Coyote

As people were celebrating on New Year eve, not far a different event was taking place, between predators and a prey. A natural occurrence that takes place on a daily basis in mountains.  Just outside the town of Banff, wolves brought down a large bull elk, a magnificent 7 point elk. There is a good chance it may have been one of the winners during the last run season, in that case it will live on through its offsprings this coming spring. I came across it the following day, as the body was being moved away from the trail for the safety of the wildlife and visitors hiking or skiing in the area. Even though the Elk lost his life when he was in his prime, as often happens with bulls. Many other animals benefitted, as they ate well to survive the cold snap we were going through. One of the animals was the one eyed Coyote I saw as I was returning home on the same trail. It was some twenty meters away from me with shrubs between us. As I was walking away, I snapped few pictures before leaving it to feast. I only noticed the missing left eye when I looked at the picture on the computer. It deserved a special meal on New Year Day, life is hard in the wilderness, even more so in winter.

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

Happy New Year

Most of the times I'm waken by the New Year fireworks, before getting back to dreamland. This year decided to capture few pictures of the fireworks taking place behind the Banff Administrator Building. Even though I was taking the back alley to my location for the pictures, still was passing quite a few in celebratory mood. Saw a friend outside the bar chatting, another runs by with a quick hello, couple arguing about something, a lady puts her arms around me while her friend takes a picture and more I normally sleep through. Two minutes to midnight I get to my location, middle of Banff Ave., by the island of snow with gathering crowds on both side of the street. Fireworks starts and I get to work, friends spot me and join me to watch the fireworks. Having them next to me made the occasion not so strange. We chatted after the show was over before I headed home to work on my New Year resolution, taking more pictures of nature. LOL!

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

Fall Colours

Been eating way too much food around this holiday season, I have been too tired to take pictures, decided instead to use one taken in October. Kidding (but not about the food), I had saved a picture from October that I thought would go well with the holiday season.  We had received our first major snow including cold temperatures. Spotted a branch with fall colour leaves, covered with snow and in the back ground sunlight coming through. Has a very peaceful quality about it. It reminded me the season of giving, or as I like to call it, season of chocolate. Happy holidays everyone!!

Until next moment,

Amar

Bird Count Day

Many were out today in the Bow Valley, participating in the 2009 Christmas bird count. Each group were given their section to walk, to explore and to count the birds they could identify. The group I was part of had a slow start, we spotted Ravens right away, but we had to do some walking before we came across flock of Gray crowned Rosy Finches and then little bit later American Dippers. After meeting a group coming from the opposite side, we moved on until we stopped to have lunch surrounded by the beauty around us. Before we ate we had spotted a Belted Kingfisher and another Dipper. 

After lunch came the fun part, bushwhacking through the willow shrubs. Along the way we were rewarded with the sunlight lighting up the mountains all around us and more birds, Boreal Chickadees, Mountain one as well and a Kinglet. Soon after we came across or should I say toward us, a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings. You think I would have had enough pictures of them from November. Always room for more. Number of them were sitting top of a aspen as if they were leaves. We continue our journey, spotting other birds, Pine Grosbeaks, Junko and more. Another fun day in the mountains.

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

Bohemian Waxwing

For part of November I had been busy taking pictures of the Bohemian Waxwings, as they been busy eating every bit of food they could find on the trees. Most years the leaves fall of the trees, making it easier to capture the birds with the camera. But this year with the sudden cold spell in October,  abscission did not take place, thus many of the deciduous trees are still holding on to most of their leaves.

The birds were too busy eating, perhaps a better word should be gorging, I was able to get close without having them scared off. There was one time on a four meter tall Mountain Ash, between 30 to 40 waxwings were busy eating and moving around, casing the leaves to make the same sound as wind was going through. 

Then there was another time when I was busy standing close to a tree taking pictures of one waxwing, all of sudden ear-full of waxwings flew right past me onto the tree. Then in few minutes they all looked as if heading for me but only to turn at the last second to head for the top of tree behind me. Even with 250 pictures of waxwings on my hard drive,only ten percent of the total pictures I taken of these wonderful birds. I'm still looking forward to capturing them again next year.

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

Killdeer

Winter had interrupted fall for over a week, putting a stop to migration for some of the birds. I had made my way to the marsh near the Cave and Basin NHSC, where the warm thermal  water kept spring like conditions for the birds that where taking a pause from heading south. I stood with the camera in hands as several different species of birds, numbering between 35 and 40, feeding away several meters from me. Every now and then some would look toward me, making sure they were safe distance from me. I moved slowly at my spot, taking pictures as some of the birds got closer. 

