My Favorite Animal Photos Of 2025

For the last couple of years my wildlife photography has taken a backseat. To do this well it requires a ton of time.  I just haven’t been inspired to spend that time to make the photos lately. I still love seeing them, but if the fire is not there then the photos will not be. When I do go out it is because I am inspired so I think that I am making better photos when I do show up. You didn’t come here to read so let’s get to the list.

Eagles To Start The Year

Last year I had a great little run with the eagles to start the year. I didn’t make any great fishing photos, but I did have a couple of close encounters with them. These are two of my favorite photos from those encounters. The immature eagles are a little more likely to fly closer to me checking me out.

A Golden Crowned Kinglet

While watching the eagles this kinglet came right up to where I was in the bushes. It actually got so close at one point that I couldn’t make photos of it. When it got past my minimum focal distance again I made this photo.

Ruby In The Snow

In the past I would always start and end my wildlife year with Ruby. This year that streak came to an end. I went out to see her early in the year, but didn’t make it out at the end of the year. It just didn’t work out. I will have to visit her again when the conditions are right.

A Silly Goose

While out at the bog one day this goose came up near me and really started letting me have it. I was kneeling by the water’s edge so it came up to me. It didn’t like my spot I guess. It said it piece and then moved on.

The Pelicans Return

I didn’t go to the Celery Bog often this year. One day I decided to go, and the pelicans were there. I had a feeling that I should go out there, and it was a good feeling. I didn’t get any good feeding photos. I guess they had been there a while and the fish were dwindling. I did like these photos of the pelicans though.

Room For Two

While out at the bog these two squirrels came out of the hole on this box. They kind of checked me out for a while and let me make this photo. I have been to the bog tons of times, but this was a new photo for me.

The Palm Warbler

The Palm Warbler is my favorite bird that visits the Celery Bog. I went out to the bog this spring to try and find warblers. I didn’t find many, but I did find a couple of willing Palm Warblers for photos. This was my favorite warbler photo of the year.

An Unexpected Photo

I was on a golf course on assignment waiting for Charlie Woods to come through the hole when I saw this bird perched on a perfect limb. It was watching everyone walk by it so I had a great opportunity to make this photo. It was not a planned shoot, but a fun one nonetheless.

A Little Distraction

While in LaPorte this year I was looking for some photos that I can’t make here. At my family’s lake house the butterflies were having a good day so I grabbed my camera to make a few photos. This was my favorite of those photos.

A Swanson’s Thrush In The Backyard

This year it seems like the birds came to me at times. I was not photographing the migration and one day the backyard was full of migratory birds. I made this photo of a Swainson’s Thrush on the fence. It paused and gave me a good opportunity to make a photo before flying off with its meal.

Backlit Birds

I have made photos of Magnolia Warblers in the past. This one in my back yard really just liked hanging out in backlit spots. I went with it and made this photo. I like that it is different form what I normally make.

The Nashville Warbler Gets A Meal

I heard this warbler for days before I finally saw it. When I did see it it was a great encounter. It had a meal and looked right at me before swallowing it. I didn’t make many warbler photos this year, but when they come to you it makes sense to just go with it and make the photo.

The Carolina Wren

We have carolina wrens that hang out around the house. We hear them often, and occasionally see them. This one grabbed a meal and then hopped on the fence. I guess it was deciding where to eat it and couldn’t make up its mind. No matter where it went I really liked this moment.

Ending The Year With The Eagles

My last wildlife shoot of the year was with the eagles of the Wabash. These eagles are so much fun to watch as they fish the river. I had a great time watching the very young eagles learn to fish.

These are my favorite wildlife photos from this past year. It was not a huge pool of photos to choose from, but I really like what I made.