Pilot Mountain

Malcolm Gladwell writes in his book "Outliers", about the "10,000 Hour Rule", to achieve success in any subject one needs to practice the task for around 10,000 hours. There are other factors involved, but practice, practice and more practice makes perfect. I'm not quite sure where I fall on the "10,000 Hour Rule" scale, but with every hour I spend on photography I increasing my chance of coming home with image or images I'm looking for. I'm at the stage in photography where I can focus and enjoy the subject I'm taking picture of and not think about what to do with the technology in my hands.

My photography subject are landscape, birds and flowers, they are all outside where I have little or no control. When the opportunity present its self, I have to be react as quick as possible and not be thinking about what's the best setting for that opportunity. If I want to take a picture of Pilot Mtn in the morning light, I just have to make sure I'm there ahead of time and be ready when nature puts on a show. But this morning I was headed elsewhere when I looked to my left and saw the light touching the tip of Pilot Mtn. My plains changed, I quickly started to set up my equipment as I watched the sunlight light up the mountain. Then moving in the snow to find a location that would produce image I wanted to have. Easy part was taking the picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Cultural and Natural

In November of this year it will be 125 years for Banff National Park, 125 years for the National Park System, and it all started at the Cave and Basin NHSC. I'll often try to come up with pictures that has the historic site in it and the park that started there. Since I did not have a helicopter available to me, I can only put part of the site that would define the whole. The bathing pavilion does just that. As well the building grounds the picture, one can easily imagine standing at the site and looking at the surroundings in this picture.

To say the surroundings and the views around the site are beautiful, is a major under statement. One can easily come up with a book of pictures, all taken just at the site. Light is everything in a picture, and on this cloudy and cold morning, I did not think the warm morning light was going to come through. It had just stopped snowing and the clouds were starting to break up. Before long the light hit the Cascade mountain in the background. I quickly went about taking pictures from few position before the light changed or disappeared all together. After about eight minutes the light did disappear and I packed up and went to find a place to warm up.

Until next moment,

Amar

Numa Mountain

As many were being surprised the morning of the 25th at home, mother nature was waiting to surprise me outside. The goal was to head for 93 north for the morning of Christmas, to capture the first light and go for a hike afterward. The temperature was about minus 16 outside the home and the same for the area I was headed for. Part way there came to a realization I was not going to make there in time and decided to head for 93 south instead, Kootenay National Park to be specific. I found a spot to wait for the morning light to meet the mountains. It was about ten minutes of standing before I started to take pictures, felt the body losing heat, but kept taking pictures. After being out for half an hour I headed for the car, took a look at the thermometer on my pack, it showed the temperature being minus 29.

Had prepared for the my original destination and not checked for temperature where I ended up. Needed some extra time to warm up the toes and the fingers but continued exploring the valley along the Vermilion River. Cold did not leave but once the sun hit the bottom of the valley it made all the difference. Walking through an area looking like winter wonderland I quickly forgot when the extremities were feeling the cold. The mountains were in generous mood with the views that day.

Until next moment,

Amar

Under the Moon Light

It was clear night, just 24 hours after the full moon took place. Still few hours before my beauty sleep, decided to go for a drive to take pictures using the moonlight. With snow on the ground, there should be plenty of light for landscape photography. It was about minus 18 degree Celsius and getting cooler as I approached Two Jack Lake. North side of Mount Rundle looked beautiful under the moonlight, just needed something front of me that would ground the picture. Parked the car and went walking toward the lake, most of it was frozen but still some open water in the middle. I found cracked ice by the shore, just hoped the details would come out on the picture.  Thanks to the moonlight and the 30 second exposure, I got what I wanted. A picture and my version of a night out.

Until next moment,

Amar

Fairholme Range

One of the great gift evolution has given us is the ability to walk, taking one step at a time. For me its the perfect pace for my eyes to find the pictures I want to take while my feet follow the trail. Often drifting toward a know destination or exploring finding new spots to take pictures form. In some cases keeping these spots back of my head for future returns. I have never had a bad walk or hike in the mountains, no matter the weather. Weather is only there to tell us what to wear. 

