Mallard and the Family

I went for a walk along the Vermilion Lakes, hoping to see and get pictures of birds. Was thinking I might come across birds that have started migrating or those who spend their summer in the mountains. But was surprised to come across a female Mallard with six ducklings, they looked a week old if that. One optimistic female, hoping to start a family so late. I watched them all as they were making their way from one lake to another. Catching several pictures, but my favorite was when the female and four of the ducklings grooming themselves on top of a log.

Until next moment,

Amar

Great Blue Heron

It was a warm afternoon as I explored the Vermilion Lakes. In the distance from the road I spotted several Great Blue Herons, too far to get good pictures. As I was walking along the lake, noticed there was one that I might be able to to get close to. Had to do bit of bushwhacking, but as I got out in the open I lost sight of the bird. Minute passed when to my right I saw the heron flying by, quickly pointed the camera toward it and grabbed a picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

I saw her in the wetland as I was driving home late in the day. Quickly found a place to park the car away from the road, then I started to think how I could get near her for a good picture. I wanted to get close enough to get the picture but not close enough to disturb her from eating. I approached her round about way, looking for a dry path. The mosquitoes were waiting for me, how could they resist the chocolate rich blood. Camera in hand, moving closer and closer, finding dry parts to step on. One slip and I would be in water and mud. I was close enough and she was still eating and having a look at me every now and then. I found a fallen dead tree to stand on, taking her pictures as the mosquitoes tried to go for my hands and face. For few seconds she stood still, looking straight at me with her ears turned toward me. I got my pictures and slowly made my way out, and she went about her business.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Within few the velvet was off the antlers, well except for small bits near the base. Now its time to keep eating, getting stronger and bigger. Getting ready for the coming rut season.

Until next moment,

Amar

Butterfly and Dragonflies

There is never an end to finding subject to take pictures of in the mountains. Last few weeks I been taking pictures of insects. For a while it was the bees around the flowers. The last few days I have been coming across butterflies, waiting for them to land on flowers. Slowly moving close to take pictures. Today I was getting pictures of dragonflies, lot of patience was required. Waiting for them to perch or slow down to take their pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Brown eyed Susan

Knowing what your photography equipment is capable of, one can focus on creating an interesting image. Having fun experimenting and not be concerned with what the camera or the lens are doing. When taking pictures of flowers, I often have lot of time to walk around the subject to get the picture I want. I set the setting to have a very narrow focus area, and if I put certain amount of space between the subject and the background. I will get a very pleasing soft background. Then for the fun part, finding the subject and the right background to complement it.

Until next moment,

Amar

Grouses

Spruce Grouse

It was funny traveling on the road and coming across Spruce Grouse. Standing along the side of the road as if waiting for a ride. I stopped just off the road and started to take pictures as other cars slowed to see what I was looking at. Most would stop for bears, elk or other large animals but there I was having fun taking pictures of this Spruce Grouse. Then few minutes later came across Dusky Grouse, never taken picture of before until that evening.

Dusky Grouse

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Stephen

There I was in Yoho National Park, in Yoho Valley standing next to the moving water in Yoho River. Walking back and forth trying to find the best position to take a picture of Mount Stephen. When I first arrived at the location that morning, there were no clouds, hoped some would make their way behind the mountain. As I kept taking pictures from different location, clouds started to move in. All was set. I lowered the camera close to the river rocks, rocks leading to the water, water leading to the trees, the trees leading up to the mountain and the mountain leading up to the clouds. Then I was off to explore more of the valley and talk to the marmots about staying off the road.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sunflowers and Bees

Its all connected, nothing survives on its own. As much as we try to push away, we need the connection to move forward, we need the connection to stand tall. Connection to grow, connection to bloom and connection to spread the beauty.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bear and the Buffaloberries

There were two cinnamon black bears eating buffaloberries along the road. There was the mother, which I was able to capture and just in the background, was the cub. This is the time of the years the bears in the mountains wait for the buffaloberry season. An adult bear can eat up to 200, 000 berries a day, that's about 30,000 calories. Here's hopping for a bumper crop season.

