Water | Tony's Takes Photography

Silhouetted tree reflections at sunrise

March 11, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

The sun bursts over the horizon as trees are reflected on the calm waters of a stream. (© Tony's Takes) — The sun bursts over the horizon as trees are reflected on the calm waters of a stream. (© Tony’s Takes)

I am a sucker for a good reflection and this was one I couldn’t pass up.

I do have to preface my narrative by saying it is a bit of a “copycat image” in that the weekend before this was taken, my friend, Shaun, captured a similar image from the same spot. We were both out at this location on Colorado’s northeastern plains when I saw him crouched down capturing this same scene. After seeing his shot, I decided I needed one of my own. 😉

So, this past Sunday I was there again and took the opportunity to capture it. Certainly, I would have loved to have had some more color in the skies but as is, it was pretty darned nice. The bursting sun provides a focal point and the near-perfect reflection of the silhouetted trees on the dark water shows just how quiet this location on the plains can be.

An icy landscape in black and white

January 17, 2017 by Tony Leave a Comment

My photo excursion Saturday was a bit disappointing in terms of wildlife. However, I think this capture helped to make up for it. It was pretty cold on the Great Plains as the sun rose, winter’s effects were still very evident in the frozen lake and the ice covering it. The colors of the sunrise were pretty but nothing overly extraordinary however the cool blue of the clouds and frozen water made for a cool scene. Conversion to black and white really seemed to make this image.

Black and white image of a frozen lake in Morgan County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Stars dancing on the water

October 6, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

This old stump in Sprague Lake fascinated me for some reason and I had taken a number of pictures of it from a different angle. As I moved around, putting it between me and the morning sun, the waters began to sparkle like shifting stars in the sky. Pretty cool looking scene.

The early morning sun makes the waters of Sprague Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park sparkle. (© Tony’s Takes)

Suspended water droplets

July 23, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

I was heading outside to do some yard work one morning recently when something very bright and shiny caught my eye. Looking closer, I see water droplets from my sprinklers were suspended on spider webs woven in some landscaping rocks. With a quick glance, it almost looks like the droplets are suspended in mid-air. Kind of fun and something a bit different from what I normally focus my lens on.

Water drops glisten in the morning sun as they hang on spider webs. (© Tony’s Takes)

Red rocks and yellow lilies

July 15, 2015 by Tony Leave a Comment

Red rocks and yellow lilies. I stopped at this spot primarily to look for moose. While none were found, I did however discover why the location is called “Red Rock Lake.” In this natural lake, sitting the cold, mountain water and surrounded by lilies are these huge red rocks. They were undoubtedly deposited there thousands of years ago by geologic forces but seem kind of out of place. Nevertheless, it made for a very pretty, calming scene.

Red rocks and yellow lilies. (© Tony’s Takes)

A peaceful Madison River valley

August 7, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Taken along the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park not long after sunrise. Most folks skip this area of the park but it is very scenic despite the burned trees still remaining from the devastating 1988 wildfire. Elk oftentimes are found along the river as are osprey. This past winter saw a great deal of snow and spring was wet so the landscape, even in July, was lush green. Couple that with the beautiful blue skies and it made for a gorgeous scene.

A peaceful Madison River valley. (© Tony’s Takes)

Water on the rocks

August 5, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Taken at Yellowstone National Park a few weeks ago at a waterfall near Sylvan Pass on the park’s east side. The short hike to the waterfall was well worth it as the soft, morning sun shone through the water helping it to sparkle as it splashed at the bottom.

Water from a waterfall in Yellowstone National Park crashes onto the rocks. (© Tony’s Takes)

Flowing Firehole River

July 30, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

Flowing through many of the geyser basins at Yellowstone National Park, the Firehole River is one of two major tributaries of the Madison River. This image, taken two weeks ago, shows the river as it winds through a gorgeous canyon south of the Madison.

Using a slow shutter speed allowed the water to be blurred and look almost like fabric draped across the rocks. It was truly a beautiful scene and well worth the hike down a small canyon to reach.

The Firehole River flows is one of two major tributaries of the Madison River. (© Tony’s Takes)

Lakeside sunrise high in the Colorado Rockies

July 26, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

This is how we do sunrises in Colorado. Taken this morning at Brainard Lake in Arapaho National Forest – Elevation 10,400 feet. A crisp morning and while the sunrise was gorgeous, I was there on a different mission: Moose! Lots of pics of those to share later. In the meantime, enjoy the view from above. 😉

Sunrise at Brainard Lake in Arapaho National Forest, Colorado. © Tony’s Takes

Reflections of the Tetons at Oxbow Bend

July 24, 2014 by Tony Leave a Comment

It took me three sunrises to capture this image last week as smoke from wildfires in Washington and British Columbia was creating a great deal of haze in the sky on the first two.

On the last morning there still was some smoke lingering which you can see but at least it eased enough to get some pretty decent shots. The calm waters of Oxbow Bend allowed the freshly sunlit Tetons to be reflected in the water.

Scroll down for more scenic photos from Grand Teton National Park.