Sorry, could not resist. 😉
Turkey Vulture makes an overhead pass
This picture was taken back in September but I fully expect to see these again very soon as they return for the season. Their faces won’t win any beauty pageants but they are amazing adept at soaring in the sky.
You will often see Turkey Vultures high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal. They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away.
Bald Eagle leaps away with its meal
This was a good meal for the eagle, a very bad day for a Prairie Dog but a nice capture for the photographer. 😉
Taken back in January just a few miles from my house. This eagle and another were hanging out in an open space area with one chowing down on its fresh catch. It was quite a surprise encounter as eagles rarely hang out in this particular spot. It ate for just a bit after I arrived but soon decided it preferred to be alone.
This image was snapped just as it leapt into the air. Unfortunately it did so with the sun at its back but it still is kind of a neat image.
Early morning light illuminates Bald Eagle on Freedom Friday
A picture from a fantastic day on the Colorado plains a few weeks ago. This cool creature was hanging out watching the sun as it rose above the horizon and I was there taking its picture.
Deciding it was time to fly, the eagle launched into the air heading right into the golden light of the magic hour. I love the soft edge lighting from the sun and the beautiful blue skies with a hint of whispy clouds serve as a great background.
Unfortunately most of Bald Eagles in my area have moved north now for the season so encounters with them are going to be few and far between until the fall. Thankfully I have a ton of pictures like this to help tide me over but that doesn’t mean I am not anxiously awaiting their return.
Great Horned Owl male takes a nap
After what was probably a long night spent hunting and keeping his mate happy, this guy was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. It will only get harder for this guy to get rest from here on out as it should be only another week or so before the little ones at their nest hatch. I of course am definitely looking forward to seeing them – and sharing the pics with you of course. 😉
Osprey work on making a home
Having returned to Colorado over the past couple of weeks, the Osprey are wasting no time getting their home ready for little ones.
At his particular nest in Longmont, Colorado this past weekend, mama was busy fetching new building material and meticulously putting it in place. Dad? Well, he was sitting in a nearby tree dining on fish watching the lady do the work. 😉
Scroll down to view the complete sequence of a female Osprey adding to her nest.
My what big teeth you have!
Suburban wildlife photo ops don’t get much better than this! My friend, Patrick, has had a pretty routine visitor to his suburban backyard lately. Multiple times he has invited me up to come check it out but each time the foxy creature bailed before I could get there.
On Monday evening it finally hung around until I got there and we were able to spend 20 minutes or so observing this cool dude. Absolutely amazing and by far the best fox pics I have ever taken. You can bet I’ll be sharing many, may more of this guy! Taken in Thornton, Colorado.
American White Pelican performs aerial dive to catch breakfast
A very cool and unusual series I captured a couple weeks ago of this massive bird.
These pelicans typical fish by swimming slowly, oftentimes in groups, dipping their massive bills into the water to catch fish. This one however used a skill more often associated with its cousin, the Brown Pelican – something called plunge diving.
It patrolled from the air and upon seeing its prey, dove into the water head first and snagged itself a very nice sized catch. I’ve never seen a white Pelican do this before. Pretty darned cool! I was fortunate enough to capture the whole sequence from the air to the swallow – 20 images in total. Scroll down to view them all.
Taken at Jackson Lake State Park, Colorado.
Osprey displays a bit of attitude
So this is how the conversation went…
Me: I am so glad you’re back!
Osprey: Yeah, good for you. Now back off!
😉
The ?Osprey? have returned to Colorado for the season and I could not be happier. I was very anxious to go pay some of them a visit so I broke away from family Easter festivities for a bit Sunday morning for a quick photo session.
All of the ?nests? that I have historically seen active already had these cool hawks on them. All were pairs except this guy (or gal) was alone at its nest while I was there.
He was willing to tolerate my presence but, unfortunately, it refused to finish its meal while I was there (note the fish in its talons). I did manage some awesome captures of this one and the others so will be sharing more for sure.
Young bull Moose takes in the early morning light
It’s Moose Monday! This image was taken last September in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area (Colorado). This handsome young fellow was hanging out with three older bulls on a very chilly morning at 10,500 feet. His rack was quite small compared to the ones of the elders that had gathered but give him a couple of years and he’ll be right there with the big boys. The soft backlighting in this image worked pretty well and helped to give his head a bit of a glow.