It's absolutely beautiful out there, with the snow and the winter crisp air, this how I like Canadian winters. The last few weeks I needed to have several layers on, but it's worth it when I'm outside. Coming across beautiful landscapes to take pictures of and every now and then seeing wildlife making its way through the snow. Always looking forward to the next day out.
Until next moment,
Amar
After being out there for couple of hours, I started to head back when the snow started to fall. As I came around a turn, there front of me separated by 10 meters of shrubs and small trees were two moose, a mother and her calf. The calf was surprised and moved back, I moved back as well and watched to see the mother's reaction. She looked at me for few seconds and then went back to eating. I moved further back and watched her and the nervous calf who had her ears pointed at me and looked at her mother to decide what to do. The calf was only about half a year old and was still learning a lot from her mother. Noticing her mother felt safe, the cafe made her way back to the safety of her mom. I standing there in the snow storm, took few pictures before leaving the two twig eaters.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was taking picture of a moose calf with its mother nearby. It was end of the day when I came across both of them, at first the calf moved away while the mother stayed put. Soon the calf started to walk towards it mother, as I was taking its pictures, the mother popped her head front of my camera.I guess she wanted some attention as well.
Until next moment,
Amar
While I was driving along the road I came across this female Red Fox. It has been a good year for seeing fox, Banff National Park always had foxes, but I never had much luck seeing them. So it has been great coming across them this year and added bonus being able to get their pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar
Today was the Christmas Bird Count day in the Bow Valley, the night before there was a weather alert for this morning. Temperature around - 32 Celsius and called for heavy winds to bring windchill to under - 42. Waking up this morning the alert was removed, the temperature was only - 24 and the windy was only bringing it down to - 38. Piece of cake, well it was while wearing a coat loaned to me for the day by a friend, with the heavy parka, cold was never an issue except for my hand when I took pictures. And I only did that when there was a good chance of getting a good image, the one attached was the best one of an amazing bird, the American Dipper, who did not seem to be bothered by the cold weather as he went in and out of the open water to find food. The three friends I was with and others out in the valley were challenged today, but in a small way we got to connect with this dipper and few other birds we came across on a very cold day. And for them there is no warm home to go to at the end of the day.
Until next moment,
Amar
I took this picture few weeks ago, it was still warm and there was still lot of open water. Each winter the shape of the open water remaining is slightly different, providing different opportunities for sunrises and sunsets for the foreground.
Until next moment,
Amar
I got this picture as the full moon was rising over Tunnel Mountain yesterday evening. The sky was clear, it was just matter of waiting in the cold for the moon to reach top of the mountain before I could take few pictures, worth the wait.
Until next moment,
Amar
The holiday season is around the corner and depending on the area you live in, Christmas Bird Count time is here. For us in the Bow Valley, it will be Saturday, December 17, 2016, click over to "bowvalleynaturalists.org" for more info.. It a great way to spend time, listening and seeing birds that call the Bow Valley home in the winter and the occasional rare guest that has decided to stick around for the winter instead of flying somewhere warm. Some Bald Eagles were still around few weeks back, when it seemed winter was long off. Now we are in full winter mode, but still a chance one or two eagles will be spotted. But Christmas Bird Count is more then just about spotting birds, it's a great way spend time with others and connect with nature around us.
Until next moment,
Amar
Winter is here in force, it was a clear morning but by the time I came across this female moose, snow was falling. I played it safe, keeping my distance while trying to get a picture of her through the shrubs and the falling snow. After she had a look at me, she went on eating.
Until next moment,
Amar
For several days we had a rare sight in Banff National Park, a Snow Goose. A not so shy juvenile Snow Goose that was spotted in the water near the shore and on land eating away. In most cases the snow geese fly south around the park, but for some reason this one decided to land in Banff and hang out. It was spotted with blood behind its head, no one is sure what the cause was. When I saw it one morning, it seem to be in good health, it was very busy eating on land. One night I arrived to its original location from where I heard it had moved on. From the lights of my car I could see no sign of any waterfowls or hear any. Thinking I was along, with light on my head I made my way next to the open water. I took several 30 second exposures, when I noticed on the rear screen of the camera some dark object in the water. After I zoomed in I realized the Snow Goose was back, resting safely in the water for the night. After confirming with my headlight, it was time for me to move on.
Until next moment,
Amar
We have been seing beautiful sunrises the last number of weeks along Vermilion Lakes, this was one of them. I always look for a different place to take the picture from, not always possible. But this time it worked out. Sunrises are little more special when there is a reflection in the water.
Until next moment,
Amar
It looks like a another warm winter, compare to what they used to be like. When I took this picture of Mount Chephren, it was a cold morning, everything covered with snow except for the running Mistaya River. But few weeks later the area looked like spring had arrived and then few more weeks it was back to winter.I grew up experiencing cold winters and when I moved to the mountains, just meant more layers needed to enjoy the winter. It's also lot easier moving over frozen water during cold winters, for now my winter exploring has been limited. If you have not figured it out yet, I'm bit outside the norm, like my winter full of snow and cold air to keep it light and fluffy. I just eat lot of chocolate when I want to connect with others.
Until next moment,
Amar
I was making my way home toward the end of the day, when from the side of my eye I saw this Northern Hawk Owl perched on top of a tree. It seems to be passing through, I don't often see this or any other owls in the area. I was able get few of its picture before leaving it in the area.
Until next moment,
Amar
One year I would like to take a picture of Mount Rundle every day and then watch the slideshow. This mountain has so many looks.
Until next moment,
Amar
There is no secret to seeing wildlife, as I have said many times, you just have to get out. The formula is simple, the more you go out the more you will see. You can have the "best" camera in the world and read everything written about wildlife, you will still have to get out to see them. Since the first time I saw a red fox in Banff National Park from a distance, getting an okay picture. I kept hoping I will came across one again one day, this year it all came together. Getting several chances, including one few weeks back, when I was able get this close-up.
Until next moment,
Amar
Castle Mountain is one of the popular mountain to take pictures of, and I have many times. It's a mountain that stands out from other, due to where it's located, particurally viewing it from the East. With some fresh snow on the mountain, providing nice contrast, and with sky opening up I just had to take its picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Lot easier heading for work in the morning when there is a chance to come across this type of view. The Bow River is across my way when heading for work, the conditions were such, the sky was set to light up. I had plenty of time before work started, so I stopped along the river to take few pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar
This Monday full moon will be rising, or in this case a supermoon. The difference, a supermoon is when a full moon or a new moon makes its closest approach to Earth on its elliptical orbit. A another additional bonus for this Monday, the Moon will be closest to the Earth since 1948. On November 14 the Moon will be 30 percent brighter and 14 percent bigger than the regular full moon. If you don't live in the mountains, it will even look more impressive when it rises over the horizon, the visual moon effect at its best. For those of us in the mountains, we will have to wait bit longer as it makes its way above the peaks on Monday.
Until next moment,
Amar
A red fox making its way through the valley. Even though the cold weather is taking its time, it had its winter coat on. I watched it for a few minutes, it stopped couple of times to have a snack along the way.
Until next moment,
Amar
At the end of the day, light peaked through the clouds and lit up top of the mountains and a cloud just above them and all was reflected in the calm water.
Until next moment,
Amar
