Spring Awakening
1/40 sec, f/11, ISO 64
Being initially hesitant coming out to the mountains in late spring, I can now say it's one of my favourite times to visit the Canadian Rockies, second perhaps only to the fall season. Much of this region's charm for me lies in the picturesque glacial lakes, which can stay iced over all the way into the early summer months. Winters are long in the Rockies. In fact, Canmore had their last snowfall of the season just days before we arrived here in early May!
With snow lingering on the higher altitude mountain trails and only partially thawed lakes, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly things changed over the following week. Though the mornings were still chilly, often near zero degrees, the afternoons brought real warmth, even heat on the sunnier days. The lakes further north in Banff National Park were still thawing, but we watched the last ice disappear at Two Jack Lake by the middle of May.
I took the first photograph about an hour before sunset. The lake was now fully clear of ice, revealing crystal clear water by the shore where I was standing. The abundance of snow on Mount Rundle created incredible contrast, accentuating the ridges of this iconic mountain. It’s not every day that you get perfect conditions like this at Two Jack Lake. The water was perfectly still for a little while, creating a mirror-like reflection of this beautiful scene.
The exact timing of the meltdown and arrival of warmth is difficult to predict year to year, but by the middle of the month it was a completely different atmosphere in the Rockies. Trees were just starting to bud, with much of the vegetation not turned green yet, but the scenery was already gorgeous. Our timing was just right. I would have loved to stay another week or two to witness the true arrival of summer, but this was the next best thing!
Castle at Dusk
0.8 sec, f/14, ISO 64
Castle Mountain is another favourite landmark of mine, particularly this spot along the shore of the Bow River in Banff National Park. I've always been drawn to its unique structure, which is unlike any other in the Canadian Rockies. It was a cloudy afternoon in May and, as I waited for the sun to come down, I began losing hope of a colourful sunset. Having the tripod setup on the rocks while chatting to a fellow photographer further down river, I ran back to capture this moment as the sun peaked through the clouds to light up the evergreen trees and give the sky a spectacular pink glow, giving the Castle a perfect backdrop.
Three Sisters
1/20 sec, f/11, ISO 64
The Three Sisters are an icon of Canmore and one of my favourite places to come when I'm out here. This particular spot, right at the edge of town, has become quite popular over the years but on early mornings you are still very likely to find yourself alone here.
With summer coming to an end soon, I'm looking forward to seeing snow back on the mountain peaks. Scenes like the one below from Two Jack Lake are some of my favourite - with the lakes still free of ice, warm days and cool evenings, and light snow adding flavour to the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. I took this shot not long after the first, as the sun was dipping below the horizon and giving the clouds behind Mount Rundle this gorgeous pink hue. This will always be a special place for me, being one of the first I ever visited in Banff National Park and having now seen it now in all four seasons.
Spring Elegance
0.6 sec, f/11, ISO 64
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