This chickadee was moving around looking for insects to eat, keeping me busy following it with the camera to get its picture. Always hard thing to do with small birds moving around so fast. Just then it got into this position, found food, which kept it there for few seconds. More then enough time for me to take its picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
It would have been lot easier just to stay home with heavy wind pushing around the falling snow. But when all you can do is think about missing out on photo opportunities, its hard staying home . So, out I went for a drive and a walk and just when I was about to head home I saw why I was out there. In the distance the water fowls were scattered by Bald Eagle overhead. It took small effort, but I focused on the eagle through the snow and got my picture and then returning to warm dry place.
As it gets warmer there are more things to see out there. More bears are moving around on the landscape, which increase the chance of seeing them. But with warmer winter and low snow pack, they will spread out faster as well. I was happy to see this female from top of a slope.
Until next moment,
Amar
The geese always provide good entertainment, always vocal and not too friendly when other geese get too close to their territory. In this case I think it was about keeping a lone goose away from the mate of the one chasing the other away.
Until next moment,
Amar
Why did the grizzly cross the railway tracks? Well when you're the biggest grizzly around and have know to have eaten at least two black bears, a whole frozen elk and lot, lot more. His number tag 122 might as well be his I.Q., for the way he is able to navigate the valley to start at least two families. When other large males run from him, whereas anywhere else they would be the kings. Who cares why he crossed the tracks, you get out of his way and let him.
The end of the daylight was approaching when I came across a small area where some of these flowers are found. As I like to do with flowers when comes to photography, is to get close to them. In this case using my lens as I got close to the ground. Getting just enough light before the sun set for a another day.
Until next moment,
Amar
This adult Common Loon had landed on the river and swan over to a another adult nearby. Did what looked like a mating ritual, a mirroring behaviour. Then after about five minutes it flew away.
Until next moment,
Amar
Left where most were watching and taking pictures of the Northern Lights to a quite place. I decided to to do long exposures to create star trails, but there is always a chance one takes. In this case others playing a role in the picture unintentionally. In this case a car leaving on the right. I decided to let it be part of the end picture.
Cheers,
Amar
Joined many others at Lake Minnewanka to take pictures of the Northern Lights. It was a warm night, making it easier to be out there for few hours, enjoying the event. I have been missing out on the lights the last few times, so it was great fun to be out there to watch one of nature's wonder.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mountain goats have two toes among their cloven hooves, providing them with better balance. The rough pads under the toes give the goats the grip they need to be great climbers. You only have to see them once high above to verify this ability. Here's a two year old doing just that, while an adult watches from above.
Until next moment,
Amar
After a morning and a day full of adventures, it was a good way to end the day. Watching the sunset over the Massive Range along the Bow River. Found a small pool of water along the running water, providing the reflection I needed.
Until next moment,
Amar
It's not everyday one gets to see a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in the mountains, in this case it help having a wild imagination. The performance was provided by two Tundra Swans, 12 Canada Geese and about 40 to 50 Bohemian Waxwings. Viewed by two curious muskrats, passing by American Robins, various chickadees and I sitting on my butt. The waxwings provided the aerial performances, catching insects in the air. It goes without saying, some of the more aggressive dance movements and vocals were provided by the geese, if I did not know better I think they were trying to steal the show. The swans in this production played a supporting role, except when of one ran on the water and took flight for few seconds. Three hours well spent.
The geese are everywhere in the Bow Valley, even when we can't see them or are near them, they can be heard. Other birds are making their way back in to valley as well but not as vocal as the Canada Geese.
Until next moment,
Amar
When I'm taking pictures, I'm very much in my own little world. While other photographers were looking toward the direction of the sunrise, I was more focused on the moon setting. Trying to locate a location where I would be able to get the picture of the moon when it started setting behind the Massive Range. I could have done both, but I noticed the sky was clear, so no warm colours on the sunrise side. I started to snap away, as the moon got close to setting behind one of the peaks. Timing was on my side, top of the peak was lit by the morning light before the moon set. Great way to start the day.
Until next moment,
Amar
Two Tundra Swans resting in the mountains, before they contuine their journey to the nesting grounds of the tundra on top of North America. Always happy when they stop over, giving us a chance to see this beautiful bird. Every year its different, I may see them in banff National Park one year and not a another. But every spring I will look for them and during fall as well.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Rundle at night from the other week. Did not get to get out at night as much as I had hoped, but the few times I did I was happy with the result. The ice I was standing on and also what you see is no longer there, the warm weather has taken it away. Which will provide other opportunities for picture taking, always have to adapt to the changes.
Until next moment,
Amar
Even though there were few feet of snow underneath me, the warm weather followed by cold had put a hard crust on top. Which makes it harder for the ptarmigans to find a place to hide during the cold nights and days. But on the day I took this picture, they did not have to worry about the cold but the strange creature lying on the snow with a big glass eye pointing toward them. With me low to the snow, they felt less threaten and were more likely to wander toward me as they go about their business. giving me a chance to be part of their world for a short period of time.
Until next moment,
Amar
Spotted the owl early in the evening, resting, perched on a spruce tree. Waiting for dusk to set, when they started being active, hunting for voles and anything else that they may spot in the forest. They hunt small animals, but rodents are their primary focus.
Until next moment,
Amar
One time or another we all looked up toward the dark sky and tried to count the stars. Growing up in the city you would think there are not many, the city lights making it difficult except for the bright ones to be seen. Here in the Banff National Park all that changed, there seems to be no end to how many can be seen on a clear dark night. Just in our galaxy the Milky Way along a conservative estimate is that are at least hundred billion stars. Beyond Milky Way there are at least hundred billion more galaxies, that's lot of fingers needed to count them all.
Until next moment,
Amar