Clouds | Tony's Takes Photography

“Me day” brings amazing cloud iridescence

April 5, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

I’ve been burning the candle at both ends pretty heavily lately and just needed a quick break to recharge so I took today off as a “me day.” That of course meant a morning of photography and while I got some cool critter pics to share in the coming days, there was also this.

As I waited for some action, looking to the east the clouds to the south of the sun were a veritable rainbow of colors. The iridescence coupled with the way cool shapes in the clouds was pretty darned awesome to see (but kind of hard to capture in pictures).

Cloud iridescence is caused by clouds (usually cirrus) that have small water droplets or ice crystals in them causing the light to be diffracted, or spread out. The phenomena is much like the rainbow colors seen with oil in water.

Cloud iridescence is seen toward the rising sun in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes) — Cloud iridescence is seen toward the rising sun in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Cross in the sky at sunrise on Easter Sunday

April 4, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

I stepped out the door this morning and this is the scene that greeted me. I didn’t have time to make it to a better spot so just snapped the image from the street. Just gorgeous and pretty neat to have seen it today of all days. He is risen! Happy Easter, everyone!

Lone tree on the Colorado plains

July 16, 2020 by Tony 2 Comments

Sometimes you don’t have to go far for a cool scene – you just need to be paying attention.

Sitting at our campsite a few weeks ago, my wife and I were enjoying a nice, quiet late afternoon. At seemingly the same time, we both looked up from what we were reading and said, “Wow. That sure is pretty!”

Right ahead of us lie a field with a single pine tree. The sky was amazingly blue and punctuated with bright, white clouds. Off in the distance just above the horizon, thunderstorms were popping, the tops of the clouds of which we could see.

It really was quite beautiful and served as a reminder to pick your head up and look out every now and then. While the color image was nice, we both agreed that a conversion to black and white worked best. It really helped to make that one, lone tree pop and stand out from the rest of the scene.

Fantastic morning view on the Colorado plains

January 18, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

After what was an absolutely amazing sunrise, the clouds put on a gorgeous show to the northwest. Low to the horizon and well off in the distance, lenticular clouds hovered over the terrain. High and closer the clouds were no less impressive. That big one in the middle reminds me of a blimp. Underneath it all was of course those gorgeous Rocky Mountains.

In the wake of the storm

June 3, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

June means severe weather season here in Colorado and that can make for some fun afternoons. Today, we had a nice thunderstorm move through and, thankfully, no big hail.

After the storm passed, the clouds to the east looked awesome with bits of mammatus mixed in with the formations.

I tried my best to get some lightning shots but failed. It seemed no matter which way I pointed my camera, the bolts were the opposite way. 😉

A passing thunderstorm in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

A beautiful Colorado morning with a “corkscrew” cloud over the mountains

January 26, 2019 by Tony

Well, I have no idea what it is called but that thin cloud across the middle brought to mind a corkscrew to me. 😉

Cool morning clouds

March 18, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

The sunrise itself on this particular day last week wasn’t anything to write home about. However, looking toward the north, the clouds were kind of dramatic with just a hint of color on the horizon. Taken at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver, Colorado.

A pleasant morning scene on the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

Iridescent clouds create a multi-colored show

February 18, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

A very cool scene in the skies east of the Denver area this morning. These iridescent clouds lingered for a long time and provided a diversion while I was waiting for critters. We actually had some at sunset last night as well. Cloud iridescence is caused by clouds (usually cirrus) that have small water droplets or ice crystals in them causing the light to be diffracted, or spread out. The phenomena is much like the rainbow colors seen with oil in water.

Iridescent clouds color the skies east of Denver, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Other-worldly clouds at sunset

January 4, 2018 by Tony Leave a Comment

Winter sunsets and sunrises here in Colorado are oftentimes pretty darned amazing. For the late day shows, we oftentimes have wave clouds and lenticular clouds above. These almost alien looking clouds look cool any time but throw in the colored rays of the setting sun and the view is jaw-dropping. Such was the case this past Friday evening. From my home I don’t have a clear view to the west so instead I zoomed in and focused on some of the more interesting shapes.

Stunning lenticular clouds at sunset along the Colorado Front Range. (© Tony’s Takes)

Silvery and dramatic high altitude clouds

October 23, 2017 by Tony Leave a Comment

It was a pretty darned chilly evening around the campsite on the last day of September and in some ways I wanted to be inside. I could not however ignore the show unfolding outside. Wave clouds had setup over the mountain peaks to our east and they had this amazing silver color to them. I had hoped that sunset would color them orange but that never materialized. As is though, they were pretty awesome looking. Taken near Estes Park, Colorado.

Dramatic clouds above Estes Park, Colorado as sunset approaches. (© Tony’s Takes)