It was just few days ago when it was and as well felt like winter, how things have changed so fast. It was during one of those winter days I came across this red squirrel perched on a branch and eating the seeds from a spruce cone.
Until next moment,
Amar
Picture taken few hours before warmer weather arrived to push away wintery march. The trees were still holding the snow before spring like weather took over and start changing the look of the valley.
Until next moment,
Amar
The Three-toed Woodpecker is the most often spotted woodpecker here in Banff National Park, found year around. Boreal forests and montane coniferous forests is their preferred habitat. Diet preference are insects, dominated by wood-boring beetle larvae, also happy to eat fruits and feed on tree sap. So the nest time you are in their habitat and hear a soft chipping sound, stop, locate the direction of the sound and step over to watch the woodpecker scale off flakes of bark to get at insects.
Until next moment,
Amar
There was a small spot where the water was open and calm, reflecting the top of Mount Rundle. Grabbed the picture and decided to turn the image into back and white, providing more drama in the sky.
Until next moment,
Amar
I have been enjoying the winter and the way things are looking it's not going away too soon. Cooler weather with snow arrived in March, it's back to winter wonderland in Banff National Park.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was a cold morning when I came across four male elk, the other two are just outside the frame. It had been a very cold night, so as soon as the sunshine hit the valley, they moved into it. Every bit helps.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was late afternoon when I took this picture of Mount Rundle from the vermilion lakes. It was the different blues that attracted me to take the picture and the foreground ice on top of the wood helped make it a better picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
For moose winter is about suffering and overcoming that suffering. Moose can handle cold, their large body is made just for that. It's about the food or more accurately the lack of nutritious food. Twigs are the main part of their winter diet, nowhere close to providing the nutrients they get from eating leaves during the summer. Now add the challenge of moving through the deep snow to get at the twigs. So it's no wonder that moose lose weight each day during the winter. But at the end of this winter as end of all winters, most will live to see spring.
Until next moments,
Amar
When you live in the town of Banff and can't get away, beautiful sunrises are not far away. I was in between things and decided to take a break and watch the sunset from the town. I was standing on the frozen Bow River trying to come up with a interesting composition, front of me the sky was on fire. So I decided to capture as much of the view as possible. Took several pictures from left to right and then created this panorama of a beautiful sunrise.
Until next moment,
Amar
I came across this coyote in the morning, just before I was seeing various tracks including of a coyote. Shortly after I came across this male who came out of the woods just ahead of me and kept moving front of me. I just happen to be going in the same direction, I kept my distance until he stopped. I stopped as well and watched him as he listened for a possible prey underneath the snow just front of him. In the end no food. he then started to move again, soon he was out of sight.
Until next moment,
Amar
With nature you take what you get. I was expecting with the sun setting behind me to light up the top of Cascade Mountain. But nature had other plans, the low clouds behind me came into play. Blocking the light from hitting the peak but soon after the clouds above Cascade lit up. In the end I got my picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
This masked feathered friend goes by the name of Northern Shrike. Comes down to southern Canada and northern United Sates during the winter. It's a predator, feeding on birds, mammals and insects and also considered a songbird. Shrikes use their pecking skills to kill their prey and if the prey is too large to hold in their talons, they will impale them for easy eating or for snack at a later time.
Until next moment,
Amar
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
If you happen to surprise a American marten, one of three things can happen. It may just stay there and watch you, run away or it may climb a tree. They are very good climbers and it's a great way to get away from the predators. In this case the marten went up a pine tree. I stayed put as it effortlessly climbed and looked toward me. Once it was certain that I was not coming any closer, it slowly came down and again kept looking toward me. One reaching the ground it then ran away.
Until next moment,
Amar
I must have see several hundred sunrises in Banff National Park, and still I get excited. This picture was taken few morning ago before the last snow storm came into the park and has since left with more snow on the ground.
Until next moment,
Amar
We are well into 2017, its time to look back at 2016, through pictures. Taking place on Saturday, February the 11th, from 7 to 9 PM at the Cave and Basin NHS, the birthplace of our national parks, in Banff. Come join me as I share some of my favourite pictures from 2016 and the stories that go with them, for $3.90 per person.
Until next moment,
Amar
There were three male elk I came across, while two of them stayed to the side and kept eating. This one stopped to look toward me and seems to be showing me his teeth. Perhaps he was smiling for the camera.
Until next moment,
Amar
The calf was keeping a close eye on its mother, from the time the calf is born and can walk, a strong bond is formed between the calf and its mother. The mother showing what to eat, where to eat and providing safety. The mother will do just about anything to protect its calf. When the mother is getting ready to give birth again, all will change, she will then push her calf away.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was a cold day and even a colder morning and evening. I was out in the morning to explore the area where the picture was taken. At that time everything was right but Castle Mtn was covered with clouds. I moved on, thinking perhaps another time when it would all come together. By mid afternoon I was still exploring when I looked toward Castle, The clouds were above the mountain now and the light was great but it was going to take an hour to get back to my morning spot. It was starting to get cold again and there was always a chance the scene could change by the time I got back. I took the chance and I was not disappointed.
Until next moment,
Amar
It was one of those day when any direction I looked, there was a beautiful view. Even with the cold temperatures, the scenery brought a bit of warmth. I did not stand around a lot that day, but every now and then stopped to take pictures, including this one of the Sawback Range.
Until next moment,
Amar
