Cold and gray today made for tough shooting conditions and I am less enthused with my take of images. At least partially salvaging the day was my friend, Charlie, who is always willing to pose. Today he (or she) was unusually interested in me. Perhaps wondering if I could be breakfast? 😉
Female American Kestrel prefers to dine in private
I came across this beautiful lady on Wednesday just after she caught her dinner. I was hoping she would allow me to watch her eat but it appears she prefers to dine alone as she took flight, meal in hand, and headed off to a more private setting.
I’ve been seeing a lot of these little falcons lately, as we often do here in Colorado during the winter. They may be North America’s smallest falcon but they are just as fierce as any raptor.
The lovebirds
A pair of Bald Eagles enjoys each others company last month in Adams County, Colorado. There is a very large nest nearby that in at least the two years I have been aware of it has not been used. This pair however has been seen regularly in the area over the last couple of months so I am hoping they are planning on making use of it.
Juvenile Bald Eagle takes the leap for Freedom Friday
A bit of a different angle on this young Bald Eagle’s launch but one that I kind of like.
Watching one of these massive raptors take flight is an incredible experience. You can’t appreciate the intricacy and gracefulness of their motion as they launch themselves into the air. Sometimes, as is the case here, they leap almost straight up while simultaneously spreading their wings.
This image also showcases the eagle’s talons, one part you would not want to be on the wrong end of. Have a great weekend and TGIF!
Close up of a Red Tailed Hawk launch
Sometimes a mistake can actually turn out to make a good picture. Such was the case when I was photographing this young Red Tailed Hawk last week.
It was perched in a tree and posing quite nicely and calmly for me. I thought it might be getting to launch but figured I had time to get a nice close up of its head. That was not to be as it suddenly launched into the air leaving me with an image that cut off parts of its wings and tail.
Initially I was disappointed but after having download the image from my camera, I think I ended up with a pretty cool image. The raptor fills most of the frame and the intricate detail of its plumage are captured. In the end, I like it a lot.
Big boy bugler
Somehow I never posted this image but yet it is my favorite from this past fall’s elk rut. Taken in Rocky Mountain National Park at the end of September. This massive bull elk had a harem of eight cows but was feeling the pressure from two other bulls nearby. He kept circling the ladies and sounded constant warnings to the interlopers that he was prepared to defend their honor.
A good day for a Bald Eagle, not so much for a Prairie Dog
Bald Eagle performs a perfect ‘dash and dine.’ I was observing two young eagles perform some aerial play low to the ground when suddenly one broke away and dived. Without missing a beat, it snatched something off the ground and took off in the other direction. As it did, I could see it had grabbed a Prairie Dog.
It proceeded to land on a nearby pole where the young eagle spent almost an hour devouring its catch. As you can see, this bird has been banded at some point previously. I am going to have to sit down with my pictures and see if I can get enough numbers off of the bands to report it. It is always interesting to learn the history of where they came from.
Taken on Friday, December 4, 2015 in Adams County, Colorado. Â Scroll down to view the complete series.
Female Great Horned Owl looks deadly serious
Don’t mess with mama might be the message this ?#?owl? was sending me back in April. With its nest nearby and a bunch of young ones to guard, she didn’t look like she was in the mood for pictures.
Those incredible talons and the blood leftover from a recent kill on her feet and face drove the point home. She was indeed a good mom as she fledged four owlets from that nest this year. Hopefully she will return this year and be just as successful. Taken in Commerce City, Colorado.
Harrier ordered to taxi and hold
With the Denver International Airport tower in the background, it appeared this female Northern ??Harrier? and been ordered to delay take off. While she was waiting for clearance to take off on Saturday, I was able to snap this image of her.
Staying true to her species, she didn’t wait long though and soon took to the air being sure to take a flight path that prevented me from getting any decent pics of her. I love these hawks but my goodness they can be frustrating to get quality pictures of. They are quite skittish, always on the move and always low to the ground making focusing difficult.
Migrating Snow Geese join Canada Geese in flight
Northeast of Denver yesterday I watched huge masses of geese take flight. Wave after wave passed over, many landing in the nearby fields in such huge numbers they darkened the landscape. Most were Canada Geese but interspersed among them were small numbers of Snow Geese that stood out from the more dominant dark birds with their snow white plumage.
Here in Colorado, some Canada Geese are present year-round but during the winter their numbers swell as many migrate here for the colder months. Most locals tend to dismiss them and pay them little attention and oftentimes view them with disdain as they can be overwhelming (especially their poop!).
Snow Geese on the other hand only stop briefly while migrating to and from their summer homes at the farthest north reaches of North America. Few stay in Colorado for any length of time so it is a bit more unusual and fun to see their gorgeous white forms when they fly over.