Fall Colours

Fall sure is pushing its way through. The fall colours are in the mountains and few days ago I was on 93 North taking in the colours.Hope to be back before the colours pushed out by winter. Part of the time I was out there rain was coming down, but it created unique opportunities with mist clinging to the mountains. Along Bow Lake I was able to get close-ups with the sunlight reaching the ground.

Until next moment,

Amar

The Kids

This season I spent less time taking pictures at the Osprey nest and when I did I was trying to get images of them in the air. Still have to wait to take good pictures of them catching fish, came close last year, images were bit out of focus. Again the nest I like to visit had three offspring. Few weeks ago I was there as they started to fly, would fly away from the nest for 100 meters or so and fly back.  In the top picture the one in the middle was pumping its wings on the nest but no flying that day. But it looked like it was cheering on its siblings. Then again with the noise it was making, it was probably yelling: “Yo bro, why don’t you use your newly learnt talent to find ma and pa and get them to bring back some fish, we’re
starvin here already!”

Until next moment,

Amar

Flowers in the Garden

 

As cold makes its way to the mountains,days are numbered for the flowers in the garden around the Administration grounds. Always like to spend time taking picture of the flowers, attracted to the colours, have been for quite a while. I like to take close-up of the flowers, focusing on the colours, the ever so bright colours.This last week I spent few hours there, taking in the colours and taking in the pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Fireweed Flowers

Seems much longer now, but it was only few weeks ago I was having a walk in Kootenay National Park on a warm summer day. Everywhere I looked I saw the beautiful flowers of Fireweed. The valley covered with the magenta to pink colour, as well large patch here and there on the side of the mountains.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

More days go by and more elk spotted in the park. The young males are wise to stay away from the large males during the rut season, some keeping a balanced distance from the group controlled by the dominant male. Close enough to be in sight of the group for safety but far away from the large bull. 

Then there are the large male bulls, in search of female to fight for from the dominant male. The bull in the first picture was spotted as I was going by on the road. I found a place to stop and found a safe place away from the road and elk to take few pictures. Light rain was coming down and the light was low, I sat down and balanced the lens on my knee to over come the low speed due to lack of light to take the attached picture. Beautful animal.

Until next moment,

Amar

Rockstar

The rut season has started for the elk, few weeks back I saw some the bulls that were getting ready for this main event. I was driving back home on the 1A, when I saw several vehicles ahead, parked on the side of the road and middle of the road. Seven elk were the reason for the jam, four large adult bulls in their prime stood out.  Out the four one with a rock star hairdo was getting the most attention, he was half way though losing his velvet. I was not going to make it through the vehicles, so decided to park to the side and watch the people and elk as I held my camera leaning on my car. Most people were keeping their distance from the elk, few had to be asked to move back and one got a “get out of there”. There were few different reactions to the elk: some were staying safe in their car, some were mimicking what they were seeing, some were admiring these amazing animals but all were taking pictures. That day we all got a back stage pass before the performers went on stage.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Calm before the storm, rut season is near, antlers have the velvet off and they are sharp and ready to compete for the right to mate. But today is rest day, middle of the field as the drizzle continues falling. Spent few minutes watching and taking pictures as the two rested.

Until next moment,

Amar

Rocky Mountain House NHS

I spent few days in Rocky Mount House, about a three hour drive from Banff. Was there to take in the Bastions and Bones weekend at the Rocky Mountain House Historic Site. Sites across Canada are wonderful place to learn the deep heritage of Canada, but during the event at RMH more opportunities to learn and more opportunities to experience something that may only take place during the event.

I got a chance to read, see and hear about the stories about the fur traders, explorers. A chance to learn about the culture of the Metis and even taste some of the traditional foods. One evening got a chance to take part in a talking circle, held in a tipi and led by the some of the leaders of the Pikani people.

Oh yes chance to take pictures as well, of the events and my favourite photography subject, nature. Site being next to North Saskatchewan River, containing forests, grassland and more. Saw and even took pictures of some of the many birds that can be found there, from Yellow Warblers to Sandhill Cranes. On my first morning there, with the heavy wildfire smoke still lingering in the sky, got to take pictures of the bisons located on the
site.

