Since 2007, Flickr has invited everyone on the site to review the images they've posted in the past twelve months, choose the best, and add that selected image to a special Your Best Shot group pool.

As I write this article, there are almost 14,000 photos in the pool, so seeing all of them isn't a realistic option. Happily, the Flickr blog has already done some of the browsing for us and has published small themed collections: Seasonal shots, black and white shots, even elephant shots! Links to all of the collections (plus representative images) are below. And if you have a really long winter break, by all means, check out the entire group pool! To see the previous two years in pictures, visit the 2007 pool and 2008 pool.

There's also an amusing Worst Shot group pool, which this photo is from:

And now, the Flickr blog selections from the Best of 2009 pool:

Your Best Shot 2009: Four Seasons

Your Best Shot 2009: Tattoo

Your Best Shot 2009: Seen Under the Street

Your Best Shot 2009: Seen On the Street

Your Best Shot 2009: Truth in Advertising

Your Best Shot 2009: Taking Flight

Your Best Shot 2009: Clowns

Your Best Shot 2009: Vanishing Point

Your Best Shot 2009: Black & White

Your Best Shot 2009: For the Birds

Your Best Shot 2009: Pachyderm