Lens-Artists Challenge #379: Favorite Images of 2025
Here is a selected, small sample of photos that show the diversity of wildlife at Berry Springs Park & Preserve. They were all captured in 2025, but I never posted them previously. They are some of the best images I captured at that park.
Berry Springs Park & Preserve covers 300 acres of tranquil landscapes, historic pecan groves, diverse recreational opportunities, and a rich flora and fauna. Besides the creek that gives the park its name, there is a large spring-fed pond that I featured in the opening image.
These are some of the wildlife I photographed during my walks in the park in 2025. The park is located north of Georgetown, Texas, and is only twenty minutes away from home.
I feel I’ll need to follow up on this post with a flora sample. It’ll be forthcoming in 2026.
The images you shared in the Last Chance challenge were so beautiful. I’m happy to have seen them. Thanks for participating in our challenges in 2025. I hope you will continue to share your photos in our challenges this year. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts to help people find your wonderful challenge entries.
Next week, Anne will feature the first challenge of the year. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Barred Owl, Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Georgetown, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Parks, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Texas, Wildlife, and Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Bob Ramsak
Great shot of the hungry Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, and the Barred Owl. And the Red-Shouldered Hawk, too. Must be great to have this park so close to your home.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Bob. Between the wildlife I see in my backyard and this park, I’m pretty happy.
Leanne Cole
Great images to wrap up the year Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Leanne.
sandyjwhite
Your birds are fabulous!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sandy.
I. J. Khanewala
Lovely photos. I stopped and admired each one, and thought it was my favourite. And then I scrolled down to see another favourite!
Egidio Leitao
I.J., coming from you, this remark made my day. I’m happy you liked the photos.
Dawn M. Miller
Wow. Just wow!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Dawn.
Sofia Alves
Gorgeous photos, Egídio! The light and composition on your first one are magical.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Sofia.
Steve Schwartzman
Impressive closeups of those birds. It’s good that you went back to your archive and brought them out into the world. From the opening shot I recognized Berry Springs right away.
Egidio Leitao
The closeups are the result of using my Nikon P950. The 83x zoom (2000-mm equivalent) is outstanding. It’s been my backyard birding camera instead of my main Sony camera. Thanks for the feedback.
Steve Schwartzman
I looked up the P950 and in the process found there’s now a P1100 that zooms to a 3000mm equivalent.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1877284-REG/nikon_26541_coolpix_p1100_digital_camera.html/overview
Egidio Leitao
Yes, it was released last year. When I bought the P950, the P1100 had just been released. However, I opted for the P950 because the larger zoom meant more difficult with a stable shot. Even with the current zoom, I often have to use a tripod or set a high shutter speed. I cannot imagine using a 3000 zoom and get sharp images.
Steve Schwartzman
I wonder if Nikon provided better image stabilization in the P1100 to deal with the problem of unsharp images at longer focal lengths.
Egidio Leitao
At that zoom length, I doubt that anything can be done.
Toonsarah
These bird photos are really excellent – I’m so glad this challenge prompted you to share them!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, Sarah. Happy New Year!
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Beautiful images Egídio and what a fabulous park and preserve for wildlife! Happy 2026! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly for this lovely feedback. Happy New Year!
Tish Farrell
These fabulous photographs, Egidio. The barred owl is especially wonderful. And the night heron.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Tish. I’m happy you connected with those images. Happy New Year!
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Your bird photographs are so good, clarity, details. Love the last one.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ritva. I’m glad you liked them.
margaret21
That night heron! What a shot! You were definitely in the right place at the right time.
Egidio Leitao
Totally agree with you, Margaret. Thank you very much. Happy New Year!
Vicki
So many wonderful images it’s hard to pick a favourite, but I do like the first shot of the preserve itself.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Vicki. It’s good to hear you liked the post. Happy New Year!
pattimoed
Fantastic images, Egidio! Your photographic eye is wonderful. The color of the tanager is stunning! All the best in 2026!
Egidio Leitao
Many thanks for this feedback, Patti. May 2026 be a wonderful year for you, too.
Wind Kisses
Whoa, how about that Red-shouldered Hawk!
Happy New Year.
Keep riding.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Donna. Your feedback warms my heart.
photobyjohnbo
Wonderful wildlife photo, Egidio! That red shouldered hawk and the barred owl in flight are my favorites.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. I don’t photograph wildlife in flight very often. I was glad to have caught that.
Rupali
These are wonderful captures.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, Wow! What a beautiful place to experience wildlife. These are all incredible captures. My favorites are the owl and the night heron.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Beth.
Tina Schell
What an unbelievable set of images from a single place Egidio!! Each one holds the observer for a longer look – the details and clarity are amazing. I know how difficult it is to capture creatures like these in absolute stillness and continue to be impressed by your skillset and powers of observation. My favorites of the set are your beautiful opener, the owl in flight, your hawk and that incredible closing image of the night heron. Extraordinary work!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tina. I’m glad you liked them. The first two pairs were shot on two distinct visits, and the last three shots were from a quick 45-minute walk. The park/preserve is amazing.
Anne Sandler
Wow Egidio! What beautiful captures, especially the last one.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Anne. Being at the right place and time paid off.