I received my solar filter and we finally had some sun this afternoon so I got out and there and started getting things nailed down. Not too bad for my first attempt, even got a little sunspot on there. Focusing just perfect will be a challenge but the exposure part is figured out I think. Totally forgot to turn off image stabilization which I need to remember to do. Going to have to come up with a checklist to have with me. Can’t wait!
Osprey struggles to stay focused
Do you worry about the photographer or pay attention to the landing you are about to make? This beautiful female Osprey struggled with the decision.
She was originally perched by her nest but decided to relocate at which time she spotted me. This seemed to make her a bit disconcerted and she made a bit of a ruckus then made a landing at the top of a young, spindly pine tree.
That landing though proved to be a bit difficult because rather than making sure she had sure footing, she kept her eye on me. It took a few attempts to get a good grip on the tree before she was finally able to settle in on the new perch.
Taken in Grand Lake, Colorado.
Famous barn in the shadows of the Tetons
It is tough to get an original shot of the oft-photographed barns on Mormon Row in Grand Teton National Park. Flickr says that this particular one is the most photographed barn in America and given the amazing landscape surrounding it, you can see why.
On the day I visited, I missed the best light of the morning and was too early for the evening but some dramatic skies helped liven (and soften) things up.
Built by T.A. Moulton in the early part of the 20th century, the barn is one of two and took Thomas Alma nearly 30 years to build. The area was settled in the late 1890s by Mormon homesteaders creating the community called Grovont.
Little critter, big bark
Arguably one of the most entertaining creatures you will find in the high country – the American Pika.
These little guys are incredibly animated and always on the move. From the time they emerge from their burrows in the spring, they immediately begin preparing for the next winter, gathering food and stashing it away.
This past weekend, I spent an hour or so with this particular one near the top of Trail Ridge Road. It was quite tolerant of me, approaching at times within a foot of me, sometimes pausing to check me out and make sure I meant no harm but largely going about its busy work.
On one trip looking for food, it paused nearby, looked at me, and gave me a quick ‘bark’ – the distinctive sound that is almost like a chirp that they make. I’m not sure what message it was trying to convey, perhaps just letting me know how tough it was and that I better not pull anything. 😉
Pelicans on a foggy morning
Because my wife gets mad if I see a pelican and don’t take a picture. 😉 While she and the rest of my camping crew slept in, I went for a photo drive near Grand Lake, Colorado. These birds seemed to be taking a clue from my clan and were not particularly awake when I spotted them.
“Dad, there’s a Moose right there!”
A very fun encounter with this handsome fellow late last week in Arapaho National Forest. My family and I were riding ATVs on some old forest roads enjoying the gorgeous views and cool temperatures of the high country. At one point my son and I pulled over to wait for my wife and daughter to catch up.
Just as I turned off my ATV, I thought I heard the loud snap of a tree branch breaking but looking to my right, I wasn’t seeing anything. Then, my son said those words and I see he is looking the opposite way.
Sure enough, this big guy was not 30 feet off the road, calmly munching on some aspen trees. We see Moose in this area frequently so it wasn’t a surprise but it was fun to just happen to stop right by where this bull was.
I slowly got off my ATV and grabbed my camera from the storage box on the back and began taking pictures. Soon my wife and daughter arrived and we all just sat and watched him. The bull couldn’t have cared less about our presence as it continued to happily eat away while watching us watching him.
Have a great, Moose Monday!
Fox kit keeping watch for mom
It donned on me this morning I hadn’t shared any images of this not-so-little-anymore young Red Fox. I had been tracking its mom as she went about hunting for food for her brood but lost sight of her for a time. I then spotted her emerging from the woods and wondered if there wasn’t something in there I should check out.
Doing my best slow, quiet commando approach, I worked my way to the top of a berm and there it was – this cute one. It was within some very thick trees so lighting was at a premium and once it realized I was there, it didn’t hang around.
Moody reflections of the forest
With overcast skies and light rain falling, it was tough to find photo opportunities on this morning in Colorado’s high country. While standing on the shores of a pond scanning for wildlife, I looked down and saw this scene and kind of liked it. Different but kind of neat I think.
Tiny bird in a big forest
I haven’t had much luck getting pictures of Hummingbirds the last couple of years. This past weekend I did my best, even setting up a feeder at my campsite. We had a few visitors to it but not many and definitely few that wanted their picture taken. One however, just as we were packing up, came by for a visit and let me get a pretty nice closeup as it took a break from feeding.
Gear down, prepared for landing
A nice showcase of the huge wingspan of these gorgeous raptors. Having failed on its first fishing trip of the morning, this guy returned to one of his favorite perches and gave me a few nice approach shots.