The Best of Daily Star photographer Mike Christy in 2017
Photographer Mike Christy's favorite pictures from 2017.
Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) gets crowded on a drive in the first half during University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Saint Mary's Gaels NCAA Tournament game on March 18, 2017, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Arizona advances to the Sweet 16 with a 69-60 win. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Meerkats at the Reid Park Zoo
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Nolan Ferguson, 5, gets an up-close visit with a meerkat through the viewing glass at the new meerkats exhibit at the Reid Park Zoo on Feb. 24, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. The new "mob", or group, of meerkats appeared this week after a reader survey indicated the critters as ones visitors most wanted to see. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona Wildcats guard Rawle Alkins (1) roars after throwing down a dunk during the first half of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 16, 2017, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
24th Annual Wings over Willcox
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Sandhill Cranes soar as the moon sets as seen from Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal during the 24th Annual Wings over Willcox birding and nature festival on Jan. 12, 2017, in southeastern Arizona. Migrating birds, including thousands of Sandhill Cranes, visit the area south of Willcox. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Seattle Sounders practice in Tucson
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Goalkeeper Trey Muse, a member of the U-18 team, leaps but just misses making a save during the Seattle Sounders FC practice session at Mulcahy Stadium, 2300 E. 15th St., in Tucson, Ariz. on Feb. 2, 2017. The Sounders take on the Portland Timbers in the 2017 Desert Friendlies on Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers in the Desert Friendlies
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The Portland Timbers huddle before the game's start as smoke from the team's fan section filters in behind during the first half of the Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers Desert Friendly match at Kino North Stadium on Feb. 4, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe Catholic vs. Catalina Foothills in boy's basketball 4A state semifinal
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Salpointe guard Isaac Cruz (3) celebrates his game-winning shot in overtime as Salpointe Cameron Miller (2) chases him down after the Salpointe Catholic vs. Catalina Foothills state 4A semifinal boy's basketball game at Amphitheater High School, 125 W. Yavapai Road, on Feb. 23, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won on an overtime buzzer-beater 57-55. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) and Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) absorb the loss as the Xavier Musketeers celebrate in the background after the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Xavier University Musketeers Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament at SAP Center, March 23, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. Arizona lostΒ 73-71. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Thirty veterans interred in Marana
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Jennifer Keith, right, touches the columbarium containing the cremains of her late husband, Terry Keith, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam.
Boy Scouts plant Memorial Day flags
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Jack Brown, 7, a cub scout from Pack 772, clutches a host of American flags for placement as both cub and boy scouts with the Boy Scouts Catalina Council place American flags at the grave markers of military veterans interred at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S. Park Ave., on May 27, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sawmill Fire
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A Black Mesa Type-1 Interagency Hotshot Crew firefighter walks through burned debris while the crew mops up along Cienega Creek east of Empire Ranch while the Sawmill Fire burns on April 27, 2017, burning in Southeastern Arizona between Green Valley and J-6. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Mulberry Fire
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An air tanker drops fire retardant over a ridgetop near an aircraft radar station as the Mulberry Fire burns east of State Route 83 near Charron Vineyards on May 6, 2017, southeast of Vail, Ariz.Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Zen Day on UA's Dead Day
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Mark Rethy, a politics undergraduate student, finds a peaceful shady spot to get some writing work done on his laptop on the University of Arizona campus during "Dead Day", otherwise known as no-class day before the start of final exams, on May 4, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
UA rock-drilling competition
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Nathan Kraft, a 22-year-old mining engineer, gets his victory toss into the Old Main fountain after winning the University of Arizona Department of Mining and Geological Engineering's annual rock-drilling competition on April 21, 2017, near Old Main on the UA campus. In the competition, mining engineering students get two minutes on a compressed-air powered jackleg drill to bore as deep as possible into a 20-ton rock. The winner has traditionally been tossed into the fountain outside Old Main. Atlas Copco donated the air compressor for use.Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Spring Fling 2017
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Riders express varying levels of enjoyment while riding "Re-Mix II" during Spring Fling 2017 on the University of Arizona campus on April 7, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. The student-run carnival is expected to attract 32,000 attendees during its three-day run. This year's carnival features more than 40 rides, games and food booths. Spring Fling continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 for the general public. UA CatCard-holders, military personnel and children 7 and under are free. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
A look back at UA Commencement ceremonies
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Graduates, including psychology major Kayla Holder at right, cheer as the fireworks go off during the 153rd University of Arizona Commencement ceremony on May 12, 2017, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. UA president Ann Weaver Hart conferred about 6,800 degrees on the Class of 2017. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Citizen C.A.T.E. Experiment in Tucson
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Cienega High School Astronomy Club student Bruno Acevedo, 16, admires the image of the sun viewed through specially-tinted glasses at the school, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, on May 6, 2017, in Vail, Ariz. Matt Penn, an astronomer with the National Solar Observatory, instructed the students and other solar observers from around the country to participate in capturing the solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2017
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A group of young people take off racing down the sidewalk along Congress Street as a monsoon storm unleashes on downtown on July 17, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Monsoon 2017
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Lightning touches down with a rain cell northwest of town on July 31, 2017, west of Tucson, Ariz.
Fun in the monsoon runoff
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Naomy Robles, 7, sits atop dad Raul's shoulder while they bask in the water cascading over Sabino Dam as visitors to Sabino Canyon enjoy a cooling-off in the abundant monsoon runoff flow near the Sabino Dam on Aug. 4, 2017, in northeast Tucson, Ariz.
