Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Fox sibling love to bring a smile on Fox Friday

by Leave a Comment

Fox kits demonstrate some sibling love. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fox kits demonstrate some sibling love. (© Tony’s Takes)

I think we could all use a bit of a smile these days and these cuties are sure to at least coax you that way.

Taken back in May of last year, the four kits at this den were out playing. Two took a bit of a break to watch a passerby and gave me this darling pose. Those faces and the socks are just too much! Sure am hoping the parents setup their home in the same spot this year.

I hope all of you are doing well and being safe! Take time to decompress, maybe go for a walk, take some deep breaths. We’ll get through this, together.

Alaskan brown bear out for a Sunday stroll

by Leave a Comment

An Alaskan brown bear walks along the river in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. (© Tony’s Takes)
An Alaskan brown bear walks along the river in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. (© Tony’s Takes)

One thing I don’t do often enough is take “environment shots” – pictures that show not only the wildlife that I am photographing but also the environment in which they are living. I tend to want to zoom or crop in, get the close in view which does tend to add drama. However, in doing so it doesn’t convey an entire scene or give perspective.

When we were in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, the bears were of course the highlight but there was no escaping the beauty of that alpine tundra that they call home. It was breathtaking. I did manage to grab a few shots that give you an idea of the terrain and the beauty, including this one.

Wings wide open

by Leave a Comment

A bald eagle performs a beautiful flyby with its wings spread. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bald eagle performs a beautiful flyby with its wings spread. (© Tony’s Takes)

Whew! A busy couple of days recently and I totally missed #FreedomFriday so here you go! 😉

This beautiful bald eagle gave me a nice display last weekend as it flew along the shoreline looking for a meal. It did find one but, unfortunately, way out on the water too far away for pictures. The pic gives a nice look at its six plus foot wide wingspan. Very impressive!

“Ooh, ladies, you smell soooo good.”

by Leave a Comment

A bison bull demonstrates the flehmen response while a few cows graze. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bison bull demonstrates the flehmen response while a few cows graze. (© Tony’s Takes)

This big fella definitely was taking a big whiff of the women.  

Taken a couple of weeks ago, my photo outing wasn’t particularly eventful that day. Wildlife was not very active and overcast skies made for somewhat dreary pics.

I spent a good bit of the time with the bison herd as they were close to the road and at least providing some entertainment. This big bull was one of the main features and he seemed to always find himself surrounded by the cows. Not a bad situation for him I reckon!

Hoo, hoo is in there?

by Leave a Comment

A pair of long eared owls shows how good they are at hiding. (© Tony’s Takes)
A pair of long eared owls shows how good they are at hiding. (© Tony’s Takes)

Spotting owls is oftentimes a challenge, sometimes more difficult than others. Yesterday I headed to the northeastern plains of Colorado, hoping to get another change to observe and photograph long eared owls.

I had some luck, grabbing a few decent pics. This one though, really highlights the challenge in finding these owls in particular as they will seek out the thickest foliage possible.

I almost missed these two (do you see them?). In fact, as I looked into the thicket, I saw what looked like one but wasn’t even sure so I took a pic and then had to play it back on my camera and zoom in on the screen to verify. Masters of camouflage indeed!

A bit of bald eagle hanky panky on the plains

by Leave a Comment

Bald eagles copulate at their nest in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Bald eagles copulate at their nest in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Oh my! This makes me blush!  Okay, maybe not.

Two weekends ago on my visit to this eagle nest I was able to catch the pair of residents “in the act.” It’s not something you get to witness often so it was cool to be able to see.

Last weekend, she was dutifully sitting on the nest so it appears this activity was successful. Incubation for bald eagles is typically 35 days so going from last weekend, that should put hatching right around April 3rd. That is of course assuming all goes well – keep your fingers crossed.

Red fox enjoying a quiet evening in the sun

by Leave a Comment

A red fox vixen relaxes in the evening. (© Tony’s Takes)
A red fox vixen relaxes in the evening. (© Tony’s Takes)

Ah, yes, as Colorado is set to enjoy a very spring-like weekend, I can’t help but think about last spring and my time with this pretty lady and her family. Many an evening was spent with them in the fading light of the day. She was absolutely beautiful, the kits adorable.

On this particular evening last May, the kits were bounding around as usual. She separated herself from the fray, enjoying some downtime in the warm sun. I am hoping like heck she is in the same spot this spring and gives me another chance to photograph her and her new family. I would love to have some fresh material for #FoxFriday. 😉

Bison bulls go head to head

by Leave a Comment

Two bison bulls go head to head. (© Tony’s Takes)
Two bison bulls go head to head. (© Tony’s Takes)

These two provided some fun entertainment this past Sunday. They were somewhat young so not particularly impressive in size but they did do a good bit of sparring. All I can hear is my mom saying, “You’ll poke your eye out with that thing!”  😀

Pronghorn bucks guard their doe

by Leave a Comment

A pair of pronghorn bucks stand in front of a doe in northeastern Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A pair of pronghorn bucks stand in front of a doe in northeastern Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Well, maybe not, but it sure looks like these two fellows are blocking any access to the pretty lady.

Driving home from far northeastern Colorado last Friday, I spotted a herd of a dozen or so pronghorn. That of course was a photo opportunity I couldn’t resist, despite the harsh late morning light.

As is normal with these speed demons, they did not linger long as they are notoriously skittish. I managed a few, quick captures before they took off running over the hill.

Pronghorn, oftentimes mistakenly called #antelope, are the fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere and second in the world only to the cheetah. They can sprint at speeds up to 60mph and run for extraordinarily long distances at slower speeds. Taken in Morgan County.

Scraggly squirrel focuses on the photographer

by Leave a Comment

A squirrel pays close attention to the photographer. (© Tony’s Takes)
A squirrel pays close attention to the photographer. (© Tony’s Takes)

A common creature and not one that I normally photograph. However, one day this past week, this one seemed truly enamored with me.

I was taking pictures of a different creature and the #squirrel was constantly staring at me. It kind of made me self-conscious. 😉 I figured I would snap the little one’s pic since it was being so cooperative.

It looked a little bit raggedy with its fur kind of a mess and that crazy tail.