Cascade of Times Garden

Lot of hard work goes into the garden that surrounds the Banff National Park administration building, this summer the weather has provided additional challenges.  But once again hard work has paid off, wonderful colours everywhere. At my previous position with Parks, I would spend number of lunch hours walking through the Cascade of Times Garden, or leaving home early to take pictures before heading to work.  The other week I decided I was going to spend an hour after work and see what I can come up with. It was a hot sunny day, but the colours were simply amazing under the sun.  As well, I got to chat with other visitors that were enjoying the garden.  To end my hour, I was able to get a picture of a beautiful warbler that was enjoying the garden as well.

Until next moment,

Amar

Barn Swallows

I decide to stop at Bow Lake for a rest before heading home. It had been a long fun day, but I needed a treat before driving further. Dropped into the Num-Te-Jah Lodge for a chocolate bar and head for the shore of the lake for a rest. As I approached the shore there were few visitors taking picture of the view and of themselves, but I was distracted by this “me me me” (that's what my ears heard) sound. Looked to my left and saw four juvenile Barn Swallows sitting on the end of a leaning short dead tree.

 Quickly I put away the chocolate and started to go through my bag for the camera and zoom lens. The parents of the juveniles were flying around and catching food, and then would feed the young ones. They in turn would make this “me me me” sound and open their mouths when the parents would come near. I was not sure how long before the juveniles would fly away, so I was in a hurry. Just as I was about to take pictures, a little girl came over to me and asked if I could take picture of her and her mother and older sister. I looked over at the birds, and said to girl I would be happy to and snapped two pictures with the lake and Crowfoot Glacier behind them.

I then grabbed my camera, standing about four meters from the birds, separated by pool of water, started to take pictures. Got few pictures of the parents feeding with the insects they caught, before a sparrow landed near the juveniles and all four took to the air. But luckily for me they were all back in few minutes and I got busy. Moved little bit to right and left to find a spot that would give me the best pictures. Spend about twenty minutes taking the picture of the birds and one picture of human family.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bow Glacier

It was early in the morning and I was behind the Bow Lake below the Bow Glacier Fall. Took some pictures, before deciding to sit back and eat while watching the water come down. Then I scrambled and hiked my way to the Bow Glacier Lake above the fall, beautiful view with cold wind coming over the glacier and lake. It was hot day, but the cold wind was causing about foot high waves on the lake and keeping the temperature down as well.  With the lack of clouds, decided just to take close up pictures of the glacier while three Harlequin ducks kept their distance from me on the lake. Hopefully it will not be another 12 years before I get up there again, just want to be there when the water is calm and happy clouds in the sky. Today I get to share one of the close up picture of the Bow Glacier.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Was headed west on the road, with a storm coming in my direction. I was hoping light would break through the heavy clouds, creating an opportunity for photos. I came around a turn and there on the right were four large male elk. They were on the move, perhaps to a safe spot from the heavy wind that was pushing through the valley and rain drops that were starting to fall. Each season I find it interesting, seeing at this time bull elk together as if they were best of friends. Only within weeks the velvet well be coming off the antlers and rutting season will begin. For now its the safety of numbers and taking in the rich food provided by all the rain we received this summer. For this picture, I got well ahead of the elks and used my zoom lens to get this close up of two of the four elk.

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

Boreal Chickadee

Light plays a large role as to how the subject will look in a photograph. You only have to look at the mountains with the first or the last light of the day and compare that with middle of the day light. I also find it interesting when on a cloudy day, light breaks through and highlight a subject. Same goes when ray of light breaks through the forest and light up a flower. With birds I most often prefer light coming from behind me and showing all the beautiful colours it hold. But it can be fun when the bird is not fully under the direct light. As in the attached picture, light and lack of makes the Boreal Chickadee look like a 10 gram bully.

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

Red Paintbrush

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

Ospreys

Over the spring and summer I been frequently visiting a  Ospreys nest. Watching the pair go about their day to day business, while the world around them did the same. Always placing myself safe distance to watch and take pictures. You got to have lot of patience and enjoy your subject to get the right picture. Learning about their habits, in order to be in a better position to tell when one is going to fly to and from the nest.

 While I was watching the nest, on the other side of the river two couples started to fish, not aware of the nest. After about half hour of trying, they decided to move on. Unlike the Ospreys, they had no luck catching fish. As the couples were headed for their car,  I heard a call from the Osprey on the nest. I looked around and saw its mate heading for the nest with a fish in its talons, partially eaten. All within a minute, from the time the one Osprey landed with the fish on the nest. It placed the fish on the top of the nest and moved away from it while getting into a low profile. Giving the space for its mate to hop on the fish and fly away to eat what looked like a Rainbow Trout in peace. What team work.

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

Common Yellowthroat

It was  a sunny morning, walking on a trail along side Warner Stables. Going back and forth on a 80 to 90 meter section. Walking slower when the sun was behind me, taking pictures of birds with the morning light on them. The birds I kept seeing were Red winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows and Common Yellowthroats. I was concentrating on the yellowthroats, as they were staying near me and letting me take the pictures I wanted. 

 I have on several occasions taken pictures of yellowthroats, but always wanted to catch them in different positions. That morning I was able to catch one Common Yellowthroat singing away, I imagined it was saying good-morning.

Until next moment,

Amar

Calypso Orchid

I was on my knees in the middle of a coniferous forest, taking pictures of Calypso Orchids. As I snapped away, felt as if someone else was near me, watching me. But could see no one when I looked around. Bent down again to take pictures of these small flower, which invite bees with their look. Who after cross-pollinating one or more of these beautiful orchids, find out they contain no nectar. Calypso is a Greek name for concealment, something it does well.  I was done taking pictures but  still felt someone else was in the forest, perhaps my spidey sense need some work.

