Castle Mtn

It was toward end the day, time to head over to take pictures of Castle Mtn. About a half hour or so was left before the light would be no longer be on Castle. Got to the river and started looking for the spot where the water was open and still. Found it, it was small, so I lowered my camera on the tripod and started getting ready. When the light was right. I started taking pictures.

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Castle Mtn

It was the morning after a good amount of snow had fallen onto Banff National Park. I had the day off and I was out taking pictures of beautiful winter scenery. I have taken many pictures of Castle Mtn from the road, I never get tired of it. For a while it was just me on the road, the few times I stopped along the way to take pictures of the morning light.

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Castle Mtn

Castle Mountain is one of the more viewed mountain in Banff National Park. Millions of eyes gaze at it each year, while travelling on Trans-Canada Highway, Bow Valley Parkway and from few while travelling on the waters of the Bow River. Most of the pictures I have taken of it are from the east of the mountain, it has more character from that direction. Over the years I have taken pictures of it from several locations, but most of them along the Bow River. I still have other location in mind, just waiting for all the parts that make a good photo to come together. For this image I was back along the Bow River, finding a location where there was open water during a period of cold temperatures.

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Castle Mtn

It looks as if the winter has arrived this week, with snow and cooler temperatures. But just few days ago the valley was without snow. I was off the beaten path taking landscapes pictures. Last year a beaver family moved into the area, water was raised, resulting in this pine and other trees dying. I had to move around the water, trying to find a spot that was dry and at the same time get a reflection of Castle Mtn.

Castle Mtn

Fall Colours

The last few weeks I have been going around taking pictures of fall colours, front and in the back country. I have been going on hikes to get the pictures, for these two pictures I just had to make a stop along the road. In both cases I knew where I wanted to take the pictures, I was just waiting for the right moment.

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Cable Mtn

I was back along the Bow River during the evening, this time to take pictures of Castle Mtn. The sun is starting to move toward the south, helping to create better images of the mountain. Each day the light will only get better, giving me even more reasons to be out there.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

Castle Mtn

I had just arrived and I was setting my equipment to take pictures. Just then a man comes out in the open and says, "You are too late?". Thinking he must be talking about the light on Castle Mtn, so I point toward it and said, "too late?" He replied "yes, it was much brighter earlier". I then replied back, "it's never too late to take pictures". As I was saying that I turned around and focused on what I need to do. Once my gear was set I started taking pictures, moving left and right to get the right angle and the reflection I wanted in the water front of me. I had quickly forgotten about the man, I tend to listen to my inner voice when it comes to taking pictures. We all need at least one thing in life where no one is telling us what to do, for me its photography. 

 


Until next moment, 

Amar

Castle Mtn

Castle Mtn

I was returning from the North part of Banff National Park, looking at the sky and seeing clouds, I realized I should not be ending my day until I got sunset pictures. I had few options for locations, in the end I decided it was going to be Castle Mtn. Got to the Bow River and started to look for still water to get the reflection. Only thing I could locate was this small spot, got my camera low to the ground and started to shoot.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

Castle Mountain

It was a great evening to take landscape pictures, any direction I looked there was a picture waiting to be taken. As the sun got lower and lower the light got better and better. I kept moving and taking pictures until the light was gone, one of the picture I took that evening was of Castle Mountain.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

Castle Mountain

If you are anywhere near Castle Mtn when the sun is setting, you can't help but enjoy the view from the Bow River, and if you have a camera in hand, well you have to take a picture. There was another photographer taking in the the view and grabing few pictures. I said "hello" and went about getting few memories as well.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mountain

Castle Mountain is one of the more popular mountain in Banff National Park. Often spotted going through the valley on the main highway or Bow Valley Parkway. The ice formed a week back as a result of the cold temperatures. The mountain and the Bow River in the foreground always make for a good picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

I was standing along the Bow River taking pictures of birds, took a look toward Castle Mtn and liked the way light was hitting part of the mountain. Turned the camera toward the mountain and grabbed a quick picture, afterward continued taking pictures of birds.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

One of those afternoon, exploring a spot away from the road, following a small stream. Getting a bit of a exercise while looking for places to take pictures from. The stream opened up and the water slowed down, all covered with snow. Just few spots here and there where the water was visible. As I walked, I looked back and saw a nice image of Castle Mtn. Great clouds covered the sky, making the image that much better.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

 

In a world where so often one feels being pulled in so many different directions, its good to able to step away and be in control. Everyone should have at least one thing where they feel and are in control, even for a short while. A world where people are very happy to tell you what to do on your free time, you need to push back and you decide what to do with your free time. In a life where there seems to be more questions then answers, more problems then solutions, you need to find time to dance, travel, read, hike and/or what ever else that will help you recharge and keep the smile on your face. For me its connecting with nature, and being lucky enough to share that connection with others through photography.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

Start of a new year had me go over the images I captured the previous years. Even though I have been taking pictures for some 15 plus years, it was when I decided to continue taking pictures through the winter in 2008, it went from a hobby to a passion. Everyday, no matter the season, there is always something new to see, always something new to explore.  The last few weeks I've been getting out there taking pictures of Castle Mountain as sun sets. Exploring the Bow River during day the annual winter jam was starting to break up, a first for me. Another day checking out the nearby streams for future photo opportunities, and ended up finding Dippers passing their winter days in the mountains. Photography in the winter is not only about taking pictures of the same places I visit in the summer, its also about learning the whole story the mountains have to tell us.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mountain

It was around minus 19 in the morning, having our first cold spell, planned to hike to Copper and then Smith Lake. For whatever reason, I was not feeling the cold, maybe it was the warm bowl of oatmeal I had that morning. Had a nice easy walk to Copper Lake, a waterfowl spotted me and started to move to the other side of the lake through the mist. I walked around to the other side, along the way greeted by two Varied Thrushes and a Red Squirrel. There were low clouds in the valley, was not sure if I was going to see Castle Mtn. But you have to get out and be there and be ready for what might happen.  After waiting next to the outer part of the lake, which was frozen, clouds opened up and I snapped away for about 15 minutes. After saying my farewell to the birds and the squirrel, I was off to Smith Lake for more fun.

Until next moment,

Amar

Castle Mtn

Sky was clear and the sun was setting. Headed toward a small lake, near the main highway going through the valley. As I neared the lake, saw water was still, I decided to make my way to the other side of the lake to take picture of Castle Mtn. I quickly set my equipment as the sunlight casted a warm glow on to Castle, as it was reflected in the water.

Until next moment,

Amar