I have been working hard on improving my skills as a photographer this year, mainly using our Canon EOS Rebel T2i DSLR, and I’m pretty pleased with the results. There were five photos taken with that camera that really stood out at me, starting with this view of the Japanese Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden covered in snow in March:

This water-lily, also photographed in the Japanese Garden, is the best picture I’ve ever taken:

I also love this picture of Bunny at Eckert’s pumpkin patch:

And the gorgeous fall color in Forest Park:

This picture of Chickadee at the Belleville Christkindlmarkt definitely captures her personality!

And because I can never leave a “Top Five” list at just five, here are my favorite photos taken on my iPhone 6, starting with a selfie I took on January 2, after I finally got the courage to dye my hair a wild color(s):

The tulips blooming in Forest Park in April were beautiful!

And my favorite picture from our vacation to Charleston:

Another shot in Forest Park, this time of the Apotheosis of St. Louis, complete with a halo:

And one more from the Missouri Botanical Garden, this time from the Garden Glow in November:

I’ve learned how to use different settings on our main camera, and I’ve learned when it’s better to use my iPhone to get the shot I want. My goal for the coming year is learn more about aperture and exposure, and hopefully next year, I’ll have even better photos to share!