The Amazing Canadian Parks

Athabasca Falls Rainbow

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Including Waterton Lake, Banff and Jasper National Parks we spent 8 wonderful days photographing amazing scenery. Though we took many nice pictures, these are just a few of our favorites. You may have also wondered if I still took color images. With the interesting colors of the glacier fed lakes the scenes cried out to be color. So.... enjoy to colors. Carol's picture of the rainbow at Athabasca Falls is my favorite of the the Canadian collection. This picture and the others are all located along the 288KM (we are in Canada) Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper or just off the side roads. This is probably this most breath taking drive in North America.

Athabasca Glacier

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

We did the drive in both directions. On the way south we stopped at the Icefield Center and took the tour in a specialized big wheeled ice crawler. While standing on glacier Carol took the picture above.

Spirit Island

Maligne Lake, Jasper Nation Park, Alberta, Canada

While camping in Jasper we took a side trip to Maligne (pronounced Maleen) Lake and then took a boat ride to the other end to take pictures of Spirit Island. The island is one of the most popular photo targets in the park for good reason. The water color is the result of glacier dust which is fine powder silt that comes with the streams of glacier melt that feed the lake. Very special.

Bow Lake Evening

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

South bound we made our second visit to Bow Lake. We found the soft light of the late afternoon painting the scene with pastels above.

Lake Louise Glacial Stream

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Before leaving the parks we spent two nights at Lake Louise Campground. We visited the lake and arrived close by the canoe concession. So.... off we went. An hour's paddle to the other end of the lake gave us the scene above. Definitely worth the paddle.

Flowers at Lake Louise

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

After our paddle we had lunch at the Fairmont Chatuau Lake Louise Hotel and continued to enjoy the view. Carol stepped out into their garden to refine the view from our table.

Today we are in Calgary catching up laundry and food shopping to start our trip home. This will be our last posting for this trip. In a month or so I will have a more extensive gallery up on our main website and will send out an email. Thanks for traveling with us on this special photo safari.

Colby

Glacier National Park in Black and White

Wild Goose Island

Glacier National Park, Montana

We arrived at Glacier NP late in the day last Thursday. On Friday morning we picked up a rental car so we could photograph along the Going-to-the-Sun Road where RVs are forbidden. The thunderstorms were rolling in and we realized that we were going to have some great mood for black and white photography. It rained off and on for the next eight hours. At times the visibility was down to 30 feet. But..... those little windows with breaks in the clouds were magical.

The result is this posting of my favorite black and white images. Two of the pictures were taken a couple of days later at Many Glacier when we still had some interesting sky and little wind allowing for nice reflections. As these pictures came to life in the digital development tray I could feel the mood unfolding that I felt in the mountains. I hope the magic of this park comes through.

We are off to Waterton Lake, Banff and Jasper in Canada and may not have good Internet connections. This may be our last posting until re-surface in about 10 days.

Thanks, Colby

Mammoth Hot Springs - Abstract Art

Genesis

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

On our last full day in Yellowstone we visited Mammoth Hot Springs and were taken by the colorful abstract patterns and compositions. The colors, textures, line and reflections playing in the light shining through breaks in the clouds left us dazzled. Here are a selection of our favorites from that day.

For the last six days we have been in Glacier NP and our first dull day offered thunderstorms and great photography. I will try and post some Glacier shots tomorrow. It will be our last chance for awhile as the next day we are off to Waterton Lake, Alberta, Canada and will probably won't have Internet until we return to the States a week or so later. Carol decided that we were too close to Banff and Jasper Canada National Parks to pass them up. As you can imagine I didn't resist!

Can you find Waldo in the picture above?

Have the best summer ever!

Colby

Yellowstone Falls and River Canyon

Lower Falls

Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

We have just left Yellowstone NP and for the first time in a week we have a reliable Internet connection. What a week! It is so difficult to capture the expanse of the park. The caldera of the ancient volcano that erupted over 600 thousand years ago wasn't discovered until it was photographed from space. I felt like we were trying to capture the feeling of an elephant by shooting pictures up it's left nostril. There is no way to be on the ground and stand back far enough to capture the breath of the experience. So we can only present the experience in parts. We are catching our breath .... I mean literally. There is a lot less oxygen at 8,000 feet. I feel ten year younger at 4,000 feet today.

So.... there we were at Canyon Village at every overlook that takes in the Falls and Yellowstone River Canyon. Carol captured the classic view above. The water was flowing well providing solid green water streams over the crest.

Lower Falls - Black and White

This shot in black and white provided me a feeling of nostalgia from a time when early photographers would include park guests in the picture to provide a sense of scale or to entice 19th century politicians to create the parks for their constituency. The sun was just far enough to the west to light up the falls while back lighting the trees.... a nice effect for black and white.

