You do all the planning to go for a hike, with the hopes of coming back with a few good pictures. Load up the camera equipment, a few extra layers, food and water, first aid kit and some odds and ends. You get an early start to the hike. But once you get there, as often happens, the weather has other plans. The hike was great but no pictures were worth saving. Then there are those days when the hike starts late due to weather. On your way to the trailhead you see the fog start to burn off as the light starts coming through the clouds. And then the right parts of the mountains light up to get the pictures you want to keep before you even start the hike. Once again, nature decides when to put on the show and you just have to be ready to click.
Mount Rundle
The Canadian Rockies, like many other places in Canada, are not having their normal winter. Well, it’s the case for much of the world. The "new norm”. I have not had too many opportunities to get out in the morning and see everything covered with snow this winter. So far, we've had above-average temperatures and below-average snowfall. The last time we got a decent snowfall was in the later part of December, when this picture was taken. Luckily, I had the day off following the snowfall, getting out and taking pictures wherever I could. I When we had normal winters, I never wanted them to end. Now, I try to get the most out of each snowfall. When everything looks like a postcard to my eyes.
Mount Temple
It was a cold morning, temperature below minus 30. As soon as I stepped out the face quickly confirmed it. With short winter days you have to take advantage of the days off, the plan was to go for a drive and do short hikes and then a longer hike closer to home. It was mainly overcast, light sneaking through here and there. I stopped at few places to have a look and take the odd picture. I passed the same vehicle few times, each time it was parked middle of the road, windows closed and the driver taking pictures of the beautiful winter wonderland. I almost wanted to stop and let them know they would be fine if they stepped out and took a picture from outside the car. But instead I nodded as I passed them, no one else was out. On my last stop I had a short walk though the snow to find the right amount of trees and height for the foreground to get the picture I wanted.
Mount Temple
The clouds were moving in, after several summer like days in may, it looked as if rain was on its way. I was in the Lake Louise area and saw the dramatic looking sky above Mount Temple. I knew the pictures I had in mind, went to the location where I would get the picture I wanted.
Mount Temple
It has been few years since I was hiking in Paradise Valley. Just before the sunrise I started the hike, middle of September is a great time to do the hike, the beautiful views have a added bonus, fall colours from the larch trees. In few hours I was toward the back of the valley, I had my camera ready when the sun started to come over Mount Temple. I quickly got the pictures and then started to explore again.
Mount Temple
Early part of the summer I was visiting Lake Louise, when hot summer weather had not arrived. It was later in the day, the sun was still hour away from setting and I was liking the way light and shadows were working the valley. I'm not sure why, perhaps because I been on top of it few times and or have hiked below it and around it several times, every time I see Mount Temple, I want to take a picture of it. In this case I decided to turn the image into black and white, giving the mountain even more impact.
Mount Temple
Have been on top of Mount Temple couple of times, great view no matter what direction you're looking toward from the top. But the mountain itself looks great while looking from the valley. It was hard to pass this picture as I was making my way toward Yoho NP.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Temple
It's all about the small details, the mountains were covered by snow and the low morning light was providing a nice contrast. The moon was in the right position, but the clouds that were moving in had it covered. I grabbed the picture but wanted to wait until the moon was in the open. Just had to wait few minutes in this case, and it made all the difference.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Temple
Most often I like to see clouds in the sky when taking landscape pictures. Here Mount Temple was all lit up and it looked as if the clouds were smoke coming off the mountain. The clouds add to the image and provide a balance to the image.
Until next moment,
Amar
Mount Temple
Few weeks back I was taking pictures of Mount Temple as it was being lit by morning light. Once I got the picture of the whole mountains, I then started to take pictures of parts of the mountain. The mountain has so much character, was trying to find the best light and shadow and rock and snow combination.
Until next moment,
Amar
Elk
Winter is here , but with few extra layers of clothing life is normal for photography, well almost. Perhaps the biggest difference for me in winter, in particular on a cold morning, is too keep moving and maintain body heat. I'll limit the composition for any location. In the summer I'll keep taking pictures of a sunrise, until the light changes. Always changing the composition by moving left, right, forward and backward. But in winter on a cold morning, I want to make sure I don't get too cold, for me it's my digits I worry about. I like to explore the area after I have taken the pictures, you never know what you'll find. Just before my hands start getting cold, the equipment is put away and its time to start moving.
Until next moment,
Amar
Winter is Coming
Does not feel like it sometime, but we do get all season in the mountains, and its fun taking pictures in all of them. I get so involved with each season, running around trying to take all the pictures I had planned before the next season arrives. But, I have yet to accomplish all the goals I set for myself at the start of a season. It’s a good thing I planned to eat lot chocolate to give me the energy I need to take all the pictures I want. The crazy thing is my list keeps getting bigger and bigger, as I keep coming up with new ideas for the places I have visited and want to visit, nature never seems to runs out of beauty.
Until next moment,
Amar
From the Bow River
It was another great day in the park, we're very lucky to get 365 of those a year. I was in the Lake Louise area, enjoying a cool sunny day. Walking around in knee deep snow, great way to exercise, thinking about opening up classes and perhaps calling the program "Deep Snow Workout".
I got onto Bow Valley Parkway, to make my way home, taking short glances at Mount Temple. Big blue sky, with just a touch of clouds, the mountains and the trees covered by snow, classic winter day in the Rockies. Stopped my car on the provided spaces along the parkway, crossed the road and then crossed the railway tracks.
Walked right on to the frozen and snow covered Bow River. Beautiful little spot, was able to take number of pictures with various compositions. Attached is one of those pictures I was able to take at the site.
Until next moment,
Amar
Rock and Ice
When ever I see Mount Temple, It reminds me when we scrambled up it in 2003. The fires had stopped and we were hiking and scrambling again. At that time to go up Mount Temple, need to have a group of 6 or more because of grizzly bear in the Larch Valley. When we reached the top there were some 35 hikers already there. As always the view was amazing 360 degrees.
Until next moment,
Amar