Radley Reep, coalition coordinator for Friends of Lost Lake Park, picks through fallen limbs at Fresno County's Lost Lake Park where wind damage weeks ago has left 155 trees either fallen or classified as suffering severe damage. Photographed on Thursday, December 29, 2011.

Eric Paul Zamora captured this spectacular view of a "firefall" at Horsetail Fall in Yosemite Valley on Feb. 16. The shot was taken at sunset. Three conditions had to be in place for the fire effect to occur: a clear sky, the sun's position in mid- to late February, and enough water in the fall to pick up the sunlight. The "firefall" nickname refers to a bygone tradition of pushing burning embers off the cliffs of Yosemite Valley.

As 2009 comes to a close, the photography staff of The Fresno Bee would like to share some favorite images made in and around the Valley throughout the year. Music in the slideshow was graciously supplied by Fresno musician Patrick Contreras.

Our own George Hostetter, interviewing another George, Fresno State freshman mens basketball guard Paul George, following a team practice session at the Save Mart Center in September. A cheap visual trick but it still cracks me up.