Mount Chephren

It was another warm morning middle of the winter. River section that was to be frozen had water flowing in the middle and my snowshoes were sinking in the slush beside the river. I was waiting for the clouds to move, so Mount Chephren would be covered with direct light. As well waiting for a fresh ripple of water to flow over the ice front of me to get a clearer reflection of the peak. The light was on the peak, the reflection was much better, grabbed the picture and just got myself out of the slush. Then it was time to find the dippers I was hearing and find a place to eat.

Until next moent,

Amar

Pileated Woodpecker

I was making my way back home, walking on the side road when I saw a friend walking toward me on the other side. I crossed over to chat, as we were conversing, I looked down the slope. There, at the bottom of a tree was a Pileated Woodpecker, our largest woodpecker. It was the closest I had gotten to this bird, so close that I had a problem getting all of it in the frame. If I moved back, branches of other trees would be in my way. I spent five minutes trying to get a good picture of it. It stayed on the far side of the tree, occasionally coming into view. As it did, I would try quickly to get a picture of it. It's a beautiful large bird, with a bright red crest. I was happy with the images I was able to capture before it flew away from the tree.

Until next moment

Amar

Pine Marten

As part of the Snowdays winter festival taking place in Banff National Park, I'll be representing Parks Canada and showing a slide show of 100 of my favourite pictures from 2011 on Wednesday, February the 8th. Sharing personal stories and as well photography tips, all taking place in the Harkin Hall at the Administration Building in Banff. If you're in the Bow Valley and are free from 7 to 8:30 PM, please join me. An opportunity for me to share some of the endless moments our national parks hold. 

One of those moments was coming across the pine marten, often see their tracks, so it was great to see one and a chance to take pictures of it. They weigh 1 to 3 pounds, have that cute as button look, as long as you give them their space, otherwise they will show you their sharp teeth  and give you a growl. They are opportunistic predators, trait comes in handy in summer, when along with their prey, fruits and other vegetation is part of their diet.  Great tree climbers,which is not appreciated by squirrels and birds. Just few weeks ago watched about 15 magpies harass a lone pine marten, until it left their neighbourhood.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

Like a good friend, Mount Rundle was there for me again. There is always a another good picture waiting to be taken of Rundle from the Vermilion Lakes. Every few weeks I like to walk along the Vermilion Road, finding birds to take pictures of, finding mammals to take pictures of and finding views to take pictures of. Before the one and only cold snap this winter, I was able to enjoy and take a picture of a another beautiful sunset.

Until next moment,

Amar

Green winged Teal

Eight Green winged Teals are spending their winter in Banff, in the open waters around the Vemilion Lakes. Have been trying to get some good pictures of them. Few weeks I had a chance on a sunny afternoon. I was using my car as a blind, but the fun only lasted few minutes. The birds were scared off by other passerbys, that's life.  I was happy with the attached image, until I have another chance at it.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mistaya River

I was exploring the Upper Waterfowl Lake area, getting some exercise and enjoying the solitude. Was seeing various indicators on the snow of wildlife, but nothing fresh and definitely nothing moving front of my eyes. I kept walking and kept exploring as I moved away from the lake and started to walk along the Mistaya River. It was a cold morning and moving was important, but plans changed when sunlight  started to streak through the dark low clouds. The light was low and was causing long shadows, a photo opportunity. I rushed to locate a place to take a picture before the conditions changed. The light was coming through the clouds, mountains in view, calm flowing river and ground covered by snow, with grass covered with frost was going to be my grounding subject. It was time to take a picture. Got low to the ground with the camera and the tripod and took the attached picture. Then it was time to explore more.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

One of those afternoon, exploring a spot away from the road, following a small stream. Getting a bit of a exercise while looking for places to take pictures from. The stream opened up and the water slowed down, all covered with snow. Just few spots here and there where the water was visible. As I walked, I looked back and saw a nice image of Castle Mtn. Great clouds covered the sky, making the image that much better.

Until next moment,

Amar

Full Moon

It was overcast most of the day, did not think I was going to see the full moon rise. I was on my way to pick up the grocery when I looked up, there was opening in the night sky and I was seeing the moon light from behind the mountain. I had to react fast, so stepped inside and grabbed the camera. The moon was rising fast from my angle over Tunnel Mtn and it was in and out of fast moving clouds. Kept taking pictures hand holding the camera, was liking the way outline of the trees on the mountain were showing up. Only had couple of minutes before it was time to stop and pick up the grocery.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bow Valley

I was standing next to the Bow River, waiting for the early light to hit the top of Pilot Mtn. I waited and waited and the light never came as planned. The clouds kept the light away form the peak. The view looking in the direction of the sunrise was not too bad, so I pointed the camera in that direction and took the attached picture. Working with nature as the subject, things often don't go as planned, but there are always other options provided.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bohemian Waxwing

The Bohemian Waxwings were back for the late or early winter harvest. Eating away sugar rich fruits off the trees. The light was low, getting sharp pictures of the birds was going to be a challenge. Occasionally one would stay still long enough for me to get a sharp picture. But I was also trying to get images of them in flight, not caring if they were sharp, just wanted the images to indicate in motion or flight. That meant I had to focus on one and wait until they took flight and then take the picture. It was trail and error, but after a short while I got the pictures I wanted.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sunset

I recalled few years back visitors to the mountain parks came up to me and asked: "We're visiting the mountains for two weeks, a week has passed and all the mountains look the same, is there anything else to do?" After talking with them and asking questions, found out they were just looking at the covers of different books and were not taking the time to read any of them. Just driving on the road looking at the views and hoping something would happen. I made some suggestion where they could get out and explore and keep their eyes open for certain flora and fauna. Never saw them again, but always hopped their second week was better then the first. 

