I try to get to the location where I’ll be taking sunset or sunrise pictures half hour or more before it occurs. To decide where I want to take the picture from and then have the camera equipment I’ll need ready. Knowing ahead of time where the sun will rise or set will be of great help when locating the ideal spot to take the pictures from. Also being comfortable will help me get the right image, even more so in the middle of the winter. It’s hard to focus on photography when I’m thinking about staying warm. Extra layer is always appreciated when standing in one area. If I’m comfortable, I can relax and enjoy the views as the light keep changing the look of the landscape around me. The experience of being out there during sunrises and sunsets is one of the best things about being in the mountains. Each experience is unique and trying to capture that on an image is always the challenge.
Mount Massive
You think by now I would chill when seeing a sunrise, I’m starting to understand that may never happen. Even on mornings when I can’t be outside, I’ll have a look to see what I’m missing. A few weeks back I stepped outside and can see the sky was going to light up. No vehicle was involved, I needed to get to a spot by foot that would get me an acceptable image. When walking around town, there’s always a chance I’m going to meet people I know and thankfully they are understanding when I tell them I trying to get a picture. That was the case that morning as one was going to work another walking her dog and others who I know less getting a quick nod. I reached spot one, the clouds were red, but I did not like the foreground. I walked another 300 meters, with no open water in sight I focused on the trees, mountains and the beautiful sky. Another great start to the day.
Cascade Mtn
Always watching the light, seeing what it's doing and what it will do. When the light touches certain part of the landscapes, a light comes on inside the head. It's time to take a picture.
Castle Mountain
It’s hard to believe, but another year has past and its time for another slideshow presentation. It’s two weeks away for my 9th annual Moment Slideshow Presentation. Taking place on Saturday, February 8 from 7 to 9 pm. I’ll be looking back at 2019 with images and stories at the Cave and Basin NHS. There will be one show and the cost will be $4.90 per person. So, if you are in the Bow valley on the mentioned evening and looking for something to do, then come join us.
Now back to regular programming. After I had taken pictures of the moose I shared last week, I started looking around as the morning light was starting to light up the mountains around me. It was a cold morning, but after seeing the moose cow and its calf, the adrenaline rush pumped warmth through the body. I took few pictures looking to the north and south of me, then moved back to see what was happening with Castle Mountain in the distance, it was all lit up. This picture could have been more interesting if the moose had stayed put, perhaps I’ll get that picture in the future, for now here’s Castle Mtn as seen from a distance on a cold morning.
Cascade Mountain
I don't have to go far to see nature. Over the years I have seen so much within km from my home. Just within 1000 meters from the spot I try to get 8 hours of sleep each night. I have seen over 100 species of birds, black bears, grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, foxes, a lynx and one evening a cougar while hiking down Tunnel Mtn. A frog, toad, salamander and a handful of fish, much of the time the fish were spotted in the mouths of a waterfowls. Various insects, all having an important role to play, even the ones who like to feed on our chocolate rich blood. Various, trees, shrubs, grasses and all those wildflowers. Still lots more, part of the families I have talked about and others I have not even mentioned. So much nature in such small space, let along the whole Banff National Park. Same goes for all those beautiful views, there is no end, this one was after two days of snowing.
Mount Bell
To live in a place where I don’t have to go far to see beautiful landscapes and have a good chance of seeing amazing wildlife. Nave taking it for granted. While going for a drive in the morning, it was hard not to stop and take pictures of the beautiful views. Here's one of Mount Bell peak to the right.
The Moon and Mount Rundle
There are some pictures you plan far ahead of time. Some can take years before you get what you wanted. An example was one I got of Castle Mtn few years back during the winter. The idea for that one came during the summer as I was walking along a creek which had calm water. Most winters the creek did not completely freeze over, so I thought the place would be great to get a picture of the Castle Mtn one winter. When everything would be covered with snow except for the small pockets of open water. I tried a few times to get the picture, the light was not right and or the clouds were in the wrong position. After several attempts I got the image and I made sure I got several variations. The list will never be complete for these type of images, always adding more. I like the challenge and I like raising my standards for the image I want.
But I also like the challenge when I see something front of me and I have to hurry to get the picture before the light or the subject change. That was the case yesterday as I saw the moon rising next to Mount Rundle while shovelling snow at home. I saw, ran inside, grabbed the camera and quickly got the picture.
Mount Chephren
During a cold evening I stood on the shores of lower Waterfowl Lake, hoping some light would get through the clouds moving in. For few minutes it did, the clouds did not light up but it did touch Mount Chephren.
Sulphur Mtn
It was back in October, after having breakfast, I looked outside and it looked as if there was going to be bright sunrise, I changed and headed out. It was a windy morning as I looked for calm water. I found some and even better I had the place to myself. The clouds started to light up and I started to take pictures. A car stopped nearby and out came a friend with a warm beverage in his hand. It was his day off and he was out looking for birds. As we chatted the sky got brighter and not far from us two Hooded Mergansers landed. They were causing small ripples in the water as they dove for food. I have seen way too many landscape photographers scare the birds away, sometimes by throwing rocks at them. My thoughts are simple on this topic, They are eating to survive and I’m taking a picture. So the birds did their thing just out of the frame and we got rewarded when the light scattered across the clouds. A great start to the day.
Fairview Mountain
During the early days of the larch season, we were hiking in the Lake Louise area before the sunrise. Half way into our hike the sky started to light up, I was not expecting it but a nice surprise. We found some open space through the trees, looking toward Fairview Mountain. Quickly took few pictures and up we went.
