Each December I review my year’s photos and select ten that left a lasting impression. . . not necessarily the best, but ones with meaningful stories or moments. This annual tradition has become a way of remembering, of honoring the small and extraordinary scenes that shaped my year. I’m grateful to share my 2025 favorites once again.
Continue readingExploring Scotland’s Highlands and Islands
. . . Aboard Lord of the Glens
The landscape views almost seemed mystical as we traveled through remote areas of Scotland’s Highlands on a National Geographic chartered bus. My wife and I were among 40 passengers heading to meet our ship, the Lord of the Glens docked at Kyle of Lochalsh, a small village on the northwest coast of Scotland. We were eager to begin our cruise along the intricate lock system on the Caledonian Canal through the heart of the Highlands, eastbound to Inverness. This expedition would be our sixth aboard a National Geographic/Lindblad Expeditions small ship. We were excited to see our uniquely-built small ship as the bus arrived at the dock.
Continue readingMy Favorite 2024 Images and the stories behind them. . .
It’s an annual tradition. Every year I enjoy reviewing the places I’ve been, remembering the people I’ve met, and reflecting on the experiences I’ve learned along the way. You learn a lot by looking through all the pictures you have taken during the year. I find that selecting ten story-driven photos is a great way to relive the places and people who especially impacted my life during the year. I have been doing this for eleven years now, and I am always amazed by how reflecting on the past can help you navigate the future. None of these photos will win any awards, but they bring back meaningful stories for me. So in no particular order, here are my top ten photos of the year, and the stories behind them.
Continue readingExploring New Zealand
. . . aboard the National Geographic Orion
How do you go about exploring an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean with two main landmasses and over 700 smaller islands? We could not think of a better way than a small ship cruise aboard the National Geographic Orion.
Although New Zealand Airlines provided a pleasurable overnight flight from Los Angeles, we were a little exhausted. But we were ready to begin our adventure as soon as possible. We landed in Auckland, the most populous city in New Zealand and home to the “Port of Auckland” where we will board the Orion. After a couple of sightseeing days in Auckland, the Orion will navigate interesting bays, small towns, and national parks along the East Coast of the “North Island”, then cruise through Cook Strait on the way to explore the West Coast of the “South Island”.
Continue readingDiscovering Portugal
Our plane had just touched down in Porto, Portugal when anticipation and excitement overcame our jetlag from a very long travel day. Traveling Portugal had been on our bucket list for a very long time. “Let the adventure begin” Nancy exclaimed. We were looking forward to experiencing Portugal’s culture, history, cuisine, and natural wonders.
We decided to begin our adventure in Porto in the North, then wind our way South by car all the way to the Algarve coast . . . the southernmost coast in Portugal. Nancy planned 2–3 night stops at historic destinations along the way, ending up in Lisbon before flying home.
Although driving in the small walled cities is not for the faint of heart, we found Portugal’s major highways are among the best we have ever traveled in Europe.
Continue readingMy Favorite 2023 Images and the Stories behind them. . .
I always enjoy reliving family events, the places I have been, and the people I have met. Every year I review all the photos I captured and select my favorite ten. Like every year, this exercise also gives me some great ideas for photography goals in the new year. My top ten photos this year reflect travels, family gatherings, or just a unique photo opportunity while navigating everyday life. So here they are, in no particular order. . . my top ten favorite images of 2023 and the stories behind them.
Continue readingMy Favorite 2022 Images and the Stories behind them. . .
For several years now, I have reviewed all my photos taken during the year and selected my favorite top ten images. I always enjoy reliving our family events, the places I have been, and the people I have met. This exercise also gives me some great ideas for photography goals in the new year. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys photography. Many of my top ten photos this year reflect travels to a couple of places that have been on my wife’s and my bucket list for a long time. We were excited to be able to travel more often in 2022. So here they are. . . my top ten favorite images of 2022 and the stories behind them.
Continue readingExploring Alaska’s Inside Passage
. . . aboard the National Geographic Venture
It was one of those rare white-knuckle experiences as our plane suddenly pulled up from what felt like a normal landing. It was our final approach into Sitka, Alaska where we were to embark on a “bucket list” adventure. Fog and cloud cover prevented a line-of-sight landing on our Captain’s first attempt, but he informed us he had fuel enough for a couple more tries. I can’t say that comforted my wife and me any or increased the blood flow in our knuckles as we held tight to our armrests. . . We also wondered if fog and cloud cover would follow us during our Alaska adventure over the course of next week.
Continue readingDeath Valley National Park. . .
. . . A remarkably diverse landscape to explore
Driving into Death Valley National Park along California Highway 190, you certainly understand how Death Valley got its name. The brown barren desert landscape is all you can see for miles around. We were headed for “The Ranch at Death Valley”, a self-described casual hotel that would be our home base for the next 6 days. The Ranch turned out to be a convenient centrally located lodge to access the Valley’s most remarkable places to visit. We were excited to finally explore one of the few major National Parks we have never experienced, but we were not at all prepared for the landscape vistas and diversity we were about to encounter.
Continue readingMy Favorite 2021 Images and the Stories behind them. . .
It is my tradition to pick my favorite images of the year and tell the stories behind them. Reviewing all my photos from the year is always fun. The exercise provides insight on where I have been, the people I have met, and gives me some ideas for resolutions in the new year. I get to relive the experiences and special moments all over again, and I learn a lot. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys photography. You will find the difficult part is selecting only 10 favorites. I spent almost another full year socially distanced at home but managed to enjoy some travel to National Parks at year end. Several of my favorite photos came from these travels, and a few from right around my hometown.
So once again, here are my top ten favorite images of 2021 and the stories behind them.
Continue reading
Chuck Palmer 