It was in the middle of the cold spell last month, like the ones we used to regularly get each winter. I think the morning temperature was minus 31 degrees Celsius. Second morning with temperatures in the minus thirties. To keep warm, I ran to the location, no tripod was going to be used and the camera was ready right out of the backpack. I knew the location like the back of my hand. There was enough time from two locations to shoot from, this one was the first and ended up being the better of the two that morning. Thanks to the two Common Ravens, they made the image twice as good. Both were making their way east when they saw me. Perhaps hoping for a meal or were just curious, they started to circle in front of me. I shot when they were in the right place and tried to get them and the background in focus. This image was my favorite from that morning. They aren’t blocking the Cascade Mountain and both are easily recognized.
Castle Mountain
Lots of great things about the winter in the Rockies, including exploring the tracks I come across. And that’s what I did about an hour before sunset. I was also looking toward Castle Mtn, I did not think the light was going to make it through the clouds toward the end of the day, it did. I still had time to get back to my car and drive some 20 kilometers to the location where I normally like to take the mountain’s picture. But there was a chance by the time I reached the spot, clouds would move in and block the light. So I continued exploring, looking at the tracks that were not there in the morning. Elk and wolves had moved through the area. At the same time, I was figuring out how to get the picture of Castle. Moving around in the knee-deep snow to find a location where the trees helped frame the mountain but not blocked the mountain. Once I got the picture, it was back to looking at the tracks and seeing if I could get some good pictures of them.
After Snowfall
It’s funny, for many, sleeping in, sitting back or driving instead of exploring on foot, is about being comfortable. For me, once the alarm goes off, it’s time to get up. Otherwise, the body will be in pain. If I sit too long or go for a long drive, I go crazy. Feeling uncomfortable and constrained. But if I’m standing, walking, hiking or scrabbling, life is good. During the hiking season my motto is drive less, hike more. All my favorite hikes are about an hour drive or less. When I was younger, one of my goals was to live in an area where the outdoors was close. When the roads are bad, I can just walk out to an area and be surrounded by nature while others are deciding whether to hit the snooze button or get up. It’s one of the most amazing things about living in the mountains. Breaking trail after a snowfall, with snow covering everything around me. I’m in my elements. Comfortable elements.
Odaray Mountain
The first time I walked the road to the Lake O’Hara area, I was checking along the way for any photographic opportunities. It keeps the mind busy on the eleven kilometers stroll. One of the views I wanted to take a picture of, right from the first time I saw it, was that of the Odaray Mountain. Just a few days before I had walked the same path, but it was too dark for a good picture. The clouds covering the sky completely, took away the opportunity I was looking for in the Lake O’Hara area. When I was back at the parking lot, the sky cleared up. So I was out for my second attempt. It was all looking good as I was walking to Lake O’Hara. Odaray Mtn looked great with fresh snow, soI had to stop and get a few pictures of this classic Canadian Rockies look.
It’s a good thing I did, because as I got to the lake, the clouds covered the sky once again. I spent some time at the lake, with everything closing the day before. I had the lake to myself, except for a few Canada Jays, who tried to steal my food while I was eating. I had an almond, cashew and a piece of a walnut in my hand, they were heading for my mouth. One of the jays hit my hand, the almond hit the ground and the other two items went to the back of my throat. The jay tried to pick up the almond with its beak. I stepped toward it, it flew off and I got the almond piece back. My perfect record continues to not feed the wildlife.
Bow Valley
In civilization, red, orange, and yellow colours are used to grab attention. Nature can do that as well. If you have driven along the same road all summer and not noticed the trees, come fall with the leaves changing colour, the trees pop from their surroundings. But, these warm colours can also bring about a feeling of warmth and comfort. Depending on our background, colours can have a different meaning and effect on our mind. Seeing fall colours might not just provide visual pleasure, but there can be subconscious effects as well.
I, for one, look forward to the fall colours. There’s never enough time to enjoy them. The day I took this picture in the Bow Valley. Wind, rain, and possible thunderstorms were forecasted. So I had decided not to venture too far and started off exploring the trees below me. One thing led to another and up the slope I went to get a better look at the fall colours below. Not only did I get pictures of the aspen, balsam poplar, and other trees and shrubs below me, but also of the larches across the valley along the peaks of the Massive Range.
