Scrolling through some older pictures and came across this one from this past November. Taken from a long ways away so not great quality but I had held on to it just because of the optical illusion. Kind of funny.
Ferruginous Hawk puts on an airshow
The amazing coloring and plumage of this raptor is really highlighted when against clear, blue skies. Fresh snow cover on the ground helped to reflect the sun from below and illuminate the underside as it took flight over me.
I was observing the hawk and managed a series of captures as it took flight, this being one of them. I just love everything about these hawks – their plumage, their ‘joker’ smile, and of course those talons.
Ferruginous Hawks are the largest buteos in North America and from a distance, their size and profile may have them mistaken for eagles. While they can be found here in Colorado year-round, they are most common during the winter months.
Taken in Adams County, Colorado.
Bald Eagle signals touchdown – for the Denver Broncos
Certainly I am hoping that the referees are making this signal a LOT today for my beloved Broncos (and not near as many times for the Carolina Panthers). 😉
Taken last weekend, this gorgeous eagle was hanging out on an Osprey nest stand in Longmont, Colorado. It calmly posed for a number of pictures then suddenly launched into the air – right at me! Normally I can sense when they are getting ready to go but this guy (or gal) caught me totally off guard.
I did capture the entire sequence of it as it flew toward me then turned but unfortunately most of the other images were not quite in focus as I and my camera struggled to keep up with its unexpected launch.
The Gray Ghost on patrol
To say these hawks are elusive would be an extreme understatement. Whether male or female, Northern #Harriers rarely allow you to get close and their erratic, low flight patterns make getting a decent picture difficult.
The males, seen here, are probably the hardest of the two and are quick to avoid people and pictures – hence its nickname, the Gray Ghost. Yesterday I was lucky enough to come across one north of Denver International Airport that gave me a few nice captures as it flew by.
Bald Eagle performs a high altitude balancing act
This guy (or gal) provided me with a good bit of entertainment earlier this week. I found it high atop a high tension power line tower where it could see across its domain for miles. The only problem was it didn’t pay attention to just how close it was to the edge and slipped off. Here you see it recovering which made for a nice look at its massive wingspan.
Bald Eagle performs a Freedom Friday flyby of its mate
Taken last weekend at St Vrain State Park (Colorado). I spent a good bit of time observing this gorgeous pair on a cold and blustery morning. While they were perched in the same tree, they were too far apart to get good pictures of them sitting together.
I captured a number of great images of them individually and then the male, initially perched above and behind the female, decided it was time to fly. As he took off he flew right by his mate allowing me to capture this image of both of these magnificent eagles. I was a bit slow with the trigger and cut off the back of the still sitting female but other than that, I really like the image.
Have a great weekend, everyone, and GO BRONCOS!
Mama Black Bear rushes to find her cub
Going back to August for this series on a day in Waterton Canyon when I was observing a Black Bear sow and her two cubs. The trio had worked their way down to the South Platte River and while the female and one of the cubs crossed the river without a problem, one of the little ones was hesitant to cross.
Not realizing this, mom and the one cub continued on their journey further up the river. The scared one did finally cross the river but by the time it did, mom was nowhere in sight due to the thick growth along the river banks. Clearly scared, the cub began calling for its mom over and over.
The sow heard the cries and took off running, backtracking to find her offspring. They did eventually find each other and Mom led the lost one along, undoubtedly paying a bit more attention to where her little ones were at.
A truly rare sighting today! The ever-elusive Winged Whitetail Pole!
An amazing creature few photographers have captured. Okay, maybe not so rare and not really a pole. For every cool flight shot I capture, I get about 10 of these where the subject chooses to go in a direction that just does not work. Not sure why they aren’t more cooperative. 😉
Young Mule Deer buck keeps watch among the snow-covered terrain
This handsome young fellow is among the smaller bucks at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. I have seen him a few times over the winter, usually keeping his distance from the older and much larger fellows. On this particular day, he and some of the does were grazing among the snow-covered grasses and shrubs. Mule Deer are quite common across the western half of North America. While this particular guy leads a charmed life on a wildlife refuge, they can be seen everywhere from the mountains to the plains.
Yellow-bellied Marmots wish for their own day too
So Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow today which in theory means spring will be coming early. I’m not sure of the weather forecasting ability of the groundhog but I wouldn’t mind if that were the case. I don’t have any pictures of groundhogs of the same species as Phil but I do regular see his high-altitude cousins. This pair of marmots was gathered on the talus slopes near the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park this past summer. I wonder if they aren’t a bit envious of all the attention their cousin gets? 😉