• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

  • Home
  • Top Shots
  • Latest News & Images
  • Purchase Prints
  • Photo Books
  • Calendars
  • Contact
  • About Tony
You are here: Home / Latest News & Images

The last sunrise of 2020

January 1, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

The last sunrise of 2020
Sunrise on New Year’s Eve in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Well, the year pretty much sucked but at least it closed out with a beautiful view. Yesterday morning I made sure I was in place to catch the show and was rewarded with this view. The frozen lake, blaze orange clouds and blue sky sure looked nice. Now, let’s just hope 2021 is better!

Filed Under: Landscapes Tagged With: Sunrise

Video slideshow: Top shots 2020 – Bald Eagles

January 1, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

Continuing a look at my personal favorite captures of the past photo year, today for Freedom Friday we showcase my favorite photo subject, the bald eagle. Without a doubt, I take more pictures of bald eagles than any other type of creature. To me, they symbolize freedom, power and of course, our great nation and they have always held a special fascination for me. Over the 12 months I was fortunate to photograph hundreds of them across the state of Colorado in all seasons.

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: Bald Eagle, Video

Video slideshow: Top shots 2020 – Landscapes

December 31, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

I had expected to have a bit more variety of views to enjoy during the past photo year. However, vacations were cancelled due to the virus and we stuck closer to home than anticipated. That was not entirely a bad thing given that Colorado certainly has lots to see and we managed to go some places that had been on our wish list for quite some time. From the eastern plains to those dominating, Rocky Mountains, we still managed to cover a good bit of ground. Here’s a look back at some of my favorite captures of the landscapes we saw in 2020.

Filed Under: Landscapes Tagged With: Video

Male hooded mergansers strutting around the pond

December 30, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Male hooded mergansers strutting around the pond
A male hooded merganser out for a swim in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Now these are some pretty good looking #ducks. I had heard a bunch of them were hanging out at a suburban pond, catching crawdads off the bottom. While I was there, they made dozens of dives but, unfortunately, all came back empty-handed. Nevertheless, they looked quite handsome with their crest and beautiful plumage.

A male hooded merganser out for a swim in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
A male hooded merganser out for a swim in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A male hooded merganser out for a swim in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
A male hooded merganser out for a swim in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: Duck

Video slideshow: Top shots 2020 – Birds

December 30, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

I always joke that, “I don’t take pictures of little birds.” That is not entirely true and every now and then, a non-raptor will get my attention and I can’t help but take a picture. While I took pics of probably dozens of species of birds during my 2020 photo year, this is a look at 25 or so that I really liked, either because of the image itself or because of the species. All taken in Colorado. In order of appearance:

1. Broad-tailed hummingbird
2. Snowy egret
3. American goldfinch
4. American white pelican
5. Lark bunting
6. Long billed curlew
7. Northern flicker
8. Wood duck
9. Common nighthawk
10. White faced ibis
11. Black crowned night heron (juvenile)
12. Bullock’s oriole (female)
13. Blue grosbeak
14. Black capped chickadee
15. Red winged blackbird
16. Grasshopper sparrow
17. Great blue heron & American white pelican
18. Turkey
19. Yellow headed blackbird
20. Double crested cormorant
21. American avocet
22. Dark eyed junco
23. Mallard duck (female) and ducklings
24. Killdeer
25. Blue jay

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: Video

Video slideshow: Top shots 2020 – Owls

December 29, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

A look back at my personal favorite captures of these (usually) nocturnal birds taken during my 2020 photo year. Owls seem to capture the imagination unlike any other bird, probably due to the fact that while they are common, many go unseen. I know I certainly love taking their picture. Among the types of owls I photographed were the common great horned owl, the summer visiting burrowing owl and the lesser seen screech owl and barn owl.

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long Eared Owl, Screech Owl, Video

American kestrel saves the photo day

December 29, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel saves the photo day
A male American kestrel takes a flight across the Colorado skies. (© Tony’s Takes)

Some days out taking pictures just don’t turn out as planned.

This past Sunday I headed to the northern Colorado Front Range, certain I was going to have a great day with bald eagles. After over 100 miles driven I had seen a total of two eagles, none of which were close enough for pics.

Frustrated, I worked my way home, hoping to find something – anything – to take a picture of. Just a few miles east of home, I see this male American kestrel hovering over a field, ready to drop on some unsuspecting prey.

As skittish as these little falcons are, I didn’t have much hope but I stopped anyway. Much to my pleasure (and relief), he flew up and landed on a pole right by me. Three times he would go out and hunt the field, returning to the pole each time.

