Woodland

Even on a very cold day, it's hard to stay inside. During our cold spell this winter the temperature one morning was near minus 39 Celsius, before considering the wind. The low temperature was a good reason to stay near home and explore one of the smaller hikes. With several layers on, every part of me covered except for the eyes. I hit the trail with my backpack. The small loop trail I was on was perfect, never too far from the trailhead, as well the trees provided some protection from the winds. 

During the first loop, I noticed various tracks from that morning of the elk herd and the wolf pack and coyote and people and their dog tracks from the day before. The only wildlife I saw and or heard was that of a  Three-toed Woodpecker. It was working too high on the tree for me to take the camera out for. But, I started to see other opportunities for photography. It was the tree trucks and how the snow was clinging to them. 

Into my second loop the body was toasty, I would take quick pictures and start walking to stay warm until the next opportunity. Each time I would use a tree I found most interesting as an anchor for each image. Even more interesting were the ones worked on by Three-toed Woodpeckers. After a few hours I got several images I was happy with and I got time to spend outside. The body was still warm, but the eyelashes on my left side were joined together, it was time for a hot cup of tea.

Larch Trees

A few weeks back it was an overcast morning and it was going to stay that way for the duration of the day. With minus five degree the hike started about half an hour after the sun rising behind the clouds. Much of the hike to Rockbound Lake is in the mostly evergreen forest, slowly the sounds of the vehicles from the road and highway disappear. Any wildlife encounter was mainly in the form of small birds and the only mammal spotted was a red squirrel. When the train started to even off, the reason why I was on the hike became visible, larch trees in their beautiful fall colours. The numbers increased as I got near Tower Lake and becoming the dominant tree upon reaching Rockbound Lake. I probably ended up spending more time exploring the lake than it took me to reach it. Taking pictures from various locations as a Common Loon and a Raven watched me. This picture described what the morning looked like that day by the lake, various shades of grey with the golden larches.

Larch Tree

Even on their own, each larch tree needle looks beautiful in their fall colours.

Trembling Aspen

The month of September was full of days that resembled winter, first day of October started the same way.

Larch Trees

During the last few hikes I have been enjoying the fall colours of the larch trees, one of the few coniferous trees that change colour and lose their needles in the fall. To save nutrients for later, the plant turn colour in the fall as the days get shorter and the temperatures started cooling. The part in the needles that photosynthesize or another way to put it, create sugars from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. Starts to break up and the chemicals get stored in the tree. At this time the needles become beautiful golden yellow. This fall with the added bonus of few early snowfalls in the mountains, the larch trees were sparking under the sun.

Larch Tree

The larch trees are showing their fall colours. On a hike in the Moraine Lake area there was snow to deal with to see the larch trees. The morning started with dark overcast sky, looking as if more snow was going to fall, in the end few snowflakes fell before the clouds gave way for the light to come through. But as I was returning to the parking lots when I took this pictures, the clouds were back again.

Larch Trees

Through my camera and lens, I was zooming in and out looking for the right combination of spruce and larch trees to get the picture I wanted to take. I could feel the wind was starting to pick up and darker clouds were moving in. Before the weather made things difficult to get the pictures, I was done. This image was my keeper.

Until next moment,

Amar

Lodgepole Pine Alley

I had taken a similar picture few winters ago, was hard not to stop few days after a big snow storm on the same road to get the same picture. I like when trees are covered by snow and looking down this Bow Valley Parkway, there seems to be no end to the trees and the road. I was the only one on the road in the morning, stopped the car and got to the middle of the road to take the picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Aspen Trees

Lots of fall colour in the mountains. Trying to take pictures of it before it all disappears and colder weather moves in. Few days ago was busy under the aspen trees getting pictures of the leaves lit up by the sun. A great way to spend the afternoon.

Until next moment,

Amar

Low Clouds

Low clouds were passing through the Yoho Valley in Yoho NP. Its  a beautiful place to visit, but that morning the low clouds made it that much more special. I stopped at few spots to take pictures, including taking pictures of the trees with the clouds passing through them.

Until next moment,

Amar

Spruce Tree

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

Douglas fir Needles

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

Bark, Lichen and Snow

Just before I was pulled away by the sounds being made by birds, I was taking pictures of the pattern created on a balsam poplar tree. Just liked the way the bark, lichen and snow worked together to create interesting patterns. It was a old tree, with well defined bark and lichen built up over time. Old trees have lot of character and this was part of it.

Until next moment,

Amar

Lodgepole Pine Needles

Had a nice walk around Johnson lake, meeting several people and seeing even more birds. There was a group of eight, from the south, snowshoeing around the lake. Half way around the lake the group had broken into three groups, some members of the party did not like the slight slope on the far end of the trail, so they decided to walk on the lake.  Then few minutes later I met an English couple, who were taking easy on their snowshoes, as they day before they went for a longer and steeper trip near Lake Louise. At the later part of my walk met two ladies and one gentleman from Scotland, one of the lady was concerned I was walking by myself in the middle of the wilderness. I assured her that I would be fine and told her too keep an eye out for a woodpecker just ahead.

 Before I started to walk toward the parking lot, I saw a Lodgepole pine with some yellow-orange colour needles on the end of several branches. Started to walk around the tree, taking pictures , looking for a soft background with the needles standing out. Attached is one of those picture.

Until next moment,

Amar