I never run out of subjects for my photography when I'm on foot in the mountains. I was taking pictures of American Robins when I noticied small branches sticking out from the side of a Douglas Fir tree. The colours were great, background was not distracting and light snow was falling. Quickly grabbed couple of pictures before returning to the robins.
Until next moment,
Amar
Well, the Canada Geese seems to be every where, on the rivers, lakes and open grass area. When I have the camera with me and there is a picture opportuinity, you have to take it. I was walking along the river, where two geese were resting, one standing and one sitting. Throw in the nice contrast between the white snow and the ice, the picture was waiting to be taken.
Until next moment,
Amar
The Northern Shrike was sitting on the post of the fence beside the highway. Would fly down into the grass and then back up to the same or another post. I would watch it and take pictures of it. I would have liked to get closer to the bird, but from past experience I knew it would fly away. There was just clear space between us , nothing for me to hide behind to get nearer. I was happy with the pictures I got that day, next time hopefully it will be perched on a tree.
Until next moment,
Amar
The rules say the picture should show the face and the eyes should be sharp. But sometime the rules need not to apply. In the end its what the photographer likes in his or her image. I liked the colours on this Pine Grosbeak and liked the angle of the bird that was captured. So in the end its about the feel, its that simple.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was patiently waiting along side open water, hoping the two Killdeers I was watching would come close enough for a picture opportunity. But just short distance away, drama was taking place. Middle of the mostly frozen lake was a slightly larger open water then the one I was standing next to. Bernard and Sally were busy looking for food in the shallow water when Johnny moves in, whispering sweet nothings he moved towered Sally. Bernard quickly went after Johnny, who took to air. Both yelling with loud voices, followed by Sally trying to assure Bernard, that Johnny played no role. Bernard just as quickly relaxed and followed Sally away from Johnny, Johnny gaining nothing muttered few words as he walked away.
I think that's what took place, at least according to a Robin who was flying by.
Until next moment,
Amar
Another sign of spring is sighting of pussy willow on the willow shrubs. Just sighting them is not enough, wanted to photograph them. I wanted to make sure the background colour helped the subject stand out. I moved around until there were ever green trees in the background, having just the right space to give me an olive green colour, then I took the pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar
One of the first sign that Spring is on its way, is spotting Robins. They have been around Banff for few weeks now and I have been looking to photograph them. After few days of coming close to a picture I liked, I found few Robins searching for food among dry grass. Within few minutes I had the picture I wanted.
Until next moment,
Amar
Fresh snow had fallen the night before, with low clouds and morning light, beautiful views from the road could be seen all around. After an hour or so and many pictures later, I finally had decided to get off the road and get on the trails.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was a mild day as I walked on melting ice of the Bow River. With each step I was leaving a clear deep boot print in the ice, always making sure to stay on the side of the river, where there was no running water underneath the ice. Carefully looking to the sides and to the front of me to see where I needed to stop to take the pictures. I often go by feel, what looks good to me, what is worth stopping for to take a picture or pictures. Once my mind has decided its worth stoping, then its time to look through my camera to decide what to include and not include to make the most of the opportunity. Deciding how much fore ground to include, how much sky to include, should I include the tree or trees to the left, should I get low to the ice or stand tall, etc, etc, etc. If time is on my side I'll take several pictures by varying the variables, deciding at home which combination of variables gives me the best image of a particular shoot. In this case it was the variables of the last picture I took that day.
Until next moment,
Amar
The sun was making its way up and the light was doing its magic. I was zooming in to the sections of the mountains around me that were highlighted with the morning light. For me this image of the peak with no name in Kootenay National Park stood out. Wanted to be on top of it with a board or skis and make some turns.
Untiil next moment,
Amar
Each mountain is unique and different as any other being or thing I encounter. They have character, they have strengths and they have their weakness. I have spent many hours sitting back and trying to figure out how ice and other elements have shaped the various peaks I pass by foot or by car. Watch them as they show their different personalities at various times of the days, weeks, months and years.
