It was in the middle of the cold spell last month, like the ones we used to regularly get each winter. I think the morning temperature was minus 31 degrees Celsius. Second morning with temperatures in the minus thirties. To keep warm, I ran to the location, no tripod was going to be used and the camera was ready right out of the backpack. I knew the location like the back of my hand. There was enough time from two locations to shoot from, this one was the first and ended up being the better of the two that morning. Thanks to the two Common Ravens, they made the image twice as good. Both were making their way east when they saw me. Perhaps hoping for a meal or were just curious, they started to circle in front of me. I shot when they were in the right place and tried to get them and the background in focus. This image was my favorite from that morning. They aren’t blocking the Cascade Mountain and both are easily recognized.
Castle Mountain
Lots of great things about the winter in the Rockies, including exploring the tracks I come across. And that’s what I did about an hour before sunset. I was also looking toward Castle Mtn, I did not think the light was going to make it through the clouds toward the end of the day, it did. I still had time to get back to my car and drive some 20 kilometers to the location where I normally like to take the mountain’s picture. But there was a chance by the time I reached the spot, clouds would move in and block the light. So I continued exploring, looking at the tracks that were not there in the morning. Elk and wolves had moved through the area. At the same time, I was figuring out how to get the picture of Castle. Moving around in the knee-deep snow to find a location where the trees helped frame the mountain but not blocked the mountain. Once I got the picture, it was back to looking at the tracks and seeing if I could get some good pictures of them.
After Snowfall
It’s funny, for many, sleeping in, sitting back or driving instead of exploring on foot, is about being comfortable. For me, once the alarm goes off, it’s time to get up. Otherwise, the body will be in pain. If I sit too long or go for a long drive, I go crazy. Feeling uncomfortable and constrained. But if I’m standing, walking, hiking or scrabbling, life is good. During the hiking season my motto is drive less, hike more. All my favorite hikes are about an hour drive or less. When I was younger, one of my goals was to live in an area where the outdoors was close. When the roads are bad, I can just walk out to an area and be surrounded by nature while others are deciding whether to hit the snooze button or get up. It’s one of the most amazing things about living in the mountains. Breaking trail after a snowfall, with snow covering everything around me. I’m in my elements. Comfortable elements.
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights have never been more popular than they are today, a big thanks to the internet and digital cameras. Fast moving electrically charged particles coming from the Sun, collide with oxygen and nitrogen gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. As they come down into the atmosphere, the particles pass on their energy to the oxygen and nitrogen molecules, getting them all excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, a small amount of energy in the form of light. When billions of these collisions occur, there is enough light for our eyes to detect. This glow can light up the sky in various colours. Since it’s dimmer than sunlight, it’s only visible during the night. The different colours of the aurora depend on which gas is being excited and how much energy is being released. Many of us were witnesses to this amazing natural light show, in October and November.
Odaray Mountain
The first time I walked the road to the Lake O’Hara area, I was checking along the way for any photographic opportunities. It keeps the mind busy on the eleven kilometers stroll. One of the views I wanted to take a picture of, right from the first time I saw it, was that of the Odaray Mountain. Just a few days before I had walked the same path, but it was too dark for a good picture. The clouds covering the sky completely, took away the opportunity I was looking for in the Lake O’Hara area. When I was back at the parking lot, the sky cleared up. So I was out for my second attempt. It was all looking good as I was walking to Lake O’Hara. Odaray Mtn looked great with fresh snow, soI had to stop and get a few pictures of this classic Canadian Rockies look.
It’s a good thing I did, because as I got to the lake, the clouds covered the sky once again. I spent some time at the lake, with everything closing the day before. I had the lake to myself, except for a few Canada Jays, who tried to steal my food while I was eating. I had an almond, cashew and a piece of a walnut in my hand, they were heading for my mouth. One of the jays hit my hand, the almond hit the ground and the other two items went to the back of my throat. The jay tried to pick up the almond with its beak. I stepped toward it, it flew off and I got the almond piece back. My perfect record continues to not feed the wildlife.
Fall Colours
This hike to Healy Pass started on a cold morning, half an hour before the sunrise. After a few hundred meters in, the leg settled into a rhythm that would be maintained until I reached the pass I was aiming for. Only stopping to remove the shell and the fleece. Much of the hike was in the woodland, with each step I was anticipating the view I was going to have if the overcast sky let some light in. The woods were quiet, on the steep sections I could almost hear my heart beating. But I was feeling relaxed, the body was in the zone as the mind was focused on the surprise higher up. A kilometre or more from the top, the vegetation on either side of the trail was covered with a few centimetres of snow. I looked down on the trail, for the first time that morning I saw evidence that someone had stepped on the tail before me.
On closer inspection, I realized a bear with two cubs had gone across the trail. The tracks were fresh, still soft to the touch. I looked in the direction they had gone, the view was obstructed with scattered larch trees. The trail I was on went well above their racks, I hoped perhaps I would see them from above. I kept looking for the family as I went up and across. No luck seeing them, but after a few hours of hiking that beautiful morning, I had the view in front of me that I had hoped for.
