Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Blue jays and flickers enjoy the first snowfall of the season

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Blue jays and flickers enjoy the first snowfall of the season
A blue jay hangs out at a feeder as Colorado gets hit with an early season snow. (© Tony’s Takes)

Denver, Colorado is getting an unusually early snow today, in fact, the first September snow in 20 years. Of course it is 2020 and with everything else this year we shouldn’t be surprised, right? 😉

This did allow me a nice little backyard photo opportunity as the birds all flocked to the feeders. At least four blue jays and one northern flicker took advantage of the peanut feeder while many smaller birds went for the regular birdseed.

Thankfully, I was able to capture all of these from the warm comfort of my kitchen, just cracking open the window enough to get the images.

While a northern flicker gets a peanut, a blue jay waits its turn at the feeder. (© Tony's Takes)
While a northern flicker gets a peanut, a blue jay waits its turn at the feeder. (© Tony’s Takes)
A northern flicker hangs out at a feeder as snow falls around it. (© Tony's Takes)
A northern flicker hangs out at a feeder as snow falls around it. (© Tony’s Takes)

Video: Top Shots 2019 – Birds

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When I take pics of flying creatures, I do usually focus on raptors. However, every now and then I will train my lens on less aggressive birds. From ducks to pelicans and meadowlarks to egrets, small and large have all been captured by my camera. Here are some of my favorites from the past year.

Backyard blue jay grabbing a meal

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Backyard blue jay grabbing a meal
A blue jay hangs out on a feeder in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to get a wildlife picture. The blue jays have been descending on my peanut feeder the past two weeks and about eating me out of house and home. Between them and the flickers, they will devour all the peanuts in the feeder in a single day. Thank goodness Costco’s price on peanuts is relatively cheap!

A blue jay hangs out on a feeder in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A blue jay hangs out on a feeder in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Backyard Blue Jay grabs a snack

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Backyard Blue Jay grabs a snack
A Blue Jay works to pull a peanut from a feeder. (© Tony’s Takes)

Now that I have put in a taller pole and a baffle to keep the thieving raccoons away (thank you, Michelle!), I can get back to enjoying these cool visitors. Haven’t had much luck getting a quality shot of them but now that I have the right feeder and food, hopefully I will get some chances. Most wildlife here in Colorado lacks color so these guys are fun and really stand out.

A Blue Jay and its snack. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Blue Jay and its snack. (© Tony’s Takes)

Hello, pretty bird!

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A random capture from this past weekend. I was actually hiking to get a closer look at a different critter when this gorgeous Blue Jay landed in a tree right in front of me seeming to ask to have its picture taken. I of course obliged it and it then headed off to continue on its morning routine.

A beautiful Blue Jay in Longmont, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A beautiful Blue Jay in Longmont, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Blue Jay poses for pictures

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The sun was just starting to come over the horizon when I came across this beautiful bird. This isn’t the type of bird I would normally photograph but who can resist those gorgeous colors?

A Blue Jay poses for pictures while perched on a fence post. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Blue Jay poses for pictures while perched on a fence post. (© Tony’s Takes)

Early morning Blue Jay

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It isn’t often I train my camera on smaller birds but this colorful one demanded my attention. These birds are so beautiful and their plumage just awesome. I happened across this one last week just as the sun was popping over the horizon on Colorado’s plains.

A Blue Jay soaks in the morning sun on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Blue Jay soaks in the morning sun on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Blue Jay ready to fly

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These common but beautiful birds don’t seem to want to hang around any time I point a camera at them. This one started to give me a nice pose showcasing its colorful back when it decided to turn around – naturally before I had gotten the picture I really wanted. Nevertheless, the image didn’t turn out too bad.

A Blue Jay stands on a branch, ready to fly. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Blue Jay stands on a branch, ready to fly. (© Tony’s Takes)

Random pics from the first clear day in a week

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After seven straight days of rain (and snow one day), I was going stir crazy. With the sun shining and the temperatures finally warming up I went for a much-needed walk in an open space area where I often go. Nothing particularly extraordinary on this trip but my goodness it was nice to get out and about finally!?