Massive Range

For the last few hours of the day I was looking up toward the sky. If the last light got below the clouds, the whole sky was going to light up. Work came to an end, while everyone else were making their way to their vehicles, I headed for the nearby trails. I was starting to see what was coming, excited, I moved quickly. For the next half an hour I moved back and forth on a small section of the trail. It was not the ideal spot for sunset pictures that evening, but no time to walk anywhere else. I knew the area and I was going to get a few good pictures. The river ice was questionable that evening, so that removed some options. I took a few pictures looking northeast, and then looking east. But back of my head the big show was going to be to the west. The big ending to the day started. There was no interesting foreground, I knew that as soon I had hit the trail. But the sky looked amazing, it was going to be the highlight and below it the outline of the Massive Range. Keeping it simple was the way to go that evening.

 One reason I enjoy nature photography is the way I feel inside as I’m watching something beautiful. It’s like a visual energy entering the eyes and going right into the brain and from there spreading to the rest of the body. I have no drug experience I can relate it to, other than, you guess it, good chocolate after a long hard hike. It does not matter if it’s a sunrise, sunset or flora or fauna. The hit always lasts longer than the moment and I can’t wait until the next one. Fifteen minutes after I took this picture, I was walking over the bridge with a visual high and looked west. Faded, there were still some colours in the sky. Even the sky did not want to forget that evening.

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 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.

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.

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

Massive Range

Over the years I have taken many pictures while walking to and from work. Being addicted to nature photography, it`s hard not to carry a camera at all times, being ready when the opportunity arises. In this case it was in the morning and I was half way to work when I looked toward the Massive Range, about 15 Kilometers away from me. The peaks I see most morning were lit up with the first light and I only had few minutes before the low clouds above would block the light. More than enough time to get the picture and another reason to keep carrying my camera. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Moon over Massive Range

Few mornings back I was watching the moon as it made its way back of the Massive Range. The Massive mountain range all covered with fresh snow, creating a beautiful winter morning. There was more then enough light on the moon and still mostly clear of the clouds. And just before the moon disappeared behind the clouds, I took the picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Massive Range

After a morning and a day full of adventures, it was a good way to end the day. Watching the sunset over the Massive Range along the Bow River. Found a small pool of water along the running water, providing the reflection I needed.

Until next moment,

Amar

Grizzly and the Massive Range

Sometime you're forced into a situation of having limited tools and trying to come up with something worth keeping. Few weeks back I had just my compact camera and I was looking at a grizzly bear. Not having more then three time zoom on the camera, I decided to show the sense of scale of this beautiful bear to its surroundings. Other then during mating season and the odd encounters with other bears, this grizzly lives in isolation, travelling throughout the mountains.

Until next moment,

Amar

Massive Range

Always a good way to end a hike is coming back with a picture to remember the hike. In this case the hike was the short Marsh Loop hike and the picture was of the Massive Range.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sawback to Massive Range

It was the day after a snowfall, the Bow valley had the winter wonderland look. Decided to walk middle of the valley through the shrubs covered with snow to take the picture showing Massive Range to the right, way back the Sundance Range and the Massive Range to the left. Was happy not tripping over the shrubs.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sunset Over Massive Range

The clouds had started building late afternoon, the chance of a bright sunset looked bleak. But from a distance I could see toward the west there was open sky behind the Massive Range, there was a chance the light could get under the clouds and provide a bright sunset. Now I needed a place where I could set myself and wait. Found it along the  Bow River, I set my equipment and waited. It slowly started, warm bright colours spreading front me. For about ten minutes I enjoyed watching a beautiful sunset.

Until next moment,

Amar

Massive Range

Snow is here with cool temperatures, winter has arrived. Its time to focus on staying warm and getting out to enjoy the winter and finding places to take photos. Winter provides very limited time for photography with shorter days, its even more important of get out on the weekend. The morning I took the attached image, I decided to stay close to home. The image was taken just west of town of Banff. In the winter the sun is lower in the sky compared to the summer, giving a longer period of time with decent light for photography. Clouds were waiting for sunrise,but a respectable light gave me calm picture of the Massive Range after the light got over the clouds.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sunrise by Marsh Loop Trail

Was standing on the Marsh Loop Trail, waiting for the morning sunlight to light up the clouds. Soon the clouds started to turn red. The wind was causing ripples on the water, so I decided to take photos standing in a small open field. The willow shrubs just about 10 meters front of me were still holding their fall colours, added to the image. Once I had taken enough images of the sunrise, I turned around and crossed the trail to take pictures of the Massive Range. Not as colourful but still interesting with the sun rising behind me.

Until next moment,

Amar

Morning Light

Saturday November 28 was the 124th birthday of Banff National Park, for which Cave and Basin NHSC is the birthplace. Been very lucky, getting to work at two national historic sites and shared their history with visitors from all over Canada and beyond. Then on my off time, or should I say a fraction of my off time enjoying the national parks. Now you don't see people in my pictures, good chance that will continue. Its not that I hate people, some my friends are people. Its just one of my favorite way to enjoy nature is one on one. Exploring the mountains for which creation process started some 800 millions years ago in the Pacific Ocean. 

For the attached picture, it was  a cool early morning, standing beside the Bow River. Waiting for the morning light to make contact with the Massive Range located to the right. As I waited a unidentified water fowl kept moving from me as a male mallard kept going in circles to the right of me. The clouds were starting to build up and light was not going to hit the range. I took my eyes off the mule deer in the distance crossing the river and started taking pictures as the clouds lit up. As all of this was going on, there had been noise coming from the forest behind me. After standing by the river for 45 minutes, I packed up and started to move out. Ahead of me I heard quick movement of an animal, never saw it, but it was a deer form the tracks I saw in the snow. This is my way of enjoying the national parks, being only able to give fraction of my time, but in return they give my enough until I'm back to connect again. Happy birthday Banff.

Until next moment,

Amar

Valley

I parked my car and hiked up few hundred meters, getting a beautiful view of the valley. As I looked around, few hawks flew by, following the counters of the mountain I was on. For thousands of years humans have been travelling through the valley. Today they do the same by old and modern means. Enjoyed the view of the valley with the fall colours.

Until next moment,

Amar

Full Moon

Here's my effort to take picture of a full moon setting over the Massive Range. Zooming in with my lens to create a grand moon. The picture was taken over a year ago, over time it looks more and more average. Posting it and I keep it to remind me of that beautiful morning and also to see how I can improve on it.

Until next moment,

Amar