I don’t take images of buildings very often and visit downtown Denver even less than that as the urban scene just does not normally appeal to me. However when showing some guests the heart of the Mile High City this past Christmas I felt compelled to snap a few images of the city lights. This image was taken while standing in Civic Center Park near the Denver City and County Building. The capitol looked quite regal with the golden dome aglow and the streetlights sparkling.
Merlin takes a magical flight
Fast and furious might be too good adjectives to describe this little raptor. They are not easy to get pictures of as they tend to be skittish and when they take off, in my experience, they have a way of doing so at a speed and direction that makes getting a flight picture extremely difficult.
On this particularl day though, my finger was just fast enough to catch this one right as it launched into the air. I’m pleased with the image as it is very sharp and showcases the flight form of this falcon and its small but undoubtedly sharp talons – by far the best flight capture I have gotten of one of these.
Merlins are small raptors, a bit bigger than a Kestrel, but are just as ferocious as the other members of the falcon family. They prefer to dine on other, smaller birds, attacking with extraordinary speed and ferocity.
Ferruginous Hawk keeps watch in the early morning sun
The face on these large raptors has so much character it is little wonder I am drawn to them. Their profile is so noble and in many ways intimidating. Throw in their ‘joker’ smile and they are very cool indeed.
This particular one was perched on a utility near Denver International Airport yesterday morning, keeping close watch on the ground for an opportunity to get a meal.
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.
Orange and blue mean a Denver Broncos victory!
I was a bit late getting to a decent spot to capture yesterday’s sunrise but even with waning colors, it was beautiful. Perhaps a bit of a foretelling of the victory that came today? GO BRONCOS!
Hoooo goes there?
This Great Horned Owl and its mate are a bit of a fixture at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. In recent years they have routinely greeted visitors and had their picture taken thousands of times.
I hadn’t seen them in a few months but yesterday morning one of them was kind enough to put itself in a relatively decent position for pictures. We should start seeing owls along the Colorado Front Range become more active over the next month or so as mating season approaches. I definitely will be keeping an eye on all their usual haunts.
Coyote on the hunt
This pretty lady was sleeping in the middle of a field of snow initially. After doing her morning stretches, something in the grass between her and I caught her eye. Ever so slowly and silently, she crept closer to it. Unfortunately for her (and me), whatever it was disappeared and she moved on to look for food elsewhere. I am bummed as I was in a perfect position to capture images of her pouncing had she done it. Taken at Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado last week.?
Do NOT interrupt this eagle’s breakfast
Boy, if looks could kill I think I would be as dead as the rabbit this Bald Eagle caught. 😉 In truth, it wasn’t too bothered by my presence and enjoyed most of its meal right in front of me before heading off elsewhere to finish in private.
Eagle ready to fly for Freedom Friday
I came across this fantastic Bald Eagle last week northeast of Denver, Colorado. Perched atop a very tall power pole, it sat there, proudly surveying the domain of the earthly creatures beneath it. After a time, it decided it was time for a different view and took flight.
As it prepared to launch I captured this image, one which I love in many aspects but dislike for one. The afternoon lighting was just about perfect, illuminating every feather on the eagle. Its raised wings capture the drama that is felt just before one of these raptors takes flight and the wisps of clouds in the blue sky behind help make the image pop. The problem is the perch – I so wish this had been a tree rather than a pole.
Unfortunately, on the flatlands of the Great Plains, trees are few and far between so I often end up with ‘pole birds’ like this. I do love the image though and like to think it helps capture the majesty of the Bald Eagle. Have a great weekend!
Canada Geese take flight route over the moon
A relatively uneventful and quick photo tour after work today. I was hoping this flock of geese would fly directly in front of the moon but they chose a higher altitude path. Nevertheless, kind of a neat image. Have a great evening, everyone!?
A frosty and foggy Merlin
With temperatures in the teens, a healthy dose of frost and thick fog, the weather was not particularly kind for photography Sunday morning initially. The one benefit was that raptors were grounded, choosing to wait for clearer weather before taking to the skies. This little falcon was huddled up in a tree northeast of Denver and rather than flying off right away like Merlins are known to do, it opted to sit and pose for some pictures.
Merlins are small raptors, a bit bigger than a Kestrel, but are just as ferocious as the other members of the falcon family. They prefer to dine on other, smaller birds, attacking with extraordinary speed and ferocity.