We get some crazy sunrises during the winter. They are even better when everything is covered with snow. So far, this year's winter wonderland days have been few and far between. For me, a crazy sunrise and sunset occur when it's so bright, it becomes a challenge to get the bright colours with some details in the clouds in an image. You often see this when a picture is taken of a sunrise or a sunset. Instead of the bright red colours, you get yellow and the image is lacking in details where it's the brightest. That is why it’s always easier when the mountains and the trees are covered with snow. Then the lights bounce off the snow, creating less of a brightness difference between the sky and the ground. This was a long sunrise in mid-December. The clouds went from dark red to bright red and then to bright yellow. The clouds were lit up for about 20 minutes before the light hit the north side of Mount Rundle. By then, I had stopped taking pictures and just watched the light show in front of me.
Mount Rundle
Landscape photography, I find, is the most relaxing part of nature photography. I would go as far as saying it’s rather peaceful. It helps when I tend to look for spots with no one else around. That way, I can enjoy the sounds of nature while watching the scenery change and waiting for the sky or peaks to light up. Waiting and picking out the sounds of birds I can hear as my mind identifies them. That morning, thanks to all the spruce cones on the trees, crossbills were filling the air with their calls.
When I got to the parking lot for this image, no one else was in the area. I still went to a location where no one would follow. There were still twenty minutes to go before I thought the colours would pop on the clouds. There was one possible problem on that very windy morning. The ice I was standing on was not going anywhere, but the clouds were moving fast, heading east. The set of clouds that were there when I arrived, would be gone when the sunlight would hit them. But would the next set of clouds move into place? In the end, I missed out on the reds, but I did get the warm yellow colours to end the peaceful outing.
Mount Rundle
For several days over the winter, we were getting great sunrises and sunsets. In the morning, as the colleagues would be arriving to work they would talk about the sunrise they saw on their way. Still, the best moment was one evening, when I noticed the clouds and let the team know we might be in for a treat after work. Instead of heading home, everyone found a high spot with a view and, for 15 to 20 minutes, watched the sky as nature puts on a show. Instead of me showing them pictures on my phone the next day, they got to watch it with their own eyes. It was hard deciding which way to look, let alone for me to decide what direction the camera was facing that evening.
During the morning of this picture, it was my day off, but I was not far from work, ready to enjoy another sunrise. Much of the sky was void of clouds, but I found a location where I was going to get my picture before going for a hike. I was hoping others were enjoying the sunrise as well, otherwise they would see the picture at a later time.
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights have never been more popular than they are today, a big thanks to the internet and digital cameras. Fast moving electrically charged particles coming from the Sun, collide with oxygen and nitrogen gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. As they come down into the atmosphere, the particles pass on their energy to the oxygen and nitrogen molecules, getting them all excited. When the molecules return to their normal state, they release photons, a small amount of energy in the form of light. When billions of these collisions occur, there is enough light for our eyes to detect. This glow can light up the sky in various colours. Since it’s dimmer than sunlight, it’s only visible during the night. The different colours of the aurora depend on which gas is being excited and how much energy is being released. Many of us were witnesses to this amazing natural light show, in October and November.
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.
Moon over Mount Rundle
First light hitting the north side of Mount Rundle as the moon makes its way of the peak.
Mount Rundle
Originally I started taking pictures like most people, to remind me of the hike I had done and what I saw. Not much effort was made, the goal was to get a few quick pictures of the place and of friends I was hiking with. When it became a hobby, it was to motivate me to get out more. That was a big success, it's now harder to be inside, no matter the season. As I worked toward getting better and better pictures, I realized it was more likely to happen when I was out there on my own. No talking, just letting the mind wander until I saw a picture in front of me to take. From that I quickly figured out it was a great way to mentally relax. Nature photography not only provides me physical good health but also for mental health. I can even feel the difference when it's just for a few minutes. For example, watching a kinglet move from branch to branch in search of food. The world becomes small, it’s just about the bird, how it moves to find food.