Until next moment,

Amar

Black Bear

Light rain had just stopped, leaving everything wet and saturated. The black bear slowly moved around though the vegetation, finding and eating what it was looking for. The fur on its face was slicked back, as it picked up moisture of the plants. I did not want a picture of the whole bear, was just trying to get an interesting picture of the face. It stopped for few seconds, looking straight ahead with food in its mouth. I kept getting the grass near it in focus, but just before it moved, got a sharper picture of its face. Some of my favourite pictures of people, are those where the person is in deep thought. I like to stare at them and wonder what they are thinking about, I have been wondering the same thing about the bear in this picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Spotted Sandpiper

I was walking in a open man made meadow like area middle of the Bow Valley. Middle of the day, sun was beating down as I took close up pictures of the flowers. Once done I decided to explore nearby slow running stream, when  I heard the sound of an adult Spotted Sandpiper. It was staying in one spot as it called out. I realised nearby were or was a juvenile. Soon enough I spotted two of them. I quickly grabbed the pictures of the adult and few of one of the young. Then I continued exploring as I slowly headed toward my car with the day getting hotter.

Until next moment,

Amar

Barred Owl

I was standing next to small wetland trying to take picture of Red winged Blackbirds, Common Yellowthroats and other birds that came into the area. The mosquitoes were taking a shot at me each time I took a picture. A short walk behind me, in the forest I could hear the call of an owl, a Barred Owl. It was cloudy and I thought there would not be enough light to take pictures of the owl, even if I could locate it. Clouds opened up and decided to go look for the owl. It kept calling out every few minutes, making it easier for me to locate it. Even with the clouds letting the late daylight into the forest, it just wasn't enough. Having no tripod, I found a location that gave me the best framing and leaned against a tree for stability and took few images each time I breathed out. After I got my pictures, I went back to the wetland and the owl had closed its eyes and turned away from me.

Until next moment,

Amar

Itch

Few days I came across a black bear that was eating away, gave me a quick look as it continued its feast. I watched and grabbed few images as it moved around a small area. All around it were flies and mosquitoes, some making their way toward me. The bear after few minutes moved slightly away from me, sat down on its behind and started to scratch a itch. The insects were just too much to handle without scratching itself. Kept this up for a minute before it went on to continue eating.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sundance Range

Everything was ready for me to take the pictures. Had rained earlier, the colours of the plants were beautiful rich green. The water front of me was still and deep, creating a nice reflection of the mountain range. Enough vegetation growing in the water to add to the images but not enough to take away the reflection. The sky had dark clouds that were letting enough light to spotlight part of the mountains and create drama in sky. All I had to do was set my camera on the tripod and take the pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moon

I was heading back home, when I saw the moon over Sundance Range. Found a safe place to pull over on the road and stepped outside to take few images of the scene. I liked the look of the moon with clouds in the sky, but wanted the mountain range in the picture as well. The mountain helps connect or grounds the image. As well for me, it tells me the image was taken in the mountains. 

Until next moment,

Amar

Marble Canyon

Often I'll find myself enjoying the morning middle of the mountains, the sounds and the early morning views are very special. I was visiting the Marble Canyon to watch, listen and feel the power of melt water making its way through the canyon. Slowly made my way to the waterfall at the start or back of the canyon, depending on your perspective. Watched for several minutes, as well the two American Dippers who were there before me, flying in and out of the canyon. Then it was time to start taking pictures, with overcast sky,flowing water was going to play the main role. Moved around to get different views, stopped every few minutes to look around for any predators in the area. With the sound of water, I was not going to hear anything until something was right next to me. All went well, as it alway does, got my pictures and enjoyed another morning in the mountains

Until next moment,

Amar

New Kids On the Block

One Year Old Black Bear

Its always great to see young wildlife. Came across couple of one year old Black Bear, with their mom close by. Was able to get a good picture of one of the cub. Then coming across a juvinile Mountain Goat, and hour later a weeks only Elk calf, still with spots. Then on my way home took a picture of adult Northern Flicker feeding a chick.

Mountain Goat

Elk

Northern Flickers

Until next moment,

Amar

Flowers

Wild Rose

The flowers are out and each day there seem to be more blooming. Just about any direction I go, I'm coming across flowers. Great time to get out there to take pictures. There is landscape to take pictures of, then finding animals to greet with my camera and flowers along the way there and back. Only end of the day, I need to stop and sleep until the next morning.

Leafy Arnica

Golden Draba

Cut Leaved Anemone

Until next moment,

Amar

Big Horn Sheep

The last few days I was finding myself coming across Bighorn Sheep. Rams, ewes and juveniles. I did my part and took pictures with each chance presented to me. Each animals is special, each animal is unique, want to capture that when I'm taking their pictures. Its fun and challenging.

Until next moment,

Amar