Top Twelve of 2016
As you guys know, I don’t always post pictures that I shot the current calendar year. I often post from previous years, but I do try to continually add new photos to the collection. The following are what I consider my top twelve images that were posted — as well as taken — in 2016. I didn’t get out quite as much this year, but did manage to start the year strong with several work trips to California, another to Toronto, followed by a week in Panama, a short visit to my mother in Florida, and finally, a week in Thailand last month. Each trip is represented, and in the order that they were taken. Happy New Year everyone. Thanks for continuing to check out my daily posts. I really appreciate it and the positive feedback keeps me excited to mine my collection each night to find just the right shot.
Following a work trip to San Diego back in January, I tacked on a few days and headed north to La Jolla in search of the “Potholes” at Hospitals Reef. On the way, I caught this morning glimpse of Brandt’s cormorants nesting on a cliff while a Western gull flew past. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/11 at 1/100th of a second.)
And below is the aforementioned “Potholes.” (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 400, f/11 at 1/100th of a second.)
Speaking of Brandt’s cormorants, I met this bold individual two months later at El Matador Beach in Malibu. Always nice when your subject allows you to get so close that you can use a fisheye lens. (Nikon D810 with Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, ISO 200, f/22 at 1/200th of a second, Nikon SB-900 flash unit.)
In May, I headed to Toronto for a few weeks to shoot a commercial. In between our busy work schedule, I was able to explore the area’s wildlife hotspots, including several sites around Lake Ontario where I captured this mute swan at sunset. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.)
Later in the month, I headed down to Panama for a five night trip. At the top of my wish list was the keel-billed toucan. I saw quite a few at the Canopy Tower Lodge in Soberania National Park not too far from Panama City. This one was feeding on a seed from a cecropia tree. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/320th of a second.)
Also from the Canopy Tower was this three-toed sloth. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 250mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/100th of a second.)
A few hours north brought me to the town of El Valle where I spotted several canal zone tree frogs at night. (Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 200, f/25 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.)
In early July, it was off to Florida for a visit to my mother. We took her to one of my favorite spots, the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The star attraction at the refuge is the roseate spoonbill. This one was coming in for a landing near three white ibis. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/2000th of a second.)
My biggest trip of the year was only a week long, but I saw quite a variety of wildlife in Thailand. Especially in Kaeng Krachan National Park where I camped for three nights. Every night, Malayan porcupines came around the campsite looking for scraps. The predictability of their visits allowed me to be ready with two flash units placed in advantages locations for front and back light. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 210mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.)
I also saw plenty of little creatures like this red long-horned spider. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 1600, f/6.3 at 1/60th of a second.)
I photographed five primate species, including the white-handed gibbon. (Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 360mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/5000th of a second.)
And finally, this masked palm civet who was kind enough to stop by while I had my light set up for the porcupines. (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 290mm) ISO 400, f/18 1/60th of a second, two Nikon SB-900 flash units.)
What a year, Sean! Thanks for once again serving up your amazing eye candy!
Thanks Sue. It seemed like a didn’t get the camera out much this year but when I go back through the shots, I always realize that I got much more than I thought.
Outstanding!!! Looking forward to more in 2017 🙂
Thanks Karen. I’ll do my best.
Thanks very much for sharing these jewels!
My pleasure Scott. Thanks for checking them out.
thanks for all surpizes ahead of time. ) me )
Thanks Michael.
A really enviable collection, Sean. I’m particularly enamored with the Sloth picture. Looking forward to your posts in 2017.
Thanks Rick. Me too. I only wish I had better looks at the two toed sloths, as well as the three toed.
Damn you’re good. Outstanding work- when does the book come out? Well done Sean.
Thanks Michael. Hope all is well down in North Carolina.
Thank you for another wonderful year through your travels and camera’s lenses. You help keep us grounded during these chaotic times.
Cheers and peace in 2017.
Thanks Christine. Cheers and peace to you too.
Red long horned spider would get me moving away quickly! Love your pictures! Keep them coming, and Happy New Year!
Thanks Sue. I saw a yellow one too, just like the red one but unfortunately it was the one moving off too quickly. Happy New Year.
Great stuff Sean
Thanks Pedro.
Such beautiful work. Thank you.
Thanks Deb.
Sean- Continue your brilliance! These are exceptional although all your work is AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your passion with us and continue your magic!
Thanks Christina. Can’t wait to get back out there and discover a few new places (and creatures) this year.
—– Haiku were it creature
—– Of this earth or even earth itself
—– Sean takes its measure.
—– Wonders lie ahead.
Thanks Peter. Hopefully I’ll provide plenty of inspiration for another year of haikus.
You have enlightened us to many wonders in this world that we share this earth with & would never have known were there
A little secret I see the Roseat Spoonbill in
Florida also & an always in aug of the sight
Aunt Sue
Thanks Aunt Sue. Yes, I love the spoonbills. I’ve seen them throughout the state and on both coasts.
Spectacular body of work Sean! Thank’s so much for sharing your talent. I look forward to every post.
Thanks,
Clark
Thanks Clark. I appreciate the comment and you checking out my daily posts.
I absolutely LOVE these. New computer backgrounds for daaayyyssss!
Thanks Shardae. Not sure there’s any material in there for the Crafty Little Sprite, but you you never know.
thanks, Sean. And happy 2017 with much travel and many new photos
Thanks Gray. I hope so on the travel. Happy 2017 to you too.
Thanks for always being the best part of my day and going where I can’t go and sharing all your beautiful amazing photos as an amateur photographer it keeps me going happy New Year and safe travels
Thanks Karen. Happy New Year to you too.
Thanks for a fabulous year in images! I can’t decide whether the sloth or the toucan are my favorite. All beautiful images….
Thanks Amanda. Can’t go wrong with sloths and toucans.
Thanks for posting your favorites of the year. There are so many more favorites of mine that I love. But I am very fond of compositions where you incorporate the wildlife into the landscape. That solitary swan lost in a sea of water is a prime example. Swans mate for life and when they lose their mate it’s not easy for them to find another one. This shot exemplifies the solitude. I look forward to another year of your photos of the day!
Thanks Rachel. Yes, that’s something I’m always trying to do (go wide and show the landscape when possible). I’ll have to post another of that swan soon.
Thank you Sean for letting us see these images through your lens. I look forward to each post. Safe travels in 2017.
Thanks Donna. Happy New Year.
A very nice collection of images from 2016. Looking forward to seeing many more this year.
Sean, Amidst all the drivel and nonsense that often appears in my email, your posts offer illumination, reflection, serenity, and the beauty that surrounds us in places near and far. And they teach in a way that only great photographs can. Thanks for all you share.