Best of 2012

 At the end of each year I like to go through my photographs and choose the best ones or at least the ones that mean the most to me. These images do not include my favorites from this last year in Rocky Mountain National Park. That list can be found here. These images represent a 10 day trip to the United Kingdom to visit family, a one week trip to the Desert Southwest and a one week trip to the Pacific Northwest. The rest of the year was spent shooting Rocky Mountain National Park which is my primary focus.

Following a rain storm the sun came out briefly creating a wonderful rainbow beside Smeaton's Tower, an old lighthouse along...
Lighthouse Rainbow

Following a rain storm the sun came out briefly creating a wonderful rainbow beside Smeaton's Tower, an old lighthouse along Hoe Park in Plymouth, England.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

A lone pine tree hides amongst the aspen below an imposing rock formation at Silverjack near Ridgway, Colorado.
Mythical Autumn

A lone pine tree hides amongst the aspen below an imposing rock formation at Silverjack near Ridgway, Colorado.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

This bridge sits on the trail to Deer Lake not far from the Sol Duc River in Olympic National Park. A coat of fresh snow helped...
Bridge to the Wild

This bridge sits on the trail to Deer Lake not far from the Sol Duc River in Olympic National Park. A coat of fresh snow helped add to the scene.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

South Falls in Silver Falls State Park is a spectacular place, particularly when the leaves take on their autumn color.
Elegant October

South Falls in Silver Falls State Park is a spectacular place, particularly when the leaves take on their autumn color.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

A fresh coat of snow covered the trees of the rainforest near Sol Duc in Olympic National Park on this October morning.
Forest Fresh

A fresh coat of snow covered the trees of the rainforest near Sol Duc in Olympic National Park on this October morning.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

As as storm passes by Smeaton's Tower, a lighthouse in Plymouth England stands proudly, undaunted by the storm's threats.
Lighthouse Storm

As as storm passes by Smeaton's Tower, a lighthouse in Plymouth England stands proudly, undaunted by the storm's threats.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

I've seen many views of this iconic mountain and really wanted to find a different view that hadn't been photographed before....
The Observer

I've seen many views of this iconic mountain and really wanted to find a different view that hadn't been photographed before. It took a little searching but I'm happy with the results. This is the Watchman in Zion National Park with the Virgin River bubbling below it on a beautiful spring evening.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

These two bushes perched on a ledge in Buckskin Gulch seemed to be placed here waiting to be photographed. The gentle afternoon...
Buckskin Bush

These two bushes perched on a ledge in Buckskin Gulch seemed to be placed here waiting to be photographed. The gentle afternoon light in the canyon was perfect for capturing their portrait.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

A surprise snowstorm covered the top of the trees in the Sol Duc rainforest of Olympic National Park. This scene shows the wonderful...
Rainforest Transition

A surprise snowstorm covered the top of the trees in the Sol Duc rainforest of Olympic National Park. This scene shows the wonderful transition from lush green to brilliant white. This is an image which needs to be printed large to truly enjoy. It is one that I would like to have printed very large and put in my office so that I could re-visit this amazing scene each day. In fact, I think this one has to be seen very large to truly be appreciated.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park is certainly one of my favorite locations in the entire park. On this evening the sky was...
Rialto Break

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park is certainly one of my favorite locations in the entire park. On this evening the sky was overcast as a storm began rolling in. It seemed to be the perfect conditions for a bit of black and white photography.
Photo © copyright by Erik Stensland.