Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:19 am 
I started off with my best twenty picks, then it became a little painful narrowing it down to the images that have the most impact on me at first glance and which lingered after a long while. So taking a deep birthday breath....THE HONORABLE MENTIONS, IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
Bartosz' image evokes medieval fantasies of a whimsical nature...I half expect a Hobbit to drop in or a dragon to be sleeping peacefully nearby (chewing on grass). Had there been an Alice looking lass running about looking for a Mad Hatter, I would have moved this to a runner up easily.
Carol's squid of bright and striking translucence makes me think of the deep and what strange wonderful creatures lurk within the abyss, if we have but the ability to swim after them.
Arthur, your night capture of Bradfield Park is simply stunning when viewed on a large scale.
Bsam, I was torn between two of your photos. In the end, I had to let go of the rest and pick this one for its vibrancy and composition that makes me wish I was there shooting with you. Definitely a breathtaking capture.
FOURTH PLACE
Stuart, this plane about to land sends me, "whoaaah!" each time I look at it. I can imagine hearts pumping among beachgoers each time a plane comes in this close. An adrenalin rush both in reality and in the image captured.
THIRD PLACE
Mike, leading lines to an ominous storm front gives a tension to your image. It becomes a dangerous beauty, and I anticipate the force of nature that happens next. The yellow and gray combination is striking and foreboding.
SECOND PLACE
Jean, this photo strikes me on a personal note because I have been a flood victim and survived. So any rush of powerful waters will really affect me. If I didn't know any better that this place is a tourist attraction and is in a controlled environment, I would be praying for the safety of these people now. It is quite a powerful image of nature against man.
FIRST PLACE
William (pajamacat), about your photo. In all its stark simplicity in composition, monotone, and forlorn stance, your tree overwhelms me at a glance because it makes me wonder how long it has stood the ravages of time that it has to grow where the forces of nature compels it to. In its sad yet unbalanced state of probably keeling in the next few years, its sturdy trunk and gathering of fierce roots below tells me it will survive long after we have passed our lifetime.
Again, thank you for making my choice theme a memorable one, and William, best of luck to you next. Now let me celebrate my birthday, okay?