Mount Rundle
Back in September I looked out before the sunrise and saw what was coming, a bright sunrise. Grabbed what I needed and headed out. Found a location next to the river, the water was calm, I was ready and waited for the sunrise. For several minutes it kept getting brighter and brighter and I kept busy taking pictures. Once done, it was time to go to work.
Cascade Mountain
In the morning we did not get bright sunrise, too many clouds in the sky put a stop to that. But not long after the warm light started to come through. The snow from yesterday and the light snow from last night added to the winter feel of the morning. And even with cold nights there were some fall colours to remind us we are middle of the fall season. All added to the beautiful morning.
Mount Rundle
Getting the picture before the storm clouds took away the light and brought in the rain. Mount Rundle and the fall colours.
Massive Range
Always Like to give myself some extra time in the morning when heading for work, never know when i might have to stop to take pictures.
Mountains and Rocks
I have done several long hikes this season, once the legs are in shape its hard to stop, each day off I want to get out. Long gone the days when I wanted to summit peaks, it’s about the passes now, providing better opportunities for photography. A few weeks back it was time to do Molar Pass, or was it going to be North Molar Pass or perhaps both. When hiking with friends, its at group pace. But if I’m hiking on my own, then I go as fast I can. Only stopping along the way to take pictures, food breaks are reward, only received when I cover a certain distance. As I got to the junction for the two passes, I decided to head north, it was longer and if I felt good on my way back I may cover Molar Pass as well. About 10 kms into the hike, I had left the trees behind and was walking through a beautiful high alpine meadow full of flowers. Missed the prime time for the wildflowers by about a week, still, it was not too bad. With ten-minute break, I headed up to the North Molar Pass. The pass is known for its heavy winds, they were there with cold and received few snowflakes on the way up and on the way down.
At 2590 meters above sea level, it was a cold morning on the North Molar Pass, I layered up and headed back down. Legs were doing well, it looked good for Molar Pass. As I was getting close to the junction point for the two passes, met a familiar face who was heading for camping and climbing in the back country. Soon after I reached the junction point, with no stopping, I was ascending to Molar Pass. Less flowers on this route, but more pika and marmots could be seen and heard. Got up to the pass and then went a little further to reach the high point. On the way back, I saw the picture I wanted to take as I kept count of pika and marmots in my head. With the clouds, the light was great during early afternoon. Found rock garden surrounded by grass and flowers, with the peaks in the distance, I got my picture for that day. Drank some water and headed to the trail head, second food break was going to be few kms from the end on a rock next to small water falls. It was a great day.
Ottertail Range
Anyone who hikes in the mountains is fully aware of switchbacks and to get to Burgess Pass in Yoho NP, 52 switchbacks needed to be covered over 7.5km. That was the route from near the Trans-Canada Highway. There was an easier way to get there, but not as fun. The goal was to get to the pass and then hop over to Yoho Pass. The weather for that morning was the clouds would be moving out and the blue sky moving in. But, the weather forecast in the mountains does not always goes as planned. The rain kept company most of the hike to the pass, with a few small breaks. It was light rain, so the waterproof jacket stayed in the pack. Only breaks along the way to the pass was to take pictures when the light would peak through. One such moment was the view of the Ottertail Range, partially covered with clouds and lit up by the morning light. In the valley below the freight train was heading east, leaving Fields B.C. Its views like this why hiking is a great.
Castle Mtn
During the winter there are more or at least different options when trying to take pictures of the same mountain in the morning and the evening. The sunlight is coming from a different angle, thus different part of the mountain lights up first thing in the morning and same when the sun is setting. During the summer the open water may decide where I can go and not go to get the picture. But with colder temperatures, being careful, I can easily walk over the frozen water to gain different opportunities. In this case picture of Castle Mtn in the middle of winter.
Mount Chephren
To me it seems to occur during winter, when wherever I go into the mountains I see possible black and white images. I think for me it has to be the snow, with much of the surrounding covered with snow it lot easier to imagine the scene I want to take pictures of. And the chances are more likely I will take a picture in black and white if there are clouds in the sky. As well, most of my black and white are taken after sunrises but always before or after the sun has reached its highest point in the sky. There are no right or wrongs, it's just my preference for monochrome images. For this image it was about two hours after sunrise, I had crossed over the frozen lower Waterfowl Lake. While walking along the Mistaya River I walked into this picture. There was more than enough light to take the picture hand holding the camera. Trying few variations, this one was my favourite of Mount Chephren that morning. I then snowshoed along the river to the creek coming from Chephren Lake and then using it as a guide to get up to the lake to explore.
Cascade Mountain
Each winter is different, it plays a role where, when and if I’ll get a certain picture. We received early snow in September and October, then there was a long pause before the next snow storm. It was slowly getting colder and my thought was there would be plenty of places to skate and for me places to take pictures on frozen lakes and rivers. But nature is never that easy to predict, the places I was hoping to take pictures at froze later than I hoped and were soon covered by snow. But for this location there was still an opportunity, I just had to wait. The winds coming around this bend of the river are strong, it was just a matter of time, as long as no large amount of snow fell. On my hikes I would check the area, on a recent visit I came across the methane ice bubbles I was waiting for. Much of the snow had blown off by the wind, except for few patches and the cross country ski tracks. For me it was enough for a picture, bubbles starting the pictures and the tracks taking the viewer’s eyes into the picture toward Cascade Mtn surrounded by clouds on a windy day.
Mount Rundle
This is why I like walking to work.