Crowfoot Mtn
It was toward the end of the winter, I was on my second day off, enjoying another winter morning as I drove north in the darkness. I was an hour away from the sunrise, looking at my rear view mirror, I could see the clouds were going to light up that morning. While coming around a turn, I saw what looked like wildlife on the side of the road, it was a lynx. I slowed down as it crossed the road and hopped onto the plowed snow that was about a meter and half high. Not enough light to get any good pictures, I watched it for a few seconds and took a picture of it with my phone and I was off. I got to the lake with plenty of time. I knew where I needed to go, with snowshoes I got there in a few minutes. During that time of the year, there is not that much traffic in the morning on the 93 North. With no wind, it was this beautiful quiet sunrise. The only sound was being caused by me taking the pictures. For fifteen to twenty minutes, I enjoyed the sights as the sky got brighter and brighter. Once the bright warm light had passed, I packed up and stood there for a few minutes before starting the walk back to my car. These are the types of connection that keeps me addicted to nature.
Mount Rundle
If you’re looking to have the whole Vermilion Lakes to yourself in the morning for the sunrise. It’s easy. Just wait until it’s minus 39 degrees Celsius. That was the case almost a month ago, only seeing a few familiar faces who come out for a drive in the morning. Hoping to see some wildlife, watch the sunrise and to exchange a few words. For a few mornings just before the Sun rose over Mount Rundle, thanks to it, rays of light were shooting into the air from the back of the peaks. It looked as if a movie was being premiered in Canmore and floodlights were being used.
No movies were being premiered, even if all friends living in Canmore paid several hundred dollars to buy one flashlight each with 100, 000 Lumens output, it would not be enough. Or if everyone got their phones out and used the flashlight feature. With each phone producing 50 Lumens, is not enough. It’s the life giving Sun, sending light from 149 million kilometers away. Providing 90 000 Lumens per square meter on Earth’s surface. Catching this image minutes before the Sun becomes visible. When it popped up, it was a good time to stop looking in that direction and time to go find a warm place.
Moon over Fairholme Range
Nature photography is always a game of wait, for this image I was waiting for the moon to be in the open before the last light left the mountains. The clouds behind me were moving in and soon after I grabbed this image the light was off the peaks for the day.
Ice Bubbles
On our favourite planet Earth, 71 percent if its surface is covered by water. The oceans contain 97 percent of the water and the remaining 3 percent is fresh water contained in lakes, rivers and ice. Two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom make up one molecule of water. The molecules are always moving because of potential energy. Water molecules have more energy in liquid form than in a solid state. Potential energy is reduced as the water cools down, the molecules start to move slower. When the water temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, the molecules stick together to form a solid, which is ice. In the solid state molecules are still moving, we just can’t see it with our naked eyes. For water to turn into ice, we still need more than cold temperatures. A small impurity, from the impurity or particle will grow an ice crystal. Without impurities in water, say in pure water, water will not freeze, even when reaching minus 40 degrees Celsius. This process, called super cooling, occurs when pure water is contained in a smooth container.
But, I was not thinking about this when I came across this creek, which in metric would be called 64.37 Kilometer Creek. After seeing clear ice with nice bubble formations. I needed to decide if it was thick enough to hold my weight. After a few minutes of observing, I felt it was safe and decided slowly to move to the bubbles and get the picture.
Moon over Mount Rundle
First light hitting the north side of Mount Rundle as the moon makes its way of the peak.
Mount Ishbel
Sunrise along the Bow River, looking toward Mount Ishbel.
Fairholme Range
Having patience is a big part of nature photography, but staying composed while dealing with the elements also plays a big role. That was the case when I got this sunrise picture. It was a cold morning with heavy winds blowing snow over the frozen lake. I was taking small steps on the open ice so as not to slip and I tried not to face the wind to keep warm. After being out there for half an hour and after the bright part of the sunrise, the light was getting softer but I still wanted to take one more picture. The hands were cold and the toes were making their way in that direction as I searched for a different foreground. I noticed the tracks in the snow, they belonged to the wolf pack, they were about a week old. The light was fading, so quickly I set up the equipment and then composed the shot. Another sunrise was enjoyed, followed by a walk to the warmth of the car.
Massive Range
For the last few hours of the day I was looking up toward the sky. If the last light got below the clouds, the whole sky was going to light up. Work came to an end, while everyone else were making their way to their vehicles, I headed for the nearby trails. I was starting to see what was coming, excited, I moved quickly. For the next half an hour I moved back and forth on a small section of the trail. It was not the ideal spot for sunset pictures that evening, but no time to walk anywhere else. I knew the area and I was going to get a few good pictures. The river ice was questionable that evening, so that removed some options. I took a few pictures looking northeast, and then looking east. But back of my head the big show was going to be to the west. The big ending to the day started. There was no interesting foreground, I knew that as soon I had hit the trail. But the sky looked amazing, it was going to be the highlight and below it the outline of the Massive Range. Keeping it simple was the way to go that evening.
