As the year comes to an end, time to look back on the highlights of 2017. For the first time in about 15 years, I didn’t do any international shooting (well, with the exception of a few days in St. Barths). But on an otherwise slow year with the camera, I did take advantage of a few work trips and a great week in Alaska in September. Here, in chronological order, are my top ten images that I captured this year, all previously posted in the last twelve months. (I obviously post images from previous years too, but they are not reflected here).

I was a judge at an advertising awards show in Miami in January and took full advantage by staying the weekend and photographing Key deer on Big Pine Key south of the city and then traveling north for burrowing owls in Cape Coral. 


Red-Footed Tortoise, Saint BarthelemyIn February, the aforementioned trip to St. Barths allowed for some close encounters with rare red-footed tortoises.

Hermit Crab, Colombier Beach, Saint BarthelemyI was also able to get a few good looks at the local fiddler crabs.


Thistledown Velvet Ant, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CaliforniaIn May, a work trip took me to Los Angeles. I was able to get out to one of my favorite wildlife hotspots in Anza-Borrego State Park. I didn’t have luck with the usual suspects (jackrabbits, coyote and desert bighorn) but I did capture this macro shot of a thistledown velvet ant.

Coastal Brown Bear, Lake Clark National Park, AlaskaThe Alaska trip was mostly about brown bears and moose. I was able to capture lots of action shots of the bears as they chased fish at low tide in Lake Clark National Park.

Bull Moose, Chugach State Park, AlaskaIn Chugach State Park in Anchorage, I got up close and personal with several bull moose during the fall rut.

Coastal Brown Bear at Sunrise, Lake Clark National Park, AlaskaThe weather was mostly overcast and rainy, but I did have one great morning when the skies opened for this early morning silhouette shot of a coastal brown bear.

Red Fox, Lake Clark National Park, AlaskaNo matter how many times I see them, it’s always a treat to photograph red fox. This guy was just bedding down when I was returning to the lodge after a day of photographing bears.

Brown Bear Shaking Off Water, Lake Clark National Park, AlaskaAnd speaking of bears, here’s another at close range and from my preferred low angle. This mama bear was giving herself a good shake off after a morning of fishing.

Sea Otter Mom and Pup, Morro Bay, CaliforniaAnother work trip took me back to Los Angeles in October. This time I headed north to Morro Bay where I spent a few days photographing the local sea otters. Here’s hoping 2018 brings many more creatures (both locally and internationally). Happy New Year everyone.