The Barred Owl was not only out in the open but also calling out. So it did not take long before the magpies arrived and started harassing the owl. Magpies and other birds will harass any bird or mammals that will harm them or their nest. So when they have a chance, harassing is a normal reaction when predator are spotted.
American Robin
Weather is getting warmer and more leaves are coming out, summer is not far off. The robins have been back for few months, they are quite common in the park. So I can take my time getting the right picture of them. Few mornings back I was bird walking, I saw this robin on the ground, as I got closer it perched on a branch with new leaves, nicely framing the American Robin.
Grizzly
She's five and half years old and has more or less established her territory that is her home. Taking few trips each season to visit the surrounding neighbourhoods, always returning home. Her territory was previously he mother's home, who passed away when she and her two siblings were two and half years old. Her next chapter will be when she starts her own family, this year she came out of the den on her own, will next year be the big year in her life?
Moose
It has been a good year for seeing moose for me this year and also seeing them in different places in the park. Getting close-ups and also pictures from distance in their habitats. In this case it was the moose with her calf again, the calf is out of the picture.
Savannah Sparrow
I have been spending lot of time out there taking pictures of birds, taking advantage of the bird migration season. Big or small, I enjoy and seeing and taking pictures of them all. I saw this Savannah Sparrow early in the morning as the sun was making its way up. The sunlight behind the sparrow helped make this picture, providing the glow and the colours in the background.
Grizzly
Most of the bears are up now and chances are much better of seeing a bear out there in the open and here's one of them an adult grizzly male. I can only imagined how he looked in size before he went for his winter sleep. Most likly he was about hundred pounds heavier. But he still looked great as I watched him from a distance. With more and more food options becoming available, he will start gaining weight.
Until next moment,
Amar
Prairie Crocus
The prairie crocus is the first flower seen in the mountains after winter, with the warm weather more flowers are not far behind. Each spring I try to make goal of taking more pictures of wild flowers, but there is so much to take pictures of. From landscapes, mammals, birds and lot more. I guess in the end it's good to just get out and take pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mountain Bluebird
One of the highlight of birding in Banff National Park is having a chance to see the beautiful Mountain Bluebird. I came across this male in a meadow, first spotted perched on top of a burned stump. Its bright colour got my attention and I quickly snapped several pictures. It was looking toward the ground, searching for insects to feed on. After few minutes it found a snack and then it found a different perch. Providing a better picture.
Until nest moment,
Amar
Black Bear
A black bear family of three, they were busy eating the green vegetation that's starting to pop up on the valley's bottom. With the warmer weather the bears have more and more options for food and they are spreading out in the valley.
Until next moment,
Amar
Red-necked Grebe
I was watching two red-necked Grebes diving for food in the Bow River, they feed on fish, crustaceans, insects and few other aquatic related food items. They also ingest large quantities of their own feathers like the other grebes. Still no clear idea why they do that and why they feed their feathers to their young. It might be to protect the lower digestive tract from hard indigestible material. The morning I got this picture, I was just happy to get a good photo during a morning snow fall.
Until next moment,
Amar
Northern Lights
Most of the times when we get northern Lights in Banff, we don't see the colours, just a glow in the northern sky. This was the case few weeks back when I decided to go out and take pictures of it. My camera's sensor being more powerful than my eyes, they were able to pick up the green. Then it was matter of finding some open water and compose a picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Great Blue Heron
In the morning I came across this Great Blue Heron fishing on the side of the Bow River. I watched from a distance as it caught two fish, both the same size as the one in its mouth. After it caught the two, things slowed down. It kept moving to different parts of the river but no luck. It finally decided to fly away.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Rundle
The last few weeks I have been spending lot of time around the Bow Valley, near the water. That's where many of the birds can be found, they are my main focus during the spring bird migration. But I do cheat. I was hanging out by the Vermilion Lakes, waiting for the sun to rise. Bird photography does not start until I have light, until then I can take pictures of the sunrises. There was a light breeze creating ripples in the water. I kept my fingers crossed the wind would stop. This time mother nature listened, the clouds lit up, water was clam and the mountains were covered with fresh snow in April.
Until next moment,
Amar
Grizzly
More and more bears are up from their winter sleep, but winter is taking its time to leave. April was full of small and large snow storms, providing challenges for the early risers.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Rundle
We have been getting more snow in April, many of times waking up with the mountains and as well the bottom of the valley covered with it. Few weeks back before looking for and taking pictures of birds, I decided to get few pictures of the sunrise at 3rd Vermilion Lake. It was a great morning, not only in the direction where the sun was rising but as will in the opposite direction.
Until next moment,
Amar
Moose and Mount Rundle
Mount Rundle is one of the most photographed mountain in Banff National Park, throughout the day and during the nights. Pictures are taken from few different location, but most are from the Vermilion Lakes, which are easily accessible by foot, bike and by a vehicle. Summer is the season when the mountain gets the most attention, but lately more and more during the other seasons as well. My favourite time to take pictures of the mountain is when there is drama in the sky and the water is still during sunrises and sunsets. But every now and then a great opportunity presents it self during the middle of the day.
Until next moment,
Amar
Moose
The calf still enjoying the safety of its mom, if the mother is pregnant, the calf will be pushed away in few months. For now life is good and with warmer weather better food is on its way.
Until next moment,
Amar
Canada Geese
The birds have been migrating back for a while, but now its full on. It seems everyday another bird is heard calling out, on the water, in the forest and in the sky. Even if you are not a birder, its great to hear all those calls. Every chance I get I'm out there, looking for those who nest in the park and those who are just passing by. The Banff Community Birdwalk kicks of tomorrow, let the fun begin.
Until next moment,
Amar
Massive Range
Calm water has to be a friend when taking landscape pictures. It played a large role making this picture stand out. Almost as if the water was not calm, half the beauty would not be in the picture. The sun was rising behind me, giving light to the sky, clouds and some of the peaks. All that reflected in the calm water.
Until next moment,
Amar
Coyote
On a cold morning I was walking through deep snow, on a tail that was not well used, following my own tracks from the day before to same energy. Soon after I noticed tracks crisscrossing mine, belonging to a coyote from that morning. Being lesser in weight, it was able to walk on the snow crust, saving energy as it searched for food. After about hundred meters, the coyote tracks went off into the woods, but five minutes later well ahead of me I spot a coyote, thinking it must be the same one as he walked over a small bridge. In no hurry, I placed my camera in my hands and crossed the same bridge I was headed for. My plans was to go straight but not before looking toward the slow moving coyote to the left of me, who was listening for sounds underneath the snow before giving me a quick look. He easily moved across the snow and was soon out of sight, I continued on the trail.
Until next moment,
Amar
