Wildlife, landscape and weather photography
This big fella definitely was taking a big whiff of the women.
Taken a couple of weeks ago, my photo outing wasn’t particularly eventful that day. Wildlife was not very active and overcast skies made for somewhat dreary pics.
I spent a good bit of the time with the bison herd as they were close to the road and at least providing some entertainment. This big bull was one of the main features and he seemed to always find himself surrounded by the cows. Not a bad situation for him I reckon!
These two provided some fun entertainment this past Sunday. They were somewhat young so not particularly impressive in size but they did do a good bit of sparring. All I can hear is my mom saying, “You’ll poke your eye out with that thing!” 😀
Ah, yes, this is Colorado and a great image for Tatanka Tuesday!
A fresh blanket of snow, the bison herd tromping through the fresh white stuff and those gorgeous Rocky Mountains in the background. I love being able to see scenes like this!
The previous day saw a decent little snowstorm move through and in its wake, we experienced a gorgeous – but cold – day on the Front Range. The herd was moving to new grazing grounds and the bright white snow really helped to light up their brown, winter coats
Every now and then I snap a picture that just kind of “speaks to me” more than others. This is one of those. Watching this massive bison bull stand strong, alone, against the onslaught of yet another Colorado snowstorm was pretty amazing. The scene and the message I took from it struck me.
This was one rambunctious bison cow to say the least.
Taken this past Saturday in between snow storms, she was enjoying the break from the snow and bounding along through the fresh white stuff. It was a ton of fun to watch her as she seemed to revel in playing.
It makes a nice batch of images for Tatanka Tuesday.
The wintry weather has been pretty relentless over the past week and a half or so here on the Colorado Front Range. While for us humans, it gets tiresome, these big, furry creatures are built to withstand the cold and snow quite well.
This past Sunday yet another storm was moving through with stronger-than-expected ferocity. Snow coupled with wind and sub-freezing temperatures was not particularly pleasant. That didn’t really faze the bison herd at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and they were on the move to different grazing grounds.
“Snowy bison” are one of my favorite photo subjects and the herd gave me some nice captures. Here, five of them lead the way through the storm with much of the rest of the herd following.
I’ll tell you what, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge really needs to do something about this. Those kids need to stop playing in the street! 😀
Not a particularly great image in terms of photographic quality but a fun one nevertheless. Taken a couple of weeks ago, the bison herd was on the move. The only real action to speak of were these four calves that were having fun sparring as they followed along with the adults.
Somehow I hadn’t shared this one from a couple of weeks ago and it is definitely worthy.
It was a chilly morning on the Great Plains but a beautiful one. The landscape was enjoying the warming, golden light of the rising sun and to the west, a near full moon hovered over the Rocky Mountains. Below, bison graze peacefully and if you look close at that nearest tree, you will see two bald eagles enjoying the morning.
Ah yes, I do love Colorado.
As the Colorado Front Range was finally seeing its first, decent snowfall of the month yesterday, I headed to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The action was pretty light as most animals hunkered down to wait out the wind and snow.
I staked out a spot to watch four bison bulls as they laid in the grass, gradually getting more and more covered in snow. Finally, one of them stood up and gave a big shake, sending snow flying everywhere. Cruddy light and a long distance between him and I made for tough shooting but it gave me a fun sequence of images.
The vast open spaces we enjoy here in the American west are tough for those in more populous areas to understand.
With just a short trip outside the metropolitan lights of Denver, you can find yourself surrounded by nothing but openness. No sounds but an occasional plane overhead and clear horizons every direction with only a power pole or two to be seen.
It is one of the things I value most about living here and why I never contemplate leaving. Sharing time in these areas with iconic wildlife after a recent fall snow is invigorating and something to be treasured.
