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An American goldfinch is examined by Cristin Salaz during a bird branding project at Oxbow Park & Preserve. “The connection between humans and wildlife is fragile at best, and this photograph seems to express the joy and the wonder of this connection,” Stanley says.
In a race to the line at the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Christopher Blevins crashes after hitting the back wheel of Payson McElveen, right, as Benjamin Sonntag, left, and Todd Wells also contest the sprint. McElveen won the race from Durango to Silverton. “I have covered the Iron Horse race for about 18 years and have never photographed such a spectacular moment as when Christopher crashed at the finish line,” Herald Photography Editor Jerry McBride says. “After the crash, I ran along with the EMTs to check on him, and I couldn’t believe he was saying he was just fine.” Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
“The human experience is about connections, and nothing could illustrate that better than lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need,” says Herald Photographer Shaun Stanley, who captured this image of a rescue on a snowy day. Durango Police Officer Dave Smith, left, and city of Durango Code Enforcement Officer Steve Barkley form a human chain to assist Basin Towing Co. driver Corey Willmett up a hillside off of Colorado Highway 3. A car driven by Aztec resident Peter Maiano had slipped off the road. Maiano suffered only a minor cut on his hand. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Jason Skeens, chief cryotherapy operator at Assertive Wellness, monitors Easton LaChappelle during a treatment at the Durango Tech Center. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Balloons take flight at the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. “I have shot so many of the area’s mountains with colorful trees in the fall, but the balloons really gave it a different touch,” Photography Editor Jerry McBride says. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
“As a photographer in the American Southwest, I work hard to stay away from idyllic stereotypes of the West, but, sometimes, you just can’t help it,” Photographer Shaun Stanley says. “The sheer poetry of wranglers driving horse-drawn sleds though a snowstorm near Haviland Lake was one such photographic moment.” Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Ruby Lee Grannis was one of 10 centenarians recognized at “Celebrating a Lifetime,” an event honoring Colorado’s centenarians hosted by the Colorado Commission on Aging at the Durango/La Plata Senior Center. “I love this photo, how proud she looks and the confidence she shows, it really moves me. Our elders are a true treasure in our community,” Photography Editor Jerry McBride says. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
John Jarrett, chaplain at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4031, is reflected in the Veterans Memorial at Greenmount Cemetery on Memorial Day. “The power of the still image is rooted in its intrinsic ability to cause remembrance and invoke a strong emotional response,” Photographer Shaun Stanley says. “This fleeting moment was captured at a Memorial Day service at Greenmount Cemetery and stands as a personal testament to our country’s freedom.” Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Durango deer just may be smarter than the average deer. Several use a crosswalk on East Third Avenue. “Visitors come to Durango and are amazed to see wildlife as part of our daily life.” Photography Editor Jerry McBride says. “As residents, we get used to seeing deer on a regular basis, but when I saw this group using the crosswalk, well, that just took it to another level.” Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
From left, Marc Kahan, Beverly Moore, Jae Moore and Jennifer Alvenes share a moment of collective gratitude and relief after the safe landing of a United Express plane carrying their loved ones. The plane had experienced landing-gear issues before touching down at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Janet Kuss, mother of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, arrives with her family and her son’s remains at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. Capt. Kuss, a pilot with the elite Blue Angels, was killed in a training crash in Tennessee on June 2. “Being a part of this community and having the privilege to document and show the moments that are taking place around us is very special to me,” Photography Editor Jerry McBride says. “I was honored to be allowed by the Kuss family to photograph the family and Jeff returning home to be laid to rest.” Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
“I believe the best photographs are just plain fun to look at because of visual or contextual juxtaposition, forcing our eyes to experience something unexpected and thought-provoking and fun,” Photographer Shaun Stanley says. Here, a trainee with the Mesa Verde Helitack team is carried by a helicopter during an exercise at the Old Fort in Hesperus. Photo by Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald
Herald Photography Editor Jerry McBride and Photographer Shaun Stanley spend their days documenting the richness and variety of life in Southwest Colorado.
Their work captures human triumphs and struggles, the majesty of our landscape and the occasional oddity.
Of the thousands of photographs they took in 2016, they share a selection of those they found memorable and say why the images were special to them.
