For most of us, 2021 was a year we anticipated with some measure of both dread and hope, leaving us at times feeling like we were in limbo because of the continued severity of the COVID pandemic and unanticipated consequences of it.  But as the year progressed from winter into spring and then summer, and as more people got vaccinated, there was a wellspring of excitement that the world could and would emerge with new knowledge and good health, leaving the pandemic behind.  

An incredible amount of information has been gleaned by scientists, epidemiologists, and doctors from the two years of COVID, and for that, I am grateful.  There is still much to be discovered not only about the virus and its variants but about our world and human behavior.  It is a time to look back on the year and jog our memories.  For artists and photographers, it is an excellent time to take stock of the work we have done, and ponder why and how we did it, and curate our collections.  In that light, I have selected some photographs that gave me and still give me joy on some level, either through the subject matter or the process or both.  

January brought a dusting of snow and a feather to use for a still life.

In February, Fred began work on entering the Selvedge Magazine World Fair, and we did a photo shoot for that in March.  One of the sample photographs was of the appliqué he wove and attached to the back of a vest.

I liked the range of color and light in this image.  

The simple and complex beauty of a single flowering fruit tree branch against a stuccoed wall has given me joy since I downloaded it into the computer.

There is nothing like a spring wedding to bring out the creative juices in me.

Summer brought the curve billed thrashers back to their favorite cholla cactus for nesting.  First came the eggs...

...followed by the total chaos of nesting chicks.  Pure fun to watch.

The paintbrush on the prairie north of Las Vegas gave quite the show in July.

And autumn of 2021 was splendid.  Regardless of tone or intensity of color, the aspen tugged at my heartstrings.

Thanks to Christina, TTT, Wayne, Connie, Catherine, Lisa, Orlando, Barbara, Jean & Sam, Steve, Dianne, Victoria, Geula, and Lena for commenting this week, and to everyone who follows my blog!  May 2022 bring new spirit, life, and joy to all of you!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©