Yellowstone River Canyon

From Inspiration Point, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Looking down river the river has created a nice canyon and the high sun illuminated the cliffs and brought out great color. It is one of the few times in landscape photography where midday sun is the best. It's also nice to occasionally sleep in.



Soon we hope to offer other postings with a few wildlife pictures and another with natures art seen at Mammoth Hot Springs. We are on our way to Glacier National Park for a week of shooting there. Hope you are having a great summer.



Colby

Yellowstone Geysers and Pools

Black Pool Flowing Into Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yesterday we arrived in Yellowstone NP and immediately went off to watch Old Faithful. Afterwards we visited the West Thumb Geyser Basin and saw the scene above. It's amazing to see the geothermal features interacting with a mountain lake.

Today we explored the geysers north of Old Faithful for colors and patterns that moved us. See some of our shots from the day below. We will be in the park for another six days and the we expect the subjects will be varied and special. More later.

Summer 2010 - The Grand Teton National Park

"Snake River Storm"

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Carol and I are on a photo safari this summer visiting The Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks among other wonderful places. The picture was taken at the Snake River Overlook that Ansel Adams made famous with his iconic picture. We waited for hours as thunder storms rolled over us. We were provided with a great show of atmospherics. The picture above was our favorite. To see the picture larger click on the picture. Stay tuned for more to come. The beauty out here is an amazing blessing. Thanks.

Colby

Lake Champlain

Pines on Stony Point

Lake Champlain, Westport, New York

We left Maine Wednesday and had a rainy day of travel to Smuggler's Notch State Park near Stowe, Vermont. The rain didn't stop us from shopping in Stowe but we parked the RV in a down pour at the campsite and the torrential rains kept us inside until the next morning. Not to much photography taken. Thursday we visited the Essex Shipyard on the western bank of Lake Champlain and stayed with friends at their summer home on the shore near Westport, New York. What a beautiful spot. It rained into the night but promised to clear so I was up at dawn and down to the water for the picture above.

Twin Tree Sunrise
Lake Champlain, Westport, New York

What a beautiful morning. These two magnificent trees overlook the bluff above the cove where a few boats swing from their mooring ball. Their shadows played across the lawn towards me and the trees showed nicely in the backlight.

Rustic Guest Cabin
Lake Champlain, Westport, New York

On the property are the remains of two turn of the century guest cabins made from salvaging the wreckage of a steam ship that met its demise off the point pictured in the first picture. The ceilings are held up from the arched beams taken from the knees in the hull of the ship.

Tomorrow we head up to the Adirondacks to camp near lakes at two different parks for the week.

Lily Bay State Park

Flint Clifts
Mount Kineo, Moosehead Lake, Maine

Yesterday was our last day on Moosehead Lake so we decided to take a five hour cruise on the SS Katahdin, a lake passenger and cargo steam ship from early in the last century. It was a beautiful day but the cruise was mid day so the sun was harsh for photography. We had one good opportunity when the ship cruised within 20 yards of the cliffs of Mount Kineo. The water is 100 feet deep right up to the rocks. Carol saw the above cliff with a natural bonsai pine and lichen creating a nice picture.

Glorious Sunset

Lily Bay on Moosehead Lake, Maine

After the cruise and dinner we headed back to our campsite. The sun was beginning to set so we headed for the park beach. I have shot many sunsets and don't usually get the camera out if the late light is not highlighting some features away from the setting sun. As you can see this was different. The show was amazing and grand in scale. This picture was taken with a super wide angle lens (14mm) and the sky was clearly the show. We waited until the show finished and the lights dimmed. All we could say was, "Thank you."

If you would like to see a larger version of the picture click on the image. We are off to Cathedral Pines Campground on Flagstaff Lake, Maine.

Moosehead Lake, Maine

Dawn on Moosehead Lake

Lily Bay State Park, Maine

It finally rained on us. We can't complain because we have had great weather for the first two weeks. It cleared yesterday afternoon and this morning I was up for sunrise for the first time. Our experience was early morning fog on the coast so it was nice to work morning light. I put our inflatable kayak in the water and within a few yards of the shore I saw this light towards the west. I wish you could have heard the call of the loons at the same time. I couldn't see the loon as their sound can carry a mile in a calm wind.

Islands in Morning Light
Lily Bay on Moosehead Lake, Maine

I had put our kayak in the water and paddled out to these island yesterday afternoon. They looked like promising subjects for early morning and evening light. With this in mind I placed the kayak at different positions to create interesting compositions with the morning sky. It was a case of pre-visualizing during a prior visit and then returning to capture the subject in beautiful light even if it's five in the morning. The light lasted only 15 minutes.

Cobscook Bay State Park, Maine

Lobster Boat Bottom Cleaning
Cobscook Bay State Park Launching Area, Maine

Yesterday was a kick back day at our campsite in Cobscook Bay State Park near Lubec, Maine. It is the most beautiful park Carol and I have ever visited. Today's post is all about black and white. Some times a subject just asks to be done in black and white like the white lobster boat high and dry for maintenance. This is easy given the 24 foot tide drop this far down east.

