Meeting of the Two Rivers

Every year I need to drive up Yoho Valley, to enjoy the great drive, to see the Takakkaw Falls and even more falls when hiking in this area. Beginning of the season, I’ll pop down to the confluence of Yoho and Kicking Horse Rivers. Spending an hour or two to enjoy watching the water and to see if I can get a few good pictures. The sound of the water passing through the area dominates all other sounds, except on occasion I might hear a train going by.

 

It was the middle of the day when I was there last. With the overcast sky, the conditions were perfect for long exposures. You tend to lose more details when directly the light the water. Much of the green water was thanks to the Yoho River, bringing in the rock flour from the glaciers, reflecting the beautiful colour. Yoho River coming in from the left.  Kicking Horse River is straight ahead in the picture, starting as an outlet at the nearby Wapta Lake.  A few days after I had taken the pictures, the melt water had kicked in, all the rocks in front of me were under the water. I got there just in time to safely enjoy and get the pictures I wanted.

Kicking Horse River 210618s Amar Athwal.jpg

Bow River Sunset

 It was a nice end to the day, standing near the Bow River and waiting  to see what the sunset was going to look like. The sun had left the valley, the clouds above were getting brighter and brighter. Showing golden yellow and touch of red, same colours being reflected in the water front of me. While enjoying this beautiful view, I started to hear the howling of wolves. The calls lasted for about eight to ten minutes, not a bad way to end the day. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Bow River Sunset

Bow River

I was up the Bow River from the town of Banff, looking to get pictures of Massive Range during sunrise. The light reached the peaks but due to lack of clouds, the picture was rather plain. But when I turned around I saw a better picture, I set up the camera again and got the picture. Massive Range will have to wait a another morning.

Until next moment,

Amar

Vermilion River

Was in Kootenay National Park taking long exposures of part of Vermilion River. I waited until it was end of the day. The hard part is what to include or what not to include in the picture and how long to make the exposure, it a nice way to be creative.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bow River

I was slowly making my way to the spot where I was going to take pictures of sunset in middle of Bow Valley along Bow River. Took few pictures of a Great Blue Heron and then spent time watching a beaver keeping an eye on me. Then it was time to watch a beautiful sunset.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mistaya River

I was exploring the Upper Waterfowl Lake area, getting some exercise and enjoying the solitude. Was seeing various indicators on the snow of wildlife, but nothing fresh and definitely nothing moving front of my eyes. I kept walking and kept exploring as I moved away from the lake and started to walk along the Mistaya River. It was a cold morning and moving was important, but plans changed when sunlight  started to streak through the dark low clouds. The light was low and was causing long shadows, a photo opportunity. I rushed to locate a place to take a picture before the conditions changed. The light was coming through the clouds, mountains in view, calm flowing river and ground covered by snow, with grass covered with frost was going to be my grounding subject. It was time to take a picture. Got low to the ground with the camera and the tripod and took the attached picture. Then it was time to explore more.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bow Valley

I was standing next to the Bow River, waiting for the early light to hit the top of Pilot Mtn. I waited and waited and the light never came as planned. The clouds kept the light away form the peak. The view looking in the direction of the sunrise was not too bad, so I pointed the camera in that direction and took the attached picture. Working with nature as the subject, things often don't go as planned, but there are always other options provided.

Until next moment,

Amar

 

Creek meets River

Time flies, not sure where May went and we’re already third of the way into June. The last few weeks with the on and off rain, I been thinking about taking a picture where the water is the main subject. Few months back I was in Kootenay National Park, checking out the Vermilion River. Took some pictures then but wanted to get back there for more. Most of the time I take long exposures of the water during the early hours, this time it was going to be at the end of the day. I was by the river where creek enters into it, moving from side to side framing the picture in my head before setting up the camera. I took about several pictures, but the last few stood out. The one attached was exposed for about 20 seconds, giving a cool blue feel to the image.

Until next moment,

Amar

Cascade River

I'm alway looking for new places to take pictures of the same mountain. Spend lot of time with maps, looking for spots along trails, rivers, lakes. etc.. I'll always be taking pictures form the well known locations, but when I find that not so well know location to take pictures from. I not only get a picture with a unique view, but learn how diverse and unique the mountains are. Each mountain, each valley, each river, each lake has many stories to tell. You just need to spend the time exploring.

I was exploring the  Cascade River below Minnewanka Lake, river's power was greatly reduced with the three dams built since 1895 along Minnewanka. But it still plays an important role to it's surrounding and the many life forms that rely on it. I came across the Cascade Power Plant that was built in 1912 and closed in 1941. Saw the beautiful fall that friends had told me about.  But also another spot to capture the beauty of Cascade Mountain. 

Until next moment,

Amar

Baby Rainbow

I was taking pictures of birds along the Bow River, when I looked toward the east, storm was building and a wee little rainbow near Copper Mtn.  Was not sure how long the rainbow was going to be there and when the clouds would change. Quickly I changed from birds to landscape photography mode, and then finding something in the foreground for the picture. Most often I run out of light or the subject changes before I run out of ideas.  The wind was blowing, raindrops were starting to come down, but before the heavy rain came down I was able to get couple of pictures.

Until next moment,

Amar