Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Colorado hot air balloon flies high with Mount Meeker below

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A hot air balloon adorned in a Colorado state flag motif soars about Mount Meeker. (© Tony’s Takes)
A hot air balloon adorned in a Colorado state flag motif soars about Mount Meeker. (© Tony’s Takes)

Jumping back to this series of images from October. My photo day had been going very poorly with nary a click of the shutter. I was about to give up and head for home when I came across this balloon flying across the Front Range.

A recent snow had capped the Rocky Mountains in white and it was an extraordinarily clear day. I spent more than an hour racing after the balloon grabbing dozens of images of it. Here, it had gained some altitude and below and slightly to the left, the monstrous 13,911 foot high Mount Meeker stood tall and proud.

Many folks think it is Longs Peak that they see from the Denver area and look toward Rocky Mountain National Park but, in fact, Meeker stands in front of Longs when viewed from the east.

Image available here.

 

Frozen, framed sunrise on the Great Plains

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Sunrise at Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado is framed by trees and grasses. (© Tony’s Takes)
Sunrise at Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado is framed by trees and grasses. (© Tony’s Takes)

The results of the nasty cold we have seen in recent weeks are seen by the ice on the surface of this lake. Normally, by the third week of February, there would be a lot of open water here. This year, not so much.

One, small area was about the only spot that wasn’t iced over. Nevertheless, it made for a beautiful scene this morning and as always, I loved it out there. Those “flat lands” aren’t boring at all to me.

Happy birthday to the always amazing Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone's Lower Falls crash to the river below. (© Tony’s Takes)
Yellowstone’s Lower Falls crash to the river below. (© Tony’s Takes)
It was 147 years ago today that this place became the world’s first national park. From its landscapes to its geothermal features to the wildlife, it is nearly 3,500 square miles of the most beautiful country you could imagine.

I have memories of the park from when I was five years old up to two years ago when this image of the Lower Yellowstone Falls was taken.

Naturalist John Muir said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” That is especially true of this place.

Lone tree in black and white

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Black and white image of a tree standing along on the snow-covered plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Black and white image of a tree standing along on the snow-covered plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

A very pretty morning on the plains yesterday as our latest snowstorm moved out. Colors were subdued with the lingering clouds so I went to black and white for this one and am pleased with the result. This tree really stood out as the only feature on the snow-covered plains. Sometimes to stand out, you just need to stand apart.

A beautiful morning on the Colorado Front Range

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Light from the rising sun lights up the mountains in northern Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Light from the rising sun lights up the mountains in northern Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

If it looks like it was cold when this picture was taken, well, believe me it was. The sun hitting the Rocky Mountains over a frozen lake was gorgeous though and the cold couldn’t deter me. It was a very peaceful, calming scene and one of the fantastic views we enjoy here in the Centennial State. Beautiful blue skies with whispy clouds lie above. Below, the mountains with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak behind it to the bottom right.

Busy branches in black and white

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A very busy scene of snow-covered tree branches. (© Tony’s Takes)
A very busy scene of snow-covered tree branches. (© Tony’s Takes)

A couple of interesting images from one of our recent storms. The snow had covered the bare branches of these bushes and trees and created an almost abstract looking scene.

A very busy scene of snow-covered tree branches. (© Tony’s Takes)
A very busy scene of snow-covered tree branches. (© Tony’s Takes)

Subdued sunrise but cool clouds above

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A subdued sunrise on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)
A subdued sunrise on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

A capture from a week or so ago in rural Adams County, Colorado. The colors from the rising sun weren’t anything extraordinary but the form and texture of the clouds with hints of blue through them really were kind of cool.

Video slideshow: Landscape Top Shots 2018

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My travels this year were largely confined to Colorado but that is not necessarily a bad thing. From the mountains to the prairies, our scenery here is second to none and provides fantastic photo opportunities no matter where you are. These are my favorite landscape captures from the past year. Best viewed full screen.

Setting “Bison moon” at sunrise

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Bison graze under the setting Full Cold Moon on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)
Bison graze under the setting Full Cold Moon on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Technically the full moon this month was called the Full Cold Moon. However, as it set early in the morning Sunday, I happened across this scene. It seems fitting to post it now for Tatanka Thursday. 😉

The sun was just started to climb over the horizon and shed its golden light on the landscape and the creatures below. Above, a cloud layer but not low enough to obscuring the setting moon. In the background, the Rocky Mountains were waiting for their chance to see some sun.

Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.