Old Pier Pilings

FDR Summer Home, Campabello Island, Canada

Here was another subject that started out fairly monochromatic and looked nice finished as a duo tone.

Falling Tide
Cobscook Bay State Park, Maine

This picture was taken twenty yards down from our campsite. We watched the scene change every hour as the tide went through its 24 foot range. At high tide the peninsula with the grove becomes an island and the driftwood in the foreground is underwater. At the lowest tide eight more rocks become uncovered. It's an amazing scene. This picture had lots of color but I like the black and white. Carol voted for the color version below.

Falling Tide
Cobscook Bay State Park, Maine

Campobello Island, Canada

Abandoned Fish Trap
Head Harbor, Campobello Island, Canada

Yesterday we were as far Down East as you can go. We are camping in Cobscook Bay State Park, Maine and our site has a view of of the bay. The view constantly changes with the 24 foot tide. The cove by our site completely dries out. We visited Campabello Island yesterday and toured the Franklin D. Roosevelt Summer Home. It was a nice second chapter to our visit to the Roosevelt homes outside of Hyde Park, New York a few years ago.

The best photo opportunities were at the northern tip of Island. Carol took the picture above as the sun was setting. The East Quoddy Lighthouse is also located here. The weather promised a good sunset. Even having the sun out at sunset is a "good" sunset in Maine. So after dinner we set up and took pictures of the light house as the light changed. See the result below.

East Quoddy Lighthouse
Head Harbor, Campobello Island, Canada

In a couple of days we head inland to camp near mountain side lakes. I hope to be photographing from our kayak. Thanks for letting us share our experience.

Mount Desert Island, Maine - South End

Arched Bridge

Somesville, Mount Desert Island, Maine

We are based in Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park. Yesterday we decided to tour Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor and then Bass Harbor. On the way around Somes Sound we passed through the small town of Somesville and came upon this bridge by the edge of the road. It is a very popular tourist photography opportunity and almost every gallery has a version on its walls. We had to give it a try. We liked Carol's composition best. It is a scene Claude Monet would have painted. The light was nice.

Lobsterman Memorial
Bernard, Mount Desert Island, Maine

As we passed through Bass Harbor the sun was getting lower on the horizon but the harbor shore is on the east side which put the sun in our eyes. We continued around the harbor to west side and the town of Bernard. All the way at the end of the road is a book store that resembles a lighthouse. The lobster pot floats are the patterns of lobstermen that have either retired or passed away.

Bass Harbor Sunset
Taken From Thruston's Lobster Pound, Bernard, Maine

Just up the harbor from the bookstore is Thurston's. The light was turning golden and I was ready for lobster in the rough. This is the place. As the light improved I would step out to the edge of the porch and snap a few shots. Just magic!

Bass Harbor

Carol was sitting on a bench behind the bookstore and saw this composition of kelp and the harbor to the north. She noted that when I went through hundreds of candidates from the day's shoot that we picked four, three of them were taken by Carol....she is getting hard to live with.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

On Saturday, Carol and I returned to Pemaquid Point to photograph the lighthouse. We had been there four days before and discovered an important aspect of photographing the Maine coast. You have to consider the time of day (near sunset in this case) for the light, and most significantly you need to time the tide with the light. Four days before sunset and high tide were at the same time. On Saturday sunset and low tide were at the same time. I would have been standing in 12 feet of water to take the first two shots on our first visit.

You can pick the scene, plan for good light and tide but the weather is still chancy up here. You can see that we were lucky on all counts.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse with Reflection

The wind was calm so we were able to work some reflections into the compositions. Though Maine has powerful scenery it does take patience to find the right combinations. We haven't been as lucky on some of our other days. Carol did a reflection of the lighthouse in a tide pool in the rocks. Is is upside right or upside down? Who's to figure

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Tide Pool Reflection

We are now at Arcadia National Park and touring the small towns and sites looking for places offering great shots.

Camden Harbor Fog

Camden Harbor

We were on top of Mount Battie north of Camden, Maine on July 2nd watching the fog roll in in and out of the harbor. Carol took this picture of the moorings in Camden as boats slipped in and out of the wispy fog like ghosts. In our first few days we have seen seen fog edge the coast. It wasn't until today that a cold front came through and we knew for sure there was an eastern shore to the Bay.

Marshall Point Lighthouse

Marshall Point Light

This is the first posting in our new blog which will cover our travels and post pictures as we go along. Thursday, July 3rd we visited the Marshall Point Light in Port Clyde, Maine. We actually visited before and then after dinner to shoot in different light. It's great to have the small RV as a base to visit shooting spots. Let us know know what you think.

Reflections of Marshall Point Light