Phoenix St. Mary's vs. Salpointe Catholic high school football
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Salpointe's Lathan Ransom (8) hauls in a 24-yard score during the first quarter of the Phoenix St. Mary's vs. Salpointe Catholic high school football game on Aug. 18, 2017, at Salpointe Catholic High School, 1545 E. Copper St., in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona Wildcats portrait day
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Arizona Wildcats tight end Trevor Wood (8) hops aboard quarterback Donavan Tate (15) for a photograph during University of Arizona Wildcats football media day at Lowell-Stevens Football Facility on Aug. 19, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona Wildcats football practice
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Rich Rodriguez wields his water gun to distract Shun Brown from fielding a kick return during practice on Aug. 19, 2017, at Sancet Stadium in Tucson.
Solar eclipse in Tucson
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A composite of photographs showing the path of the moon obscuring the sun during the partial solar eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Cienega vs. Marana high school football
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A crescent moon photographed through a bank of field lights during the first half of the Cienega vs. Marana high school football game on Aug. 25, 2017, at Marana High School, 12000 W Emigh Road, in Marana, Ariz.
Cienega vs. Marana high school football
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Marana players warm up before the Cienega vs. Marana high school football game on Aug. 25, 2017, at Marana High School.
Northern Arizona University vs. University of Arizona college football
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Return specialist Shun Brown (6) is among the assets new Arizona special-teams coordinator Jeremy Springer inherits.
Santa Cruz River flood risk
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Vegetation sprouts up through dried washbed along the Santa Cruz River west of Interstate 10 on Sept. 7, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Vegetation and sediment build-up along the river may prove disastrous for some vehicle bridges between Grant Road and 22nd Street.
GLOW! 2017 festival in Oracle
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Drew Kirk smiles as he basks in blacklight-glowing face paint during the GLOW! Festival at the Triangle L Ranch, 2805 N. Triangle L Ranch Road, on Sept. 9, 2017, in Oracle, Ariz. Dubbed a "nighttime art experience", GLOW! is held over four nights this year featuring live music, lights, and art displays sprawling over a five-acre ranch setting.
Top Rank boxing at the TCC
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Victos Rosas, right, absorbs a blow from Fazliddin Gaibnazarov during their super lightweight bout on the Top Rank boxing card at the Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church, on Sept. 22, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Gaibnazarov in the seventh round via TKO.
Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta
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In this multiple exposure, the Reds' Ryan Hendrix pitches in the fifth inning during the Aguilas de Mexicali vs. Cincinnati Reds Future Stars game at the 7th Annual Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way, on Oct. 6, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. The games, featuring teams from the Mexican Pacific League and United States, continue through Sunday.
Mini Muster for Richardson Elementary
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Firefighter Patrick Brown, left, instructs Carlos where to spray a burst of water during a Mini Muster event for Richardson Elementary second-graders on Oct. 12, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Northwest Fire District hosted the event which allows the kids hands-on firefighting safety with bucket brigade relay race, extinguishing fake fire with real fire hoses, navigating the smoke trailer, executing a fire escape plan and more. October is National Fire Prevention Month and the muster culminates a week-long curriculum of fire safety lessons in the classroom. This is the 30th anniversary of the Mini Muster.
Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA college football
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Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate's Heisman Trophy stock is soaring heading into the 2018 season.
Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA college football
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Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor (21) breaks free for a run during the first quarter of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue scrimmage
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The Arizona Wildcats squad roars in approval of Alex Barcello's dunk contest slam during the University of Arizona Wildcats Red-Blue men's basketball scrimmage in McKale Center on Oct. 20, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
UA Homecoming bonfire
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Jaymin Patel, a graduate student, flashes the "Wildcat" hand sign during the 2017 University of Arizona Homecoming bonfire and crowning of the king and queen in front of Old Main on Oct. 27, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Empire Ranch
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Sunshine peeks through the worn beams of the south barn at the Historic Empire Ranch just east of State Route 83 on Oct. 26, 2017, near Sonoita, Ariz.
Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 15 Washington State Cougars college football
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) points skyward after his 49-yard rushing touchdown during the third quarter of the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 15 Washington State Cougars college football game at Arizona Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won 58-37.
Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 15 Washington State Cougars college football
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Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) roars after a long run in the second quarter at the University of Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 15 Washington State Cougars college football game at Arizona Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Naturalization ceremony
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The Tran family (from left) Chuong, his four-month-old daughter Mai, father Thai and Thai's wife Thanh celebrate newly-minted citizen Thai during a naturalization ceremony in honor of Veterans Day at the Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road, on Nov. 9, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Thai Tran hails from Vietnam. Ninety-nine new citizens hailing from 23 different countries took the Oath of Allegiance to become United States citizens.
Coats for Kids
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Calypso Larsen smiles during a ride on the carousel at Peter Piper Pizza after getting a new coat from next door at Fallas discount store, 4152 E. 22nd St., on Nov. 16, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Through financial backing from the Rincon Optimist Club, 52 students from Lineweaver Elementary shopped for a new winter coat, gloves and knit cap. Afterward, they consumed nearly 60 pizzas from Peter Piper Pizza next door and enjoyed free tokens for video games.
35th El Tour de Tucson
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The leaders pass the aircraft boneyard during the 35th El Tour de Tucson bicycle race on Nov. 18, 2017.
Lauren Green
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Lauren Green goes wide-eyed with surprise as high school coach Deia Mack Turner sneaks in for a hug during National Letter-of-Intent signing day at Cienega High School, 12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way, on Nov. 8, 2017, in Vail, Ariz. Lauren Green signed to play basketball for Long Beach State University.
Allonzo Trier visits Davidson Elementary
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University of Arizona Wildcats basketball player Allonzo Trier finds a lane around several undersized defenders as he visits Davidson Elementary School, 3950 E. Paradise Falls Drive, on Dec. 8, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Trier read aloud to kindergarten classes, spoke to students during a special assembly and played a pick-up game with students on the playground.
Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2017 Territorial Cup
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