Mistaya Lake

As 125 years of having national parks in Canada pass, I thinks about what it is I like about them. I don't have favorite route, hike or a scramble. I don't have favorite lake, mountain or a meadow. I don't have favorite shrub, tree or a flower. I don't have a favorite amphibian, insect or a snail. I don't have a favorite fish, mammal or a bird. I realize its only when you put all these and many other parts together, you have a national park. So what do I like about the national parks? When I'm out there, middle of one. I feel as I'm part of something special, and that's worth protecting.

Until next moment,

Amar

Peyto Lake

Snow is taking its time staying around the bottom of the valley and below normal levels on top of mountains.  I decided to head over to the Bow Summit for short hikes around Peyto Lake. With higher elevation near the Bow Summit, found snow from the valley up. It looked beautiful seeing snow covered trees, looking forward to winter and photo opportunities. I was able to grab this image before leaving the viewpoint.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle from Two Jack Lake

It was the morning before few hundreds would be jumping into the cold waters of Two Jack Lake, to participate in the first Banff National Park triathlon. I was there to take photos of the sunrise, with calm water and clouded sky, my personal preference. Clouds were moving through as the light highlighted different part of Mount Rundle. While I was taking pictures, a Raven and a gull kept flying front of me, giving me a challenge. Then a Bald Eagle came into the scene, made its way to the other side of the lake to perch on a tree. It picked a weak branch, made a circle over the lake and landed on a different tree. But too close to a Common Loon resting nearby on the lake, not happy, it started calling out. All this and a great sunrise, made for a very good morning.

Until next moment,

Amar

My Wait at Herbert Lake

Waiting is a big part of nature photography. From experience, photographer can have some level or accuracy forecasting what may take place, but nature will always have the final say. My hope was to go north of Herbert Lake to take pictures of sunrise and then go for a hike. But the very dark clouds moving in from the west made me pull over into the parking lot by Herbert Lake. The time when sunrise was to take effect came and passed without making a change in the sky, I decided to stand  against a tree, waiting and watching the two adult Common Loons feeding the juvenile in the lake. 

 Then it all started to come together, light coming through creating a wonderful reflection on the still water of the lake and dark clouds creating a dramatic effect. Once I was finish with the landscape, I got a chance to take pictures of the juvenile loon that paid a visit near where I was standing earlier. To end my time at the lake, as I was taking pictures of the loons heavy rain drops start to fall on the still water, creating what sounded like musical notes with each drop.

Until next moment,

Amar

Johnson Lake

It was a very windy end to the day. Was hoping it would to calm down before the light made it over the mountains. But it was not meant to be, nature had other plains. Found an area in the corner of Johnson Lake, where the water was calm and lowered my camera to get more of the calm water in the frame. The sky really made this picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Johnson Lake

It was a quite evening at Johnson Lake. Three vehicles in the parking lot before I arrived. A couple had their stove on as they prepared dinner. Another taking pictures as they watched the late light fade. Three friends just finishing their walk around the lake. I standing by lake, ready to take pictures as short distance away muskrat swan across the small lake. Last of the light was giving some of the clouds colour, as mist hoverd above the water. Conditions providing me the last image for the day.

Until next moment,

Amar

Two Jack Lake

Well, we woke to our first major snowfall in the Bow Valley this morning,and its only mid September. Many of the leave holding trees and shrubs felt the wait of the wet snow, fallen branches of all sizes can be seen around the valley and in some case the whole trees. In the evening I headed for Two Jack Lake to take pictures of the Failholme Range reflecting on the lake. I was happy to find shrubs by the lake, still holding their leaves. Produceing a nice contrast with the snow, as well as grounding the picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Chephren Lake Hike

Few weeks back friend and I were trying to reach Chephren Lake as the early light was coming up. It got brighter as we got closer and top of Howse Peak and Mount Chephren looked beautiful with their tops bathing in the light. Wind was calm and was hoping to get the reflection off the Chephren Lake, but when we reached the lake everything was ready except the light was being blocked by clouds.  We took in the lake and its surrounding as we waited for the light to come through. After a short wait it all came together and we were able to take the pictures with calm lake, giving us a great reflection of the nearby range.

On the way to the lake we kept our eyes looking ahead to where we were heading, but on the way back with the area lit up as the sun was much higher. The eyes were looking down to the ground, which was filled with mushrooms. That day I saw more mushrooms and more variety then all my hikes put together, thanks to regular dose of rain this summer. We probably took twice as long hiking out as we stopped and explored all the different species that came in our path. Also along the way got to see a Spruce Grouse. Once again you can plan where you hike, but nature decides what you will experience.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moraine Lake

My Canada Day started this last Wednesday, when I visited Moraine Lake to capture the sunrise. It was windy and did not look like the light was going to come through the heavy clouds. When I saw a spot of light on one of the peaks around the lake, I got out of my car and started to head where I wanted to capture the image. I'm trying to stay away from where most of the pictures taken of this lake area. I got the images I wanted as the light started to come through as a Wilson Warbler kept me company. The water level was still below normal for the lake, gave me a chance to walk on area that's normally under water.  Spent the morning exploring, saw a marmot and a pika on land and Spotted Sandpiper who was enjoying the lake as well. Was entertained by two Harlequin Ducks for an hour, taking their pictures as they dived for food. The time at the lake ended taking pictures of Barn Swallows. Morning well spent, happy birthday Canada.

Until next moment,

Amar

Boom Lake

It was a blue bird day, decided to hike to Boom Lake. The snow on the trail was packed well from previous users, providing great traction. When reaching about a kilometer into the hike, I passed a high school group having a break. They were all on skis, the trail was excellent for it. I nodded as I passed them and after another 4 kilometers I was at the lake.

 It was bright, the Sun was sending rays of vitamin D in all direction. I quickly got my gear out and started to click away with my camera. I wanted to get my pictures before the school group reached the lake. After five minutes I followed snowshoes tracks, on top of the lake to get pictures from different viewpoints. The group had still not arrived, Clark Nutcrackers were keeping me company with their calls.

 After about 40 minutes I decided to head out, no sign of the school group. From the ski tracks on the trail I found out the group had turned back after going for another kilometer or so. Its too bad, they missed a beautiful day at Boom Lake.

Until next moment,

Amar

Peyto Lake

Winter was making its way into the park. As I was looking for the place to take pictures, I was thinking about a winter in the past when the snow really did not start falling until around New Year day. Walking on the shores of Peyto Lake, all covered by ice. Sounds were coming through the opening near the shores, thinking the sound that was being made was caused by some animal in the woods. But soon becoming wise enough to understand it was from air escaping from under the ice as water moved around. The year I took this picture, snow arrived in time.

Until next moment,

Amar