An inauguration-week visit from the president-elect. A field filled with sunflowers. And a pink flamingo that refused to go quietly.

Barack Obama spoke from War Memorial Plaza just three days before becoming the nation's 44th president. The Orioles' Adam Jones roamed center field as if he owned it, winning the franchise's first Gold Glove since 1999. And Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band played here for the first time since 1973.

As 2009 unfolded, Baltimore Sun photographers kept a careful record. Here's some of their best work, chosen by the newspaper's photo editors.

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE YEAR ON PAGES 8-9