Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

“This is even better than last night’s!”

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A paddleboarder takes in the setting sun at a lake in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
A paddleboarder takes in the setting sun at a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

That is what this paddle boarder told her friend as she entered my sunset shot this past Sunday. I would have to agree.

If you want to see stunning sunsets and sunrises with regularity, skip those mountains and head east to Colorado’s plains. The shows that start and end the day are oftentimes simply spectacular, as it was on this evening.

We were camping and seeing what the sky was doing, my wife and I went for a walk along the shoreline, me with camera in hand of course. I was initially annoyed that the paddle boarder entered my frame and I contemplated relocating to get a clear shot.

However, I then actually became enthusiastic about her presence realizing she actually added to the image and moved to get her in what I hoped was just the right spot. Her pose at that instant was perfect and silhouetted against the setting sun across the lake really worked well.

I took a ton of pics on our six-day trip but I have to say, this is probably the one I love the most. It highlights just about everything I love about being outdoors in Colorado and sharing it with my best friend, my wife, made it all the more special. Taken at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s North Sterling State Park.

Grove of aspen trees glowing in the morning light

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Aspen trees reach for the sun in Routt National Forest. (© Tony's Takes)
Aspen trees reach for the sun in Routt National Forest. (© Tony’s Takes)

When up in the area near Steamboat Lake, Colorado a few weeks ago, my wife and I took a bit of a diversion. We happened across a random Forest Service road and decided to head up and see what we could find.

It was a gorgeous day for a drive in the mountains, disconnected and well away from other people. We eventually stopped to take a break and went for a beautiful hike through the forest, coming to this grove of aspen. Just us and the trees in the Rocky Mountains. Awesome!

Smoky Front Range sunset

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Haze from wildfires create a beautiful sunset on the Colorado Front Range. (© Tony's Takes)
Haze from wildfires create a beautiful sunset on the Colorado Front Range. (© Tony’s Takes)

Last week the Colorado Front Range saw pretty hazy skies due to wildfires to our southwest. While I certainly do not like the fires or the damage they cause, they do create some pretty darned beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Last Wednesday evening I was out northeast of Denver photographing critters when this scene unfolded behind me. I of course quickly swapped cameras and began taking pictures the opposite direction.

The most prominent peaks just right of center are Mount Meeker and Longs Peak. The rest of the Rockies as seen looking west are also silhouetted by the orange glow of sunset and the haze.

First light on the Rocky Mountains

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The day's first light hits Bowen Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony's Takes)
The day’s first light hits Bowen Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

I have no idea what the name of this mountain is but it is my favorite on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park as seen from the Kawuneeche Valley.

  • Edit: I have learned it is Bowen Mountain.

This morning I had a very specific reason to be in this area, requiring a 3:00am departure from home. That was hard but, it was worth it and not because of this pic. You will have to tune in tomorrow to see why I was up so early.

Roaring mountain waterfall

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Fish Creek Falls near Steamboat Springs, Colorado roars with a strong spring run-off. (© Tony's Takes)
Fish Creek Falls near Steamboat Springs, Colorado roars with a strong spring run-off. (© Tony’s Takes)

This was a fun little diversion on our trip to northwestern Colorado earlier this week.

Fish Creek Falls is right in Steamboat Springs and a short, easy hike from the trailhead. While figuring out our plan for the day, my wife mentioned she heard there was a cool waterfall nearby. She was definitely right!

At 280 feet tall it is big and throwing in the heavy runoff from snow melt, it was absolutely roaring.

Our mid-day visit wasn’t ideal in terms of photography with harsh light but I made the most of it by throwing on a Neutral Density (ND) filter and using a slow shutter speed. That allowed the “blurring” of the water as it rushed down the falls and the creek.

The scene was absolutely gorgeous – and loud – and we were happy to finally be back in the #mountains.

Trees in the mist

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Mountaintop trees shrouded in low clouds. (© Tony's Takes)
Mountaintop trees shrouded in low clouds. (© Tony’s Takes)

I just haven’t had much opportunity to get any decent landscape shots but here is one from this past weekend.

I had arrived at my photo destination in the Colorado high country and was waiting for the critters to make an appearance. Low clouds were moving through, occasionally obscuring the view of the top of a nearby mountain.

I did convert the image to black and white as there was barely any color in the shadows of the mountain anyway, giving it a bit of an eerie feel.

From the golden dome of the Colorado state capitol building to the Great Plains

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A lone bison bull walks across the plains with Denver, Colorado in the background. (© Tony's Takes)
A lone bison bull walks across the plains with Denver, Colorado in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

A bit of Old West meets the new west as a bison strolls along the plains with the Mile High City and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

I’ve taken hundreds of pictures of the bison in front of Denver like this but every time I just get excited. Such a cool scene and one that helps me to remember why I love living in the Centennial State.

This image is available in a wide variety of formats here. 

Even the pronghorn stop to check out Colorado’s amazing scenery

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A pronghorn buck lies on the plains while in the distance, the Rocky Mountains tower. (© Tony's Takes)
A pronghorn buck lies on the plains while in the distance, the Rocky Mountains tower. (© Tony’s Takes)

Yesterday my son and I headed out to the Pawnee National Grasslands for some recreation and relaxation. I didn’t take many pics as it was mainly just about spending time together but there were a couple scenes I had to capture, this being one of them.

At this point, Longs Peak, the most prominent mountain in the picture, was 65 miles away but no less impressive than if far closer. The scene was gorgeous with those snow-capped Rocky Mountains and the sprawling plains in front of them. The pronghorn buck seemed to appreciate the seen as much as I as he looked toward those beautiful peaks.

Feeling at home on the range

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Bison graze on the plains with the city of Denver and the Rocky Mountains in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)
Bison graze on the plains with the city of Denver and the Rocky Mountains in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

I’ve taken many pictures of this scene before and I just never tire of it. It is such a privilege to live here in Colorado and viewing this is a great reminder of just how good we have it, even in these uncertain times.

Earth Day 2020 and one of my favorite places on the planet

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Lake Louise near Banff, Alberta, Canada. (© Tony’s Takes)
Lake Louise near Banff, Alberta, Canada. (© Tony’s Takes)

Hmm. I debated what image and subject I would share for the event. So many choices and I decided to keep it simple and pick a shot from one of my favorite areas on Earth.

This is Lake Louise In Banff, Canada taken in 2016. The northern Rocky Mountains were, quite simply, stunning. I kept saying, “You can’t take a bad picture”, and that was as close to true as any place I have ever been.

Scenes like this renew my soul and help to serve as a reminder that we are stewards of this planet and need to take of it.