Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Fun with a fox family

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A red fox vixen keeps close watch while her kits explore. (© Tony’s Takes)
A red fox vixen keeps close watch while her kits explore. (© Tony’s Takes)

A tip from a photo friend led me to this spot in Weld County, Colorado this past weekend. There I would find this beautiful family with five kits living underneath an old, run-down shed.

For over an hour I got to watch them run around, play and eat. There was a lot of grass and weeds in the way but I was able to come away with some fun shots when they were in more open areas.

These are but a sampling of captures I got of the vixen and some of her kits and they make for great pics for Fox Friday.

Have a great weekend!

A red fox vixen and her kits at play. (© Tony’s Takes)
A red fox vixen and her kits at play. (© Tony’s Takes)
A red fox kit cuddles up to its mother. (© Tony’s Takes)
A red fox kit cuddles up to its mother. (© Tony’s Takes)

Coyote in the dew

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A coyote goes out for a stroll in Boulder County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A coyote goes out for a stroll in Boulder County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Driving along this past Sunday this beautiful coyote ran in front of me – and kept running. It stopped briefly in the dew-covered grass giving me a quick look before bounding over the hill and disappearing. From the looks of its coat, it was quite wet from the moisture

Newborn goslings out for a swim

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Canada goose goslings go for a swim soon after their birth in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Canada goose goslings go for a swim soon after their birth in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Well, here is your daily dose of cuteness!

I knew the little Canada geese were going to be hatching soon and was on the lookout for them while camping at St. Vrain State Park, Colorado this past weekend. I found a few different pairs that had a new brood with them including this one that came right by our campsite.

They stuck close to dad and mom and with them barely as tall as the grass, it wasn’t easy to get a clear shot of them. The parents took them to the water and that finally gave me an opportunity to get some captures.

“I love you, mama!”

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A great horned owl and owlet enjoy some quiet time in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A great horned owl and owlet enjoy some quiet time in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

A great horned owl and her owlet enjoy a ‘moment’ at their nest a few weeks ago. It was very sweet and seems to be a very appropriate picture for Mother’s Day.

Whether wildlife or human, the matriarch of the family is the glue that binds all together. In their roles as protector and provider, they are invaluable and held in high esteem – as they should be.

Just as this owlet looks up to its mom, so too do I to mine. Lord knows that without her, I would not be the man I am today and I am forever grateful for her. I love you, Ma!

Bald eagle launches into the blue

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A bald eagle launches into the clear, blue Colorado skies. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bald eagle launches into the clear, blue Colorado skies. (© Tony’s Takes)

It doesn’t get much better than a beautiful, spring morning in Colorado and throwing in these majestic creatures is like icing on the cake. From my visit to this nest a few weeks ago.

The adults were extremely active keeping my shutter finger busy. Here, the female heads off after delivering a stick to the nest. Yes, even for them, home repair and maintenance is a never-ending task.  

Have a fantastic Freedom Friday and a great weekend!

Burrowing owl hunkers down and keeps close watch on the photographer

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A burrowing owl hunkers down in its burrow and keeps close watch. (© Tony’s Takes)
A burrowing owl hunkers down in its burrow and keeps close watch. (© Tony’s Takes)

This guy was very keen on guarding his burrow, presumably with his mate hidden within. The morning sun was gorgeous and lit him up nicely.

I always have a ton of fun photographing these summertime visitors to the Colorado plains. This year though, all but one of my usual ‘hot spots’ has come up dry and I haven’t had much luck finding more. They are out there, I hope! Just going to have to put some miles on my truck to find them

Backlit pelicans out for a swim

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A pair of American white pelicans are silhouetted against the water of a pond in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A pair of American white pelicans are silhouetted against the water of a pond in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I was tempted to say that they were lit by moonlight but in actuality, this was a bit of a happy accident. Taken in the full light of the late morning, I had my camera settings wrong resulting in an underexposed image. I almost deleted it but instead decided to darken it creating what I think is a nice edge-lit silhouette.

Marmot looks less than thrilled at the thought of Monday morning

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A grumpy-looking marmot in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A grumpy-looking marmot in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Okay, this wasn’t taken on a Monday but I suspect many of us had similar looks lacking enthusiasm about the start of the workweek.  

Thoughts of the high country and the creatures that will soon be accessible as the snow recedes continue to preoccupy me. These highly entertaining creatures are found across much of the mountain areas of Colorado and easily viewed at places like Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park where this image was taken.

I am anxiously awaiting the day when roads are clear and I can get back up there. The traditional opening of Trail Ridge is Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. I may just be up there then!

Cooper’s hawk at home makes for the best pics of the day

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A Cooper's hawk stakes out a spot in a suburban backyard in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Cooper’s hawk stakes out a spot in a suburban backyard in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

So, I spent all morning out taking pics (or trying to!) and get nothing extraordinary. I come home, walk upstairs and I see the creature that gives me my best shots of the day in our backyard – a gorgeous Cooper’s hawk.

Initially it was sitting then it laid down as if guarding a kill. It flew off after a bit with nothing in its talons and at the spot it was, only a small pile of pine needles. Not sure what it thought it had caught.

Way cool to see these guys though. Those eyes are awesome! BTW, please excuse the dead grass you are seeing. That is a section of lawn we are preparing to xeriscape so I killed everything there.  😉

A Cooper's hawk stakes out a spot in a suburban backyard in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Cooper’s hawk stakes out a spot in a suburban backyard in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Swainson’s hawks begin setting up their summertime home

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A Swainson's hawk returns to its nest with some building material in its beak. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Swainson’s hawk returns to its nest with some building material in its beak. (© Tony’s Takes)

The return of the Argentinians!

I knew these gorgeous raptors would be returning to the Colorado plains soon but I hadn’t had a chance to venture out to find them. Today I finally did and I saw quite a lot of them. Two, in particular, put on a fantastic air show for me as they worked on a nest northeast of Denver.

During the summer, their numbers will swell here to where I seem to see more of them than the more common red-tailed hawk. The winter will find them in the much warmer environs of Argentina after one of the longest migrations known.