[Closed] Photo Theme Challenge, Week #29 - Best of 2023 [Deadline: Friday, December 29]

Etang d'Urbino / Corse

It was in the afternoon, when my wife and me went to this reservate. After a walk through the protected area, she wanted already to return to our house on the beach for dinner. But I said: Wait, there is a mystic mood and I have to take some landscape pictures. And during that half hour I was able to get some really nice photos. The one I love the most, I present here. And of course we had a perfect dinner on the beach later too...

Canon EOS 7D mark II, 42 mm, f/6.3, 1/40 sec, ISO 100

This is a rock outcropping I've been focused on recently (pun intended) while experimenting with ND filters and varying camera settings. I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out - from the glassy reflection to the misty wave crest. Took this just last week along the Northern California coast at Point Reyes National Seashore. 

Canon EOS R, 50mm, f/16, 4 sec, ISO 100

I'm not sure it's my best, but it certainly is the cutest and most "positive feeling" picture I have shot this year : 

Was hard to pick just one, but I'd say this one, for the mood.

Thank you Jason - great theme for the last challenge of the year!

Nikon D810, AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR @ 300mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 64, VR On (Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia, June 2023)

@epaquin I like the "flow" of the shot too, how the water kinda leads your eyes around the frame eventually to the person.

Steller's  Sea  Eagle

Carpincho or Capibara. The biggest american roedent. Taken in El Palmar National Park, Argentina.

Nikon D7100/ AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR. Don't remember parameters.

Don't know if this is my best photo of 2023, but I like the nature as art aspect in this image. It was taken a few days ago while I was visiting Willcox, AZ photographing Sandhill Cranes. It was taken from a great distance with a Z8, 600mm PF lens, ISO 1100, 1/1250 and F16. The low-lying fog made for real nice pastel colors. Hope you enjoy.

Best hike of the year in the most amazing area of Nebraska with the best person in the world... A photo that says it all for us. Let's keep going!

My best only because I'm taking more time to understand the subject and get closer - taken with 105mm Z MC and not a 600mm lens.

"Petra"

"High level of service"

"Morning flight"

I'd say it's a tossup between these two:

And honestly, that trip I got a pile of bangers.