The end of 2016 is coming up quick and that means it’s time for me to look back at all of the photos I took throughout the year and pick out just a couple of my favorites. As usual, I managed to visit some beautiful places this year and came back with plenty of photos to choose from. Here are my ten favorite photos from 2016! They are in the order that they were taken throughout the year and you can click on the photo’s title to see the trip report that the photo came from. Also, please feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what you think about my selections. Here’s to a great 2017!
This was a magical morning in the Colorado National Monument. Probably one of the best times I’ve been up there for sunrise!
It was really nice to finally get back to The Fiery Furnace this year, especially on our own. I’m glad we stuck around for the sunset.
This wasn’t my favorite trip into The Maze in Canyonlands National Park, but this sunset from The Doll House made the trip worth it!
Backpacking up into the Lone Eagle Cirque has been on my list of places I’ve wanted to go for a long time. It’s one of the reasons I started getting into backpacking a few years ago. I’m happy to say that we finally made it up there for a night this year!
A spur of the moment change of plans allowed us to watch this spectacular sunset from the shoulder of Uncompahgre Peak.
This short hike after work reminded me that I don’t have to travel far from home or to popular locations to come away with some nice shots.
This was probably one of the best fall sunsets I have photographed in the last couple of years. I almost decided against hiking up to this overlook for sunset and am glad that I didn’t.
I had visited this spot many years ago before I really got into photography and didn’t recall it being anything special, so I am glad that I decided to return this year when I spent an evening in the La Plata Mountains.
I was actually lucky enough to catch two spectacular sunsets this fall in the San Juan Mountains.
Visiting the badlands of northern New Mexico on Thanksgiving was certainly a highlight of the year for us, and to catch a nice sunset by this unusual formation was the icing on the cake.
Below are six more photos that just didn’t quite make my top ten list for the year to bring the total to 16 for 2016.
Throughout the year I try and keep track of all my favorite photos by adding them to an album on Flickr. Follow this link to see all of my favorites that didn’t make the final list:
>> My Ten Favorite Photos of 2015
>> My Ten Favorite Photos of 2014
>> My Ten Favorite Photos of 2013
>> My Ten Favorite Photos of 2012
>> My Ten Favorite Photos of 2011
Such great photos Randy! Two questions: where is Cameo Point? Is the hike to the Owl Creek overlook on a map.
Thanks Bob!
Cameo Point (unofficial name) is in Main Canyon in the Little Book Cliffs near the Cameo Exit on I-70.
The hike to the Owl Creek overlook is not on any map and there really isn’t a trail to the area. Basically you just follow the ridge to the high point from Owl Creek Pass.
Thank you!
Your images are spectacular! Though I’ve been to a number of the places you’ve visited, you always make me want to go explore more. Happy Holidays and thanks for sharing.
Thank you Lorna!
Great photos…lucky to be you & travel all over the southwest like you do. I thought you would include the “Arrowhead” panel as you called it in your top 10…but then you would have to reveal it’s location.
Thanks Jim. While the Arrowhead Panel was one of my favorite places to visit this year, the conditions on the day I visited were not that great for photos and I’, not too happy with the photos I got of it. I will have to return again in the future to try and get a better shot 🙂
Stunning set of photos you’ve chosen Randy. Tough to choose a favorite. Thanks for taking part in my year end “Best Photos of the Year” blog project. I hope you have a great 2017 in the great outdoors!
Thank you Jim!
I love your image of the Moon at Cameo Pt.
Thank you Deborah!
Stunning images, Randy. I really like Blue Hour Fog and Doll House Sunset. Beautiful tones, subtle lighting, I love the fog and clouds. Really nice!
Thanks Todd!
Wonderful selection Randy, you had a very productive year! My favorite is Blue Hour Fog, very nice!
Thank you Alan!
This is a beautiful collection, Randy! Wishing you all the best in 2017!
Thank you Russ!
Really nice images, Randy!
I perused your Canyonlands ADVENTR — partly because I visited it and Arches this year for the first time. Not nearly as extensive as you, thought.
Very cool.