Tony's Takes

Sea lions enjoy a lazy day by the ocean. SOCAL offers lots of opportunities to soak in the sun and these critters were taking advantage of it in La Jolla. The visit with them was not exactly action packed. 😉 #sealion #wildlife #wildlifephotography #California #LaJolla

Northern flicker and fall foliage. Kind of a fun encounter with several of these cool (and sometimes destructive) woodpeckers. #woodpecker #birding #flicker #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado #autumn #fall

Ferruginous hawk focused on the photographer. This awesome raptor had staked out a spot on the ground near a prairie dog colony, just waiting for he right moment to pounce. #hawk #ferruginoushawk #birding #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado

Starlings hitch a ride on a bison bull. A fun shot of some hitchhikers on the Colorado plains. That one starling on the bison’s head seems to be making sure it is headed the right direction. 😉 #bison #buffalo #tatanka #birding #starling #Colorado #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Moose bull keeping close watch on a possible girlfriend. He was trying to play it cool, not wanting to be too forward. It was clear, however, this big fellow had eyes for a nearby cow. 🫎 #moose #MooseMonday #wildlife #Colorado #RMNP #wildlifephotography

“Mama! Wait for us!” Two brown bear cubs hurry to follow their mother as she crosses a rushing creek. This image is the cover shot of my 2027 Mammals calendar. See: tonystakes.com/photo-calenda… #bears #brownbear #Alaska #wildlife #wildlifephotography #bearcub

Hummingbird in Huntington. While visiting southern California a few weeks ago, I found a tree in Huntington Beach covered with blooms that the hummers were taking advantage of. #hummingbird #bird #birding #wildlife #wildlifephotography #California

Young bald eagle signals the return of winter raptors. Ah, the season is upon us. In the past week or so, I have been spotting a number of bald eagles as they return to the Colorado Front Range for the winter. #eagle #baldeagle #birding #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado

Mule deer buck hiding among the dry foliage. Nice job by this young guy trying to hide. I actually almost went right by him, but he turned his head which got my attention. #deer #muledeer #buck #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado #OptOutside

Elk cow continues living her best life on the Great Plains. This pretty lady should be living about 30 miles west in the mountains and foothills. However, a few years ago she showed up at the @USFWSRMA_Alert and is thriving. #elk #wapiti #Colorado #wildlife #wildlifephotography

Bison bulls graze among the fall foliage. A pretty scene on the Colorado plains this past weekend. 🦬🍂 #bison #tatanka #TatankaTuesday #buffalo #fall #autumn #cowx #fallcolors #fallfoliage #Colorado

Pair of ferruginous hawks put on a fun show. Some of my favorite wintertime visitors and this pair gave me some cool captures this past weekend. #hawk #ferruginoushawk #raptor #birding #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado

Fall colors on the Colorado Front Range. I wasn’t able to make it to the high country this year for the changing colors but, thankfully, right near home there is a nice little show going on. 🍂 #fall #autumn #fallfoliage #fallcolors #cowx #Colorado

Mule deer buck on the move. This handsome fellow and another good-sized buck were tailing a small group of does. He was quite an impressive fellow as he made his way along the hillside. #deer #buck #wildlife #RMNP #wildlifephotography #Colorado

Sure-footed dall sheep navigates a sheer cliff. Yeah, you don’t want to fall from there! Thankfully for this lady, she can navigate the wall with relative ease. #sheep #dallsheep #Alaska #wildlife #wildlifephotography

I am pleased to unveil my 2027 photo calendars. Whether wildlife is your thing or majestic landscapes, I have multiple offerings that you will be proud to hang up or give as a gift. See: createphotocalendars.com/Sho… #wildlife #wildlifephotography #landscape #landscapephotography

U.S. Navy Blue Angels showcase precision formation flying. Let’s call it #WingsWednesday as I jump back to the airshow in Grand Junction from a couple of weeks ago. ⚓ #BlueAngels #USN #Navy #airshow #Colorado #GrandJunction #military #aviation

“Whoa! Where did you come from?” An American pika seems a bit surprised to find a 6' 1" photographer lurking outside its front door. 😆 #pika #AmericanPika #wildlife #wildlifephotography #Colorado

Brown pelican gets its closeup. Quite the handsome looking bird! My wife has a love for pelicans so when we were in California, she was excited to get to see these big birds up close. #pelican #brownpelican #California #SOCAL #birding #wildlife #wildlifephotography

“Hey! Where have you been?” Very sorry for going incommunicado this past week but I went to #SOCAL to visit friends of a few different species including this sea lion. #sealion #sealionsunday #California #LaJolla #wildlife #wildlifephotography