This allowed me to get some pretty cool shots, including this one as he returned to the pole. He looked absolutely handsome and the blue from behind the clouds really helps make the image pop. A reminder to never give up a

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: American Kestrel

East or west, a stunning sunrise

December 28, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

East or west, a stunning sunrise
A deep, orange sunrise over a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Saturday found me southwest of Denver, Colorado checking out a bald eagle nest. Unfortunately, the birds did not want to play that day but, not soon after arrival, Mother Nature put on one heck of a show and best of all, it was a stunner no matter which way you looked.

To the east toward the rising sun, the colors were deep orange and reflected nicely on a lake. To the southwest, the colors faded to pastel pinks and oranges lighting up a wave cloud beautifully.

It was hard to focus on one area so I found myself pivoting back and forth, soaking in the view one way before turning back to the other. Just awesome stuff!

Sunrise lights up a wave cloud over the Colorado foothills. (© Tony's Takes)
Sunrise lights up a wave cloud over the Colorado foothills. (© Tony’s Takes)

Filed Under: Landscapes Tagged With: Sunrise

Bald eagle against the deep, blue Colorado sky

December 27, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Bald eagle against the deep, blue Colorado sky
A bald eagle takes flight against a beautiful, blue sky. (© Tony’s Takes)

From a random encounter earlier this month. Driving along, I spotted this beautiful eagle hanging out on a high-tension power pole running through the suburbs northwest of Denver, Colorado.

Given the location and the height of the tower, I wasn’t too inclined to stop until I noticed a pedestrian bridge went right by the pole and provided closer proximity.

That allowed me to get relatively close to the bird and I spent a good 20 minutes photographing it as it kept watch. It finally took flight, going right overhead giving me a nice sequence of images.

Filed Under: Wildlife Tagged With: Bald Eagle

Holidays with heroes

December 26, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Holidays with heroes
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I stopped by Fort Logan National Cemetery this morning to visit my dad. This is the 10th Christmas since he has been gone and in many ways it doesn’t get easier. I sat and talked to him for quite a while, shed more than a few tears.

Afterwards, I wandered the rows of headstones, contemplating all of the brave men and women that stake their final resting place on that hallowed ground. The cemetery is a beautiful and peaceful place, any time of year.

During the holidays though, it is even more special as his and many other veterans’ graves are decorated with wreaths for Christmas. The red ribbons and green pine really pop against the gray marble of the markers and provide a fresh reminder to never forget those who served this nation and are no longer with us.

Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans' gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Wreaths decorate veterans’ gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Filed Under: Landscapes, Random Stuff Tagged With: Military, Veterans

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 312
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Connect With Me

Tony's Takes on Facebook Tony's Takes on Twitter Tony's Takes on Google+ Tony's Takes on Pinterest Tony's Takes RSS Feed

Recent News & Images

  • Coyote wakes from a nap, gives a nice closeup
  • Portrait of a beautiful, smoky fall sunrise
  • Gorgeous golden eagles on a cold winter’s day
  • Big mule deer buck keeping an eye on the ladies
  • Bald eagle gets its lunch to go

Photo Use Information

All photos © Tony’s Takes. Images are available for purchase as prints or as digital files for other uses. Please don’t steal; my prices aren’t expensive. For more information contact me here.

Galleries

  • Exhibits
  • In the City
  • In the News
  • Landscapes
  • Pets
  • Random Stuff
  • Sun, Moon and Stars
  • Transportation
  • Uncategorized
  • Weather
  • Wildlife

Archives

Search

Tags

American Kestrel Astrophotography Bald Eagle Bear Bighorn Sheep Bison Burrowing Owl Canada Goose Clouds Coyote Deer Duck Elk Fall Colors Ferruginous Hawk Flowers Fox Golden Eagle Great Blue Heron Great Horned Owl Hummingbird Marmot Military Moon Moose Mountain Goat Mountains Northern Harrier Osprey Pelican Pika Prairie Dog Prairie Falcon Pronghorn Rabbit Red Tailed Hawk Snowy Egret Squirrel Sunrise Sunset Swainson’s Hawk Thunderstorm Turkey Turkey Vulture Video

Footer

Connect With Me

Tony's Takes on Facebook Tony's Takes on Twitter Tony's Takes on Google+ Tony's Takes on Pinterest Tony's Takes RSS Feed

Search

Photo Use

All photos © Tony’s Takes. Images are available for purchase as prints or as digital files for other uses. Please don’t steal; my prices aren’t expensive and I will work with you to get you the art you desire. For more information contact me here.

Latest

  • Coyote wakes from a nap, gives a nice closeup
  • Portrait of a beautiful, smoky fall sunrise
  • Gorgeous golden eagles on a cold winter’s day
  • Big mule deer buck keeping an eye on the ladies
  • Bald eagle gets its lunch to go
Copyright © 2021 Tony's Takes Photography
  • Home
  • Latest News & Images
  • Purchase Prints
  • Photo Books
  • Calendars
  • Contact
  • About Tony