Favorite Photos of 2012

Ron NiebruggePhotos 31 Comments

Since I take off to Antarctica in the morning, I’m pretty sure this will be my last post for the next 3 weeks as I’ll have very limited internet.

This has become somewhat of an annual deal thanks in part to my friend Jim Goldstein.

For fun, here are my favorite photos of 2011favorite photos of 2010  –  favorite photos of 2009 and finally, favorite photos of 2008.

So here are my top 10 and why.  Click on thumbnail for a larger view.

Full moon with whale

Spending 3 days by myself in a rental boat in Fredrick Sound battling bad weather and even hitting a rock made this amazing moment even more special!

 

Bear with Cubs

These three cute cubs standing next to their mom came from one of my bear photo tours.  This was my biggest “viral” success – on Goggle + it hit the 500 comment limit in just hours and was shared and given a plus 1 by thousands – guessing that strange language only means something to a few people, but in short, it was well liked.

 

 Aurora over Seward

This rare event turned out to be one of our best selling prints this year even though we have only had this image for a few months.

 

Anza-Borrego Dry Lake

We have been visiting Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for years and usually an image from here makes the top 10.  Hard to get a pretty picture that also illustrates concepts like drought.

 

Pedersen Lagoon Canoes

According to the Travel Channel (and I agree) Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the top 10 amazing places in the world!  I’m lucky to live so close to such an amazing place.  Pedersen Lagoon feeds into Aialik Bay.

 

 Vegas Reflections

I do a fair amount of travel photography, and spent a bit of time in Las Vegas, so it is only fitting that such a subject would find its way into the top 10.  This is the pool of the Cosmopolitan reflecting in a nearby building.

 

 Pollen Puddle

I never thought my daily walk to the Post Office would lead to an image on my top 10 list, but this one has grown on me.

 

Mat Su Valley Autumn

One from a wonderful trip to the Mat Su Valley this past Fall.

 

Chugach Snow

We had a lot of snow last winter, so it seems fitting that a snowy image makes the top 10 – especially considering it is from my favorite running trail; the Lost Lake Trail.

 

 Sunrise Bear

Getting a Brown Bear at sunrise can be challenging.  Fortunately this year I had a few wonderful mornings with bears!

 

Honorable Mentions

These are photos that I still really liked and just couldn’t leave out of my list.

 

Northern Lights

Only wanted one Northern Lights photo in the top 10 – but this could have easily been one of them!

 

Badlands Moon

One of the two images from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park I considered for the list.

 

Bear Hug

I thought these two were really cute!  Bear photos could have made up my entire favorite 10 list!

 

Sedona Snow – Snowdona

Seeing Sedona covered with  half a foot of fresh snow was wonderful!

Seward Boat Harbor

Even though I’m partial to my hometown, I could only have one boat harbor image in the top 10 – so the aurora image won out.

 

Lost Dutchman State Park

I really enjoy the desert – especially in the spring!

 

2013 Photo Tour / Workshop Update

Ron NiebruggePhotos 4 Comments

A Humpback Whale dives at sunset, Inside Passage, Southeast, Alaska.

Since I take off this weekend, I thought I would provide an update for next years photo tours and workshops.  I think by the time I get back from Antarctica that they may all be full.  Here is the latest:

January – Antarctica with Cheeseman’s  – Full

March Anza-Borrego Desert State Park:  Both workshops full with wait list.  These annual workshop filled extra quick this year for some reason.  I’m sure I’ll do them again in 2014.

June – Alaska Bear Photo Tour – One spot – I don’t expect this one to be around long.

August- Alaska Bear Photo Tour – Full   I’ll be doing both bear tours on the same dates in 2014.

July – Alaska Inside Passage photo tour – whales, glaciers and more – Maybe the best photo tour I offer and as a new offering still has availability.

Even while I’m gone, Janine will be available to answer questions and take reservations.  Thanks!

 

 

Newport Beach Fun Zone

Ron NiebruggeCalifornia, Photos, Travel Leave a Comment

Fireworks over the Newport Beach Fun Zone for the start of the annual Christmas Boat Parade.

There were some incredibly decorated boats for this popular tradition.  There were news reports that some boats would be appearing without any lights in protest of recent increases in dock fees from the City of Newport Beach.  Fortunately, I didn’t see any as I’m not so sure that would have gone over very well with the general public.  Rich people upset with an increase in fees for parking their fancy yachts isn’t exactly the kind of cause that will rally the masses!

Newport Beach

Ron NiebruggeOrange County, Photos, Travel 2 Comments

Well after a busy week I finally have a chance to do an update.  This was last night in Newport Beach, California.

Our travels to Arizona went well.  The next day we drove to Anza-Borrego where we encountered a pretty good rain storm – the area really needed it!  We have now moved on to Newport Beach and I’ll be here for the next week and a half or so.  Unfortunately, this isn’t my new boat, although I would be thrilled with the little skiff at the stern!