Until next moment,

Amar

Barrow's Goldeneyes

We all have special places we like to go to and let life pass by, while we let our brain wonder. One of my place is the Pilot Pond. It was late afternoon and I was on my way home, when I decided to stop by. As I walked toward it, I could hear the sound of the toads. Walked along the east side of the pond, pair of Mallard and Barrow's Goldeneyes moved away from the shore as I passed by. 

 Checked the whole pond to see what was out there, there was one Common Loon, two Bufflehead, four Mallards and four adult and one male juvenile Barrow's Goldeneyes. Set my camera and lens on the tripod and sat down under a spruce and waited to see if any of the Barrow Goldeneyes would come back to the log in the water they had moved away from. As I watched the goldeneyes go about their business on the other side of the pond, Osprey few by. Some time passed as the goldeneyes were slowly getting back to the log. Heard the call of the Bald Eagle few times, which I was not able to locate it. 

 One of female goldeneye was not impressed with the juvenile, forcing it away from the pair everytime it would come near. Same pair slowly headed for the log, as I relaxed and looked on. The pair reached the log, with the female getting on top of the log. The male soon followed, shook some of the water off its feathers as I took pictures. Kept taking pictures as pair spent about 10 minutes on the log.

Until next moment,

Amar

Marble Canyon

1993 was the year I moved to Banff, after about two weeks I knew where I would spent rest of my life. The mountains had hold of me and were not going to let me go. This hold, this connection has only gotten stronger over the years. I not only want to be surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, I also want to capture it with my camera. The more time passes from my last walk on a trail with my camera, the more my off balance I feel. 

 This was the case when over the last several days I was away form the Rockies for couple of reasons. On my day back, responsibilities kept me away form the trails, but I have made up for it since then. This morning I was up at 4:30 AM and off to Kootenay Park, to see Marble Canyon. Along the way I stopped to take pictures of the warm colours coming up with the sunrise, but it was the melt water I wanted to see at the canyon. As I made my way on the trail, sounds of Robins, White crowned Sparrows, Dark eyed Junkos kept me company. I reached my spot and the water was in full force, shaping its surrounding. Soon started to take pictures one after another as American Dipper went about feeding and picking up construction material for its nest. I was home.

Until next moment,

Amar

Peaceful

Sometime you plan a picture, waiting for the sun to come up or going to an area where certain flowers can be found. Then there are those pictures which you come across by chance, attached is one of those. I was following a common loon taking pictures along the way, when I came to scene with calm waters. Parts of two dead trees stuck in low water, with a Canadian Goose standing right next to them. Body position in a way to give balance to the scene, standing on one leg. Head resting on its top with one eye keeping track of me. I quickly took a picture thinking the goose might move, it did not. Then I got on my knees to get a picture from lower angle, capturing a  peaceful moment early in the day.

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

Tundra Swans

Took 964 pictures in just under 3 hours of 11 species of birds while I was walking along Bow River. Why so many pictures? Let me explain using the attached picture. After taking lot of pictures of several birds I came across two Tundra Swans, seen them three days in a row on the same part of the Bow. Closes I could get to them was about 70 meters, and even with lot of water between us they still would move away. 

I taking pictures of the pair of Common Mergansers, that kept close to where I was standing. I looked over at the pair of swans that were about 100 meters from me that day. Took some pictures and waited to see what they were up to. Slowly they started to come in my direction, closer they got more pictures I took. Just when I thought they would stop they got closer, stopped about 50 meters from me, standing on a shallow area in the river grooming themselves.

I had my camera set up to take 6 frames per second under the right conditions. From the time I decided to press the button to take a picture, birds can move their head, close their eyes and the smaller birds can even be on a another branch. To increase my chance of getting a keeper, I'll take pictures of birds in bursts of six. Out of the six pictures taken in a second, there is a better chance that one picture is of the bird when its still, all or most of it is in focus, eye or eyes visible (light in their eyes, even better), etc... 

 For the 964 pictures, the cost is no longer buying the slide film and paying to get it developed or waiting for it to get developed, its the time spent going through them on your computer. It was fun looking at 964 pictures, keeping 295 (may decrease ) and out of 295 using 14 to remember the morning walk. While deciding what to keep, I see birds in ways I can't with my naked eyes, increasing my understanding increasing my appreciation.

 Back to the swans, I got them framed taking pictures every know and then. They are back to back grooming them self,and the swan facing away from me beats its wings for about 4 seconds. I get 18 pictures of this action, from those 18 pictures I pick out the one that stands out, to share the moment. 

Until next moment,

Amar

Geese in the Mist

Few weeks back I was out waiting for the sunrise to take place. There were number of water holes forming as the warm weather was pushing its way into the Bow Valley. The geese were making the water opening their home, and the one I was standing next to was no different. The geese went about their business as low clouds went through the valley, no concern about me standing near their home. For the pair of mallards in the same water it was different story, they were on the far end of the opening, we were gone stay strangers. 

Up came the sun and the camera and I went to work until the sun started to hit the valley bottom. The light was now on the willow shrubs next to me, changed my lens and started to take pictures of catkins. Just as I was ready to go home, one of the goose made a noise, looked toward them and saw another picture opportunity. The sunlight was hitting the water, seeing only the outline of the geese as mist rose off the water. Changed lens again and was able to capture the attached picture.

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