One reason I enjoy nature photography is the way I feel inside as I’m watching something beautiful. It’s like a visual energy entering the eyes and going right into the brain and from there spreading to the rest of the body. I have no drug experience I can relate it to, other than, you guess it, good chocolate after a long hard hike. It does not matter if it’s a sunrise, sunset or flora or fauna. The hit always lasts longer than the moment and I can’t wait until the next one. Fifteen minutes after I took this picture, I was walking over the bridge with a visual high and looked west. Faded, there were still some colours in the sky. Even the sky did not want to forget that evening.
Massive Range
On a cold morning I started walking on the Bow Valley Parkway. A section of the road that saw a lot of hikers and bikers over the summer, as it was closed to the vehicles as part of the COVID 19 restrictions. Walking is my preference when nature photography is on the mind, on foot I can see and hear more of what’s around me and quickly stop to take out the camera and hopefully get the picture. I picked up my pace to get the body warmed up. About a kilometre in I had to remove a layer. I have driven on this road more times than I can count, I tend to avoid the Trans Canada Highway, more to enjoy when the goal is not get from point A to b as fast as you can.
Not being on the BVP for over six months, it felt good walking on it. I know every section of the road and areas I like to explore by foot. I was making good time. There were various tracks in the snow and other evidence of wildlife that had moved through the areas I was walking by. Stopped to take pictures of birds I came across and others like the Bald Eagle, I just watched as it flew well above me. I came across grizzly bear tracks, it was heading in the same direction as me but about 24 hours ahead. I had some idea which large male it might be, a few hours later it was confirmed. But that’s a story for another time.
I was looking at the Massive Range, getting different views as I walked west on the road. The light was great and the snow covered peaks were hard to look away from. With the lack of wind that morning, my hope was to reach a certain bend in the Bow River, where if conditions stayed the same, it would provide me with the picture I wanted. I got there, the water was calm, I was looking at a beautiful fall landscape scene in front of me, which I thought would look great in black and white.
Mount Rundle
Originally I started taking pictures like most people, to remind me of the hike I had done and what I saw. Not much effort was made, the goal was to get a few quick pictures of the place and of friends I was hiking with. When it became a hobby, it was to motivate me to get out more. That was a big success, it's now harder to be inside, no matter the season. As I worked toward getting better and better pictures, I realized it was more likely to happen when I was out there on my own. No talking, just letting the mind wander until I saw a picture in front of me to take. From that I quickly figured out it was a great way to mentally relax. Nature photography not only provides me physical good health but also for mental health. I can even feel the difference when it's just for a few minutes. For example, watching a kinglet move from branch to branch in search of food. The world becomes small, it’s just about the bird, how it moves to find food.
So when life seems to be out of control, I head toward nature for balance. The more I do the better I feel. I have yet to overdose on this natural drug, I have come close with chocolate though. I tend to smile and laugh a lot, this makes for an easier life. Benefit of a healthy mind. This is the reason why I fully control where I take pictures, how I take pictures and why I take pictures. For me now, nature photography is a passion and I think we should all have a passion to keep us on a strong foundation.
When I took this image, it was a very cold windy morning. Holding onto the tripod with the camera on it, wandering on the frozen lake until I came across an image. I took the picture and repeated the process a few more times. The hands got a bit cold after I was done, but the rest of me felt great.
Mount Schaffer
Few weeks back I did my last hike into Lake O’Hara area to enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Mount Ball
I hiked to Shadow Lake, I was greeted by this almost perfect reflection on Mount Ball.
Rockwall
The day before I had done an early morning hike, timed it to make sure I was back at the trail head well before the temperature went over 30 degrees Celsius that day. My preference is always to complete the hard part of the hike before the solar noon during the hot summer days. I was out hiking again the following morning, this time in the neighbouring national park, Kootenay. Half an hour before sunrise, I was on the trail making my way to Floe Lake. Enjoyed the sunrise colours taking place behind me and the nice morning light hitting the Rockwall front of me. It had rained during the night, with the vegetation hanging over some parts of the trail, the water off the plants felt great on a warm morning. Before I hit the fun switchbacks to the lake, I had a quick water break and then up I went. Had some quick chats with campers who were on their way out, but before I knew it, I was past the switchbacks. As I descended toward the lake, I was greeted by other campers who were still having their breakfast. Not one to take landscape pictures two hours after the sunrise, the light quality falls off. But when I saw the lake water was close to calm and part of the Rockwall that was behind the Floe Lake was being mirrored in the lake. A picture was waiting to be taken.
Glacier Lily
Went for an early morning hike to beat the mosquitoes and a chance to see the beautiful glacier lilies all around. After reaching Healy Pass, had a break and then took pictures of the flowers, had lot of opportunities before heading back.
