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Eagle photojournalist Travis Heying’s favorite photographs of 2025

By Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The northern lights as the appeared at around 8:30 p.m on Nov. 11 near the Marion and Chase County line.
The northern lights as the appeared at around 8:30 p.m on Nov. 11 near the Marion and Chase County line. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle

As another year of covering news and sporting events in and around Wichita comes to pass, I consider myself fortunate to get to witness and document many of the amazing and meaningful things that take place in our community.

The year in Wichita there were several memorable moments, from the NCAA basketball tournament to street protests. Another highlight for me was when Joe Walsh came home to lend aid to veterans.

But my favorite subject, and the one that challenges me the most, is the pursuit of showing the beauty of Kansas and proving that it’s far from boring.

Here are some of my favorite shots I took this year.

A bald eagle carrying a fish is tailed by a crow over the Arkansas River south of downtown Wichita in January.
A bald eagle carrying a fish is tailed by a crow over the Arkansas River south of downtown Wichita in January. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Workers install the court for the NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena.
Workers install the court for the NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Two students work on a snowman at Friends University in January.
Two students work on a snowman at Friends University in January. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Two wild mustangs touch noses in a pasture in Greenwood County.
Two wild mustangs touch noses in a pasture in Greenwood County. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Fireworks explode over the Arkansas River on the final night of the 2025 Wichita River Festival.
Fireworks explode over the Arkansas River on the final night of the 2025 Wichita River Festival. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A law enforcement honor guard fires off a 21-gun salute near the conclusion of a ceremony outside of City Hall to honor all Wichita and Sedgwick County law enforcement officers that have died in the line of duty.
A law enforcement honor guard fires off a 21-gun salute near the conclusion of a ceremony outside of City Hall to honor all Wichita and Sedgwick County law enforcement officers that have died in the line of duty. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The Keeper of the Plains before a canvas of sun rays and clouds.
The Keeper of the Plains before a canvas of sun rays and clouds. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A field of American flags on display at the Machinist Union near I-235 and South Meridian blow in the wind. The display is placed every year to commemorate Memorial Day.
A field of American flags on display at the Machinist Union near I-235 and South Meridian blow in the wind. The display is placed every year to commemorate Memorial Day. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Alan Hanna of Maize set a Kansas State Track and Field Championship high jump record with a jump of seven feet, three and half inches.
Alan Hanna of Maize set a Kansas State Track and Field Championship high jump record with a jump of seven feet, three and half inches. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The "Families Belong Together" protest gathered at 9 a.m. in severe weather at 21st and Broadway on June 14, with plans to march down Broadway to Central. Rain and lightning delayed their start, but not for Joann Montanez, who said that families being ripped apart don't care about bad weather. So she set off alone down Broadway, with cars honking and driving around her. At one point, a law enforcement officer pleaded with her to stay out of the street, but Joann was determined, claiming the parade permit was good from 9 a.m. to noon. The rest of the protestors, about 75 to 100, began their march an hour later, under police escort.
The "Families Belong Together" protest gathered at 9 a.m. in severe weather at 21st and Broadway on June 14, with plans to march down Broadway to Central. Rain and lightning delayed their start, but not for Joann Montanez, who said that families being ripped apart don't care about bad weather. So she set off alone down Broadway, with cars honking and driving around her. At one point, a law enforcement officer pleaded with her to stay out of the street, but Joann was determined, claiming the parade permit was good from 9 a.m. to noon. The rest of the protestors, about 75 to 100, began their march an hour later, under police escort. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A lightning bolt strikes the ground from a tornado-warned storm near Caldwell in June.
A lightning bolt strikes the ground from a tornado-warned storm near Caldwell in June. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Marcus Keene celebrates with fans after his three pointer gave the Aftershocks the 66-63 win over Forever Coogs in the quarterfinal of the TBT Tournament at Koch Arena.
Marcus Keene celebrates with fans after his three pointer gave the Aftershocks the 66-63 win over Forever Coogs in the quarterfinal of the TBT Tournament at Koch Arena. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Wichita City Council candidate Joseph Shepard reacts after the second update from the Sedgwick County election office showed him with a commanding lead in the District 1 primary election.
