Landscapes | Tony's Takes Photography

Towering aspen for fall foliage Friday

October 2, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Somewhat of a cliché picture of a type that is probably overdone but I always like taking these.

I shot this last Saturday in Rocky Mountain National Park in one of the few stands of trees that was showing some nice color. I certainly would have preferred blue skies above but haze from wildfires was intruding and giving the sky a milky appearance.

Nevertheless, it was a peaceful morning and one I enjoyed as I hiked through this area, enjoying the silence and peace.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Longs Peak in the clouds

September 28, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

At 14,259 feet high, Longs Peak is probably one of the most famous mountains in Colorado. It is the farthest north fourteener in the Rocky Mountains and can be seen from hundreds of miles away.

Named for Major Stephen Harriman Long, the first European explorer to record seeing the peak (1820), it is a central feature in Rocky Mountain National Park and indeed all of northern Colorado.

I snapped this image of this incredible mountain yesterday morning from the Moraine Park area as low clouds hung over the mountain. There was definitely (finally!) a fall-like feel with crisp, cool temperatures, the leaves on the trees changing and the sound of elk bugling.

Blazing orange in the forest for the first day of autumn

September 22, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

The change of seasons is upon us with the autumnal equinox and fall having arrived this morning. Here in Colorado, we are hoping for a break from the unseasonably warm and dry conditions but that does not appear in the cards for the foreseeable future.

The fall color show in the high country is starting in earnest right now although from what I am hearing, it is a bit hit or miss as drought has taken its toll on a lot of the foliage.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I may not get in my annual fall foliage drive, something I would normally be doing today or tomorrow. So, for this image, I jump back to 2016 and this spot along Geneva Creek on Guanella Pass. The area is one of the most popular for viewing the fall colors and for good reason

Smoky sunrise along a high country road

September 13, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Everyone is well aware of the devastating wildfires that have hit the western United States in recent weeks. Here in Colorado, we have had five major blazes, two of which have entered the record books as some of the largest in state history (one being the largest now).

The smoke from the blazes has oftentimes blanketed us in a red / orange haze with the smoke and smell carrying far from the fires. We did receive a much-needed bit of snow this past week and that has settled the fires down some. However, warm, dry weather returns this week and that is worrisome.

Taken last weekend, I sure hope this pic is one of the last “smoky sunrise” shots I take for a long while. I fear though that may not be the case.

Field of gold

September 10, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

As I mentioned before, I didn’t really spend much time on the sunflowers this season. There was just way too much drama at the fields and way too much bad behavior and I didn’t want to deal with the stress.

I did manage a couple “drive-bys” though when out taking picture of other subjects. This one, taken mid-August, is one of my favorites.

The field itself was relatively small so it didn’t lend itself to a wider shot. Instead, I zoomed in, capturing a dense spot giving it a much bigger feel than what was really there. Plus, that one sunflower standing just a bit taller than the others was a nice draw.

Cameron Peak Fire smoke plume creates a colorful sunset

September 5, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

A beautiful sunset this evening but, unfortunately, due to the Cameron Peak Fire which flared up this afternoon due to record high temperatures and strong winds. Massive smoke plume from the blaze (bottom right) as seen from Thornton, Colorado. Taken with my DJI Mavic Pro drone.

Golden aspen trees in the fall

September 1, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

A throwback image to last year on my fall foliage drive at the end of September and one I haven’t shared before.

Last year I didn’t have a great deal of luck with my timing but hopefully this year will be better. After the hot summer we had, lots of folks are ready to rush autumn in but I am not necessarily one of them as I do love warmer weather.

On my last couple of trips to the high country, I noticed some leaves already changing and, unfortunately, lots of stands of trees quite brown or with burnt edges on the leaves, an indicator of the hot, dry summer we have had here in Colorado. Hopefully there will be spots though that put on a nice show.

Smoky sunrise over a rocky landscape

August 29, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Taken one week ago when the smoke from wildfires in Colorado seemed to be at its height. Stepping outside that morning, the smell of the smoke was unmistakable and the sky thick with haze.

As the sun crested over the rugged terrain to the east, by this time on a normal morning it would have been very bright, the skies blue. That, as you can see, was not the case at all.

The landscape was instead bathed in an eerie orange and red light that was far more subdued in intensity than what it normally would be. Certainly we would prefer not to have the fires and the smoke but they do make for some interesting scenes.

Mountains cast sunset shadows on the smoky skies

August 22, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

A pretty cool capture but, of course, the conditions that made it cool are not.

Much of summer here in Colorado was exceedingly dry and over the past few weeks, nary a drop of rain has fallen. Topping it off, we have been seeing record-setting heat. Those conditions set the stage for wildfires in the high country.

As of right now, we have four major blazes going, one of which is now the second largest in state history and will likely take over the number one spot before it is out. It is sad to see so much of our precious forests burnt but, the smoke from them has created some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets.

Last weekend I closed out the day northeast of Denver, watching the setting sun. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky but as the sun went below the horizon, the mountains cast shadows onto the smoke while the sky was blaze orange. A neat scene, a sad reason for it.

Sunset in the high country creates pastel colored scene

August 18, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

A reminder to be sure to look ALL the way around when you are taking in the scenery.

Sunset to the west was gorgeous on this evening a couple weeks ago but the best show was in fact the other direction. As I was snapping pics to the west, I looked behind me to find this view.

The setting sun had colored the clouds to the east in pastel shades of red and orange. It was absolutely gorgeous and, in fact, better than the view toward sunset.