I'm always trying to get a better understanding of the world, by getting a better understanding of each other and nature around us. After spending three days there, I took several steps in the right direction.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

 

I was making my way home later in the day as the clouds were deciding if rain should fall. With the debate going on in the sky, the Vermilion Lakes were calm as I saw them from the highway. Late dinner would have to wait, it was time to take pictures at the Vermilions. I slowly made my way to the top of the small dock of the first lake, as to not cause any ripples, I wanted to catch the beautiful reflection in the water. I was not along watching the sun setting behind me, one to the left and other to the right were two Bald Eagles. Each safe from my lens reach, we all watched the late sunlight do it's magic as I took one picture after another.

Until next moment,

Amar

Rufous Hummingbirds

Grab a nickel and hold it in your hands, a Rufous Hummingbird weight even less than that. Nickel’s weight is about 5 grams, an adult rufous weights three to four grams. They tend to spend their winter in Mexico, but can be found as far north as Alaska in the summer.  They need lot of nectar or the occasional small insects to have the energy to migrate, consume more than their weight in nectar each day. Only know bird that can fly backward, using this and their other abilities to defend their territory, even if just passing through. A very feisty bird, even more then I when defending my last piece of chocolate. 

So few months back I was very excited when a friend had showed me a nest of Rufous Hummingbird.  At top of the nest, the diameter not larger than the diameter of 1985 National Parks of Canada 100 anniversary silver dollar. Which weight 15.62 grams, you can do the math to figure out home many Rufous Hummingbirds that would be. I visited the nest few times a week, taking pictures with each visit, first just the adult and eventually two immature hummingbirds. The attached picture was taken few days after the nest was vacated, giving me chance to do my silver dollar experiment.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Stephen

One of the things I like about living where I like  do my photography, is I can always go back to an area to keep trying to get a better picture of the subject. The first time I took a picture of Mount Stephen was when I went to Yoho National Park to take pictures of Takakkaw Falls this summer. As I was leaving the Yoho Valley, I liked the view of Mount Stephen I was seeing but the morning light was gone. I decided to scout the area for future visit.

The next chance I had to take picture of Mount Stephen, great light but cloudless sky did not do it for me. A week passed and I was back along Kicking Horse River waiting for the sunrise. Light comes in contact with the mountain but again clear sky, not for long, this time clouds were moving in. Just hoped they would move into position before the early light was replaced. As I waited, I looked around for even a better foreground. Found a balsam poplar branch leaning over the river. Everything was in place, I snapped few pictures before the clouds made their way out of the frame. But this is not the end, never is, will be back again to see if I can get a better picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Harlequin Ducks

 

There are many beautiful colour lakes in the mountains, thanks to the rock flour. Tiny clay particles form as rocks on the bottom and side of a glacier grind against the bedrock. Fine powder that looks like flour is formed from this abrasion, which is transported to the lakes as ice melts and rock flour is exposed.These fine particles are suspended in the water, reflecting more of the blues and some of the greens then any other wavelengths of light. Giving the glacier fed lakes their beautiful colours. Enjoyed the look of the water as I watched and took pictures of two female Harlequin Ducks on Moraine Lake few weeks back.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mistaya Canyon

Few weeks back I had three days off in the row. What did I do, get up ay 3:30 AM, quick breakfast consisting of glass of juice and glass of milk with two bananas and I'm off to the car. I'm not a coffee drinker, so music is what I drink to wakes up the senses as I make my way into the mountains. As the morning starts getting brighter, dark outlines of the mountains is replaced with colours, getting excited as I start anticipating what I might come across. Never had a dull outing. When I'm just focused on photography, its me and nature, its what works for me when it comes to photography.  I like my brain and body to wander and interact with the surrounding. Mother nature always has something new to show me. Its a short walk to Mistaya Canyon, a quick 3 to 4 minute walk for me. But I ended up spending few hours exploring, talking this and other pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Glacier Lily

Flowers, flowers and more flowers, there everywhere. With the help from all the rain we received and sunshine we're getting now, hope to see lot of them this summer. My focus has been on landscape and birds most of the year so far,   taken very few pictures of the beautiful flowers found in the mountains. The last few times I been out there, I made sure to stop and take pictures of the flowers. The day I took the attached picture, I was exploring a area that was part of a old road near Peyto Lake. My eyes were attracted to the flowers in the forest, and mosquitoes there were attracted to me. I had forgotten my spray, so I was dong lot of hand waving as I went around taking pictures. It was fun spending hour and half in the forest, got pictures I was happy with and gave blood at the same time. I have agive and take relationship with nature.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