I would not mind if on each visit, my feet were on a  trail I had not stepped on before, as there are many among the mountains. But having limited time for hikes, trails close to the home get multiply uses. I was on one of these trails, walking along the river, every now and then stopping to listen to the birds that will be spending their winter in the mountains. The daylight was coming to an end, but before it left it was producing a warm glow top of Fairholme Range and the clouds above it. I stepped off the trail and got along side the frozen river to find a location for the picture I wanted to take. Soon after the light left for other ranges.

Until next moment,

Amar

Morning Light

Saturday November 28 was the 124th birthday of Banff National Park, for which Cave and Basin NHSC is the birthplace. Been very lucky, getting to work at two national historic sites and shared their history with visitors from all over Canada and beyond. Then on my off time, or should I say a fraction of my off time enjoying the national parks. Now you don't see people in my pictures, good chance that will continue. Its not that I hate people, some my friends are people. Its just one of my favorite way to enjoy nature is one on one. Exploring the mountains for which creation process started some 800 millions years ago in the Pacific Ocean. 

For the attached picture, it was  a cool early morning, standing beside the Bow River. Waiting for the morning light to make contact with the Massive Range located to the right. As I waited a unidentified water fowl kept moving from me as a male mallard kept going in circles to the right of me. The clouds were starting to build up and light was not going to hit the range. I took my eyes off the mule deer in the distance crossing the river and started taking pictures as the clouds lit up. As all of this was going on, there had been noise coming from the forest behind me. After standing by the river for 45 minutes, I packed up and started to move out. Ahead of me I heard quick movement of an animal, never saw it, but it was a deer form the tracks I saw in the snow. This is my way of enjoying the national parks, being only able to give fraction of my time, but in return they give my enough until I'm back to connect again. Happy birthday Banff.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle at Night

I'm a early riser, makes it easier to chase the morning light. But that means I'm in bed between 9:30 and 10 pm.  With shorter days the night comes early, I decided few weeks ago to head to the Vermilion Lakes to take pictures of the night sky. I was  standing next to the First Vermilion Lake with darkness all around me, before I turned off the car 's head lights I made sure there were no animals nearby. Well, I told my self there was nothing nearby.

I wanted the exposure  to be long enough to capture the starts and be able to make out Rundle and Tunnel Mountains being lit up by Town of Banff lights. But not too long of a exposure, that would have the stars streaking in the picture. I played and experimented with the aperture and the ISO of my camera. I set the aperture to f2.8, meaning the lens are open as far as it can to let in as much light into the camera as possible. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the sensor of the camera would be, also means more grainy the picture. ISO that worked for me was 3200, most pictures you seen from me have ISO of 200. In the end I decided to expose the sensor of the camera for 30 seconds. With some play on the computer I got the attached shot, looking up to the beautiful night sky.

Until next moment,

Amar

Winter is Coming

Does not feel like it sometime, but we do get all season in the mountains, and its fun taking pictures in all of them.  I get so involved with each season, running around trying to take all the pictures I had planned before the next season arrives. But, I have yet to accomplish all the goals I set for myself at the start of a season.  It’s a good thing I planned to eat lot chocolate to give me the energy I need to take all the pictures I want. The crazy thing is my list keeps getting bigger and bigger, as I keep coming up with new ideas for the places I have visited and want to visit, nature never seems to runs out of beauty.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mountain

It was around minus 19 in the morning, having our first cold spell, planned to hike to Copper and then Smith Lake. For whatever reason, I was not feeling the cold, maybe it was the warm bowl of oatmeal I had that morning. Had a nice easy walk to Copper Lake, a waterfowl spotted me and started to move to the other side of the lake through the mist. I walked around to the other side, along the way greeted by two Varied Thrushes and a Red Squirrel. There were low clouds in the valley, was not sure if I was going to see Castle Mtn. But you have to get out and be there and be ready for what might happen.  After waiting next to the outer part of the lake, which was frozen, clouds opened up and I snapped away for about 15 minutes. After saying my farewell to the birds and the squirrel, I was off to Smith Lake for more fun.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Ishbel

