2020 Year in Review - Josh Friedman's Photographs

"I've got a feeling 21 is gonna be a good year. Especially if you and me see it in together." - Pete Townshend (The Who)

In so many ways, 2020 was a year of loss, pain, division, and distrust.  Headlines were filled with the Covid-19 pandemic, the presidential election, racial inequalities, and economic hardship. Personally, our family suffered multiple losses, as well as unforeseen transitions. Cynthia and my "empty nest" was again a full house, as our sons have been back home since March. In the midst of a challenging time, their company has been a comfort and treat.

During this unique and often difficult year, photography has offered moments of peace, distractions from national and personal stressors, and opportunities for creativity.  What follows are some of my favorite photographs from 2020.  About 70 percent were taken in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the rest include images of Acadia National Park, Maine, Gettysburg National Military Park, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Princeton. I am always curious which are people's favorites. 

I hope that your new year is filled with happiness, peace, health, and contentment, and I hope that 2021 brings a greater sense of unity and empathy in our country.

The Delaware Canal and Towpath disappearing into early
 morning fog,Delaware Canal State Park, Yardley,
Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (January 4, 2020)

The "Old Library" in Snow, reflected in Lake Afton,
Yardley, Pennsylvania. (January 18, 2020)

The Brooklyn Bridge, with the World Trade Center - a.k.a. the "Freedom Tower", as seen from the "DUMBO" section of Brooklyn, New York City. (February 2, 2020)

Empire State Building, peeking through the supports of the Manhattan Bridge (seen from the "DUMBO" section of Brooklyn, New York City. (February 2, 2020)

The Chicago skyline reflected in "The Bean" - partially covered in snow - in early morning light, Chicago, Illinois. (February 14, 2020).

Sunrise over the Delaware River, with the American Flag,
as seen from the Lumberville-Raven Rock Bridge, 
Lumberville, Pennsylvania. (February 22, 2020)

Cabin Run Covered Bridge, Point Pleasant,
 Pennsylvania. (February 22, 2020)

Before Sunrise at Patterson Farm, Yardley,
 Pennsylvania. (February 29, 2020)

Early morning light streaming through the windows of Holder Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. (March 1, 2020)

Lewis-Sigler Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey. (March 1, 2020)

Sunrise on the Delaware Canal and Towpath, Yardley, 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (March 3, 2020)

Sunset at Patterson Farm, Yardley, Bucks County,
 Pennsylvania. (March 30, 2020)

Sunrise at the historic Thompson-Neely House, in the
 northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
New Hope, Pennsylvania. (April 12, 2020)

Lake Afton in early morning light, long exposure (30 seconds).
Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 14, 2020). 

First rays of sunlight on the top of Bowman's Hill,
 behind the historic Thompson-Neely Mill. 
New Hope, Pennsylvania. (April 19, 2020)

The rising sun over the Delaware Canal and Towpath,
New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 19, 2020)

The Delaware Canal and Towpath, in Delaware Canal State Park,
New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 21, 2020)

American flag with blooming tulips. Washington Crossing,
Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 21, 2020)

Blooming Dogwoods, the "Old Library", and Lake Afton,
Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 25, 2020)

Historic Mill at Cuttalossa Farm,
New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (April 28, 2020)

Fonthill Castle in Spring with Dogwood Tree, 
Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  May 12, 2020.

Setting moon over the Fonthill Castle, 
Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  May 12, 2020.

Tombstones of Revolutionary War Soldiers (Mostly Unknown),
northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (May 17, 2020)

First light on the "Old Library", reflected in Lake Afton,
Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (May 19, 2020)

Wildflowers along the Delaware Canal,  "Virginia Forest 
Recreation Area" section of Delaware Canal State Park,
New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (May 26, 2020) 

Thompson-Neely House, Washington Crossing Historic Park (North),
New Hope, Pennsylvania. (May 30, 2020)

Mural of Albert Einstein riding a bicycle, called "Genial é Andar de Bike" (Genius is to bike ride), by artist Eduardo Kobra, Manhattan, New York City. (June 13, 2020)

Patterson Farm with Rising Sun,
Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (6/16/20)

Washington Crossing Bridge in Morning Fog, 
Washington Crossing, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (6/21/20)

The "Old Library" reflected in Lake Afton, in early 
morning sun, Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (7/5/20)

Sycamore Trees lining the road into Tyler State Park, in 
early morning fog, Newtown, Pennsylvania. (7/7/20)

Delaware Canal and Footbridge in early morning fog, Delaware Canal State Park, New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (7/9/20)

Washington-Crossing Bridge cutting through the 
early morning fog over the Delaware River, 
Washington Crossing, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (8/8/20).

Haystacks, rolling hills, mist, and the rising Sun
 in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania (8/11/20).

Loux Covered Bridge, Plumstead Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. (August 18, 2020)

The Calhoun Street Bridge, crossing the Delaware River a few minutes before sunrise, between Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey. (August 23, 2020)

A late afternoon rainbow over the Equestrian monument to Major General John Fulton Reynolds, at McPherson's Ridge
Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (September 3, 2020) 

Monument to Major General Oliver Howard, before Sunrise.
East Cemetery Hill, Gettysburg National Military Park,
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (September 4, 2020)

Soldiers' National Monument, at Gettysburg National 

Cemetery,with dramatic late afternoon clouds. 

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (September 4, 2020)

Monument to Brigadier General Gouverneur Kemble Warren, 
on Little Round Top, with the setting sun. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. (September 4, 2020)

Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains, in the evening, with
 fall foliage, Acadia National Park, Maine. (October 10, 2020)

Otter Cliff, as seen from Boulder Beach, just after sunrise, 
Acadia National Park, Maine. (October 11, 2020)

Somesville Bridge, with autumn flowers fall foliage. Somesville, Maine. (October 11, 2020)

Eagle Lake, Acadia National Park, Maine. (October 10, 2020)

Adirondack chairs overlooking the Delaware River, in dense morning fog. Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (November 5, 2020)

Lake Afton and the Old Library in morning fog, 
with fall foliage. Yardley, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. (November 5, 2020)

Delaware Canal and Towpath with hot air balloon.
Delaware Canal State Park, New Hope, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. (November 7, 2020)

Sunrise over the Delaware River, with the West Trenton 
Railroad Bridge. Yardley, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. (November 15, 2020)

Patterson Farm with early morning reflections. 
Yardley, Pennsylvania. (November 15, 2020)

New Hope-Lambertville Bridge with early morning light,
as seen from Lambertville, New Jersey. (November 21, 2020)

The Philadelphia skyline, as seen from the South Street Bridge, in early morning light. The rising sun is reflected in Two Liberty Place. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (November 29, 2020)

Locust Walk, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. (November 29, 2020)

Old Library and the St. Andrew's Church reflected in the partially frozen Lake Afton, a few minutes before sunrise. Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (December 11, 2020).

"Trenton Makes The World Takes" bridge (officially the "Lower Trenton" bridge) with blue letters for Hanukkah, a few minutes after sunset. (December 11, 2020)

The Delaware Canal, Towpath and footbridge with early morning mist and the rising sun. Delaware Canal State Park, New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (December 13, 2020)

Route 32 South and Bowman's Hill Tower, with early morning mist. New Hope, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (December 13, 2020)

Old Library and the St. Andrew's Church with fresh snow, reflected in the partially frozen Lake Afton. (December 17, 2020)

Sunrise, over the Delaware Canal and Towpath, at E. Afton Avenue, Yardley, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (December 29, 2020)

Sunset at Patterson Farm, Yardley, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. (December 30, 2020)