Photos of the year

Published 8:15 pm Saturday, December 31, 2011

So, the photo a day part of this post kinda started slow (My bad… New Year resolution, anyone?).

I just had a chance to sit down and finalize my favorite photos of the year. I would have preferred to post these earlier, but vacation threw that chance out of the window.

So here they are. Not necessarily the best photos from the year, but my favorite 44 photos. Click on the photo to view a larger version.

Please feel free to let me know what you think (comments, critiques, etc.) via comment, email ( thomas.graning@troymessenger.com) or twitter @messenger_tgran.

Thomas

: Firefighters work to extinguish a large brush fire on West Madison Street in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy University’s Bernard Toombs (21) attempts to save the ball from going out of bounds during an NCAA basketball game in Troy, Ala., Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Members of the the Troy University baseball team get pumped up before an NCAA baseball game against High Point University in Troy, Ala., Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: TroyLife Spring 2011- Photo for Food Feature Story Photographed at First Baptist Church in Troy, Ala., Thursday, March 3, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Luke Herndon, left, playing the role of the baker, and Jessica Wilkes, the baker’s wife, talk during a scene while rehearsing “Into the Woods Junior” in Troy, Ala., Wednesday, March 23, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Pike Liberal Arts School’s Nick McLaughlin and Monroe Academy’s Bryar Settle look up towards the umpire after a play at second base during a baseball game in Troy, Ala., Wednesday, May 4, 2011. McLaughlin was called out on the play. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Goshen High School assistant coach Amy Warrick celebrates with Fran Warrick after winning the regional semi-final over Horseshoe Bend High School in Troy, Ala., Saturday, May 14, 2011. Goshen won 4-3. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Goshen High School players Fran Warrick (2) and Amanda Griggs (24) embrace after losing to Mobile Christian School in the 2011 state tournament in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, May 19, 2011. Mobile Christian defeated Goshen 5-1, eliminating GHS from the tournament. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Charles Henderson High School graduates Rebecca Jordan, left, and Jessica Benoskie take a picture before the 2011 CHHS Commencement in Troy, Ala., Thursday, May 26, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: A cowgirl is silhouetted in dust while practicing before the 2011 Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo at the Pike Cattlemen’s Association in Troy, Ala., Friday, May 27, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Angels player Kendyll Eaton hugs helper Sherry Bagby during a game following the opening ceremony for the Miracle League Field in Troy, Ala., Thursday, June 23, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Payton Robinson gets a push from workers down a water slide during the Troy Parks and Recreation day camp in Troy, Ala., Friday, June 24, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Shamyer Suddith, left, comforts Tasha Davis at the scene of a house fire on Elm Street in Troy, Ala., Monday, July 4, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy Dixie Minor Nationals player Daniel Phillips reacts after missing a throw to home during a district baseball game in Zion Chapel, Ala., Friday, July 8, 2011. The missed pass allowed for an Enterprise run. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Members of the musical theater group perform during the Summer Spotlight camp showcase in Troy, Ala., Thursday, July 14, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Members of the Underwood Dixie Belles team celebrate after beating Suburban West 8-2 in the championship game of the 2011 Alabama Dixie Belles State Tournament in Troy, Ala., Monday, July 18, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy Dixie Boys player Xavius Burden walks off the field as Opelika players celebrate after the championship game of the 2011 Alabama Dixie Boys state tournament in Enterprise, Ala., Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Troy lost 10-9 in ten innings. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Shane Duncan reacts as a bucket of water falls on him at the Troy Parks and Recreation Center in Troy, Ala., Friday, July 22, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy University’s Cam Hudson runs a drill during practice in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Martha Garcia, left, and Drake Sanders kiss after a homecoming ceremony for the 900th Maintenance Company in Brundidge, Ala., Friday, Aug. 12, 2011. The 900th returned from a one-year tour of duty in Afghanistan. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Charles Henderson High School’s Courtney Downing runs the ball during the first quarter of the 2011 Pike County Classic football game in Troy, Ala., Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: A firefighter examines burning hay bales at a fire in the Hamilton Crossroads community of Pike County, Ala., Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Members of the Lyman Ward Military Academy and Pike Liberal Arts School teams line up for the coin toss before a football game in Troy, Ala., Friday, Aug. 26, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Pike County High School’s Raheen Pearson (31) runs the ball past Slocomb High School defenders during a football game in Brundidge, Ala., Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. Pike County lost 21-0. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Officials look at a tree down on Montgomery Street in Troy, Ala., Monday, Sept. 5, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Members of the cast perform during the Troy University production of Smokey Joe’s Cafe in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Goshen High School’s Russ Thomas (18), PJ Fannin (2), Anthony Rogers (25), and Carlton Bean (10) line up before the coin toss before a football game against Pike County High School in Goshen, Ala.,Friday, Sept. 23, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Charles Henderson High School player Josh Barrow poses for a photo in front of late teammate Ronnell Moore’s football locker in Troy, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy takes the field before the first half an NCAA football game against Louisiana Monroe in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Zion Chapel High School players react following a 22-10 loss to Barbour County in a football game in Jack, Ala., Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy’s Tim Owens (42) takes a free throw during the second half of a basketball game against West Alabama in Troy, Ala., Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Troy won 84-67. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Charles Henderson High School’s Skylar Sexton (77) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of a second round playoff football game against St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Troy, Ala., Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. St. Paul’s won 31-0.(Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy running back Justin Albert (15) returns a punt past North Texas defensive back Jamaal Wilson (7) and wide receiver Jamize Olawale (83) during the first half of a NCAA football game in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. The run was called back due to a penalty. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy wide receiver Eric Thomas (3) catches a one-handed touchdown pass over North Texas defensive back Steven Ford (23) during the first half of a NCAA football game in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Jackson Academy players celebrate after winning the 2011 AISA Class A State Championship game in Troy, Ala., Friday, Nov. 18, 2011. Jackson defeated Autauga Academy 21-0. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Troy running back Shawn Southward (20) dives across the goal line for a touchdown as Florida Atlantic safety Damian Parms (42) attempts to tackle him during the second half of a NCAA college football game in Troy, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. Troy won 34-7. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Parade participants wave during the 2011 City of Troy Christmas Parade in Troy, Ala., Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: A firefighter works to extinguish a fire the reignited at Adams Glass Studio in Troy, Ala., Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Lights are seen on the ‘Lights of Love Christmas Tree’ at Troy Regional Medical Center in Troy, Ala., Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Christmas decorations are seen on a house on Church Street in Troy, Ala., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Pike Liberal Arts School’s Garret Stafford (32) looks for room to move past Northside Methodist’s Daniel Beechum (33) during a basketball game in Troy, Ala., Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: An Alabama State Trooper looks over information as a LifeFlight helicopter prepares to transport a victim from the scene of a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 231 just south of Troy, Ala., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. Four people were injured in the accident. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

: Kristy Drinkwater poses for a portrait at her home in Troy, Ala., Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning) **TroyLIfe Winter 2011**

: Nathaniel Brockton performs with a skit with Lindsey Amlong, left, and Bonnie Dansby in Brundidge, Ala., Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. (Messenger Staff Photo/Thomas Graning)

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