Photo Essay: Favorite Images of 2024
My favorite photos taken from 1/1-12/31 in 2024
2024 was a growth year for me, with a lot of firsts. I still feel like an amateur in a lot of ways, in a lot of avenues of creativity I pursue, despite having been doing them since I was teen. And as far as I'm concerned, it may just always be that way. As long as I keep growing.
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This little grasshopper sparrow has a juicy caterpillar as well as multiple worms. I will always marvel at how birds can catch different prey in their bills without dropping what they already have.
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I remember sending this picture to a friend group, and one of them responded in surprise, "I didn't realize chipmunks look different there!" There are actually 21 species of chipmunks in North America, and 13 of those species are found in the United States, each with particular field marks, colors, patterns, habitats and behaviors. Two such species, the Uinta chipmunk and the least chipmunk look so similar they are very difficult to tell apart on sight. This photo is one of the two.
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I was walking through these tall grasses near Lake Ladora in Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge when the grasses parted and I caught sight of a surprisingly close herd of mule deer. I paused immediately, and this buck eyed me warily. I snapped two quick shots and then backed along the path where I had come, working my way back up to a different path to get around. I always try my best to leave the wildlife undisturbed, as should all when we go tromping around their habitats.
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I've always loved great blue herons. They always seem a little closer to dinosaurs than most birds. And yet, despite reaching a height of almost five feet and having a six and a half foot wingspan, they only weigh five to six pounds on average. I feel like in many settings, they look like wise old men, sitting and pondering the water, and this picture is no different.
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Zion National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and after visiting, I can see why. The land structures here, and in Utah overall, are stunning and a little humbling to experience. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the endangered species that can be spotted in the park, the California condor, but I think it was simply too busy, with too many people climbing up and down the hiking trails to invite the presence of wildlife. And the trip was completely worth it, without the sighting of a single bird.
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I was delighted the first time I saw an American white pelican in Colorado, unaware that these birds that I had always associated with ocean beaches are actually quite regular inhabitants of the state. They spend the warmer months in our lakes and reservoirs, before flying to the Gulf of Mexico for the winter, as seen here.
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I was blessed to visit Hawaii for the first time in 2024. The diversity of biomes and wildlife compared to Colorado was a joy. I hiked through a cloud forest and spotted several brief glimpses of many tropical birds, but the beach birds quickly became my favorite. This common myna looks very fierce, but it was mostly just curious and likely scoping for snacks near the crowds of tourists.
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While people are often drawn to the large and more eye-catching wildlife, there is often a whole world of tiny creatures waiting to be discovered. This diminutive Rocky Mountain dotted blue butterfly caught my eye because of its frosty blue color against the bright yellow, and once I had zoomed in, I knew I had to capture it and its long, striped antennae.
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I went on my first local Audubon outing this year, and had a fun time with about a dozen other birders walking a local greenbelt. At the very end of the walk, we crossed a bridge to see the great blue heron stretching its legs on a branch stretching out over the creek that runs through the greenbelt. After I got home and inspected the image more closely, the group and I discussed in an online birding group the fate of the heron's toes, which appear to have been foreshortened, perhaps by a snapping turtle or another predator.
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This year was my first time visiting several national parks, among those the Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. The experience driving up to the dunes is a bit surreal, as suddenly you are faced with mounds of sand the size of mountains. It was overcast and very chilly that day, but absolutely worth the time taken to visit.
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While I absolutely respect the artistic style of some other photographers, who spend a lot of time post-processing and poring over pixels, I take a more naturalistic approach to my photography, especially since I don't wish to misrepresent the subjects I shoot. I will occasionally correct lighting, particularly on overcast days, and crop for composition and subject, but usually I do very little else.
This photo, believe it or not, has absolutely no edits. I was delighted to see this male broad-tailed hummingbird on one of my walks, trilling and fluffing his throat feathers, and I managed to capture this shot just at the right angle that all of those feathers were gleaming. While some colors can be enhanced after the fact, this image shows just how much of an artist mother nature can be all on her own.
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The northern harrier is my great white whale. I always catch them flying at a distance but very rarely at rest or up close, and I have yet to get a satisfactory 'portrait' of one. However, I do love this photo; I managed to track the harrier with my camera, and snap a very well-timed shot between the frame of these tall grasses. It was probably half skill and half luck, but I'm still slightly delighted every time I see the sharpness of the bird in the distance with the blur of the grasses in the foreground.
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About the Creator
Erica J.