So when life seems to be out of control, I head toward nature for balance. The more I do the better I feel. I have yet to overdose on this natural drug, I have come close with chocolate though. I tend to smile and laugh a lot, this makes for an easier life. Benefit of a healthy mind. This is the reason why I fully control where I take pictures, how I take pictures and why I take pictures. For me now, nature photography is a passion and I think we should all have a passion to keep us on a strong foundation.
When I took this image, it was a very cold windy morning. Holding onto the tripod with the camera on it, wandering on the frozen lake until I came across an image. I took the picture and repeated the process a few more times. The hands got a bit cold after I was done, but the rest of me felt great.
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 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.
Mount Rundle
Getting the picture before the storm clouds took away the light and brought in the rain. Mount Rundle and the fall colours.
Mount Rundle
This is why I like walking to work.
Mount Rundle
Many who see me regularly, will see a pack on my back, does not matter if I'm working or on my days off. Does not matter if it's a cold day middle of the winter or the warm day in the summer, there's a pack on my back. Does not matter if it's raining or minus 30, snowing and wind howling, there's a pack on my back. It does not snow contain my lunch or full of chocolates. It's easier to get around without a pack, it's an easier hike with less weight on my back. But not wanting to miss an opportunity when a moment comes and I need the camera. Few weeks back giving myself lot of time to get to work, with the camera in the pack, I was able to stop and enjoy the sunrise and take pictures.
Mount Rundle
We have been having some wonderful sunrises, I have been watching them along the Bow River and in this case from the Vermilion Lakes. Mount Rundle, one of the most photographed mountains in Banff National Park, centre of this photo. With the mild temperatures, the water is still wide open at the lakes, helping out with the reflection.
Mount Rundle
People were gathering at the Vermilion Lakes to take pictures as the sun was making its way down. All trying to find the location that would work for them, for many it was their first time in the park and were looking for memories to take back home with them. I have been there hundreds of times, always enjoy being out there. With more and more out there taking pictures, I just find my location and take in the sights and get the pictures.
Mount Rundle
I took this picture this evening, it was a beautiful end to the day. Hard to tell from this picture, but a Bald Eagle is perched on a tree, elk are grazing and near me two Canada Geese are hanging out in the water. I watched all this as the Sun set.
Mount Rundle
Nature photography is lot about timing, always looking for the right combination of light and shadow. I was around the Vermilion Lakes, still a couple of hours before the Sun would be setting, when the golden light would be hitting the peaks. But I noticed the clouds were moving in from the west, they would soon block direct light to the peaks. I looked at the scenery before me, thanks to the broken up clouds, the combination of light and shadow was appealing and as an added bonus, the water was still. I took the picture and converted into a black and white for the added drama effect
Mount Rundle
With longer nights during winter, it does not mean I'll be sleeping that much longer each night. When the conditions are good I like to take advantage of it by going outside to take night pictures. It was a cold night, but it was clear and the wind was calm. I stayed out until it was too cold, come back with few good pictures.
Mount Rundle
Few nights back the temperature was minus 30 degree celsius and the forecast was for the winds to pick up and take the temperature to minus 41. Perfect time for night photography. I put on as many layers as I could and then headed out. The plan was to take 16 thirty seconds consecutive exposures, then return home and combine them all together with the magic of software to create star trails. With first quarter of the moon out, not all the stars were going to be visible, which was what I wanted. What was a nice surprise were the low clouds, they add to the mood. After setting up the equipment and taking few test shots. I let the camera handle the rest while I did my best to stay warm by dancing in the dark. I should have called it a night after the last image, but I decided to play around more with few different locations and shots before heading home as the winds started to pick up.
Mount Rundle
I did not think there was going to be a bright sunset. For most of the day the sky was clear, in the last couple of hours all that changed. I was outside all day, so instead of heading home, I decided to wait to see if the clouds would light up. I was getting cold, but it was worth the wait.
Mount Rundle
Sunrises are about scattering light. During sunrises and sunsets, sun is low on the horizon, sunlight has to travel through more of the atmosphere. Colours like blues and violets with shorter wavelength get scattered out by small particles, droplets and molecules in the atmosphere. But letting in longer wavelength colours like yellow, orange and red. The clouds catch the longer wavelength colours and reflect them to the ground.
