Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Ice shows the signs of the spring thaw

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Ice shows the signs of the spring thaw
A fallen leaf sinks into the melting snow. (© Tony’s Takes)

Something different from me. What to do when the eagles aren’t cooperating and you are frustrated? Slow down, take a deep breath, and take in what is right next to you. Such was the case this past Sunday.

I had driven a long way to photograph my favorite subject and it just was not panning out. As I grew frustrated, I made myself settle down and took a look at some of the smaller, non-living elements that were right next to me.

As the temperatures warm, the ice is thawing and creating some cool scenes – if you just take the time to notice. I did and am thankful to have done so. No doubt something I should do more often.

Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Melting ice makes cools sculptures along the shore of a lake in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Snow and fog on the Colorado plains

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Snow and fog on the Colorado plains
A tree-lined road is shrouded in fog with fresh snow on the ground. (© Tony’s Takes)

You have seen pictures from me of this spot many times before. No matter the season, it virtually always looks cool and this morning was no different. A light snowfall overnight coated the landscape in white and fog settled in with sunrise. With virtually no color to work with, I went with a black and white conversion and that seemed to work well on what a cold and somewhat dreary scene.

Sun dog amid record-setting cold in Denver

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A sun dog appears soon after sunrise on a record-setting cold morning in Denver. (© Tony's Takes)
A sun dog appears soon after sunrise on a record-setting cold morning in Denver. (© Tony’s Takes)

Oops! Somehow I forgot to share this one.

Late last month, Colorado saw itself experiencing a deep freeze. On the morning of the 22nd, temperatures dipped to 15 degrees below zero with wind chills far below that – absolutely brutal cold. As the sun rose over the horizon that morning, a very cool sun dog appeared to the east. I missed the best of the show but was able to catch the tail end of it before it disappeared.

Sun dogs are caused by the refraction of light by ice crystals and appear 22 degrees to each side of the sun. I have had a few chances to grab pics of one, always on the coldest of mornings.

Wintry scenes following the storm

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Wintry scenes following the storm
The snow-covered Colorado plains with Mount Meeker and Longs Peak in the background. (© Tony’s Takes)

Friday brought a nice snowstorm to the Colorado Front Range, coating the landscape in a blanket of white. Temperatures close to single digits followed yesterday morning throwing a hoar frost into the mix. That made for some pretty cool scenes from wide angles to closeups. Here are a few of my favorites from my outing. Stay warm!

Hoar frost covers thistle after a winter storm. (© Tony's Takes)
Hoar frost covers thistle after a winter storm. (© Tony’s Takes)
Fresh snow and frost covers the plains and mountains of Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Fresh snow and frost covers the plains and mountains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Hoar frost costs a tree's branch in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Hoar frost costs a tree’s branch in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

An icy landscape in black and white

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

A very cold lake front

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With morning temperatures down into the single digits I almost didn’t venture out. While cold, the wintry scenes were quite pretty. This one taken at Barr Lake.

March 2, 2014 - A very cold lake front. © Tony’s Takes
March 2, 2014 – A very cold lake front. © Tony’s Takes

Photo © Tony’s Takes. Image is available for purchase as a print or for digital use. Please don’t steal, my prices aren’t particularly expensive. For more information contact me here.

Winter white trees and shrubs

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A very cold and somewhat miserable start to meteorological spring in the Denver area.  With temperatures in the teens and windchill temperatures pushing down to near zero, I almost had to force myself to get out and take this picture.  I am glad I did.  The trees were all covered in white from the freezing drizzle and snow and while it looked somewhat dreary, it was pretty in its own right.

March 1, 2014 - Winter white trees and shrubs. (© Tony’s Takes)
March 1, 2014 – Winter white trees and shrubs. (© Tony’s Takes)

Photo © Tony’s Takes. Image is available for purchase as a print or for digital use. Please don’t steal, my prices aren’t particularly expensive. For more information contact me here.

A cold, gray day along the South Platte River

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With record-setting cold in the Denver area at the time this picture was taken, it was not a great day to be outside.  Overcast skies made a walk along the South Platte River a bit dreary.  Converting this image to black and white seems to work week and convey the mood of that cold, dark day.

January 31, 2014 - A cold, gray day along the South Platte River. (© Tony’s Takes)
January 31, 2014 – A cold, gray day along the South Platte River. (© Tony’s Takes)

Photo © Tony’s Takes. Image is available for purchase as a print or for digital use. Please don’t steal, my prices aren’t particularly expensive. For more information contact me here.