Chronic-pain sufferer just trying to be healthy and enjoy life while bird lurking and photographing nature. Purchase photo prints and read birding blogs: https://linktr.ee/erica80hd
Greenland: New Shipping Routes, Hidden Minerals – and a Frontline Between the US and Russia?
Once seen as a remote and largely isolated Arctic territory, Greenland is rapidly emerging as a focal point of global geopolitics. Climate change, melting ice, and technological advances are transforming the island into a strategic hub defined by new shipping routes, vast mineral resources, and growing rivalry between major powers, particularly the United States and Russia. As the Arctic opens up, Greenland’s geographic position and untapped potential are pushing it to the center of international attention, raising questions about security, sovereignty, and sustainable development. Melting Ice and the Opening of New Shipping Routes One of the most visible impacts of climate change in the Arctic is the reduction of sea ice, which is making previously inaccessible waters navigable for longer periods each year. New Arctic shipping routes, including passages near Greenland, promise shorter travel times between Europe, Asia, and North America. Compared to traditional routes like the Suez Canal, Arctic pathways can reduce shipping distances by thousands of kilometers, cutting fuel costs and emissions. For global trade, this could be transformative. Greenland’s coastal waters are increasingly important as potential transit corridors and support hubs for these routes. However, the expansion of Arctic shipping also raises concerns about environmental risks, maritime safety, and the lack of robust emergency infrastructure in the region. Hidden Mineral Wealth Beneath the Ice Beyond shipping, Greenland holds significant reserves of critical minerals, many of which are essential for modern technologies and the global energy transition. These include rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, uranium, and other strategic resources used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, batteries, and defense systems. As demand for these materials grows, Greenland is being viewed as a potential alternative to existing supply chains dominated by a small number of countries. This has increased interest from Western governments seeking to diversify mineral sourcing and reduce strategic dependencies. However, mining in Greenland is controversial. Local communities and policymakers must balance economic opportunities with environmental protection and cultural preservation. Greenland’s harsh climate and fragile ecosystems make resource extraction both technically challenging and politically sensitive. The United States’ Strategic Interest in Greenland The United States has long considered Greenland strategically vital, largely due to its location between North America and Europe. The US already maintains a military presence at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), which plays a key role in missile warning systems and space surveillance. In recent years, Washington has renewed its focus on Greenland, emphasizing Arctic security, infrastructure investment, and cooperation with Denmark, which oversees Greenland’s foreign and defense policy. US interest is driven by several factors: protecting transatlantic security routes, countering rival powers in the Arctic, and ensuring access to critical minerals. Greenland is increasingly viewed as a frontline in maintaining Western influence in the High North. Russia’s Arctic Ambitions Russia, meanwhile, sees the Arctic as central to its economic and military strategy. It has invested heavily in Arctic military bases, icebreaker fleets, and energy projects, particularly along its northern coastline. Although Greenland is geographically distant from Russia’s main Arctic territories, Moscow closely monitors developments there. The island’s proximity to key Arctic sea lanes and North Atlantic routes makes it strategically relevant in any broader confrontation between Russia and NATO. As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, Greenland’s location places it near the intersection of competing security interests, increasing its geopolitical significance. Greenland Between Global Powers The growing attention from major powers puts Greenland in a delicate position. While the island seeks greater economic independence and development, it must navigate complex relationships with Denmark, the United States, and other international actors. Greenland’s government has emphasized the importance of maintaining control over its resources and ensuring that development benefits local populations. At the same time, geopolitical competition risks turning Greenland into a strategic chessboard rather than a partner in decision-making. This balancing act is becoming more difficult as Arctic competition intensifies. Environmental and Social Challenges Greenland is on the front lines of climate change. Melting ice sheets contribute to global sea-level rise, while local communities face changes to traditional livelihoods such as fishing and hunting. The expansion of shipping and mining could bring jobs and infrastructure, but it also threatens fragile ecosystems and raises concerns about pollution, habitat disruption, and long-term sustainability. Any future development in Greenland will require careful regulation, international cooperation, and meaningful engagement
By Aarif Lashari4 days ago in Earth
Top Australian Writers’ Festival Cancelled After Palestinian Author Barred
One of Australia’s most respected literary festivals has been cancelled following a fierce backlash over the decision to bar a Palestinian author from participating. What began as a programming dispute quickly escalated into a national debate about free speech, cultural inclusion, and political pressure in the arts. The cancellation has sent shockwaves through Australia’s literary community, raising urgent questions about whose voices are allowed on public platforms and at what cost.
By Aarif Lashari5 days ago in Earth
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