Then just behind me lands a Killdeer, so named for one of its call ( "kill-dee", "kill-deear", "kill-deeah-dee-dee"). It was so close to me, I initially had a problem getting it in focus. Ever so careful as not to make a quick or a wrong move that would scare the bird away, I backed a step. Wanted to take advantage of having the Killdeer so near me, to capture all of its exterior features. It stood still waiting to see what I was going to do, I slowly squatted to get the pictures I wanted. It soon started to move about, looking for food in the shallow water. Before I left, I softly said a thank-you before walking away, leaving the bird feeding and waiting for fall to return. Sometimes the odd Killdeers will spend their winter by the marsh, because of the warm water coming from the springs. If this is one of them, we may meet again.

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

Northern Hawk Owl

Early in the morning I drove up to the Columbia Icefield to meet up with friends who were camping at the campground. Along the way took pictures and slept, I was bit tired. We decided to hike the Parker Ridge, great day for it. The morning started out with temperature just below zero and clear blue sky. The view on top was great, as we rested behind cover from the wind several Mountain Bluebirds provided us company. All good hikes must come to end, as we were about to leave the parking lot, we saw a bird that had scared away two ravens from top of a tree.  Everyone had to leave before identifying the bird, but I decided to grab my camera and stick around. I looked at the bird through my camera and got exited, a beautiful bird that I had not seen in nature before. Also I was excited I spotted it in Banff National Park, just few kilometres from Jasper National Park.

Before my friends in Jasper get upset, let me explain. As a photographer I have given myself few lifelong assignments. We live in this amazing country, which offers endless places to photograph. But being a home body, I have long decided to focus my photography to Banff and its national park neighbours. As well I want to take pictures in Banff of all the birds that have been spotted (260 plus) in Banff National Park. I may never get to 260, but will have fun trying until someone takes the camera out of my cold dead hands.  With that said, I can check off the Northern Hawk Owl from my list, but will always be happy to take pictures of this specie and all other again, and again and again. It’s so much fun!

Until next moment,

Amar

Small Falls

When I go back to an area I had been to before, I try to come up with a pictures that are different then the ones taken on my previous visits. Sometime the weather makes the process much easier, this time it was going to be about the water. I always have certain templates in my head for a picture, but far more fun being original. I was visiting Johnston Canyon early in the morning. As I was heading for the upper fall, I kept looking at the water to see what would work, it would be nice to include the fall colours. On the way back I started to take the pictures, along the way I would change lens to take pictures of the birds and the leaves that had their fall colours. But I would focus back to the water, to come up with a picture I had not taken before. I was able to and the added bonus of the fall colours.

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

Fall Colours and Ice

The sky was to open up in the morning, but Mother Nature has her own plans when it comes to weather forecasting. We still headed toward Moraine Lake to do the Wenkchemna Pass trail. It was a cool morning, and rain drops started to fall, we still drove on. Dark clouds above us and light snow falling, we still drove on. We’re cold once we got out of the car, looking forward to hitting the switchbacks to warm up. Off we went, the sky was slowly opening up. Once we were out of the trees, beautiful views of the ten peaks surrounding Moraine Lake. Sunlight was out, but still the occasional heavy gusts of wind. We reached the pass and did not bother spending too much time there. Temperature was 3 degree and very heavy winds coming from the west. Amazing views all around, with the ruggedness of the mountains and glaciers and the softness of the fall colours form the Larch trees. Deciding what to take pictures of was easy, as we headed back to the trail head.

Until next moment,

Amar

Baby Rainbow

I was taking pictures of birds along the Bow River, when I looked toward the east, storm was building and a wee little rainbow near Copper Mtn.  Was not sure how long the rainbow was going to be there and when the clouds would change. Quickly I changed from birds to landscape photography mode, and then finding something in the foreground for the picture. Most often I run out of light or the subject changes before I run out of ideas.  The wind was blowing, raindrops were starting to come down, but before the heavy rain came down I was able to get couple of pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Columbia Icefield

Woke up at 3 am, had a good breakfast and away I went to the Columbia Icefield. Arrived at 6:35 am to the trail head for Wilcox Pass, temperature around minus one. In less than 20 minutes I’m getting a beautiful view of the Dome Glacier, take pictures and I move on. After a short while, I take the trail that leads to the top of Wilcox Peak, but my goal is to reach the cliffs from where I can get a clear view of the East side of the Columbia Icefield. I make it there just as the haze was creeping into view.  After taking several pictures, I sat back eating chocolate and enjoying the wonderful view before me.

Until next moment,

Amar