Canadian Rockies

Emerald reflection at Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park is the largest lake in the park as well as its main attraction. The lake gets its brilliant color from fine particles of glacial sediment suspended in the water. The lake itself is totally surrounded by the President Range of the Canadian Rockies. Unfortunately the mountains were not visible on the morning we visited as overcast skies and low-hanging clouds obscured them. The lake was unusually still, so reflections were clearly visible. On the far left is Cilantro's on the Lake, a restaurant at Emerald Lake Lodge.

Lake Edith - Jasper National Park, Alberta

The Canadian Rockies have an abundance of lakes. Lake Edith is located just outside of the town of Jasper. On this morning, the lake had a nice mist rising. Adding to the scene was a glass-like surface that allowed for reflections of the mist as sunrise peeked over the horizon.

Bald Eagle perched high in the trees

While stopping to photograph a lake scene one morning, we stumbled across a pair of bald eagles perched near their nest. One had flown off to the other side of the lake, but I managed to catch this one still standing guard over the nearby nest.

Bald Eagle Profile

While stopping to photograph a lake scene one morning, we stumbled across a pair of bald eagles perched near their nest. One had flown off to the other side of the lake, but I managed to catch this one still standing guard over the nearby nest.

Columbian Ground Squirrel

When we stopped at Cascade Ponds to photograph Mount Rundle, these little guys were everywhere! As seen in the photo, their most common activity above ground is standing at attention. They hibernate an average of 250 days per year in underground burrows.

Columbian Ground Squirrel

When we stopped at Cascade Ponds to photograph Mount Rundle, these little guys were everywhere! They hibernate an average of 250 days per year in underground burrows.

Mount Rundle reflected in Cascade Ponds

There are many places to photograph Mount Rundle around the town of Banff such as Cascade Ponds. Just outside of town, the ponds are a day-use facility with hiking trails, picnic tables, restrooms and, most importantly, superb views. The ponds are fed by snow melt from Cascade Mountain, so the level of the ponds is often dependent on the past winter's snowfall.

Athabasca Falls

The powerful Athabasca Falls is known primarily for its force due to the large quantity of water gushing into the gorge. The quartzite and limestone reflect this in their erosion as seen in the photo.

Pyramid Mountain behind Lake Edith - Jasper National Park, Alberta

The Canadian Rockies have an abundance of lakes. Lake Edith is located just outside of the town of Jasper. On this morning, the lake had a nice mist rising. Adding to the scene was a glass-like surface that allowed for reflections of the mist as sunrise lit the top of Pyramid Mountain.