Favorites of 2013
Looking back at my Favorites of 2012 post and my goals for the coming year, I can’t help but reflect that 2013 did not go at all according to plan. I shot very little in my beloved New Mexico, I did not make it to Idaho or the northern Rockies, and I generally got out shooting less than I had hoped. But the year’s twists and turns easily made up for these unrealized plans and brought opportunities I never would have hoped for last January. One unexpected pleasure was two trips with fellow photographer Greg Russell, the first to Cape Solitude in the Grand Canyon and the second in California’s White Mountains. A family trip to Zion and a wonderful visit to the Columbia River Gorge in spring were also great fun, and yielded some decent images as a bonus. But the biggest and most wonderful surprise was my move to the western Great Basin. My home terrain in Deep Springs Valley will keep me occupied for quite a while all by itself, and the great mountain-studded emptiness of Nevada lies just down the road, country that has long called to me but which does not offer up it’s secrets lightly. After 2013’s abrupt education in the speed with which life and plans can change, my ambition for the coming year is to take every advantage of my surroundings. Deep Springs Valley is beautiful every day, the Death Valley backcountry lies just over the ridge out my window, the Eastern Sierra offers constant temptation, and the endless basins and ranges beckon to the east. Meanwhile, here are my personal favorites of the last twelve months.
Evening light in the Little Colorado Gorge, Grand Canyon National Park:
Stone, sun and shadow, Zion National Park:
Lycosa spider, Gila Wilderness, New Mexico:
Sunbeams and Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon:
Evening light over Deep Springs Lake, California:
Black toad (Bufo exsul), Deep Springs Lake, California:
Autumn in North Twin Canyon, Arc Dome Wilderness, Nevada:
Twilight beams over Toiyabe and Toquima ranges, Nevada:
Fall aspens and cloud shadows, Arc Dome Wilderness, Nevada:
October snow and lake of fog, Deep Springs Valley, California:
Snowstorm, Deep Springs Valley, California:
Dawn light on the badlands of Esmeralda County, Nevada:
Here’s a glimpse of shots that didn’t quite make the cut (please enlarge!):
And one final shot to round things out with something new – I haven’t lived with this one long enough to decide whether I truly like it, but it’s certainly my last quality shot of the year, from a December trip to the Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park:
Crest, Cliff & Canyon 
Nice work. Keep it up!
Thanks Steve!
Andrew, these are stunning as always. It’s great to vicariously explore some new turf this year too, now that you are in a different location. Also, the juxtaposition of Eli and spectacular scenery is quite fun!
Thanks Ginny!
You certainly had a good year, despite the speed with which it went by. It was really great to connect with you, and I’m looking forward to more adventures together later on this year.
Your images from your home territory are fantastic, and I hope you’ve been getting some weather in the last week or two–it’s been a tough 2014 so far! I also like the Church Rock image in your ‘honorable mentions.’
Jackson. I’ve been going through your archives looking for stuff I haven’t already seen. It just made me realize how prolific and all encompassing your photography is. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it once again, great work.
Thank you, Jim! I’m lucky to have been around the west quite a bit. Still so many blank spots on my map, though… always more to explore!