Landscapes | Tony's Takes Photography

Orange and blue make for a gorgeous sunrise

November 12, 2023 by Tony

Early last Sunday morning I was sitting at my computer doing some work, not paying attention to the time. I got a notification that my friend Lori had posted a picture so I checked it out and it showed the early stages of what looked to be a fantastic sunrise. Quickly I wrapped up my work, grabbed my camera bag, and raced to one of my favorite area open spaces.

Once there, I jumped out of my truck and sprinted to the other side of the pond, knowing exactly where I wanted to be for the show. Thankfully, I made it just in time to capture some crazy cool looking clouds all lit up in orange with deep blue above and both reflecting on the water’s surface. Well worth the rush!

Behind the falls and the fall foliage for Waterfall Wednesday

November 8, 2023 by Tony

A “behind the scenes” view of Rifle Falls State Park from our visit there last month. This was the first time we had visited this gem of a park in western Colorado and it was so worth the stop. Snow had fallen the night before so we got a taste of two seasons with the fall foliage showing off as well. An easy trail allows you to go behind the waterfalls, giving you a unique view – while getting a little bit wet from the splash of the water. We will definitely be returning to this place.

Stunner of a sunset kicks off the weekend

November 6, 2023 by Tony

Friday evening I was keeping close watch on the skies to the west. The clouds were lingering and with winds aloft, I suspected sunset could be a good one. Sure enough, before long, the colors started to change and those reds and oranges were making a show of it.

Being the end of the workweek though, I had zero motivation to drive somewhere and photograph it so resorted to my aerial equipment – my drone. You get a great view of the show above as well as the silhouette of the Rocky Mountains and lights on the streets of the suburbs near Denver, Colorado.

Fall and winter bring some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets to the Front Range, as this image shows.

Rome’s famed Colosseum

November 4, 2023 by Tony

I shared one image of this architectural wonder when we returned from our Italian vacation. Here are a few more captures.

I found myself looking for ‘different’ compositions for my pictures of these popular sights, knowing they had been photographed so many times before. Important to me as well was trying to minimize the presence of people in the images, something that is not easy with the crowds. That means some closer compositions, isolating various parts of the structure.

At the same time, I was battling with Air Canada over the fact they lost our luggage (don’t get me started about them!), making phone calls and conducting chats with their agents. Unfortunately, their failures kind of put a damper on our time in Rome but we enjoyed the balance of the trip much more once that was resolved with virtually no help from them.

Log and leaves in the fall

October 28, 2023 by Tony

The fall foliage on the Colorado Front Range this year has been pretty darned good with some gorgeous scenes to be found. Last weekend, the critters did not want to cooperate so I spent a good bit of time seeking out scenes like this.

A short walk took me off the beaten path where I could enjoy some peace and quiet. I sat on this log for a bit, just soaking in the view and listening to the rustling leaves in the breeze. When I went to stand up, I realized I was sitting on a nice spot for a picture. 😉

With a significant winter storm set to arrive today, the fall colors are not long for this world and will soon be replaced with bare branches and snow.

Fall foliage at Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rifle Falls State Park for Waterfall Wednesday

October 18, 2023 by Tony

Taking a break from the recent pics of planes, this was a very fun stop on our way to the airshow. The fall colors were starting to appear and while you only get a hint of it, a light snow had fallen the night before making for some beautiful scenes. Just standing and listening to the rushing water and taking it all in was amazing.

We had never been to this state park and believe me, it was SO worth the time. We will definitely return to camp and spend some more time exploring the area in the future.

Stunner of a sunset north of Denver, Colorado

October 17, 2023 by Tony

Ugh! I was a bit late to the party as I was wrapping up dinner but when I went to let Scout out (my dog), I realized I needed to try to capture some of the show this evening. I quickly ran inside and grabbed my drone and put it up for some quick captures of the sunset as the colors began to fade. If I had only been five minutes earlier, I am sure it would have been better but as-is, it came out pretty nicely I think.

Fall foliage from a couple hundred feet in the air

October 15, 2023 by Tony

One from my fall foliage excursion a couple of weeks ago. Taken on the east side of Boreas Pass and looking toward Como, Colorado and the South Park area, my drone provided a nice, bird’s eye view. The colors were gorgeous and the silhouetted mountains to the southwest on the other side of the valley were spectacular.

Setting moon over the Great Plains

October 13, 2023 by Tony

A beautiful, fall morning two weekends ago. Temperatures were mild, conditions were calm and the view awesome. The waning gibbous moon was slowly working its way down to the horizon and to the west, the Colorado Front Range foothills, the Boulder Flatirons and, of course, the Rocky Mountains were looking nice. I can’t get enough of views like this.

Happy Maze Monday! Or is it Maize Monday?

October 9, 2023 by Tony

My photo excursion yesterday did not turn out as planned. Multiple stops and a few miles of hiking yielded less than 10 captures on my camera. I was desperate to capture something, anything, so stopped by the corn maze that isn’t too far from my house.

This was actually something I had been wanting to photograph with my drone for quite a while, so it worked out okay. The view of the geometric shapes that make up the various paths through the maze were kind of cool to see from above and aren’t something you would normally be able to appreciate. If you live in the Denver area, stop by Maize in the City and check it out!