This year marked the return of my posting here at Views Infinitum after a long hiatus. While I did not post a lot I would like to share my favorite photos from 2018 as we turn the page to 2019. As in the past, they are in chronological order. I leave it up to you to select your favorites from the list. Click the links to visit the original blog post for each photograph.
June saw my first blog post of 2018 and the first since January of 2017 which was my “Best of” for 2016 ironically. I knew I would need something special to get me back blogging and a trip up to Oswego, New York for a sunset was it.

Sunset taken from Fort Ontario Park of the Oswego Harbor in Oswego, New York on Saturday, June 9, 2018.
I attended and photographed the annual All Ford Cruise In which featured Ford automobiles and trucks going back as far as 1917. My favorites though are the Mustangs including this beautiful 2014 Shelby GT500.

2014 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang checking in to the All Ford Cruise In and Swap Meet at Longbranch Park near Liverpool, New York on Sunday, June 10, 2018. Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/160s, f/8, ISO 100, EV 0, 100mm Focal Length.
The New York State Chinese Lantern Festival came back to the NYS Fairgrounds after an absence due to construction the year before. I packed up my tripod and enjoyed an evening of long exposures and capturing Blue Hour above the brightly colored and large lantern displays.

A Blue Whale of the New York State Chinese Lantern Festival at the NYS Fairgrounds near Syracuse, New York on Friday, June 22, 2018. Nikon D750/16-35VR, 3s, f/16, ISO 100, EV 0, 22mm Focal Length, Tripod.
I have done very little wildlife photography over the last three years which is why it felt so good to visit the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York again last summer.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Nikon D500/80-400VRII, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 125, EV 0, 340mm (510mm DX) Focal Length.
Another annual event I have missed over the last couple of years was the big Syracuse Nationals car show. This year I featured some HOT cars including this UPS Delivery Truck.

United Parcel Service (UPS) Delivery Truck painted with flames was parked outside the Syracuse Nationals Hot Rod and Muscle Car Show at the New York State Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 21, 2018.
As the summer calendar turned from July to August, I wanted to get out and practice some landscape photography. I immediately planned a trip to my favorite New York State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park near Ithaca. Upon arrival I found out many, many other people had done the same thing. I decided they would assist me.

Tourists at the lookout platform at the end of the Gorge Trail in Taughannock Falls State Park near Ithaca, New York on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/25s, f/16, ISO 100, EV 0, 24mm Focal Length, Skylum Intensify CK.
Soon after, my wife and I traveled to the state of Washington for our big 35th Anniversary trip. The first couple of days we explored the city of Seattle and I was not to be denied photographing from Kerry Park with a view of Seattle’s unique cityscape.

Cityscape of Seattle, Washington from Kerry Park on Sunday, August, 12, 2018. Nikon D750/24-120VR, 30s, f/13, ISO 100, EV 0, 66mm Focal Length, Tripod.
From Seattle, we drove over to a place I visited some 37 years earlier as an intern for the National Park Service: Olympic National Park. Over the next 12 days we visited Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach.

Couple at the Hurricane Ridge overlook of the Olympic Mountain range in Olympic National Park near Port Angeles, Washington on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 160, EV 0, 24mm Focal Length.

Hall of Mosses Trail in the Hoh Rain Forest of Olympic National Park near Forks, Washington on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/3s, f/16, ISO 100, 16mm Focal Length, Tripod.

Sea stacks in the fog on Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park near Forks, Washington on Monday, August 20, 2018. NIkon D750/16-35VR, f/16, ISO 400, EV 0, 35mm Focal Length. Processed in Skylum Aurora HDR 2018.
We took the time to ride the ferry from Port Angeles, Washington over to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and soaked in the beauty of the city.

Two of over 1300 hanging flowers in the City of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 250, EV +0.3, 24mm Focal Length.
After returning from that vacation, we needed another one to recuperate and hopped on a plane to Florida for a cruise on the Disney Dream with my family.

The Disney Dream cruise ship docked at Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 110, EV -0.3, 28mm Focal Length.
Before leaving Florida, I visited the Florida State University’s Robert Manning Strozier Library Special Collections and Archives Reading Room and was shown a very important book in science and my history.

An 1859 1st Edition On The Origin Of Species by Charles Darwin seen in the Reading Room of the Strozier Library Special Collections at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Nikon D750/50mm, 1/60s, f/1.8, ISO 1100.
I ended my blogging year with coverage of the Syracuse Crunch as they started their 25th year in the American Hockey League and their NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning (though I was more interested in the team they played).

Opening Night for the 25th Anniversary season for the Syracuse Crunch American Hockey League (AHL) team at the Onondaga County War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/125s, f/8, ISO 400, EV +0.3, 16mm Focal Length, Skylum Intensify CK.

Chicago Blackhawks Jonathan Toews (19) breaks in on Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Louis Domingue (70) in National Hockey League (NHL) action at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Friday, November 23, 2018. Tampa Bay won 4-2. Nikon D500/70-200VRII, 1/1000s, f/4, ISO 800, EV +1.0, 70mm Focal Length.
I am still processing photos from my vacation trips this year plus one I have not blogged about so look for those to be featured in upcoming posts.
Happy New Year!
2019 is going to be another great one!
Is was good to have your pics back in my blog feed. I really enjoyed visiting the Northwest with you via your posts. Happy New Year Scott!
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At least you came back and started posting; that’s always a good first step. You also kept taking pictures, which means you have lots of material; that’s always a good thing. 🙂
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