I have been living in the mountains for over 18 years and still can get enough. There are times when I'm in my car and driving on the mountain roads, but only when I'm on my feet do all my senses starting working overtime and start connecting with the surrounding. A new year is just around the corner, hoping to spend more time exploring the mountains then I have during the current one.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bohemian Waxwing

The waxwings were bust eating and I was busy taking their pictures. Turning out to be an annual event, always excited to see them and take their pictures. They are a beautiful bird to watch and photograph. Having taken pictures of them before, I know I can take my time and get the look I want. With the snow on the ground, there was enough light to hand hold the camera and take pictures. Once I got the pictures I wanted, I was off and they contuined to eat away.

Until next moment,

Amar

Hairy Woodpecker

As most times with woodpeckers, you hear them before you spot them. I was making my way home through the forest when I heard the the Hairy Woodpecker at work, looking for food. Took me a minute or so to locate it, luckly for me it was staying at the bottom of a tree. Quickly got my camera out and set the ISO to 400, the light was low, and went to work. Spent about a minute with it, before it went deeper into the forest, too dark for me to contuine taking more pictures of it. But I was happy, I got a good picture of the male Hairy Woodpecker.

Until next moment,

Amar

Wolves

It was a moment you can only experience few places in the world, one of those places is in the Canadian national parks. I was making my way home after playing at the North end of Banff National Park, when I came across not one but six wolves. They were the members of the Bow Valley Pack and were heading toward the forest  through the open meadow. There were four pups and two adults. The alpha female Faith was great to watch, full of confidence of her surrounding and at all time aware of the pups as they made their way across the road and open meadow. I could have watched her all day, she was a beautiful mom, I was in love. 

 As they were crossing the open meadow, there were four young bull elk nearby. All elk had their eyes on the wolves, there was not going to be a chase that day. Two pups made few steps toward the elk, but quickly and understandably got back and followed the pack into the forest. Faith, standing on the side of the road, watched the pack and occasionally looked toward me, once realizing all was well joined the pack.

Fly By

Today the annual Christmas Bird Count took place, as it does throughout North America and parts of South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Island. The team I was part of, was counting the birds along the Vermilion Lakes and Fenland Trail, just outside of town of Banff. The temperature was above normal, but the wind was howling. Bird count started slow, but before long we came across Mallards and Green winged Teals, soon followed by a single female Common Goldeneye. Before a small break we saw several Pine Siskins. Ravens were spotted through out the day, as were Mountain and Black capped Chickadees. Few other spices were encountered before we hit lunch. Afterward we're lucky enough to see a Merlin top of a tree with a Bald Eagle flying over. Toward the end we came across Pine Grosbeaks and a single Northern Shrike. Then it was time to go home and change and head over to join other participants for dinner, add up the totals form the day and share few laughs.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Winter is here , but with few extra layers of clothing life is normal for photography, well almost. Perhaps the biggest difference for me in winter, in particular on a cold morning, is too keep moving and maintain body heat. I'll limit the composition for any location. In the summer I'll keep taking pictures of a sunrise, until the light changes. Always changing the composition by moving left, right, forward and backward. But in winter on a cold morning, I want to make sure I don't get too cold, for me it's my digits I worry about. I like to explore the area after I have taken the pictures, you never know what you'll find. Just before my hands start getting cold, the equipment is put away and its time to start moving.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Elk are one of the largest mammals in North America, can often be spotted In Banff National Park. Seems every few days I come across one or more, all year long. I prefer seeing two or more at a time, watching them interact with each other and nature. Their behaviour differs from the one I see near the town as compared to the one I see in more wilder setting. The ones near the town have that "whatever" attitude, while those farther away are more vary. We should always be vary of them, after all they all are wild animals. The two in the picture were out on an open field, eating away on a cool morning. I liked the position they had to each other, as one looked straight at me while the other, hard to see, looking at me with its right eye.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bighorn Sheep

Was on the way for a hike when I came across several Bighorn Sheep. Few were on the middle of the road, licking something out of the sand that was dropped that morning due to ice conditions. First I grabbed pictures of the one that were away from the road, side of the hill, eating grass. Then i grabbed few images of the ones still on the road. Then before any other vehicle made its way there, I was off.

Until next moment,

Amar

Late Lunch

A vole resembling a mouse, with smaller eyes and ears and a shorter tail being some of the differences. They can grow 3-9 inches long, depending upon the various 155 species. Since they can have 5-10 litters per year, gestation lasting 3 weeks and sexual maturity reached in a month. It's not hard to believe a yard can have 100 or more voles in under a year, with average littler being between 5-10 young. 

So it's a good thing there are number of predators maintaining a balance, such as hawks, coyotes, foxes, snakes, weasels, cats and dogs to name a few, including the Great Grey Owl.

Until next moment,

Amar

Great Grey Owl

It has been said, we can all make a difference. But I feel those words just don't only apply to humans. The last few weeks an owl has been making a difference around the town of Banff, connecting people to nature. Great Grey Owls normally hunt during the early and late hours of the day, remaining time spent resting in the security of the evergreen. But this owl has often been spotted during daylight perched near passersby, giving many an opportunity at a rare view of this beautiful bird. An opportunity we will not soon forget.

Until next moment,

Amar