A Bald Eagle ensures it has a good grip on its prairie dog breakfast as it flies off. Taken in Adams County, Colorado yesterday.
Golden Eagle makes unusual appearance on the plains
It isn’t too often you find these gorgeous birds out on the plains and I have only seen them a handful of times at all. This past weekend though, good fortune struck not once, but twice.
I initially got pictures of one on Saturday but the lighting was poor leading to disappointing images. Yesterday I returned to the same area and with gorgeous, clear blue skies got some great pics. I could not be happier and truly appreciate my friend, Bill, telling me he had spotted it.
Here in Colorado, Golden Eagles are more likely to be found in the foothills and mountains than on the plains. They are very large birds with wingspans over 6 feet across and very fast and maneuverable having been clocked at nearly 200mph in a dive!
Images taken in Adams County, Colorado. Scroll down to view the complete gallery.
Christmas Eve Portrait of a Bald Eagle
A belated Freedom Friday posting due to the holiday. With family in town for the holidays, we took them for a tour of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas Eve morning.
For the most part, the sights were pretty standard fare – up until we were approaching the gate to leave.
This gorgeous Bald Eagle was perched in one of the trees at the entrance and allowed me to get some fantastic captures, including some very nice close ups like this one.
There are lots of eagles at the refuge this time of year but they tend to stay in the areas where people aren’t allowed. Thankfully this one made an exception for us.
Merry Christmas from the Mile High City
The Denver City & County Building is a gorgeous piece of architecture, especially during the holiday season when it is lit up in a myriad of colors. Tonight we took our family down to view this beautiful display in all its splendor. Light snow was falling, the bells chiming, music playing. Just beautiful! Scroll down to view the complete gallery.
My day today was filled with family and food and lots of laughter and love – I hope yours was as well. I wish you all a very merry Christmas. Remember – He is the reason for the season.
“Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””
Prairie Falcon makes head on launch
I was taking pictures of this gorgeous raptor last week while it sat perched on a utility pole. Normally birds will avoid launching toward you, instead choosing to take a safer route away from the human interloper. This falcon though decided to launch almost directly at me, allowing me to capture this cool sequence of images.
It was in fact watching a small flock of blackbirds behind me and decided to try to snag one for a meal. It wasn’t successful and I missed capturing images of it diving directly though the flock but I was very happy with the launch sequence I was able to get.
These raptors are not particular about their diet and will feed on smaller birds including larks, swallows and doves but will also feed on rodents including squirrels.
Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Bald Eagle showcases classic form, impressive talons
Yesterday ended just about perfectly as I spotted this gorgeous raptor on my way home. Even better, it put on quite a show alternating between posing for pictures, flying around and then returning to roost.
These are a few pics of the eagle when it paused and took a break. It was absolutely regal. Probably one of my favorite parts of these images are the impressive view of those massive, deadly talons.
Bald Eagles are believed to have a grasp capable of exerting an astonishing 400psi. By comparison, the average human’s hand comes in around 20psi. Needless to say, when an eagle latches on to a rabbit, prairie dog or fish, the prey isn’t very likely to get away.
Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Bald Eagle silhouetted by the late day sun
Well this sure made for a fine way to end the work day. 🙂
Coyote casts a cautious glance
Out and about driving Sunday morning on a twisty road northeast of Denver I caught a glimpse of something bolting across the road. Slowing down I see a bushy tail just as it disappeared on the other side of a berm. Coming to a stop and getting out I find this beautiful Coyote.
It was not too thrilled about being spotted and proceeded to the top of a nearby hill where it finally stopped and turned around just long enough for me a capture a few images.
Coyotes are amazingly adaptable animals and have not been greatly impacted by human expansion. Here in the area I live, this has resulted in some human – coyote conflicts, mainly with the coyotes attacking domestic pets. They range across North America and some have even been seen into Central America and Panama.
Dark Morph Ferruginous Hawk provides perfect flyby
Many of you are aware that this particular type of raptor has been a ‘white whale’ of sorts for me. Ferruginous Hawks are common this time of year in Colorado but the dark morph variety is relatively rare and my best attempts at getting quality pictures have always been foiled.
It was very frustrating to say the least but last week I finally got the pictures I had been craving. I came across this beautiful hawk northeast of Denver, Colorado one afternoon and unlike it times past, it tolerated my presence.
After posing for some pictures, it then launched into the air and gave me a fantastic flyby. Perhaps it was its early Christmas present to me or maybe it just finally took pity on me. Either way, I could not be happier. Scroll down to view the complete series.
Marmot gets its close up
Jumping backwards in time to July 3 for this image taken in a location you can’t get to this time of year due to the snow. High atop Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, these little guys are very entertaining as they scurry about the talus slopes.
I sat there watching this Yellow-bellied Marmot and its friends for quite a while when it decided it needed a closer look at the guy pointing the camera. Ever so cautiously it hopped over the rocks and approached me, coming to within a few feet. After giving me a good inspection with its eyes and nose, it decided I was no threat and went about its daily activities.