment--Yellowstone National Park, MT

#3 Coastal Mystery--Bandon Beach, OR

#4 Three Gossips Reflecting on Life--Arches National Park, UT

#5 Athena's Eyes--Nature's Educators Raptors, Denver, CO

#6 Annular Solar Eclipse--Albuquerque, NM

#7 Springtime in the Mountains--Maroon Bells Lake, CO

#8 Sunset Glow on East Beckwith--Lost Lake Slough, Crested Butte CO

#9 Peaceful Pond Reflection--Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver CO

#10 Autumn Magic in Oregon--Dry Creek, Hood River, OR

#11 Enchanting Misty Waterfalls-- Metloka Falls, Hood River, OR

#12 Ancient Mystery--Redwood National Park, CA

#13 The Last One--Bandon Beach, OR
The story with this was, I was shooting on Bandon Beach, OR at sunrise and there was no one else on the beach. The waves were coming at me but only a few had reached my tripod. The tide was going out and the sea was a little rougher than it had been. This is the last shot I got before the sneaker wave hit me from the side and put me waist deep in water. I had the camera on a tripod, a camera around my neck and my entire load of equipment on my back and it all went swimming with me. I thought for a moment I was going to drown and be swept out to sea, but God was gracious and placed my feet on the sand and all that was hurt was my pride and about $15,000 dollars worth of equipment...Thank God for insurance. As I was dragging my sorry butt back to shore, I found a beautiful Keyhole Limpet shell in the sand, which I would have gotten a picture of had it not been for the sand and salt water dripping out of the lens. It was an interesting way to end the year with a multitude of lessons all rolled into one!

Very nice collection. #3 and many of the later ones are faves. You got to explain #4 - interesting comp. And yes #13 story caps it.

Thanks Deb!

Oh my goodness! So this is what you've been up to. What a beautiful, elegant and varied collection you have here! One of the best I've seen from the 'Best of 2012' sets. Crafted with great care and attention to detail. I can't get enough of this. No clear favorites, as each is unique and beatiful in its own regard. Is #4 a reflection? The surrounding areas look a bit odd.
Thanks a bunch for sharing these with us!

Thanks Karl and John! #4 I was in Arches, in early March, after a rain and I found a small, maybe 12" wide, reflecting pool at sunrise. The sky was clear, aka Boring, so I focused on these little pools and turned this one right side up. The "stuff" surrounding the gossips is the rock with sunrise light. @john --coming from you, I especially appreciate your comments and feel very flattered by them... Your a great photographer yourself and know your stuff, so thanks! I'll be posting these in their various forums when I can for a better look at them.

Debbie, you certainly had a great year. The first two are my favorites especially the pictographs and stars. The redwoods photo is also right up there.

I like what you captured on the coast, and also 7 & 10. Sorry to hear of your dunking though.

Very nice set; made my lunch break! Thanks for sharing.

A beautiful collection. I especially enjoyed the unique-ness of #12 Ancient Mystery--Redwood National Park, CA, Thanks for posting and I hope you ended up with an upgrade or two from the equipment fiasco.

Thanks all! @- Scott. #1 The stars and petroglyphs shot was a fun one to do and my first attempt at light painting. Of course I probably shot 20 versions of this rock before I got the hang of it! This is a blend of the two shots, one for the rock and the other for the Milky Way. These are actual petroglyphs, which are carved into the rocks, pictographs are painted on the rocks. The eagle shot was taken in the rain and the magical moment was when the sun came out to illuminate the drops of rain, just before the eagle flew away. The Redwoods is also one of my favorites. There is magic in that forest and hard to depict in a picture. I think this one comes close. @Doug-. Still dealing with the insurance company with the equipment, but actually may come out ahead. I needed to revise some of my glass to a more professional level, so it probably was a blessing in disguise, in addition to giving me my third great lesson on respect for the ocean @ Ed- Glad I made your lunch break more enjoyable

Thanks Bob didn't see your reply. Well I ended up buying the D800 to replace my two D300 bodies that were lost, so that's an improvement. Still waiting to get some glass but I think like I said I will come out ahead.

Wonderful set, Debbie! Really enjoyed the connection between the stars and the petroglyphs. The 1st Bandon Beach and Metloka Falls are classic calendary/greeting card comps that will never get old. The Gossips reflection is well done as well!

Great variety for the year, Deb. I can't begin to pick a favorite.

So glad to hear you had insurance, and only your pride was hurt.
Looking forward to hearing more about your tale and tips at the Shindig.

Excellent set! #3 of Bandon is really stunning with the lead-in line and the atmosphere, and the redwood trunks with sunstar is a very unique and creative take on the subject. Those are my standouts, but all the others are very fine as well!

Thanks Don, Bill and Jackson! @Don--it's funny you say they are "calendary" because minus one, these were the images on my small calendar that i sell to friends and clients. One of these days I hope to make a big one. @Bill I look forward to the shindig too and talking with you!

Nice work Deb. You have definitely developed a unique style. I think I like #10 best

What a great set Deb! Everyone of those shots is incredible.
And the story behind #13 makes me glad I just upgraded my insurance!

Thanks Randy and Bob! @Randy thank you for the compliment about my style. I like to think that we all strive for our own unique flair that sets us apart from others...sounds like I'm getting closer! Thanks for noticing! @Bob--I never thought I would use it in such a big way, but I'm so grateful that I had the insurance. Glad you're being smart about it, you just never know. Thanks for the kudos! I hope I get to see you at the shindig!

Wow! Wonderful collection. Wish I had a year this diverse in 2012. The Gossips reflection is my favorite photo. Way to look out below when everyone else is looking above. Love the blue mood and leading lines into the Bandon seastacks. I really want to visit Oregon again. And wouldn't you know it, you photographed a type of Maroon Bells image I have never, ever seen before. NOT an easy thing to do. Keep up the creativity in 2013, it looks like you have been on a roll.

The drama in #3 is superb, a great collection overall!