Fall Colours
This hike to Healy Pass started on a cold morning, half an hour before the sunrise. After a few hundred meters in, the leg settled into a rhythm that would be maintained until I reached the pass I was aiming for. Only stopping to remove the shell and the fleece. Much of the hike was in the woodland, with each step I was anticipating the view I was going to have if the overcast sky let some light in. The woods were quiet, on the steep sections I could almost hear my heart beating. But I was feeling relaxed, the body was in the zone as the mind was focused on the surprise higher up. A kilometre or more from the top, the vegetation on either side of the trail was covered with a few centimetres of snow. I looked down on the trail, for the first time that morning I saw evidence that someone had stepped on the tail before me.
On closer inspection, I realized a bear with two cubs had gone across the trail. The tracks were fresh, still soft to the touch. I looked in the direction they had gone, the view was obstructed with scattered larch trees. The trail I was on went well above their racks, I hoped perhaps I would see them from above. I kept looking for the family as I went up and across. No luck seeing them, but after a few hours of hiking that beautiful morning, I had the view in front of me that I had hoped for.
Crowfoot Mtn
It was toward the end of the winter, I was on my second day off, enjoying another winter morning as I drove north in the darkness. I was an hour away from the sunrise, looking at my rear view mirror, I could see the clouds were going to light up that morning. While coming around a turn, I saw what looked like wildlife on the side of the road, it was a lynx. I slowed down as it crossed the road and hopped onto the plowed snow that was about a meter and half high. Not enough light to get any good pictures, I watched it for a few seconds and took a picture of it with my phone and I was off. I got to the lake with plenty of time. I knew where I needed to go, with snowshoes I got there in a few minutes. During that time of the year, there is not that much traffic in the morning on the 93 North. With no wind, it was this beautiful quiet sunrise. The only sound was being caused by me taking the pictures. For fifteen to twenty minutes, I enjoyed the sights as the sky got brighter and brighter. Once the bright warm light had passed, I packed up and stood there for a few minutes before starting the walk back to my car. These are the types of connection that keeps me addicted to nature.
Mount Rundle
If you’re looking to have the whole Vermilion Lakes to yourself in the morning for the sunrise. It’s easy. Just wait until it’s minus 39 degrees Celsius. That was the case almost a month ago, only seeing a few familiar faces who come out for a drive in the morning. Hoping to see some wildlife, watch the sunrise and to exchange a few words. For a few mornings just before the Sun rose over Mount Rundle, thanks to it, rays of light were shooting into the air from the back of the peaks. It looked as if a movie was being premiered in Canmore and floodlights were being used.
No movies were being premiered, even if all friends living in Canmore paid several hundred dollars to buy one flashlight each with 100, 000 Lumens output, it would not be enough. Or if everyone got their phones out and used the flashlight feature. With each phone producing 50 Lumens, is not enough. It’s the life giving Sun, sending light from 149 million kilometers away. Providing 90 000 Lumens per square meter on Earth’s surface. Catching this image minutes before the Sun becomes visible. When it popped up, it was a good time to stop looking in that direction and time to go find a warm place.
Ice Bubbles
On our favourite planet Earth, 71 percent if its surface is covered by water. The oceans contain 97 percent of the water and the remaining 3 percent is fresh water contained in lakes, rivers and ice. Two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom make up one molecule of water. The molecules are always moving because of potential energy. Water molecules have more energy in liquid form than in a solid state. Potential energy is reduced as the water cools down, the molecules start to move slower. When the water temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, the molecules stick together to form a solid, which is ice. In the solid state molecules are still moving, we just can’t see it with our naked eyes. For water to turn into ice, we still need more than cold temperatures. A small impurity, from the impurity or particle will grow an ice crystal. Without impurities in water, say in pure water, water will not freeze, even when reaching minus 40 degrees Celsius. This process, called super cooling, occurs when pure water is contained in a smooth container.
But, I was not thinking about this when I came across this creek, which in metric would be called 64.37 Kilometer Creek. After seeing clear ice with nice bubble formations. I needed to decide if it was thick enough to hold my weight. After a few minutes of observing, I felt it was safe and decided slowly to move to the bubbles and get the picture.
