Black and White

Most of the pictures I take, I want to keep them in all of the glorious colours they come in. Occasionally they are few I know I'll be turning them into black and white as soon as get on my computer. It's great to have options, but still the final image has to appealing. Still, I have to make sure I take the best picture possible. Then I can look at my options.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bighorn Sheep

I'm an eye guy, they always have more to say then what the rest of the body is saying. Rightfully so, being one of the more complex part of the body. Culturally, eyes have always played an important role. That important role is reflected in painting and of course in photography. It's important to  make sure the eyes are in focus when taking pictures of a person, same holds true of wildlife. While I was in Jasper National Park last week for work, spending few days with youth delegates  that were part of Unconference. Started by Robert (naturalist and painter) Bateman's "Get to Know" Program, working with various partners, including Parks Canada, to inspire youth to discover the natural world. We came across several Mountain Sheep while on our way to Medicine Lake. We quickly took advantage of the opportunity with our cameras.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

It was few weeks ago, before the start of the rut season for this bull. I was in my car and the elk was moving slowing in the forward direction as it ate. I did not want to get the whole elk in the picture, but wanted to make sure its head was and most important its eye was in focus. No matter what is your subject, having the eye or eyes in focus can make or break a picture. It was moving and the grass was in the way as I tried to focus on the eye. I had my camera set to focus a spot middle of the sensor, which eventually made it easy to focus on the eye and get my picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

With or Without Me

Often I'll come across people getting their picture taken with landscape in the background or wildlife. Now, not for a moment I have thought about putting myself into any of my pictures. But I do spend time thinking why for example this person in the above picture wanted a picture of herself witht he elk in the background. If it was just of the elk, would it have less value. If it was just of the elk, would the person forget they were there. Well each to their own, except not good standing with your back to a bull elk who is few meters away. 

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

The day was coming to an end, the sun was on its way down. The elk was all by itself, digged little with its antelers, closed its eyes and sat down for some rest

Until next moment,

Amar.

Full Moon and the Elk

Sunise was still on its way and the full moon was setting behind the Massive Range. I was trying to grab few quick pictures as I was watching the Elk near me. Within few minutes the moon was behind the range and it was time to see if I good get few images of the Elk. The bull was not too happy as it was bugling away. One female ran past him, and he chased her into the river. Soon other followed and the bull right behind. Wish I was on the other side of the river to catch a picture of it coming toward me, but that day it was going to be a picture from the side it went into the river from.

Until next moment,

 

Amar

Moose

I saw her in the wetland as I was driving home late in the day. Quickly found a place to park the car away from the road, then I started to think how I could get near her for a good picture. I wanted to get close enough to get the picture but not close enough to disturb her from eating. I approached her round about way, looking for a dry path. The mosquitoes were waiting for me, how could they resist the chocolate rich blood. Camera in hand, moving closer and closer, finding dry parts to step on. One slip and I would be in water and mud. I was close enough and she was still eating and having a look at me every now and then. I found a fallen dead tree to stand on, taking her pictures as the mosquitoes tried to go for my hands and face. For few seconds she stood still, looking straight at me with her ears turned toward me. I got my pictures and slowly made my way out, and she went about her business.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Within few the velvet was off the antlers, well except for small bits near the base. Now its time to keep eating, getting stronger and bigger. Getting ready for the coming rut season.

Until next moment,

Amar

Bear and the Buffaloberries

There were two cinnamon black bears eating buffaloberries along the road. There was the mother, which I was able to capture and just in the background, was the cub. This is the time of the years the bears in the mountains wait for the buffaloberry season. An adult bear can eat up to 200, 000 berries a day, that's about 30,000 calories. Here's hopping for a bumper crop season.

