Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

When 1945 met 1995

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Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)

Today’s 75th anniversary of D-Day had me harkening back to this event in 1995 when I was honored to have been part of an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its air wing were tasked with taking part in the ceremonies at Pearl Harbor. As part of that, we transported a number of old warbirds, some of which had seen service during WWII.

Best of all, when we arrived on station off the coast of Hawaii, the vintage planes took off from the deck of the carrier! To my knowledge, this was the only such event that has done this – it was extraordinary!

The pics are scans from old negatives and need some work but I wanted to post them today given the significance of the date.

Our nation is truly blessed and it is humbling to consider what the Greatest Generation accomplished.

Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
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Dawn on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson as it prepares to launch World War II era warbirds in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair stands ready to launch from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair stands ready to launch from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
An F4U Corsair launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)
A B-25 Mitchell launches from the deck of the USS Carl Vinson in observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. (© Tony’s Takes)

Colorado columbines

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Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

What do you do when you are bored but don’t feel like driving around for a photo op? You head to the backyard! Actually, in this case, our side yard in front where my wife has an awesome flower garden going on.

Among the subjects, the Centennial State’s flower which I have to say is just beautiful. I don’t have a “real” macro lens so make do with standard glass but it is fun to get out there and see what I get.

There are 70 specials of columbine, a third of which are native to North America. For the Colorado state flower, it is specified as the Rocky Mountain columbine, like these, with the purple and white. It is said the purple / blue represent the sky, the white the snow and the yellow our state’s gold mining history.

Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Columbine flowers wet from a passing rain shower soak in the sun in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Paying homage to our nation’s heroes

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“Grace” at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)

I would normally visit Fort Logan National Cemetery today but it wasn’t quite in the cards this year. Nevertheless, I made sure to respect the true meaning of Memorial Day and instead visited the Thornton Veterans Memorial.

From the memorial for the fallen to the names on the bricks that pave the walkways to ‘Grace’ releasing a dove, it is a beautiful place to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation. We shall never forget!

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” ~Joseph Drake

Eagle sculpture and flag at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Eagle sculpture and flag at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fallen heroes monument at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fallen heroes monument at the Thornton Veterans Memorial. (© Tony’s Takes)

Colorado National Guard gears up for wildfire season

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A Colorado National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk picks up water in a firefighting bucket with the snow-capped mountains in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Colorado National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk picks up water in a firefighting bucket with the snow-capped mountains in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

Not the usual type of “bird” you see me photograph, eh?  

Wildfires are an unfortunate fact of life in the west during the summer and the brave men and women that battle the blazes have to hone their skills before they join the fight. In recent days, the military has been practicing at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were picking up water from one lake and then dropping it near another.

Having served many years in the Navy on an aircraft carrier, aviation and military photography doesn’t normally appeal to me but as those years move further into the past, I have to admit once again getting a bit excited seeing them in action.

I flew on a number of different military planes and helicopters, including once on an SH-60, the Navy’s variant of the Blackhawk, dubbed the Seahawk. Truly an impressive aircraft.

A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)
A UH-60 Blackhawk from the Colorado National Guard practices firefighting. (© Tony’s Takes)

Icicles pop against the blue sky

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Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Coming home from work the other day I noticed we had a bunch of icicles hanging from the gutters on our front porch.

Most were the ‘run of the mill’ type – long and skinny. However, there were a few hanging from a downspout that had some crazy cool shapes to them for some reason. Best of all, the corner where they were at was bathed in the late afternoon light which made them really pop against those gorgeous Colorado skies.

Closing down the lens to f/16 helped to create a starburst effect on some of them. Kind of a fun, easy photo opportunity and a reminder that sometimes the coolest pics can be had right in your backyard.

Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Icicles shine against a deep blue sky in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

For all those empty place settings at the table this holiday season

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Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery this past weekend to visit my dad and a few other of our nation’s heroes. He – and all of them – are sorely missed and the holidays aren’t quite the same without them.

Wreaths Across America and hundreds of volunteers place wreaths at thousands of graves at Fort Logan and other national cemeteries across the nation before Christmas each year. This very special program’s mission is to, “Remember our fallen U.S. veterans. Honor those who serve. Teach your children the value of freedom.”

The hallowed ground of these cemeteries are transformed into a beautiful and respectful scene, fitting for the holidays. For families like mine, who have loved ones interred there, it is a meaningful and emotional thing to see.

We sponsor the wreath for my dad’s site and some random others and next year, I would encourage you to do the same. Please, honor those who served and are no longer with us and say a prayer for them and their families during this blessed season.

Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths adorn the graves of veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Jet contrails light up the morning sky

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A jet's contrail is lit up bright orange by the rising sun. (© Tony’s Takes)
A jet’s contrail is lit up bright orange by the rising sun. (© Tony’s Takes)

Kind of a different image than what you normally see from me. While watching sunrise recently I saw this airliner cruising along over eastern Colorado. The rising sun lit up its contrail, making for kind of a neat capture.

My week’s long ‘photo funk’ continues…

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A frustrating photo morning. I went to Waterton Canyon southwest of Denver for the bighorn and yeah, I saw them – as tiny little dots on the side of the canyon. Sigh. Apparently they came down hours later but I wasn’t willing to wait that long.

I am in a bit of a ‘photo funk’ having gone weeks without a truly quality photo outing. I’ve had periods like this where I struggle to find quality subjects and fail to have a good outing but this one, goodness, seems to be going on forever. The drought continues…

Bighorn Sheep hang out high on the side of a mountain, well out of reach. (© Tony’s Takes)
Bighorn Sheep hang out high on the side of a mountain, well out of reach. (© Tony’s Takes)

Having some photo fun with the local media

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The historical Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
The historical Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I meant to share this sooner but totally forgot. A local news station did a story about a very historic place, the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, securing much-needed funding for preservation work. Whoever published the story, sought out a picture of the Tabor Opera House to accompany it.

Apparently, whoever this is, couldn’t tell the difference between a three foot high replica and the real thing. The photo they used was of the one at Tiny Town, a tourist attraction that has many such diminutive replicas of famous buildings here in Colorado. I of course was pretty shocked that this kind of mistake was made – well, maybe not given that it was probably some intern.

Anyway, it was pretty funny so I sent out a tweet to them with one of my pictures of the real thing. Kyle Clark, one of their news anchors responded immediately saying, “I. Have. No. Words. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’ll fix it immediately.” And indeed they did. :-D<

A replica of the Tabor Opera House, an image of which was used in a news story about the real thing. (© Tony’s Takes)
A replica of the Tabor Opera House, an image of which was used in a news story about the real thing. (© Tony’s Takes)