Moon over Mount Rundle
First light hitting the north side of Mount Rundle as the moon makes its way of the peak.
Mount Ishbel
Sunrise along the Bow River, looking toward Mount Ishbel.
Massive Range
On a cold morning I started walking on the Bow Valley Parkway. A section of the road that saw a lot of hikers and bikers over the summer, as it was closed to the vehicles as part of the COVID 19 restrictions. Walking is my preference when nature photography is on the mind, on foot I can see and hear more of what’s around me and quickly stop to take out the camera and hopefully get the picture. I picked up my pace to get the body warmed up. About a kilometre in I had to remove a layer. I have driven on this road more times than I can count, I tend to avoid the Trans Canada Highway, more to enjoy when the goal is not get from point A to b as fast as you can.
Not being on the BVP for over six months, it felt good walking on it. I know every section of the road and areas I like to explore by foot. I was making good time. There were various tracks in the snow and other evidence of wildlife that had moved through the areas I was walking by. Stopped to take pictures of birds I came across and others like the Bald Eagle, I just watched as it flew well above me. I came across grizzly bear tracks, it was heading in the same direction as me but about 24 hours ahead. I had some idea which large male it might be, a few hours later it was confirmed. But that’s a story for another time.
I was looking at the Massive Range, getting different views as I walked west on the road. The light was great and the snow covered peaks were hard to look away from. With the lack of wind that morning, my hope was to reach a certain bend in the Bow River, where if conditions stayed the same, it would provide me with the picture I wanted. I got there, the water was calm, I was looking at a beautiful fall landscape scene in front of me, which I thought would look great in black and white.
Mount Ball
I hiked to Shadow Lake, I was greeted by this almost perfect reflection on Mount Ball.
Fairholme Range
As beautiful as the morning was, I did not have any time to enjoy watching the sunrise, just wanted to take the pictures and run. I was in the middle of swarm of mosquitoes, it has been their summer to flourish. Before I would take any picture, I would first wave my had front of the lens and then take the picture. After the last picture taken, I packed up, looked up at the hundreds of mosquitoes and then made a quick exit.
Glacier Lily
Went for an early morning hike to beat the mosquitoes and a chance to see the beautiful glacier lilies all around. After reaching Healy Pass, had a break and then took pictures of the flowers, had lot of opportunities before heading back.
Hewitt Peak
Unless there are low clouds in the valley, when I visit Kootenay National Park, I look for the locally named “Mammoth Peak”, officially called Hewitt Peak. I’m a big fan of things being named after what they look like, a lot easier for me to remember. Like Boulder Pass, back of the Lake Louise ski area, there are all types of boulders at the pass and it's called Boulder Pass. But after the passage you come to Ptarmigan Lake, I have yet to see one in the lake. I have sat beside the lake eating my chocolate flavoured energy bar and not one ptarmigan to be seen in the water. Maybe next time I’ll look for them around the lake. Just a reminder, no need to tell me what I should be called because of what I might look like.
But back to the “Mammoth Peak”, before you even get into B.C. from Alberta, it can be seen in the distance. When driving into Kootenay from Banff NP, about ten minutes in, the peak looks amazing in the morning light. Those of you who are not seeing the mammoth outline in the picture, grab some chocolate ice cream (those of you who are not into chocolate, strange, I have heard there are other flavours) and you’ll see the mammoth is looking to the right, with its trunk reaching out.
Sawback Range
Some light coming through before the all of the sky was covered by clouds.
Sundance Range
I was looking for birds easy morning, I had to pause to look and get a picture of the Sundance Range.
Mount Victoria
Oh, how time flies, it was only a month ago waking up to an another morning with everything covered with snow. No better way to enjoy my favourite season. Now we are well into spring, but for those of us who have been living in the Canadian Rockies for a while, there is still a chance for more snow.I have experienced snow every month of the year number of times. But during winter, it’s extra special. This past winter produced many days to enjoy fresh fallen snow, to play in and to take pictures of. With the clouds running across the blue sky, snow covering every peak and trees in sight. That morning was made for black and white photography. Just as I was about to take the picture, I saw the snow falling off a tree on the right side of the image. It made the image that much special for me.
Mount Peechee
A lovely close up of Mount Peechee.
