2022 was a wonderful year in so many ways for me. But photography was not at the top of the list. So I have more plans and ambitions for 2023. In the meantime, here is my personal thirteen favorites for the year that was. (It was supposed to be twelve, but . . . .)
Textured Trees. Hawaii was so green and so beautiful. Taken at the McBryde Gardens in Kauai, Hawaii (September 30, 2022)On the bus. Photos taken from the car rarely work, but we were next to a bus and the light was just right. People wore masks on public transit even when they were no longer wearing them anywhere else Taken in Chicago on a bus route. (September 18, 2022)Family Pride. Ottawa, Illinois held their first Pride event this summer, and the drag story hour and drag show were the biggest hits. There were so many families and the event was wonderful and inclusive, but it was held before all the right wing hate attacks. Taken in Ottawa, Illinois (June 11, 2022)Laundry on Lawrence Ave. I am sure that I have taken more photos on Lawrence Ave. than anywhere else, although that was not so true in 2022. Still I needed at least one here. Taken on Lawrence Ave and Lawndale in Chicago (January 29, 2022)Fight for Our Future. We waited out the rain and celebrated Earth Day with a small rally. Taken in Federal Plaza at Dearborn and Jackson in Chicago (April 22, 2022).Reading on the EL. Taken on the Brown Line returning from a ride on the Holiday train. (December 3, 2022).Not a good work day. Taken on Lawrence Ave and Central Park. (November 25, 2022).Dressed for the weather. Taken on Central Park and Anslie in Chicago (January 23, 2022).Balanced at the Lake. Montrose Point is a great place to watch birds and people. Taken on the pier at Montrose Point in Chicago (August 21, 2022).Riding the Holiday Train. I lived in Chicago for many years, but only in the past few learned about the holiday train. When I asked this CTA elf what his job was the rest of the year - he told me it was making toys of course! For a few weekends before Christmas, CTA workers become elves and CTA riders get candy canes and Christmas music. Taken on the Blue Line in Chicago (November 25, 2022).Celebrating Pride. I took many photos at Pride events this year. This is the one that I though best captures Pride. Taken at Ottawa Pride Fest in Ottawa, Illinois (June 11, 2022)Birds, so many birds. I don't take many good bird photos even through Mony is always asking - did you get that? Every once in a while the bird cooperates and the light is good enough. This is a Iiwi, a honeycreeper found only at certain elevations in Hawaii. Taken in Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii (October 6, 2022)Defending Our Rights. This year the Supreme Court denied us our right to choose what happens with our own bodies - guns have more rights. There were many protests, marches and rallies. I focused on leading the safety marshals at all that I could attend, so there are not so many photos. This was a small march and rally in Naperville led by high school and college aged women. They are the future - and we are leaving them with fewer rights and more crises than we faced. Taken at the Jefferson Lawn at North Central College on South Brainard Street in Naperville, Illinois (October 21, 2022).