Until next moment,

Amar

Black Bear

Light rain had just stopped, leaving everything wet and saturated. The black bear slowly moved around though the vegetation, finding and eating what it was looking for. The fur on its face was slicked back, as it picked up moisture of the plants. I did not want a picture of the whole bear, was just trying to get an interesting picture of the face. It stopped for few seconds, looking straight ahead with food in its mouth. I kept getting the grass near it in focus, but just before it moved, got a sharper picture of its face. Some of my favourite pictures of people, are those where the person is in deep thought. I like to stare at them and wonder what they are thinking about, I have been wondering the same thing about the bear in this picture.

Until next moment,

Amar

Itch

Few days I came across a black bear that was eating away, gave me a quick look as it continued its feast. I watched and grabbed few images as it moved around a small area. All around it were flies and mosquitoes, some making their way toward me. The bear after few minutes moved slightly away from me, sat down on its behind and started to scratch a itch. The insects were just too much to handle without scratching itself. Kept this up for a minute before it went on to continue eating.

Until next moment,

Amar

New Kids On the Block

One Year Old Black Bear

Its always great to see young wildlife. Came across couple of one year old Black Bear, with their mom close by. Was able to get a good picture of one of the cub. Then coming across a juvinile Mountain Goat, and hour later a weeks only Elk calf, still with spots. Then on my way home took a picture of adult Northern Flicker feeding a chick.

Mountain Goat

Elk

Northern Flickers

Until next moment,

Amar

 

Big Horn Sheep

The last few days I was finding myself coming across Bighorn Sheep. Rams, ewes and juveniles. I did my part and took pictures with each chance presented to me. Each animals is special, each animal is unique, want to capture that when I'm taking their pictures. Its fun and challenging.

Until next moment,

Amar

Cinnamon Black Bear

The bear has a bit of a disgruntle look. I was driving home middle of the day, after being out and about exploring the mountains since sunrise. Looking ahead I saw along the road a bear, as I got closer, realized it was a Cinnamon Black Bear. As I was setting myself for a picture of the bear from my car, another vehicle was approaching behind me at a fast rate. I watched it accelerate past me and within couple of feets past the bear. I can understand not everyone wanting to stop to admire this beautiful animal, but putting the bear at risk was not appreciated, in particular by this bear.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Just had seconds to take picture of the Elk before the image I wanted to take would be gone. It was crossing the road and just liked the light it was under. Pulled the camera out and grabbed few images before it was in the bushes.

Until next moment,

Amar

More Bears

Male and Female Grizzly Bears

Still coming across bears, Black and Grizzly Bears. Just the other day saw 9 bears altogether, I'll never get tired of them. Gives me a chance to get better and better pictures. Always making sure the bears are safe and I'm safe, then going ahead and taking the pictures. As more snow melts, they will be moving away from the valley to find food higher up. Last week I git to watch black bear cubs at play, this time watching little bit of the grizzly mating ritual.

Large Male Grizzly

Female Grizzly

Cinnamon Black Bear

Black Bear

Until next moment,

Amar

Grizzly Bear

I was coming back from taking pictures at Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park, when I saw a Grizzly Bear . It was walking at a good pace, only stopping to eat any dandelions that would come its way. Light was fading fast, used my car's door to stabilized the camera and lens to take few pictures. Darkness was moving in, decided to leave this beautiful animal heading toward the destination it only knew.

Until next moment,

Amar

Black Bear Cubs

 It has been a while for the mid-week moment, so here it is. I watched the black bear cubs for a long time playing, going up and down the trees, while the mom ate nearby. They stayed close to the forest, in the shaded area. But, was still able to get half decent shots to share.

Until next moment,

Amar

White tail Deer

I'm always coming across the White tail Deer, as we with the Mule Deer. White tail I find are less likely to hang around when they see me, ofter the tail goes up and off they go. This one had its tail up and slowly made its way into the forest.

Until next moment,

Amar

Coyote

There were three of them walking trough tall grass, when the train going by could be heard. The whistle went off and like clockwork the coyotes started howling. The other two were farther away and could not be taken pictures of, but had better luck with the one lagging behind.

Until next moment,

Amar