I was not far from the road, standing near the forest and looking toward the top of the mountain. The sun was setting with the clouds coming and passing. I waited for the sunlight to sneak past and light the mountain. With my hands in the pockets, I waited and watched. My car was parked in a space next to an exhibit panel, I could hear cars slowing down and then speeding away, but some started to stop next to my car. The people were looking at me, wondering what I was looking at, I imagined. Was there something in the forest? Without looking in the direction, I could hear someone slowly walking toward me. I guess hopping to locate the possible animal I was looking at. The question was going to be asked, I decided I would give a straight answer. As the person got closer more cars started to stop, I was causing a photographer jam. I decided to look toward the person coming slowly near me with a camera in her hands, ready to take a picture of what ever that was going to pop out of the forest.  “Hello”, I said

She asked “what are you looking at in the woods?” My camera on the tripod was slightly facing up, I said “I'm looking at the mountain”. “What, a mountain goat?” she responded. “I’m waiting for the light to come through the clouds, so I can take a landscape picture”, I answered back.  “Ohhh” she said with a sad face, took a picture and head for her car. The word got around and one by one the cars left the area. I put my hands back in the pockets and waited quietly.  The light arrived soon after, softly touching the mountain.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Hector

Was standing on top of Mount St Piran on a hot summer day, with beautiful view all around including that of Lake Louise below. Started taking pictures of the nearby mountains, kept the camera away from the Bow Valley as distance fire smoke was passing through. Looked to the  north and there in the distance was Mount Hector. But there was light smoke in the way, but I thought I could still get a decent picture of Mount Hector. Been looking at Mount Hector for years, every time I get on and off HWY 93 North. Taken number of pictures as well. 

 But only recently I was informed of its local name by friends, Snoopy. Now every time I see it, the first word that comes to my mouth is Snoopy. For those who are unable to see it, like me for all those years. The very highest part of the mountain looks like Snoopy sleeping on its back, with the "nose" being the highest part of the mountain. Wonder if James Hector who was appointed geologist on the Palliser Expedition that went through the area and who the mountain is named after, would have minded the local name? Wonder if he had a beagle as a pet?

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

Warm day was coming to an end, air was calm and the sky was filled with clouds. Decided to go over to the Vermilion Lakes that I had not visited for a while. Hour to go before the sun would set in the area. Headed for the Second Vermilion Lake, but too many ripples in the water for my liking. I returned toward the first lake where family was playing on the dock and causing the ripples in the lake. But there was area east side of the lake, with small opening surrounded by grass. Set my equipment as the mosquitoes gathered. Every few seconds my hand would wave off the insects as I went about taking the pictures. Vermilion Lakes once again deliver.

Until next moment,

Amar

Cirque Peak

When I'm trying to take pictures of flowers, I'll try to get myself to eye level with the flowers before taking the picture. As well looking for space behind the flowers and the background, trying to make the flowers stand out. Its great when I spot flowers on a side of a slope, easier for me to look up and take the picture. Otherwise I'll lay on the ground and get the picture I want. Not a big deal when it its by or near a trail, away from the general public. To get the attached picture, I was laying down on the side of the road in a ditch. Safe from the vehicles that on occasion went by, but not form curious eyes. Caused a one vehicle photographer jam, when a driver stopped to make sure all was good. A puzzled look came over his face, when I told him I was just taking pictures of flowers. Maybe I should have shown him a picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Morning Reflection

It was early in the morning and I was on the shore of the smaller of two Waterfowl Lakes. The air was calm, two mallards to my left were causing most of the ripples on the lake. Sun was making its way up and the morning light was making its way down the mountains. The reflection of the mountains was almost perfect. I decided I wanted to create a panorama from Mount Patterson to Mount Chephren. Divided the range into three parts, taking five pictures at different exposures for each part to get as much details as possible when I combined them. Then I  stitched the three parts together to get the attached panorama. Even though I was short walk from the road, might as have been kilometers away, quietly enjoying another sunrise in the mountains.

