I hope you all had some Happy Holidays and are now ready for posting your favourites of 2025! As has become our custom, we are asking our followers to select their favorite images of the last year – whether they’ve been included in previous posts or not. This week, no single host will present the challenge. The entire team will share the challenge topic.
Here are mine – difficult to choose, and, of course I could have chosen other ones. But, with some for the beauty, some for the fun, some for the surprise and some for Love – I hope you will find something for yourself too!
This picture is my absolute favourite of the year – an endemic chaffinch sitting in a young girl’s hand in the forest in Madeira. A moment of peace and total connection with Nature. It fills my heart with gratefulness just looking at it.
I think I wrote in another post, that this year I didn’t do much photography – because I have started painting again. That is why one of my paintings is here in the gallery too.
Spring is the starter of Life – and everything…also my joy in photography. But it must be Spring at home, in Sweden.
In June we returned to Madeira, our hiking paradise for many years in the 70’s and 80’s. It was a joy to come back to the lush and beautiful nature there, but in the city so much had changed that I hardly recognized it. Despite the changes of time though, the country feeling remains – suddenly close-up cows in the middle of the road. Loved it!
Back home to Autumn, Winter and bird feeding in the moonlight. I do love my sweet sheep meetings every day on my dog walks – Milo believes they are his cousins.
Finally, a trip to the ice festival in Midieval Poznan, Poland. This is Restaurant Ratuszova with its amazing paintings in the cellar vaults.
We thank all of our followers for continued support and look forward to seeing the images you choose as YOUR favorites of 2025. Please remember to link your post to any or all of the Lens-Artists team members. Also, remember to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.
We offer our best wishes for a New Year filled with peace, happiness, love and friendship. Anne will lead us next week on her lovely Slow Shutter Speed blog. Until then, stay safe, be kind and and find joy in the simple things.
Leya 
What stunning choices from 2025 Ann-Christine! My favorite is the dew drops image, but I loved all of them.
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Ann-Christine you have a beautiful collection, I really like the bird in the girls hand, thats an awesome moment captured!
Here is mine to share https://yourlifeasartphotography.com/2026/01/04/lens-artists-photo-challenge-379-favorite-images-of-2025/
Thank you, Pamela – happy to share that one as it lifts my spirits.
Wow, Ann-Christine, I love the bird photos, but I am partial to your collection of landscape photos, all stunning, and my favorite of that genre also includes the sheep in the snowy field. It’s gorgeous.
For some reason, your post didn’t show up in my reader when it was published. This morning, I used the link in my Lens-Artists page to visit. I see it’s tagged properly, so I’m not sure what’s up with that.
Well, that sounds strange…but it’s there anyhow! Glad you liked the post, and especially the sheep. That is one of my absolute favourites.
Your favourite is my favourite – such a beautiful image! But there are many more to enjoy here, such as those vibrant purple flowers, the little frog and the icy bare branches 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! This year I didn’t photograph much, so, it was an easier task than usual. All the best for the new year!
I can see why it’s your favorite image. I wish you love and joy in the new year.
Thank you so much, Ruth! I am glad you like the little one, and hope for you to have a happy and healthy new year!
Brilliant selection, Ann Christine! loved the little chaffinch on the girls hand, the road through the woods, the snowy path and sheep and the backlit ferns.
Thank you, Sue! Heard from Viveka – she is home and ok, but no news about how to recover.
Thanks for the update, Ann Christine- good to hear Vivi is home and OK, but sounds as if they’re still baffled as to what is wrong
Yes – we’ll see if they finally find out…
Now that is an eclectic mix… the variety of life over the year 🙂
Thank you, David – trying to let everything show…
How to pick a favourite here? But yes, it has to be that chaffinch, that hand. Happy New Year, Ann-Christine!
Happy New Year, Margaret! I’ll have to repeat it until I start believing in it.
😉
Many of yours give a smile and a nod . . . but the blue flowers, your favourite bird and the frog with the eyes keep my eyes on them . . . Be well, be happy and do show your paintings if new photos belong to the tomorrows . . . ________________________________
♥ Glad you enjoyed my choices, Eha! Be well and I will try to!
Have just read on the comments so far on our Tuesday morning – shocked to find Vivi has not been well again – have had so many problems myself, have not written . . . Shall catch up during the next few days if my WiFi here half-way behaves !!!
She would love it!❤️
What a lifetime moment to witness and photograph in your opening shot! The droplets, the painted ceiling, the sheep in the snow, and your painting are all fantastic. What a beautiful year you had in photography!
Thank you, Egidio! I found it hard to find many beauties this year – but I am happy you liked these! Keep well!
A beautiful presentation of favourites from 2025 Ann-Christine 😀 I do enjoy recognising some of my favourites among this fabulous gallery as well
Thank you, Brian! Glad you recognised some too! ♥
Perfect as always Ann-Christine. Some I recognize, some not. On the not side, I so loved the sheep in the snow and also the snow or rain drops on the branches. I also loved your gorgeous painting which I recognized but could see again and again without complaint. A beautiful post capturing many wonderful moments. Wishing you many more in the year ahead.
Thank you, Tina – wishing you two the same.♥♥ Glad you liked the sheep! My son and granddaughter by the sea warms my heart and makes me smile, and I am glad you like my painting – a good hobby to help me forget about the depressing state of the world. Sending Love and warm thoughts. Take care and stay well.
Wow. What a year in photos A.C. Lucky for me I am privy to your fun and talent on social media. I always enjoy your creativity with your paintbrush.
I loved the angle of the sheep in the snow, and your photos if Madeira are ones I cherish with you since I am not sure I will get there.
Such a lovely collection. Happiest of new years to you and your family.
And the same to you and yours, Donna! I so appreciate you being there and keeping contact. Love your photos and writings…and keeping up the dream of real people and the true Americans I know. ♥
What an amazing moment to capture with the bird in hand, complimented by your vibrant images from Madiera.
♥