Sunrise at 10,000 feet above sea level on Haleakala Crater on Maui in Hawaii. The tops of the clouds below are about 8,000 feet above sea level.

My wish for my PB family is that the sun rises up to meet you every day of the new year, and you have your camera ready to capture the moment.

View other "Best Photo of 2011" posts here.

This shot always reminds me of another planet - the landscape above the clouds, with the sliver of moon, looks so foreign! djnana · 2011-12-15: 19:33

I love it!!! What a great choice!!!!! urmysunshine · 2011-12-15: 20:04

A fantastic image, Larry!!! Love the beautiful glow....and the moon just completes the incredible scene!!! Wonderful choice! lookagain · 2011-12-15: 20:12

Oh... Beautiful shot... Arie · 2011-12-15: 21:44

Excellent! Shaparak · 2011-12-15: 22:15

I can see why, its incredibly beautiful! congrats! KatysPassionata · 2011-12-15: 22:52

Beautiful choice! Best of health to you! ????? · 2011-12-16: 00:09

thankyou and to you the best abstractlight · 2011-12-16: 03:43

What an experience that is! And how immensely cold it is up there! Excellent choice for the Photo of the Year! My wish would be that everybody could go there and experience the sunrise on Haleakala once their lives, sometthing like the Haj for Muslims... atszabo · 2011-12-16: 04:41

Romantic mood Great colours helys · 2011-12-16: 05:33

What a beautiful photo... It makes me feel hopeful about the future. Thanks a lot for take part in this project. Regards, Ruth ????? · 2011-12-16: 06:04

speechless here,,wow,, TIM927 · 2011-12-16: 07:03

Gorgeous shot Larry, hope you're well ????? · 2011-12-16: 08:09

The colours in this are mega! :-)) va000119 · 2011-12-16: 08:10

Magical!!!! all the best for the new year busybee · 2011-12-16: 08:28

Magnificent Larry!! I love the sliver of the moon amidst that gorgeous blue and the golden glow beneath. liveandletlive · 2011-12-16: 09:43

absolutely great colors! bravo and best wishes!Maggie gonia · 2011-12-16: 10:21

Amazing view and colours! hannamagnusson · 2011-12-16: 10:39

With the moon too! Sheer bliss! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. marilynx · 2011-12-16: 11:02

Very fine picture, lelle · 2011-12-16: 11:46

Very beautiful! Eiram · 2011-12-16: 12:18

That was for sure the right choice GKorts · 2011-12-16: 12:32

A very fine choice. All best wishes. SADHYA · 2011-12-16: 12:39

Beautiful. karmankwarner · 2011-12-16: 13:15

stunning. MoMac · 2011-12-16: 13:30

Gorgeous photo!!!! nynkeb · 2011-12-16: 14:18

Oh my, these colors!!! So amazing, so WOW!! Ryana · 2011-12-16: 14:59

Stunning mystic1 · 2011-12-16: 16:15

Magnificent! My best wishes!! Dropblue · 2011-12-16: 16:27

Stnning image Larry. I'm glad you told us where it is though. I'd have guessed somewhere in the arctic circle, I thought that was an Iceberg in the background. . Jarvo · 2011-12-16: 19:07

Very beautiful capture! I heard those sunrises were awesome..glad you captured one for me:-) Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012, Larry :-) NellyBly · 2011-12-16: 20:01

A magnificent selection for your best of 2011. May 2012 bring the best of all to you and Brenda! danrav · 2011-12-16: 21:23

wish the best for you dear Larry in 2012 :) Shaparak · 2011-12-16: 21:37

EXCELLENT choice, Larry... I love that place! May 2012 be good for you!! DancingDolphin · 2011-12-16: 22:58

Great choice, such a beautiful photo! Wishing you all the best in the New Year! darfoster · 2011-12-16: 23:00

beautiful! I was there once a long time ago and would love to go back. paulamarquis · 2011-12-17: 00:36

A wonderful choice!!! Love the colors and layers. Best wishes for you, Larry. promise · 2011-12-17: 03:35

Wow! Brilliant. yellodog · 2011-12-17: 04:29

Beautiful scape! Thanks for sharing! davidcardona · 2011-12-17: 17:10

stunning ,great choice.leo sagebrushslim · 2011-12-17: 20:33

The most amazing blue colours, Love this :^) mossy · 2011-12-18: 02:49

Beautiful choice Larry girafferacing · 2011-12-19: 17:05

Lovely image, bet it was quite the experience! :) All the best for 2012 :) ????? · 2011-12-22: 10:03

wonderful colours Buffer221 · 2012-01-31: 07:48

Absolutely Fabulous !!!!!!!!! Nukke · 2012-01-31: 11:56

Still just so gorgeous Larry!! liveandletlive · 2012-01-31: 22:18

Beautiful. voted geyabesse · 2012-02-01: 13:30

Very beautiful! btribuwono · 2012-02-01: 18:53

Excellent shot !!!voted haidehhomam · 2012-02-04: 13:48

Tagged: best2011