I decided that gathering a few of the year’s best-liked photos into a single email would be a fun project. I could see which emails received the most likes and comments and I could also see which emails were opened multiple times. It was a fine idea, except for the fact that there was very little overlap between the two groups.
The photo that most clearly showed up as a favorite in both groups was in the second email I ever sent out.1
Another email with significant representation in both groups was the one I sent with photos of two different butterflies: a Milbert’s tortoiseshell (below) and an Arizona sister.
After that, it was pretty hard to tell what folks liked most. That’s partly because you all have given me feedback in various ways — through liking and/or commenting on individual emails, by emailing me directly with your thoughts and, in a few cases, in personal conversations.2 Some emails which appeared to have been of great interest to many of you actually had very few likes or comments.
Furthermore, you all have very different tastes.3 There were a couple of emails I sent out that garnered very strong reactions at both ends of the like-dislike spectrum.
And, since there were usually multiple photos in each email, I could only guess which one you liked the most.
For that matter, it might’ve sometimes been the story in the email that you liked, more than the photo itself.
I’ve deliberately not included fall photos since you’ve likely seen them fairly recently.4
If there’s a favorite of yours that I’ve missed (including fall photos),5 please reply to this message and let me know the date of the email and which photo you liked most. If I hear from three or more folks by Wednesday night, I’ll send those photos out in a second retrospective email.
The caption under each photo links to the original post.
Many thanks to each of you who have taken the time to give me feedback. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
This comes as no surprise to me whatsoever. And thank goodness! I can email photos that I think aren’t all that great and some folks will like them anyway.
For what it’s worth, the Seed Mandala email, which I sent out just last week, has been opened more times than any other.
You can see a list of all the emails, most recent first, by clicking here.
May 22nd were exceptionally interesting photos... certainly among my faves. Judith
I've enjoyed every single photo and all your narratives... keep it up... sometimes, just looking at your artistry and the natural world - makes my day! Judith