Something different but something that needs to be recognized
Want to make a veteran tear up? Give this to them.
That is exactly what happened to me yesterday. I discovered these in a tiny little Ziploc bag under the windshield wiper on my truck. It took me a minute to digest what it was but once I did, I couldn’t help but get tears.
Such a thoughtful gesture and one that I truly appreciate. So, my heartfelt thanks go out to Girl Scouts Troop 63979. God bless you and God bless America!
A thoughtful gift left under the windshield of my truck – Stars for Heroes. (© Tony’s Takes)
Now available: Ceramic coffee mugs
Here’s something new and fun. Ceramic mugs in 11 or 15 ounce sizes with any of my wildlife, landscape, weather or urban images on them. Check them out here.
Coffee mugs with amazing landscape and wildlife imagery. (© Tony’s Takes)
December 7th, 1941. A date which will live in infamy…
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an event that forever changed our nation. Having served in the U.S. Navy, this day and that place have extraordinary, profound meaning to me. The thought of the horrors seen the day of that despicable and cowardly attack give rise to a variety of emotions.
I had the distinct honor of visiting there twice when I was in the service: Once in August 1995 as we took part in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of D-Day and again in November 1996 when we returned from a deployment to the Persian Gulf.
It was on that last visit that I manned the rails of my ship and saluted the USS Arizona as we passed the watery grave of so many heroes. I distinctly remember hearing the whistle and then the command, “Hand salute,” and proudly raised my right hand to my brow as goosebumps came over me and tears welled in my eyes. A sobering moment, one that I will never forget.
I wish camera technology then (and my skill) was what it is now as the few pictures I have simply do not do it justice. The two images of the USS Arizona Memorial were taken by me on my visit in 1995. The other is a U.S. Navy photo of my ship, the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), as she passed the memorial in 1996. I am one of those figures in white manning the rails. 😉
The USS Carl Vinson passes by the USS Arizona Memorial in November 1996. (US Navy)
The USS Arizona Memorial. Taken in August 1995. (© Tony’s Takes)
The names of the fallen on the wall of the USS Arizona Memorial. Image taken in August 1995. (© Tony’s Takes)
There’s wildlife in there somewhere
One of the great parts about photography is getting to connect with other photographers. We chit chat, share tips, talk about whatever we are viewing and more. It can be a fun, social experience and almost all are courteous – almost all.
Every now and then you have someone that just doesn’t get it. Such was the case yesterday morning. I had found a nice viewing angle for some Moose when this guy walks up and sets up 10 feet directly in front of me totally blocking my angle. I said, “excuse me” and he looked back and then just kept on shooting.
There is certainly some etiquette out there and clearly this includes not blocking someone else’s shot, especially when they were there first. Thankfully these types of folks are few and far between out there in the field and in the end I did get some pretty cool images and didn’t let his rudeness ruin the day.
Blocked view. A photographer steps in the way rather than being courteous. (© Tony’s Takes)
Use of deadly force authorized
These unusual facilities dot the landscape across southeastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado. It always seems a bit odd to find these silos out in the relative open. On one hand it is pretty cool to see but also a bit disconcerting when you think about what is inside and what could happen in a worst case scenario.
For every 10 silos there is one underground Launch Control Center (LCC) where two officers have primary control of the missiles. The LCC is what you oftentimes see depicted in Cold War era movies with the monstrous blast doors and the two guys that have to ‘turn the keys’ to launch.
If you ever find yourself in central South Dakota, check out Minuteman Missile National Historic Site where you can actually go down inside an inactive LCC and view a silo whose top has been removed. It is absolutely fascinating.
A Minuteman Missile silo stands guard on the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Top Shots of 2015
To say I took a lot of pictures last year would be an understatement. Whittling all of those images down to a manageable number to showcase was tough but here are 39 that are my personal favorites from 2015. Subject matter ranges from wildlife to urban scenes to extreme weather. As I was going through these, I was smiling and thinking about the stories behind the photos and how privileged I am to have witnessed such amazing scenes and creatures. Which ones do you like best? Feel free to share and comment.
Young Red Tailed Hawk. Commerce City, Colorado.
Downtown Denver at sunrise.
Bald Eagle in flight. Fort Collins, Colorado.
Juvenile Bald Eagle. Fort Collins, Colorado.
Coyote pair. Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado.
Female Great Horned Owl in fight. Commerce City, Colorado.
Bald Eagle makes some noise. Longmont, Colorado.
Osprey landing. Longmont, Colorado.
Burrowing Owl. Adams County, Colorado.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Aurora, Colorado.
Rainbow on the plains. Colby, Kansas.
Supercell thunderstorm. Lamar, Colorado.
Lightning illuminated thunderstorm. Southeastern, Colorado.
Marmot in the sun. Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bighorn Sheep ram. Rocky Mountain National Park.
Female Black Bear. Waterton Canyon, Colorado.
Black Bear cub. Waterton Canyon, Colorado.
Mountain Goats. Mount Evans, Colorado.
Mad moose. Brainard Lake, Colorado.
The Milky Way. Brainard Lake, Colorado.
Bugling bull Elk. Rocky Mountain National Park.
A squirrel's view of fall foliage. Rocky Mountain National Park.
Bison and Denver. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
River reflections. Thornton, Colorado.
Columns of justice. Denver, Colorado.
Bald Eagle and the Rocky Mountains. Longmont, Colorado.
Dueling bucks. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Female Northern Harrier. Adams County, Colorado.
Snowy Owl. Adams County, Colorado.
