Happy New 2025! I hope the year that just ended fulfilled some of your cherished dreams and aspirations. May the new year be successful in all your endeavors!
As I prepared this post with my favorite photos of 2024, I couldn’t help but think of the favorite images I posted and some I overlooked. I tend to minimize the number of photos in my galleries in each article. This post is no exception. My favorite photos in 2024 were all nature shots.
We had only been living in our new home for two weeks when, from our bedroom window, I spotted this coyote on the hunt for supper. It was right on the other side of the fence. It was a memorable moment and one of my favorite images of the year. I thought about using AI to erase the fence, but I kept the original image, which shows how much humans encroach on wildlife territory.
A couple of days later, after meditating on the deck, I saw a hummingbird on the feeder. I got a few images of it at the feeder, but this photo was another favorite. I seldom have the opportunity to see hummingbirds resting in a natural space instead of a feeder. The crepe myrtles were directly in front of my eyes, making capturing this image much easier.
For this last image, the story is a bit longer. This photo was captured only five weeks after we had moved here. That morning, I had heard a lot of noise from the blue jays around the deck. I knew something had to be in the air. I did not take long to spot a Cooper’s hawk far in the distance. When I went inside to get my camera, the hawk moved closer. I got some photos of it resting on the fence outside our bedroom. When I moved outside, the hawk had moved to one of the oak trees in our backyard. It was looking outward and did not notice me approaching the tree. I had to zoom only to about 176 mm to get this shot. The hawk was merely about six feet above my head. It turned around when it sensed my presence.
That afternoon, I saw this or another hawk with a squirrel in its claws. I have a complete post with those photos here.
The last challenge we had in 2024 was so pleasing. It allowed us to post images we had not had a chance to use in other challenges in the year. I loved seeing those beautiful photos.
This week, we begin the year by sharing our favorite 2024 images. I hope you will join us with your photos. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Anne (of Slow Shutter Speed) will bring us a new challenge. If you want to know more about how this group started and the link to all members’ blogs, please visit this page. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Anne Sandler
Beautiful and amazing wildlife images from your backyard Egidio. This is a great start to the new year.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. The year is beginning well. Yesterday, I saw several ring-necked ducks in the pond. They’re migrating now, but I couldn’t get any photos.
photobyjohnbo
Your back yard is an amazing place for wildlife, Egidio! My back yard is awash with rabbits. We could use a coyote or hawk… They wouldn’t starve!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. Here’s a tip: put bird feeders. You’ll attract birds, and in turn, they attract hawks.
photobyjohnbo
Good advice!
Tina Schell
Marvelous images Egidio. How amazing to have it so close to your new home. I can’t imagine the number of images you’ll have at the end of a year there LOL. They’re all marvelous but I must admit the little hummingbird is my favorite. I’ve seen and photographed many but never away from a bird feeder.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much for these kind words, Tina. I chose that particular photo because of the setting. I have plenty of hummingbird pics (mostly bad ones) but always on a feeder. That was the first I got away from a feeder.
Vicki
It must have been a real thrill to capture the Cooper’s hawk so close. Photo or not, I would have been excited to see the head details and just observe a hawk for a while.
Nature offers so many opportunities to observe and enjoy the world outdoors and I can well imagine how pleased you were to move house and be in the centre of so much beauty. Excellent choice of home location.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your remarks, Vicki. I confess I was just as startled and excited to get that close. Since we moved here, the number of wildlife sightings has increased significantly. There’s always something in the pond or trees around in our backyard. Nature is a wonderful medicine for the eyes and mind.
Sofia Alves
It’s wonderful to have wildlife so present in your daily life, Egídio and you understand it and respect it fully. These are fantastic 😀
Egidio Leitao
Sofia, I count my blessings every time. It is wonderful to see so much happening and so close. I’m learning a lot from Mother Nature. Thanks for this wonderful feedback.
Ana
I love your selection of nature. Great post, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Ana, I’m glad you liked the gallery. Thanks for writing.
André
wonderful wildlife images, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the feedback, André.
Toonsarah
I’m so impressed that you are able to be so selective with your own work, I wish I could do the same some times! I love all of these but especially the hummingbird – as you say, it’s so rare to get a good photo of them other than with a feeder included.
Egidio Leitao
Sarah, can I confess a thing? I select few because I know several of my followers have so much to see in other people’s posts. So, out of respect for their time, I get the motivation to be selective. Thanks for your feedback.
Terri Webster Schrandt
I adore nature shots and many become my favorites as well. Beautiful hummer and hawk, Egidio! A great wrap of 2024.
Egidio Leitao
Terri, I’m glad we share the love for nature. Thank you for your feedback.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, your nature images are fantastic! Happy New Year!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth. Happy 2025 to you, too.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
What a joy and privilege to have all that nature at your doorstep – or patio. These are worth being favorites. Loved them all
Egidio Leitao
Ritva, I know I am so lucky to be surrounded by such beauty. It is a reminder for me to be thankful every day. Thanks for writing.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
These are all beautiful Egidio and what a treat to see such a wonderful variety of wildlife around your new home 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Xenia.
eklastic
Very wonderful photos, Egido. And you’re so lucky if that happens around your house!
Here are my “best of” (maybe): https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/01/05/reluctant-favourites/
Perpetua
I love that the animals are your favourites. Happy New Year
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Perpetua. Nature keeps me going. Happy 2025!
Leanne Cole
All I ever see are birds and other people’s cats, not that I am complaining. I love what you have got Egidio, I hope 2025 sees lots more from your house.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Leanne. I appreciate your comments.
Leya
It must be fantastic to have a back yard filled with wildlife! Love your captures and their stories, Egidio. So beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Ann-Christine. I’m so blessed and thankful.
Patricia Moed
A wonderful collection of images and memories, Egidio. I love your choices: the hawk, the hummingbird and the coyote. All of them are a challenge to capture, but you did it! Have a joyful 2025, filled with plenty of beauty and inspiration.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Patti. I’m glad you liked the selections. I’m now in pursuit of some migratory ducks I saw in the pond. They are a bit elusive, though. The first shots I got were not good because the ducks were so far. I’ll keep trying.
philosophy through photography
Nature at its best.
Lovely captures!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, my friend
restlessjo
What a stunning shot of the hawk, Egidio! You are living so close to nature.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the comment, Jo. The pond does attract some interesting wildlife.
I. J. Khanewala
Beautiful photos. I’m glad in these days of simultaneous snowstorms and wildfires that you highlighted nature in your post.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for this remark, I.J. I appreciated the feedback.
Lindy Le Coq
I so agree with you Egídio, about how humans encroach upon the habitat of wildlife. When anyone complains, I always say “they were here before we were!” All three images are worthy of being the best. Cheers to you!
Egidio Leitao
Lindy, thanks a million for your support.
Albatz Travel Adventures
Wonderful having such wildlife so close to you, close enough to take a photo!
Egidio Leitao
That is so true, Elizabeth. We are enjoying our new area a lot. Thanks for the comment.
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