Photo of the Year

by on December 30, 2013
Morning-glory Plume Moth
Morning-glory Plume Moth
Emmelina monodactyla, Pterophoridae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
October 4, 2013

Well I went back through the 52 photos of the week for 2013 and picked out my favourite image of the year. I think I have taken some of my best shots this year so there were lots of serious contenders. The combination of a great subject, an interesting angle, great symmetry, and my best macro lighting yet clinched the win for this image of a Morning-glory Plume Moth. I talk more about the moth in the original post. I liked the photo so much I gave my parents a 2 foot wide print for Christmas.

Some notable runners up include my favorite bird shot of the year, showing a pair of Black Oystercatchers and my favourite non-nature shot, showing the redeveloped Woodward’s Building in Gastown, Vancouver. You can see a slideshow of all of my photos of the week from 2013 below.

<p>Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8<br /> December 30, 2012</p>

Foggy Sunrise

Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
December 30, 2012

<p>Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> January 12, 2013</p>

Woodward's Building

Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
January 12, 2013

<p><i>Cygnus olor</i>, Anserinae<br /> Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> January 13, 2013</p>

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor, Anserinae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 13, 2013

<p><i>Larus glaucescens</i>, Laridae<br /> Sidney, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> January 27, 2013</p>

Glaucous-winged Gull

Larus glaucescens, Laridae
Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 27, 2013

<p><i>Haematopus bachmani</i>, Haematopodidae<br /> Sidney, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> January 27, 2013</p>

Black Oystercatchers

Haematopus bachmani, Haematopodidae
Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
January 27, 2013

<p>Squamish, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> February 2, 2013</p>

Squamish Sunset

Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
February 2, 2013

<p><i>Corvus caurinus</i>, Corvidae<br /> Boundary Bay Dyke Trail, Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> February 16, 2013</p>

Northwestern Crow

Corvus caurinus, Corvidae
Boundary Bay Dyke Trail, Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 16, 2013

<p><i>Cygnus buccinator</i>, Anatidae<br /> Ladner Trunk Rd &amp; 104th St, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> February 16, 2013</p>

Trumpeter Swan

Cygnus buccinator, Anatidae
Ladner Trunk Rd & 104th St, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 16, 2013

<p><i>Grus canadensis</i>, Gruidae<br /> George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> February 17, 2013</p>

Sandhill Crane

Grus canadensis, Gruidae
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
February 17, 2013

<p>Burnaby Mountain Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> July 5, 2012</p>

Skyline Shade Tree

Burnaby Mountain Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 5, 2012

<p><i>Arbutus menziesii</i>, Ericaceae<br /> Klootchman Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> March 3, 2013</p>

Arbutus

Arbutus menziesii, Ericaceae
Klootchman Park, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
March 3, 2013

<p>New Brighton Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> March 10, 2013</p>

Second Narrows

New Brighton Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
March 10, 2013

<p><i>Lysichiton americanus</i>, Araceae<br /> Burnaby Lake Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> March 23, 2013</p>

Western Skunk Cabbage

Lysichiton americanus, Araceae
Burnaby Lake Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
March 23, 2013

<p><i>Magnolia sprengeri</i> 'Copeland Court', Magnoliaceae<br /> Lyndhurst, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> April 1, 2013</p>

Sprenger's Magnolia

Magnolia sprengeri 'Copeland Court', Magnoliaceae
Lyndhurst, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
April 1, 2013

<p><i>Thamnophis sirtalis</i>, Colubridae<br /> Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> April 1, 2013</p>

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis, Colubridae
Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
April 1, 2013

<p>Camosun Bog, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> April 13, 2013</p>

Mossy Stump

Camosun Bog, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
April 13, 2013

<p>Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8<br /> April 14, 2013</p>

Sara's New Dress

Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
April 14, 2013

<p><i>Armadillidium vulgare</i>, Armadillidiidae<br /> Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> April 28, 2013</p>

Common Pillbug

Armadillidium vulgare, Armadillidiidae
Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
April 28, 2013

<p><i>Zootermopsis angusticollis</i>, Termopsidae<br /> Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> May 5, 2013</p>

Pacific Dampwood Termite

Zootermopsis angusticollis, Termopsidae
Maplewood Conservation Area, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
May 5, 2013

<p><i>Calidris mauri</i>, Scolopacidae<br /> Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> May 10, 2013</p>

Western Sandpiper

Calidris mauri, Scolopacidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 10, 2013

<p><i>Tachycineta thalassina</i>, Hirundinidae<br /> Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> May 19, 2013</p>

Violet-green Swallow

Tachycineta thalassina, Hirundinidae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Iris pseudacorus</i>, Iridaceae<br /> Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> May 19, 2013</p>

Pale Yellow Iris

Iris pseudacorus, Iridaceae
Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 19, 2013

<p><i>Cinclus mexicanus</i>, Cinclidae<br /> Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> June 7, 2013</p>

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus, Cinclidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 7, 2013

<p><i>Plectrura spinicauda</i>, Cerambycidae<br /> Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> June 8, 2013</p>