Over the last few years I have been locating a location in the valley where I could take a picture of Storm Mountain with a reflection in the water. Few months ago I found that location, but that picture will have to wait until warm weather arrives. Today I'm sharing an image taken on a cool morning with the early light and half a moon high above.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was middle of the day, temperature was increasing. There front of me above the trees were several Ravens rising with the thermals. I quickly grabbed hold of my camera and started to take pictures. One image after another of their outline as they rose higher and higher. Stopping only when they were too high.
Until next moment,
Amar
Was walking along when I started to hear bird sounds coming from the nearby trees. It was the sounds of chickadees and nuthatches. Started walking toward the sounds, the chickadees were bit too high on the trees, but I saw potential for pictures with the Red breasted Nuthatches. They were within my lens reach as they slowing moved from a tree to a tree, eating along the way. As they moved I moved with them, the trees opened up and the cloudless blue sky stepped in. One bird while upside down, grabbed hold of a cone on a low hanging branch, picking away at the seeds. I quickly grabbed the image I wanted.
Until next moment,
Amar
If we break chocolate down into its basic ingredients, cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar and milk. Your personal preference will determine which of these ingredient will be the dominant one. For dark chocolate, cocoa solids will play that role, cocoa butter for the white chocolate and milk chocolate having more of a balance approach. Your personal preference or mood will determine which chocolate you'll eat.
For photography, the basic incidents are subject, shadow and light. Your personal taste or mood will determine what role each will play. In this picture I just needed the light to give that soft touch for the warmth to spread into the clouds and reflect onto the ice front me. That made the picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was not long ago when I used to think I would not change my images into black and white. Today black and white or in colours all seem to be normal options. In the end its about what I want to see or show in the final product. Going with the option that shows how I felt when I took the picture. In the end that's what it's all about.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was walking the trail when I was made aware of an elk ahead. As I got closer to the indicated area, started to locate the elk. Wanted to made sure I was at a safe distance, I could hear something moving middle of the willow shrubs. Once I got to the open area,with the sun behind me, I could see a pair of antlers moving around top of the shrubs. Then I saw the its head and the elk saw me, its eyes and ears pointed toward me. Few seconds later, it relaxed and went back to nibbling away at the buds. It wasn't long before I could see three more elk,but they were father away, so I focused on the first one. Kept watching it and taking pictures when the head was in view. Eventually all four decided to sit down and rest, it was time for me to go.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was on my way to a small road trip, but before I got to the road, I decided to drop by the Vermilion Lakes. The sunrise was about make its way and there was a possibility for a good image. I stopped over at the 2nd Vermilion and set myself up. Up came the Sun and out came the warm colours, the water was just still enough to make a good image. Then it was time to go for that road trip.
Until next moment,
Amar
One of the birds I enjoy watching is the American Dipper, particularly in the winter. Even with its small size, its easily recognizable from a distance due to it's bobbing up and down during pauses between feeding. Putting the dipper and a Spotted Sandpiper together would give any contestants on the TV show Dancing with the Stars run for their money.Producing more oil then most birds, helps keeps the water off when seeking food underwater. Not a drop remains when it pops out of water, which comes in handy diving underwater all year around.
In the case of the attached picture, the dipper was in a small pool of water surrounded by snow and ice. Spent close to an hour watching it and taking its pictures while it caught several small fishes. As it fished and ate I kept taking pictures while close to the ground. I wanted it to move close to the dry grass next to the water, within time it did. It dived into the water and seconds later it was on the ice with a fish in its bill. As it gave the fish few shakes with its eyelids closed, with the light reflecting off the ripples to its front I grabbed the attached image.
Until next moment,
Amar
No, this Raven was not dead. It kept scratching to the right, just below its beak. It would then go into a small pool of water and wet its upper part. Shake and then repeat few more time. Then it would drag itself in the snow, shake side to side, followed by scratching. It kept repeating these steps for about twenty minutes or so before it flew away. Not sure if it was grooming or trying to remove something.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was trying to track chickadees from their call, when I found them, but I also spotted couple of Brown Creepers. They are always fun to photography, being small and well-camouflaged. They creep along tree trunks, often in shade. I pushed up the ISO and kept my lens pointing at the bird. In the end I was lucky enough to get few keepers.
Until next moment,
Amar