Ten Favorite Photos of 2010
As 2010 comes to a close, I took a look back at some of my favorite photos from this year. The highlight of the year by far was the trip my husband and I took in the spring to California. In a week we drove from Napa to Los Angeles, and I would have loved to have had more time. The scenery along the Pacific Coast Highway was simply stunning, so it’s no surprise that several of my favorites are from that trip. It was hard to narrow it down to only ten, and there isn’t really any rhyme or reason for why these photos are my favorites. There is something about each one that I love, so I hope you enjoy them all and have a wonderful 2011!
Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens, Santa Barbara, California
Sea Nettle, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California
Big Sur Coastline, California
Carmel Mission Museum, Carmel, California
Ice Plants near Pigeon Point Light Station, Pescadero, California
Harlequin Macaw, Sarasota Jungle Garden, Sarasota, Florida
Big Sur Coastline, California
Little Blue Heron, Palm Harbor, Florida
American Falls, Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls, New York
Blue and Yellow Macaw, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Sarasota, Florida
Story Behind the Photo: Sonoma Mission
Officially named the Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma after the Peruvian Saint Francis Solano, the Sonoma Mission is located in the heart of downtown Sonoma, CA. The mission is the last in the chain of the 21 historic Franciscan missions built in California. Originally founded on July 4, 1823, the only portion of the original building that remains is the corridor of founder Father Jose Altimira’s quarters. The chapel pictured here was built in 1840 by General Vallejo to be used by the townspeople of Sonoma. There is no active church in the mission today, but it is part of the Sonoma State Historic Park.
Story Behind the Photo: Carmel Mission
Officially called the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, I found the Carmel Mission to be absolutely beautiful and worth the visit if you are ever near the Monterey Peninsula. This particular view is from the front courtyard looking at the side of the museum building, which once served as the living quarters. This photo was taken on a warm spring day with many fragrant wildflowers in bloom in the courtyard making for a fabulous afternoon.
