During the last few hikes I have been enjoying the fall colours of the larch trees, one of the few coniferous trees that change colour and lose their needles in the fall. To save nutrients for later, the plant turn colour in the fall as the days get shorter and the temperatures started cooling. The part in the needles that photosynthesize or another way to put it, create sugars from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. Starts to break up and the chemicals get stored in the tree. At this time the needles become beautiful golden yellow. This fall with the added bonus of few early snowfalls in the mountains, the larch trees were sparking under the sun.
Fall Colours
I have been busy taking picture of the fall colours, here are the colours produced by a trembling aspen leaves. I can never get enough of the colours, where ever I go I'm looking out for them. In this case I was hiking to a lake and when I spotted this small aspen tree with beautiful colours on the leaves. Took my camera to take few pictures and then I was on my way.
Until next moment,
Amar
Aspen Leaves
Since last week I have been trying to take pictures of fall colours whenever I'm outside. There are three ways for me to do that. One, take pictures of subject surrounded by fall colours. Two, take a landscape picture with fall colours included and third, isolate few leaves showing their fall colours.
Until next moment,
Amar
Wood Lily
It was a rainy afternoon when I spotted a rare yellow wood lily among the common red ones. I waited in the car for the rain level to decrease, before getting out and taking few pictures. The rain did not slow down, so I decided to quickly pop out and take few pictures. Two days later I was back there on a hot sunny day, but the yellow wood lily was gone. Sadly if the past is an indicator, more then likely it removed by someone who wanted it for their garden. But hope was not lost, walking through hundreds of the common red wood lilies, I found a another yellow.
Until next moment,
Amar
Wood Lily and A Canadian tiger swallowtail
Was taking pictures of wood lilies when this Canadian tiger swallowtail flew in and landed on this flower. Making the image that much better.
Until next moment,
Amar
Spruce Tree
It was few hours after a snow storm had passed on. I was looking to see if I could spot a tree isolated from others and covered with snow. I found it and then it was matter of composing the image.
Until next moment,
Amar
Red Paintbrush
The paintbrushes are starting to show their colours in the mountains. Finding them in the valley and as warm weather contuines, they will be found higher up in the meadows. This one was spotted while visiting north part of Banff NP.
Until next moment,
Amar
Pussy Willow
I was taking pictures of birds or trying to, when I came across these beautiful willow flowers. Took their pictures and went back at tracking birds.
Until next moment,
Amar
Cattails
The other morning I came across cattails, and just liked the way the sunlight was having a effect on them as they swayed with the wind. With the sunlight coming in from the opposite direction, I moved from side to side until I got the composition I liked. Got few keepers.
Until next moment,
Amar
Buffaloberries
Small shrubs with bitter tasting berries. A favorite of bears, helps them to maintain fat stores during hibernation. A adult bear can eat upto 200,000 berries a day, this season there is plenty to go around for all the bears.
Until next moment,
Amar
Fireweed
A avalanche prone area of Vermilion Peak was showing lot of colour in the form of fireweeds, surrounded by trees that were part of a 2003 wildfire. I was across the valley taking pictures of the area from far, as the sun was making its way down. Looking through the camera, composing what I though would make for an interesting picture.
Until next moment,
Amar
Red Paintbrush
Colours are everywhere and paintbrush seems to be everywhere as well. Was on a side of mountain with a blanket of colours, took my time capturing as much as possible with the camera. All that rain earlier and all the sunshine now is paying off. Looking forward to my next outing.
Until next moment,
Amar
Brown-eyed Susans
Flowers, flowers and more flowers, everywhere I go. Taking advantage of our short flower season, can't help taking pictures of them when I come aross them. They add smiles to the landscape.
Until next moment,
Amar
Elephant's Head Lousewort
Always fun to take pictures of flowers, a chance to play with colours. I was walking along Bow Lake when I came across Elephant's Head Lousewort flower. It stood out as it was, but I thought I could make it pop by separating it from the back ground. Camera in hand, I walked back and forth until I got what I wanted.
Until next moment,
Amar
Glacier Lilies
The glacier lilies were out in abundance, these perennial wildflowers are small but beautiful to look at and fun to take pictures of. Located them near a subalpine mountain meadows, I just needed to decide which one to take pictures of. I was looking for one or two that stood out from their surroundings. Once I located a pair, got low to the ground, on all four and took the pictures. Happy with the pictures I stood up, not knowing I had startled nearby hikers. They thought I was a bear, who was eating one of its favorite food, the glacier lilies. Once recognizing me, they laughed and kept walking.
Until next moment,
Amar
Wood Lily
The wood lilies are out, a beautiful red flower. Had to pay a price getting the pictures, in a form of mosquitoes. Have to spray myself before I get more pictures, I have seen more lilies then normal. Perhaps all the rain we have received is playing a role.
Until next moment,
Amar
Calypso Orchid
I have been seeing this beautiful flower, calypso orchid, along the hiking trails in montane forests. Sometimes one or two, in other cases 40 to 50 in a bunch. To have this small, 10 to 14 cm in height orchid stand out in a picture, you have to get on the ground and get the lens close to the flower to fill the frame. Bringing out the pinkish-purple colour.
Until next moment,
Amar
Juniper
It was overcast day and I thought it would be fun to take pictures of juniper branch with berries. I wanted close-up and wanted only parts of the branch in focus. Got on my knees and started to move around the branch while varying the background until I was happy with what I was seeing on the LCD of the camera.
Until next moment,
Amar
Pussy Wilow
Another sign of spring is sighting of pussy willow on the willow shrubs. Just sighting them is not enough, wanted to photograph them. I wanted to make sure the background colour helped the subject stand out. I moved around until there were ever green trees in the background, having just the right space to give me an olive green colour, then I took the pictures.
Until next moment,
Amar