Was coming back from Takakkaw Fall, through the Yoho Valley. On the way to the fall had seen mountain goats and a porcupine, but not enough light to take a proper picture of either. As I was making my way out of the valley, daylight was making its way to the bottom. I came out to an open area where I saw two moose. Both enjoying lush green buffet that filled bottom of the valley, average adult puts away some 10,000 calories a day. I have seen moose few times this summer, but never this close. I found them quite interesting watching them and taking pictures from the car, as they went about their business. Had the view all to myself, but after about fifteen minutes I said bye to them and made my way out of the valley.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moraine Lake

My Canada Day started this last Wednesday, when I visited Moraine Lake to capture the sunrise. It was windy and did not look like the light was going to come through the heavy clouds. When I saw a spot of light on one of the peaks around the lake, I got out of my car and started to head where I wanted to capture the image. I'm trying to stay away from where most of the pictures taken of this lake area. I got the images I wanted as the light started to come through as a Wilson Warbler kept me company. The water level was still below normal for the lake, gave me a chance to walk on area that's normally under water.  Spent the morning exploring, saw a marmot and a pika on land and Spotted Sandpiper who was enjoying the lake as well. Was entertained by two Harlequin Ducks for an hour, taking their pictures as they dived for food. The time at the lake ended taking pictures of Barn Swallows. Morning well spent, happy birthday Canada.

Until next moment,

Amar

Common Loon

About 10 days ago two Common Loon eggs hatched. I had taken few pictures of the adults when they had returned to the lake and also after the eggs were laid but never had taken pictures of Common Loon chicks. I was given a heads up by a friend about the little ones, or should I say a challenge to get the  pictures of the chicks. As a proud Parks Canada's employee I took that challenge, okay I like taking pictures of birds and taking pictures of Loon's chicks would be fun. The first few days, I had no problem with the adults bringing the chicks near me but had very low light with heavy clouds and the on and off rain.

Then one morning I got out there on a mostly sunny day, but the family was some 70 meters from me, two chicks on top of an adult and one adult on its own. I sat down and waited, taking in the beautiful morning.Then an hour later they started to move around, the chicks came off the parent's back, all slowly moving toward me as the parents fed the chicks. They were fed insects and small fishes found in the water. I kept taking pictures after  pictures, thinking they were not going to get any closer, but they did. At one time the parents left the chicks about 10 meters from me as they went to the middle of the lake. It was a great morning. Sadly three days after I took the attached picture, one of the chick went missing, perhaps taken by bird looking for a snack. Life is tough in the wild, one day you're eating and another day you're being eaten.

Until next moment,

Amar

Osprey

I was visiting my friends the Ospreys, one of the adult was sitting on the nest and the other probably fishing. Before I knew it there were two more going through the neighborhood, one with a small fish in its talons. Shortly after that the other adult I was visiting went by with a larger fish. I was not able to take a picture of it flying by, it was between the sun and I, not good for my eyes.  But I saw the direction it was headed, off I went to locate it. We have an agreement, I can take as many pictures I want as long as I don’t ask for a bite. It was a large fish, it had to balance itself few times as the fish kept sliding off the branch. In the attached pictures it’s trying to balance itself using its wings. I thought it may share the fish with its mate. Not this time, it ate the whole fish as I ate my trail mix and took pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Creek meets River

Time flies, not sure where May went and we’re already third of the way into June. The last few weeks with the on and off rain, I been thinking about taking a picture where the water is the main subject. Few months back I was in Kootenay National Park, checking out the Vermilion River. Took some pictures then but wanted to get back there for more. Most of the time I take long exposures of the water during the early hours, this time it was going to be at the end of the day. I was by the river where creek enters into it, moving from side to side framing the picture in my head before setting up the camera. I took about several pictures, but the last few stood out. The one attached was exposed for about 20 seconds, giving a cool blue feel to the image.

Until next moment,

Amar