# 2020 Favorites **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** weekly-challenge\ **Created:** [December 16, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714 "2020-12-16T22:59:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/1 "2020-12-16T22:59:02Z")
### Description: I’ve approached this from a slightly different point of view. since this was 2020 favorites, not 2020 best, I looked at them partly as the experience I had when photographing them. ### Specific Feedback Requested: ### Pertinent technical details or techniques: Is this a composite? No. In chronological order: #1. Western Meadowlark. Not a classical singing pose, but a unique experience. It was a very windy day at a N. Cal. wildlife refuge and a lot of meadowlarks were hanging out on a raised berm at car window level and weren’t inclined to leave. ![-20200204-_7D27647-Sacramento NWR-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/5/e525f0fc0272a7a2ad18219be44a4ee860adf6d8.jpeg) # 2 Black Phoebe. Taken shortly after the above, but I like this for the composition and the background. ![-20200204-_7D28000-Sacramento NWR-Edit-Edit-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/7/0/701f901a71a6671b24e6410ce635a2eaaf0001ae.jpeg) #3 Sharp-shinned Hawk. A generous juvenile that gave me lots of opportunities this spring. This expression combined with the rain appealed to me. ![-20200512-_SNY9547-Sharpie-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/4/2/425c48bce96f2a947da1e0346fb34f2a314747f9.jpeg) #4 Purple Finches. I had a lot of fun observing the interactions of birds on my drips this summer. This image seemed to sum up the relationships. ![-20200531-_SNY4958-Home-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/9/69a7fc2139b062e49b001f0153fa1bacb46638d6.jpeg) #5. Pacific Slope Flycatcher. Here mostly because it was a new species for me and for my pools. It’s also cute and bathed in exactly the same way as the Willow Flycatcher (bounce in and out in a 10th of a second). ![-20200703-_7D24680-Bluebirds and Copse-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/e/7/e7f17d2117d64098c9262333f7f42f192c1e5527.jpeg) #6 Pacific Jumping Mouse. An unexpected visitor at my pools, though I knew we had them around. I really liked the choice of location it picked to come in for a very quick drink. ![-20200710-_7D25956-Copse-Edit-Edit-2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/5/a54ce3a1100b3fccac5a8cbb7adbd8f8ad3d6722.jpeg) #7 Sumatran Tiger (captive). In a break between Covid lockdowns, my wife and I took a trip to the Port Defiance Zoo. The habitat area for this tiger was separated from viewers only by a wide/deep moat. There was also a female in heat not too far off which kept this guy very active. It was a great break from our routines. ![-20200921-5DIM8484-Zoo-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/9/7/97451ee43bf630231125ded5f0d8f3a371dd22fc.jpeg) #8 Dark-eyed Junco. This one is all about the expression. ![-20201111-_SNY8856-Copse-Edit-2](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/d/fde2dae560b1666ad99787cf918f527e884fbc4f.jpeg) #9 American Bittern. Largely because it’s so rare to find them out in the open like this, but with such great habitat behind one. ![-20201120-_SNY9327-Ridgefield-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/b/5/b573906ae410a2b20bf56c9097759588f4800770.jpeg) #10 Northern Harrier and Sandhill Crane. Not a good photograph technically, but The interaction makes me like this image a lot. I have no clue what this Harrier thought she was doing. ![-20201203-_SNY1377-Ridgefield-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/7/875130aaac28b5be4b40b8b2fabc48eee7f2f805.jpeg) ###### If you would like your image to be eligible for a feature on the NPN Instagram (@NaturePhotoNet), add the tag ‘ig’ and leave your Instagram username below. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Kennedy](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/steve_kennedy/32/55050_2.png) [@Steve\_Kennedy](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Steve_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/2 "2020-12-17T00:05:05Z")
These are all beautiful photos Dennis! Glad the year is almost over. Hoping 2021 brings better health and less anger to the world! ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Kearl](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dan_kearl/32/6715_2.png) [@Dan\_Kearl](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dan_Kearl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/3 "2020-12-17T00:40:44Z")
That is a Fine years collection…Flycatcher and Phoebe standouts for me. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Seaver](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/mark_seaver/32/231_2.png) [@Mark\_Seaver](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Mark_Seaver)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/4 "2020-12-17T13:10:47Z")
Dennis, this is a fine collection of critter shots showing a fascinating collection of behaviors. The Junco looks to be giving you “what for”! ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Lowe](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@Ed\_Lowe](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ed_Lowe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 4:45am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/5 "2020-12-19T04:45:32Z")
Dennis, All of these are wonderful images, but my favorites are #3 of the Sharp-shinned Hawk and #8 of the Dark-eyed Junco as the expressions of the two birds are priceless. Very nicely done! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Minish](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/gary_minish/32/525_2.png) [@Gary\_Minish](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Gary_Minish)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/6 "2020-12-19T04:47:33Z")
All excellent photos, Dennis! I got a kick out of the expressions on the hawk and the junco but my favorite of the birds is the Purple Finches with one of them drinking from a water droplet. My favorite of the bunch though is the mouse! I rarely see photos of a mouse in a natural type of environment and you captured this one in just the right place. ---
**Author:** ![linda\_mellor](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/linda_mellor/32/15806_2.png) [@linda\_mellor](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/linda_mellor)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/7 "2020-12-19T18:39:57Z")
Wonderful photos, Dennis, and sounds like great memories of fun times. My personal favorites are #4 the Purple Finches (mostly for the great action you’ve captured) and #8 the dark-eyed Junco - the expression is fabulous! Great photos and wonderful year. ---
**Author:** ![Ola\_Jovall](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Ola\_Jovall](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Ola_Jovall)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2020, 11:03am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/8 "2020-12-21T11:03:48Z")
A very fine collection Dennis. I like the way that you capture the mood of each of the creatures. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_Stanton](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/stephen_stanton/32/575_2.png) [@Stephen\_Stanton](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Stephen_Stanton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/2020-favorites/18714/9 "2020-12-22T02:06:04Z")
Love seeing your bird photos, Dennis. You have a great 2020 collection. The Bittern with its feather camouflage is a great image. And love to see the scolding Junco again. Flycatcher is a favorite . Good hunting in 2021!