Cover

Mont Blanc in the early morning from the Cheval Noir point above Col de la Madeleine in Savoie, France. Taken on July 22nd 2021.

January

Croix de Marcelly, above the Praz de Lys ski resort, in Haute Savoie, France. Taken late in the day at the end of November 2021.

February

Misty trees above La Clusaz, in Haute Savoie. Taken in late November just after sunset, before driving into the sea of clouds...

March

Great Horned Owl owlet, probably 8 weeks old, just fledged. Taken in late April 2021, in Ann Arbor, MI.

April

Setting sun over the Mediterranean sea, near Sidon, Lebanon. Took this from a moving car as we drove home to our retreat place, in early March 2021.

May

Mountain houseleek (aka Joubarbe des montagnes in French - Sempervivum montanum in Latin), a very cool succulent found fairly high up in rocky terrain in the Alps. Taken near l'Alpe d'Huez resort, in Isere, France in early July 2021.

June

View looking south on the trail up the Grands Moulins in Savoie France. (The mountain goat on the September page was seen just a couple hundred feet below this spot) Taken mid July 2021 in the late afternoon.

July

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is quite common in Michigan and has a very distinct call. Earlier in the year one of them dive-bombed my helmet as I was mountain biking! Taken in late May near Pointe Mouillee State Park in Michigan.

August

Mount Rainier with a developing lenticular cloud above the summit, indicating a change of weather. This stunning mountain is the joy of all Seattle dwellers... Can you spot my companions coming up the snowfield in the middle of bottom of the picture? Taken in early June 2021.

September

Alpine ibex (aka Bouquetin alpin or capra ibex) is fairly common in some of the ranges in my homeland. This young female was happily licky the salt off the rocks around me as I made my way past her on the trail. Taken on the Grands Moulins in mid July 2021.

October

Last light over Beirut, Lebanon. This was taken from the brothers' house in Antelias, near the coast, where I spent a week in early March 2021.

November

Alpenglow on the Mont Blanc Massif, with many of the famous summits in clear view (Mt Blanc, Tacul, Aiguille du Midi, Dent du Geant, Jorasses, Aiguille Verte, Dolent, Chardonnet... the list goes on!) Taken in late November from the Voirons mountain above the village I grew up in.

December

First light of day greets me at the summit of the Cheval Noir mountain, with a stunning view of the Mt Blanc (again, I know!) in July 2021. (this shot was taken an hour before the one on the cover of the calendar)

Bonus 1

A couple blue-winged teals (Spatula discors) take off as I search frantically on my bird ID app to figure out what they are... stunning creatures, but very shy! Taken in late May 2021 near Pointe Mouillee, MI

Bonus 2

Cow parsnip field (Grande Berce - Heracleum sphondylium) stretches lazily under the watchful eye of the Meije mountain close to the botanical garden of the Lautaret near Grenoble, France.

Back Cover

Lac de Bessons, near l'Alpe d'Huez, Isere, France. Taken early July 2021.

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Common Wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) on the stones by my grandmother's home in Chignin, France. Taken in early July 2021.

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Juvenile Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) hunting for mice near Pointe Mouillee, Michigan. Taken in late May 2021.

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Setting sun over Sidon, Lebanon, from our retreat place - what a view! Taken in late Feb 2021.