This year I had quite a few photography and picture oriented goals, and things worked out pretty well. One of the things I wanted to shoot was more pictures that had the colors green and blue in them. Living in Las Vegas I had to plan carefully to be able to see more of those colors! As always not everything worked out as planned, but I definitely saw a lot of great things and was able to make great pictures.
Here are my 13 favorite pictures from my nature photography exploits of 2009, sorry I just couldn’t nail it down to 10. The last two are definitely my favorites of the year overall…
#13 -The famous tree in Zion made an amazing silhouette in what felt like a picture that wouldn’t be worth much when I took it. Glad I stayed around after the “Light” was ruined.

#12 – Calf Creek Falls is just an amazing desert oasis. Don’t need to say any more.

#11 – Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park, Utah. I worried this place would be just a weird example of geology for me to check out. The light here is amazing.

#10 -The Subway in Zion National Park is simply amazing, so this year I went twice! This is one of many pictures I took here.

#9 -How I visited Antelope Canyon several times before and missed this arch is beyond me, I love it!

#8 -Overland Lake, Ruby Mountain Wilderness Area, Nevada. One of the best backpacking trips I have been on in years, and a load of amazing images!

#7 -The Narrows in Zion National Park. What an amazing place to shoot, and to be schooled on composition and light.

#6 – Trees and Rock, Ruby Mountain Wilderness Area, Nevada. These trees still amaze me, they were growing almost in and through the rock.

#5 -Spooky Gulch, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah. I have a place in my heart for slot canyons. This was a particularly tight one!

#4 -Sequoia National Park, California. These trees, both young and old, really show what I experienced here in Sequoia National Park, life and growth.

#3 – Ruby Valley, Nevada. This area is full of small pockets of blooming flowers, stone, and flowing water that always capture my attention.

#2 – Aspens, Grand Teton National Park. These young aspens were barely changing color when most other trees had changed colors and already dropped their leaves. I love most their simple lines.

#1 – This comes from The Narrows of Zion National Park. I love the colors, and composition. This photograph was meant to be a print! Right out of the camera it blew me away! It is definitely my most favorite picture of the year!

The year was really a great one. I still shot quite a few pictures of the good old desert, but I luckily managed to grab quite a few nice pictures to add variety to my collection! I can’t wait for the shooting I get to do in 2010!

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Alan,
All very nice photographs, but #9 is just beautiful. The composition and lighting draw me right in and make me wish I could be there. Thanks for posting it.
Ed
Great set of photos you’ve put together for 2009! I really like the simplicity of #4 and I look forward to seeing your Best of for 2010!
Wonderful photos! You have a very rare talent!
Fine set of photos, Alan. #1 has to be my favorite. The small rapids of the stream just lead back to the rock. Really fine composition. Besh wishes for 2010!
Hey, I’m a sucker for slot canyons too. I love the lighting in #8. Also, your sequoia picture has rockin composition. Way to go.
Really enjoyed your collection. The Subway in Zion National Park is incredible. Your photography makes me want to visit every one of those locations!