Both the Golden and the Bald Eagles are a challange to get good pictures of in the mountains. Of the two, you have a better chance with the Bald Eagles, since they reside closer to the bottom of the valley. I often see them near the lakes or the rivers, perched on top of the trees. This one was on a tree that was next to the Bow River. When I came across it, I was able to get the pictures and then I quickly moved on.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was few hours after a snow storm had passed on. I was looking to see if I could spot a tree isolated from others and covered with snow. I found it and then it was matter of composing the image.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was hard to pass this picture. With the crack in the ice covered with fresh falled snow. Beautiful clouds in the sky over evening lit mountain. The snow on the mountain giving a nice contrast against the rocks.
Until next moment,
Amar
Over the last little while I have been watching mountain goats, from far away, about 3.3 km to be exact. Watched them on a side of a peak, a kilometre above the valley. They are willing to deal with harsh weather, avalanche danger and low quality food. Why? To survive, a goal of every animal. No predator to challenge them up there, not until warmer weather arrives and they have to come down for minerals and other nutrients.
Until next moment,
Amar
When taking pictures of small birds, I'm often dealing in seconds. I saw this male White-winged Crossbill on the ground, as I was about to take its picture it flew to the top of a sapling. I quickly tracked it down and got my camera focused on it, I got two of its pictures, one perched and other my favourite of it flying off. The bird flying away and the snow it knocked into the air suspended for a nano second before the gravity pulled it down.
Until next moment,
Amar
Just few weeks ago Two Jack Lake was starting to open up, all that stopped when it got cold again. Now its warm again and the lake is opening up again. Spring is taking its time this year, either way there are good opportunities to take pictures of the sunrises.
Until next moment,
Amar
A closer picture of a moose, a bull older then the one from the previous post, with antlers fallen off. Trying to get through the winter full of snow and cold, waiting until warm weather arrives when better food will be more helpful with the growth of new antlers.
Until next moment,
Amar
With nature photography, you often have very little control of your subject. But there always a story to tell, just have to figure out how to do it. In this case the bull moose was too far from me to get a close-up pictures of. It was a cold morning, the moose was nibbling away on the willow shrubs, back of the meadow. The contrast to the frost was the warm morning light hitting the top of the trees in the back ground. So I had what I wanted to include in the picture, then it was just matter of composing the image and taking the picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Storm Mountain in the morning, with the clouds dissipating and the moon setting. We have been having overcast days, so it was good to see the morning light on the mountains.
Until next moment,
Amar
I watched the three coyotes cross the river. Once on my side of the river, the one closest to me in this picture was curious and started to come near me. Once it was few meters away from me, I decided enough was enough. Shouted at it, which was enough for it to run away from me. Saw all three later while heading home, this time all three stayed away from me.
Until next moment,
Amar
There are signs spring is on its way. Yesterday I saw several Robins, heard the sound of a Varied Thrush and was made aware a grizzly has awaken and is looking for food. But with nature it's never that simple, in one day it does not go from cold to warm, it takes time. This goose who has recently returned from the South, it will face many days of cold as it had to yesterday with the coming snow storm, before it's surrounded by spring.
Until next moment,
Amar
Few days back I watched this Pileated Woodpecker as it went about its business. Then it flew on to the tree I was standing next to, where I took this picture. Then it called out and flew toward a another tree, too far for me to take its picture but close enough for me to see.
Until next moment,
Amar
Snow had stopped falling during one late morning, the clouds were moving out and evaporation was taking place, giving the impression that Castle Mtn was on fire.
Until next moment,
Amar
The sun was setting and the sky was full of cirrus clouds. I needed to take care of few things before I could make my way to the Vermilion Lakes to take pictures of the sunset. The sunlight was off the mountains and was just starting to light up the clouds when I arrived at the lakes. Nature provided plenty of time for me to enjoy the colours and to take pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar
For few days we were middle of a snow storm, lots of snow and heavy winds were the common theme. But the storm did pass and the sky did open up. Took the picture during that time. Next day the snow started to melt as we went from winter to spring like weather.
Until next moment,
Amar
Every winter I'll come across these beautiful birds, the White-tailed Ptarmigans. They are in their winter plumage from their summer grayish brown with white underparts. They blend in quite nicely with their winter surroundings, but the effort is well rewarded when you come across them. The ptarmigan has feather on its feet as well, helping it keep warm in the winter and burrow in the soft snow to get through cold temperatures. This ptarmigan was out and about on a not so cold morning.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was driving when I noticied these tracks along the road of a Snowsoe Hare. Never seem to see the actual animal in the winter, yet their tracks are all over the place. So until I see a hare in the winter, here are tracks of one of them.
Until next moment,
Amar
Life is tough right now for this and other elk. February has been a cold month, more snow has fallen and spring is still in the distance. This bull is working hard moving snow to get to not so nutritious food, losing weight as it tries to stay warm. Not only losing weight but also getting weaker as the winter continues, making the elk and other members of the deer family more vulnerable to the predators, the like of wolves and cougars. For them, it's truly about the survival of the fittest.
Everything took place in seconds. I was driving and saw an owl fly across the road about 100 meters ahead of me and soon determined it was a Great Gray Owl. Watched it perch on a tree, I pulled to the side and quickly grabbed few pictures. Right after that it flew away, not sure because of me or cause of other vechicles going by.
Until next moment,
Amar
The temperature was about minus 23 degree Celsius and I was standing next to the Bow River looking for a spot to take a picture of Castle Mountain. The challenge was not surviving the cold morning temperature, but to find the picture before the light changed. The adrenaline of getting the picture kept me warm and that picture was being on my knees while balancing the tripod on thin ice, so I could get the reflection of the mountain in the still water along the river.
Until next moment,
Amar