I love looking back on my year via all of the photos I've taken (there's a lot) and it can be really hard to pick favorites. But in this post I want to choose one photo from every month and compile a top 12. I hope you enjoyed following me along through the 2025 year, and stick around and see what's to come in 2026!
For January, I have this Bald Eagle taking flight from a dead tree. This is one of the better in flight shots I've ever taken, and it really looks so majestic and beautiful. February brings this adorable White-breasted Nuthatch, perching vertically on a tree and keeping an eye out for intruders. The inquisitive nature of Nuthatch is always such a delight.
Bald Eagle, White-breasted Nuthatch
March goes to this absolutely stunning Cooper's Hawk. This was a shot I had been wanting to get for a while and it turned out superb. This hawk and its partner nested right near where I took this and hatched out 3-4 little hawk chicks later in the season. April was a tough pick, but it has to go to the Ring-necked Pheasant. This is one of my nemesis birds, and to get this shot felt like such a triumph to me, earning it one of my favorites of the year.
Cooper's Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant
My favorite for May is a no brainer, although I did take a TON of amazing photos in this month. I had never seen an owl before, and while vacationing in California, this Great-horned Owl swooped down right in front of me. I could not believe my eyes and almost brushed it off as just being a hawk. What an amazing bird! One of my goals for 2025 was to attract Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to my yard. And in the month of June, I achieved just that! I had the best time photographing them all summer long, and can't wait to do it again this year!
Great-horned Owl, Ruby-throated Hummingbird
July didn't bring me a lot of birds, but it did bring me this hilarious cow. Driving down a dirt road, I noticed her flailing her head around and just had to stop and watch. I didn't realize she had a plastic bottle at first, but this girl was just having an absolute blast playing with it. I got some really adorable shots and really enjoyed this moment. Remember the hawk I mentioned in March? This is one of its children! August meant learning how to hunt for these fledgling Cooper's Hawks. I got a lot of really amazing footage of these babies, as they used my front yard as a frequent hunting ground. Much to my dismay!
Holstein(?) Cow, Cooper's Hawk
I love photographing butterflies, and September delivered them in the best way. Migrating butterflies need to eat lots of nectar for the journey, and this Aster bush was COVERED in them ! I was able to get so many insanely beautiful inflight shots of these amazing creatures. This is one of my all time favorites! I don't think anything sets the mood for spooky month better than an American Crow. October is one of my favorite months of the year, and I was able to snag this beautiful moody photo just in time for Halloween.
Monarch Butterfly, American Crow
Squirrels are always so much fun to shoot, and I found this beauty perfectly posed in the most beautiful fall setting. The colors here are so buttery and soft, and I just really love how this came out. December was a slow month and I really didn't find a lot to take photos of. Until I saw this horse, warming in the sun. I knew this was going to be my favorite thing I found. Horses are one of my favorite animals and this shot came out beautifully.
Eastern Fox Squirrel, Horse
I need to make more of an effort to post here on the blog. I found it very difficult to find things to talk about when I really couldn't find things to take photos of. I have a lot of really cool plans for this upcoming year however, and I'm really excited to share them soon. So please stick with me, I promise there will be a lot to see this year!
