[GaliWalker]

Time for the annual SINGLE best photo you took thread for 2015. Previous years' threads here: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014. To reiterate, the rules are that you decide the criteria for why it's your best, technically or otherwise. Please let us know that reason.

[GaliWalker]

I was able to take more wildlife photos in 2015 than I've take in prior years. While these didn't feature the most exotic wildlife around, they were better pictures of this type than any I'd taken previously, so I was quite happy. I'd begun to think I'd never manage to get the hang of wildlife photography; the small step forward that I took in 2015 was most encouraging.

Elk in the Smokies

The photo above was taken in Cataloochee Valley, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I had scheduled an entire day to observe the elk. It was October and the time of the rut. Watching the testosterone fueled antics of the males was awesome, though one had to be careful to not get too close. Surprisingly, my favorite photo from the day (above) was taken from the car. I was driving away from the valley when I saw this elk basking in the sun. I rolled the window halfway down to use it as a rest for my 400mm lens and took the picture. My favorite part of the photo is the sprinkling of little scintillating motes surrounding the elk, created by sunlight hitting some flies.

[trinityalps]

This is a good idea for a thread.

[teds]

Great shots so far... Choosing just one is hard! Snagged this guy a few weeks ago on a trip up the Icefields Parkway just outside Banff.

Frozen Bow Lake & Crowfoot Mountain

[cascadedy]

Sahale Arm's first fresh snow of the season

[Jim Dockery]

north from mt. Pugh

After a great sunset-rise on the summit (which I had to myself) I got this view on the descent. I thought the clouds were socked in for good, but an opening to the east put this dramatic light onto Whitechuck and Baker for just a couple minutes. Handheld pano, 55mm on A7r2, converted to B&W with Silver fx pro. Yes, I did get a bit wet on the way down, but it was well worth it.

[Randito]

Not a great photo, but one I'm happy about -- identical twin granddaughters

[The Angry Hiker]

A bland color photo turned out pretty good in B&W.

Mason Lake 4/11/15

[RichardJ]

Great view from the PCT of Chikamin, the Lemahs, Chimney Rock. In this photo you can see the falls above Glacier Lake. I was here in early June when the wildflowers were still blooming and the many creeks and streams still had lots of water. Some of the best memories of 2015 were here.

Some of the Stone Kingdom and Glacier Lake

[joker]

I don't really have a fave from this past year, but here's one I like well enough that happens to already be posted online...

feb 2015 nw cascades ski trip-13

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[Kenji]

A bit grainy and not much color, but I like its painting feel and it reminds me of the end of my last hiking season.

Wing Lake in the North Cascades

[Bedivere]

I honestly think this is my favorite of the year just because of the subject matter. Unfortunately the focus is slightly off. Not every day you see something like this. I call it "Ambition."

DSC_5838

[silence]

Our first trip together to Colorado (after 46 years of marriage). I have better, but this is especially sweet because it's Robert hiking back down from 11,800' after his heart attack 3 months earlier while we were in Glacier Bay, Alaska (also our first time to Alaska).

Blue Lakes Trail

[gb]

[Backpacker Joe]

I didnt get out much, so not many pics. I did have a nice trip into the Olys.

Moose lake