Until next moment,

Amar

Storm Mountain

I was on the highway headed west early in the morning, when I noticed the moon in the sky. Still some time before the morning light would be touching the mountains in the Bow Valley. The sky was clear, so I wanted the half moon to play role in the picture. Got off the highway 1 and took the bridge at Castle Junction to continue west on the 1A. After going for few more kilometers I was seeing what I wanted. The moon was over Storm Mountain and the mountain was lit up with the morning light. 

 Stepped out of the warm car to find a spot which would give me a look above the trees, luck except for few trees. As the Robins and Juncos sang their morning songs, I was able to take the attached picture of Storm Mountain. Named by George Mercer (one of Canada's great scientist) Dawson, who also gave the same name to a mountain in Kananaskis. Both named because number of storm clouds were seen on the summit.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sunrise and Melting Ice

Some 14 years ago I got my first camera, original owners were my parents. I purchased few lens to create a system and off I went. I would chase the sunrises and the sunsets by riding my mountain bike to the Vermilion Lakes Road, Sundance Trail, Vermilion Lakes Road and more Vermilion Lakes Road. Vermilion Lakes were not far away form home, and easy to get to. As well I was not too far away from a warm home when I was taking pictures in November or December, stopping only when the snow arrived.

 Got to know the area well over all these years. Even today when I have more options and using a DSLR, I find myself at the lakes. Last year I got into bird photography, and the lakes are great for that as well. This winter was the first time I did not stop taking the pictures when cold and the snow arrived, and again the lakes were great hosts. This last week I had visited the lakes several times, including few mornings. It still shows me views I have not seen or captured before.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

 Wanted to get out and take pictures of the sunrise, but clouds were rolling in from the West. Not sure what the weather was going to bring, decided to stay close to home. Headed for Johnson Lake, hoping to get the sunrise and then a walk around the lake. The cool night and early morning kept the open part of the trail firm to walk on, could make out the deep foot prints from the previous warm day. Found my spot near the Douglas Firs, looking at the North side of Mount Rundle. There were some low clouds the light had to go through, once again I was nicely reward for my visit by mother nature.

Until next moment,

Amar

Quite Sunset

I was waiting for the sunset between second and the third Vermilion Lakes. Waiting for the warm colours in the clouds to come out, so I could start taking pictures. As I waited, saw several meters front me a male mallard duck come out in the open and then back in hiding from my view. Few minutes later a vehicle parks on the side of the road, man carrying a camera and a tripod and a lady carrying a small back pack.

 They said hello as they passed me to go from my left to my right. They were our to take pictures as well but from a another view. They had to go past a icy section, section were the lady slipped, but quickly got up smiling. My eyes went back to why I was there, noticed I had a picture front of me. Took several but not with the warm colours. This time it was a quite sunset.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sawback Range

For most part, I take pictures, loaded them onto my computer's hard drive and look over them. Those that I don't like get deleted the others I save and back them up on another drive as well. Then there are the in between pictures, not sure what to do with them, they get saved until I look at them in the near future. Attached is one of those pictures. I took the picture just before December came to an end.

 Last week I had a look at the picture and decided to start playing with it. I turned it black and white, did some cropping and brought out some details in the mountains. When I was done, I got a picture that I wanted to save.

Until next moment,

Amar

Light Over Castle

I was 5 to 10 minutes east of Castle Junction, taking pictures facing Sawback Range but at the same time keeping my eyes on Castle Mountain. There was nice light on Castle, I had about an hour before sunset, more then enough time to get closer to Castle Mtn to take pictures. When I got to the bridge at the Castle Junction, the direct light had left Castle Mtn because of the heavy clouds moving in from the west.

 Hoping some light would come through, decided to park my car and walk down to the side of Bow next to the bridge. On the west of the bridge, there was a couple being entertained by their dog, I headed east along the river. Kept walking and looking back at Castle Mtn, the light was not going to come through. After walking for several hundred meters, decided to take some pictures with the sky and the clouds still getting the evening light.

Not upset about missing the light on the mountain, everything is relative. As I was walking back toward my car, saw a dipper working away along the Bow River. It was not concerned where the light was, just looking for enough food to survive another cold night that was headed our way.

Until next moment,

Amar