After a tumultuous year, a look back at the photographs that feel most meaningful. I chose images that express beauty, hope, or public events where people came together to celebrate.
An installation of shimmering colored ribbons bearing the prayers and wishes of people from the community hung from the ceiling of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. February 2024The annual Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown celebrating the Year of the Dragon. February 2024In Central Park, a memorial for Flaco, the beloved Eurasian Eagle Owl who escaped from the zoo and lived free for a year before dying of rodenticide poisoning. He captured the hearts of New Yorkers and people all over the world. March 2024The main gate to the Columbia University campus was locked and students protesting the war in Gaza were removed from the campus by police. In the photo, balloons with the colors of the university decorate the gate. Eight months later, the campus remains closed to anyone without a university ID. April 2024A faint rainbow over Notre-Dame de Paris, still under reconstruction in May 2024 five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed it. The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, an indescribably beautiful High Gothic chapel built in the 13th century by King Louis IX to house relics. May 2024With a passing thunderstorm across the Rhone River, dramatic light illuminates the Papal Palace in Avignon, France. May 2024A street scene in Arles, France shows the light and color of Provence that enchanted Van Gogh. May 2024
In St-Rémy en Provence, the Transhumance celebrates the annual passage of sheep from the valleys to their summer grazing grounds high in the surrounding mountains. After the procession of the bewildered sheep running through the village streets, hungry French spectators descent on the open air market and the restaurants and bars to continue the celebration in the way the French know best. The Transhumance is considered part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of France and always takes place on Pentecost Monday, a national holiday in May.
Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus, Flamands Roses) flying over the Camargue in southern France. May 2024
In the spring, a pair of Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) chose to build their nest on the facade of the New York Athletic club, some of Manhattan’s most expensive real estate. Here the female is resting above the nest and the symbol of the NYAC, a winged foot.
The mother hawk flies off to hunt for food as two of the three nestlings watch. The boldest of the three nestlings flaps its wings energetically and hops around the nest, but is not quite able to take off. Within a week, all three successfully fledged (flew out of the nest). An autumn afternoon in Central Park. October 2024The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, October 31. These women were part of a Mexican group celebrating the Day of the Dead and accompanied by a mariachi band. October 31The lead runners of the 2024 New York Marathon rounding the final turn to the finish line. Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya held her lead and won. November 3The most complete Stegosaurus ever found, 150 million years old and nicknamed Apex, took up residence at the American Museum of Natural History where he/she will be studied by paleontologists.
DeborahShapiroPhotos 
Wonderful photos. Wishing you a happy Hanukkah hope 2025 is a wonderful year.Sent from my iPhone