Wichita City Council candidate Joseph Shepard reacts after the second update from the Sedgwick County election office showed him with a commanding lead in the District 1 primary election. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Wichita undergoing a massive renovation project.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Wichita undergoing a massive renovation project. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A storm packing large hail moves into Sedgwick County on Sept. 3. Two storms passed through the area, the first affecting the north side of Wichita and second one bringing large hail to the west side.
A storm packing large hail moves into Sedgwick County on Sept. 3. Two storms passed through the area, the first affecting the north side of Wichita and second one bringing large hail to the west side. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Protestors take part in a “No Kings” protest in downtown Wichita. The protest was the second such protest in Wichita in 2025.
Protestors take part in a “No Kings” protest in downtown Wichita. The protest was the second such protest in Wichita in 2025. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson celebrates with fans after the Wildcats won their 17th straight game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson celebrates with fans after the Wildcats won their 17th straight game against Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Joseph Shepard is overcome with emotion after final results showed him winning the District 1 City Council race over LaWanda DeShazer.
Joseph Shepard is overcome with emotion after final results showed him winning the District 1 City Council race over LaWanda DeShazer. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
The full moon rises behind the Basilica of St. Fidelis, also known as the Cathedral of the Plains, in Victoria on Nov. 5. The November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon.
The full moon rises behind the Basilica of St. Fidelis, also known as the Cathedral of the Plains, in Victoria on Nov. 5. The November full moon is known as the Beaver Moon. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Ryker Ammons, 10, celebrates after signing his letter of intent to become an honorary member of the Newman Jets’ basketball team. The signing event was organized by Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams.
Ryker Ammons, 10, celebrates after signing his letter of intent to become an honorary member of the Newman Jets’ basketball team. The signing event was organized by Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, member of the Eagles and Wichita native Joe Walsh made a Veteran's Day appearance at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center to visit with patients. Walsh washeadlining the VetsAid Concert at Intrust Bank Arena, with all proceeds going to organizations that help local veterans. Walsh's father was an Army Air Force Pilot who died in a mid-air collision in 1949 and Walsh has been active in his adult life with causes to help veterans.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, member of the Eagles and Wichita native Joe Walsh made a Veteran's Day appearance at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center to visit with patients. Walsh washeadlining the VetsAid Concert at Intrust Bank Arena, with all proceeds going to organizations that help local veterans. Walsh's father was an Army Air Force Pilot who died in a mid-air collision in 1949 and Walsh has been active in his adult life with causes to help veterans. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Kapaun head coach Weston Schartz is given a ceremonial Gatorade bath after Schartz led Kapaun Mt. Carmel to the 4A state title. This was Schartz’s first state championship in nearly 40 years of coaching. Kapaun defeated Bishop Miege 56-21.
Kapaun head coach Weston Schartz is given a ceremonial Gatorade bath after Schartz led Kapaun Mt. Carmel to the 4A state title. This was Schartz’s first state championship in nearly 40 years of coaching. Kapaun defeated Bishop Miege 56-21. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Dancers take part in a parade through north Wichita on Dec. 11 as part of the Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day. The event commemorates an apparition of the Virgin Mary's before Mexican farmer Juan Diego in 1531.
Dancers take part in a parade through north Wichita on Dec. 11 as part of the Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day. The event commemorates an apparition of the Virgin Mary's before Mexican farmer Juan Diego in 1531. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A dancer waits for the start of a parade through north Wichita on Dec. 11 as part of the Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day. The event commemorates an apparition of the Virgin Mary's before Mexican farmer Juan Diego in 1531.
A dancer waits for the start of a parade through north Wichita on Dec. 11 as part of the Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day. The event commemorates an apparition of the Virgin Mary's before Mexican farmer Juan Diego in 1531. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
Wichita State’s Noah Hill steals the ball from DePaul’s Kruz McClure, with help from teammate Kenyon Giles, during the first half on Dec. 13 at Koch Arena.
Wichita State’s Noah Hill steals the ball from DePaul’s Kruz McClure, with help from teammate Kenyon Giles, during the first half on Dec. 13 at Koch Arena. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
A wild mustang glows in the late afternoon sun near Teter Rock.
A wild mustang glows in the late afternoon sun near Teter Rock. Travis Heying The Wichita Eagle
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