Ferruginous Hawk. Adams County, Colorado.
Male American Kestrel. Adams County, Colorado.
Bald Eagle and Prairie Dog. Adams County, Colorado.
Dark Morph Ferruginous Hawk. Adams County, Colorado.
Talking Bald Eagles. Thornton, Colorado.
Bald Eagle head on. Thornton, Colorado.
Prairie Falcon launch. Adams County, Colorado.
Bald Eagle portrait. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado.
Denver City and County Building.
Male Northern Harrier. Adams County, Colorado.
Burrowing Owls called the PoPo on me
Burrowing Owls called the PoPo on me. Nah, not really but the two made for a very interesting morning.
I stopped to check out one of the reported burrowing owl spots just northeast of Denver International Airport. Found the pair and was having a good time taking pictures of them from my truck. I noticed an SUV with the City of Denver logo on the doors drive by a few times checking me out and figured he didn’t like me being where I was at. Note however that I was NOT in any of the restricted stopping areas that are out there – I was well outside them.
After 15 minutes or so clouds move in so I decide to move on and head back west. Sure enough, here comes a Denver Police Department SUV that promptly flips a u-turn behind me and pulls me over. Very nice guy. He explains that airport security was getting nervous because I was taking pics near airport facilities. I tell him I was checking out owls and even show him my captures from the morning. He then asks for my ID and goes back to his car to check it out.
Next thing I know two more cop cars show up (they were likely called in advance before they knew I wasn’t a terrorist and instead just a dumb photographer). They all walk up and we begin chit-chatting, showed them my pictures and one even pointed out where he had seen some eagles recently. They reiterate that the fact I was close to the airport got their attention but they also admit that I was in a perfectly legal spot parked alongside a public road so did nothing wrong.
It was a pleasant encounter for sure although I have to say this is the first time my photographic activity has caused such a stir from law enforcement. LOL! Anyway, I thought you might enjoy the story and picture.
- On the net: ACLU – Know Your Rights: Photographers
Three Denver Police vehicles respond after I roused suspicions taking pictures of Burrowing Owls near Denver International Airport. (© Tony’s Takes)
Tony’s Takes Flickr Photostream
To say I take a lot of pictures would be an understatement. I generally try not to overwhelm readers of this website or my various social media pages by posting too many pictures of the same subject. While I may love two dozen pictures of the same thing, I suspect some people don’t. 😉
This page has my entire Flickr Photostream embedded and shows almost every picture I take for those that want to see more of my images. At the bottom are links to go forward / back through pages of pictures.
Pronghorn bucks battle while others watch
Pronghorn bucks battling
Pronghorn bucks battling
Two pairs of Pronghorn bucks battle
Two pairs of Pronghorn bucks battle
Pronghorn bucks watching the photographer
Pair of Pronghorn bucks lock horns
Pair of Pronghorn bucks
Pronghorn bucks battling
Pronghorn bucks battling
Pair of Pronghorn bucks
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Pronghorn bucks battle while another watch
Pronghorn bucks battling
Pronghorn bucks on the move
Golden sunflower and those beautiful, blue Colorado skies
Golden sunflower and those beautiful, blue Colorado skies
Big flower, little bee
Busy bee on a sunflower
One sunflower among thousands
Golden sunflower and those beautiful, blue Colorado skies
Sunflower in the early morning sun
Sunflower up close
Golden sunflower and those beautiful, blue Colorado skies
One sunflower among thousands
Busy bee on a sunflower
Golden sunflower and those beautiful, blue Colorado skies
Sunflower up close
Sunflower up close
A field of gold
A field of gold
One sunflower among thousands
One sunflower among thousands
A smoky haze of a sunrise
A smoky haze of a sunrise
A smoky haze of a sunrise
Young Cooper's Hawk keeping watch
Young Cooper's Hawk making some noise
Young Cooper's Hawk keeping watch
Young Cooper's Hawk watching a bug
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl owlet keeping watch
Burrowing Owl owlet picks a high perch
Burrowing Owl mates
Red-tailed Hawk out in a field
Female Burrowing Owl with breakfast
Female Burrowing Owl in her burrow
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Burrowing Owl mates
Young bull and cow Moose
Young bull Moose keeping watch
Moose cow and bull
Young bull Moose
Young Moose bull samples the foliage
Moose cow grazing
Moose cow out for a walk
Young bull Moose
Young bull and cow Moose
Young bull and cow Moose
Young bull and cow Moose
Young bull and cow Moose
Cow Moose eating breakfast
Young bull Moose
Young bull Moose
Young bull Moose
Moose cow and bull
Moose cow grazing
Moose cow grazing
Moose cow grazing
A trio of Mule Deer does in the forest
September 11, 2001: We Will Never Forget
Our patriotism pulled us through those trying times in 2001 and it shouldn’t take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Today let us stand together to remember the victims of that horrible day. Let us stand together and pay tribute to the lives of the thousands of men and women that have carried the battle forth since then and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us stand together and honor the hundreds of thousands who wear our nation’s uniforms protecting us. Let us never forget so that we and our children will never experience another day like 9/11. NEVER FORGET! God Bless America!
Never Forget: September 11, 2001. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wayward Fairlane
I went for a walk as usual today and didn’t really get anything particularly great scenery or wildlife wise. I did however find this old 1958 Ford Fairlane half buried in the bottom of what used to be a riverbed. With some softening and saturation of the colors I think it looks kind of cool.
Wayward Fairlane. (© Tony’s Takes)