Flat-faced Longhorn Beetle

Plectrura spinicauda, Cerambycidae
Hicks Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 8, 2013

<p><i>Bombus</i> sp., Apidae<br /> Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> June 16, 2013</p>

Bumble Bee Drone

Bombus sp., Apidae
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 16, 2013

<p>Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> June 26, 2013</p>

Port Mann Bridge

Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 26, 2013

<p><i>Libellula quadrimaculata</i>, Libellulidae<br /> Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> June 30, 2013</p>

Four-spotted Skimmer

Libellula quadrimaculata, Libellulidae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
June 30, 2013

<p><i>Hexagenia</i> sp., Ephemeridae<br /> Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> June 30, 2013</p>

Mayfly Subimago

Hexagenia sp., Ephemeridae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
June 30, 2013

<p><i>Pachydiplax longipennis</i>, Libellulidae<br /> Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> July 13, 2013</p>

Male Blue Dasher

Pachydiplax longipennis, Libellulidae
Grant Narrows, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 13, 2013

<p><i>Rhododendron albiflorum</i>, Ericaceae<br /> Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> July 14, 2013</p>

White Rhododendron

Rhododendron albiflorum, Ericaceae
Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
July 14, 2013

<p><i>Rhionaeschna multicolor</i>, Aeshnidae<br /> Surrey Lake Park, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> August 3, 2013</p>

Blue-eyed Darner

Rhionaeschna multicolor, Aeshnidae
Surrey Lake Park, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
August 3, 2013

<p><i>Veratrum viride</i>, Melanthiaceae<br /> Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> August 5, 2013</p>

Indian Hellebore

Veratrum viride, Melanthiaceae
Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
August 5, 2013

<p><i>Forficula auricularia</i>, Forficulidae<br /> Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> August 16, 2013</p>

Common Earwig

Forficula auricularia, Forficulidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 16, 2013

<p><i>Lythrum salicaria</i>, Lythraceae<br /> Burnaby Lake Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> August 17, 2013</p>

Purple loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria, Lythraceae
Burnaby Lake Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
August 17, 2013

<p>Boundary Bay Dyke Trail, Delta, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> August 22, 2013</p>

Boundary Bay Sunset

Boundary Bay Dyke Trail, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
August 22, 2013

<p><i>Euschistus conspersus</i>, Pentatomidae<br /> Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> August 30, 2013</p>

Consperse Stink Bug

Euschistus conspersus, Pentatomidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 30, 2013

<p><i>Pollicipes polymerus</i>, Pollicipedidae<br /> Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> September 10, 2013</p>

Gooseneck Barnacle

Pollicipes polymerus, Pollicipedidae
Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
September 10, 2013

<p>Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> September 16, 2013</p>

Hydralisk

Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
September 16, 2013

<p><i>Cucurbita pepo</i> var. <i>pepo</i>, Cucurbitaceae<br /> UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8<br /> September 23, 2013</p>

Pumpkin Patch

Cucurbita pepo var. pepo, Cucurbitaceae
UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
September 23, 2013

<p><i>Emmelina monodactyla</i>, Pterophoridae<br /> Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> October 4, 2013</p>

Morning-glory Plume Moth

Emmelina monodactyla, Pterophoridae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
October 4, 2013

<p><i>Achillea filipendulina</i>, Asteraceae<br /> Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> October 5, 2013</p>

Fernleaf Yarrow

Achillea filipendulina, Asteraceae
Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 5, 2013

<p>Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> October 6, 2013</p>

Cranberry Bog

Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 6, 2013

<p><i>Epilobium angustifolium</i>, Onagraceae<br /> Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> October 20, 2013</p>

Flaming Fall Fireweed Foliage

Epilobium angustifolium, Onagraceae
Colony Farm Regional Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
October 20, 2013

<p>Cameron Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8<br /> October 25, 2013</p>

Cape Adventures

Cameron Park, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 35 mm f/1.8
October 25, 2013

<p>Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> July 8, 2012</p>

Mount Edith Cavell

Whistlers, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
July 8, 2012

<p><i>Regulus satrapa</i>, Regulidae<br /> Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> November 14, 2013</p>

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa, Regulidae
Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
November 14, 2013

<p><i>Aquilegia vulgaris</i>, Ranunculaceae<br /> Hyas Lake, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6<br /> July 7, 2012</p>

European Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris, Ranunculaceae
Hyas Lake, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
July 7, 2012

<p><i>Pholcus phalangioides</i>, Pholcidae<br /> Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> November 27, 2013</p>

Female Long-bodied Cellar Spider

Pholcus phalangioides, Pholcidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
November 27, 2013

<p>Lacombe, Alberta, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6<br /> May 13, 2012</p>

On Alert

Lacombe, Alberta, Canada
Nikon D5100, 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6
May 13, 2012

<p><i>Harmonia axyridis</i>, Coccinellidae<br /> Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br /> Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br /> December 14, 2013</p>

Multicolored Asian Ladybug

Harmonia axyridis, Coccinellidae
Cameron, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
December 14, 2013

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I’m a research scientist at the University of Washington. My research deals with the visual ecology of insects, such as butterflies, mosquitoes and other biting flies.