Recently, I photographed a spectacular sunrise behind Mount Slesse. A thin layer of clouds was touching the 8,002 foot summit. Can you imagine being on top during this time? The vibrant colours only lasted a few minutes. Click on the image to see a larger version.
When we have some prolonged cold weather and the temperature dips below zero at night I like to photograph frozen waterfalls. The ice formations in my photos remind me of the Martian fighting-machines used in H.G. Wells’ 1898 classic science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. They are also known as tripods and are the main war machines used by the Martians in their attempt to conquer Earth. They are fast moving three legged walkers that have whip-like tentacles used for grasping. Click on any one of the polaroid images to see a larger version. Comments are always welcome.
Sometimes the weather forecast doesn’t look promising for photography, but I’ve learned you should still follow through on your plan because unique conditions might develop. It had rained for a few days and the forecast was for a mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. I was hoping for a beautiful sunset with fresh snow on the mountains, but it never materialized. What caught my eye was the fog or mist moving through the trees on the side of a mountain. It’s a scene I like to photograph because it’s constantly changing by the minute. Sometimes I’ll see some fog or mist moving through trees that I really want to photograph, but by the time I’ve set up my camera to compose the image the scene is gone. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
May every day of 2025 bring you a new reason to smile and be thankful. The best year is yet to come! Click on the photo to see a larger version.
This mountain which is 8,002 feet high is located in the Cascade mountains just north of the US-Canada border. The name means ‘fang’ in the Halkomelem language and it was first climbed in 1927. However, it’s most famous for its Northeast Buttress which was climbed in 1963.
On December 9, 1956, Trans-Canada Air Lines Flight 810 on a scheduled flight from Vancouver to Calgary encountered severe icing and turbulence. The pilots climbed to 19,200 feet and then they experienced a fire warning indication light in engine number two. They contacted Vancouver Air Traffic Control and requested a flight path that would return them to the Vancouver airport. Instead of turning left they turned right into the mountains. The Canadair North Star plane crashed on the upper slopes of the mountain, killing all 62 people on board. Among the victims were five professional Canadian football players on their way home from the annual Shrine Game between the East and West all-stars in Vancouver. At the time, it was one of the deadliest airline crashes. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
This time of year I look forward to photographing Bald Eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) who gather to feed on salmon that have reached the end of their life cycle. I came across six Bald Eagles in a tree and I had to wait patiently for just the right moment when they were all looking in my direction. Click on one of the polaroid images and then use your left and right keys to scroll through the gallery. Comments are always welcome.
The Thanksgiving long weekend is a great time to photograph the trees turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. I love the light and colours at this time of the year. The air is so crisp and it’s a joy to be outside with my camera all day. My intention was to get there early in the morning when there would be little wind. The calm conditions would allow for nice reflections in the mountain lake. Please click on an image to see a larger version and comments are always welcome.
I was quite surprised to come across three Turkey Vultures ( Catharses aura ) when I was out for a walk with my camera and telephoto lens. When you see these raptors in the distance you know they are Turkey Vultures because their wings are raised in a V and when soaring they make wobbly circles. They sometimes fly low to the ground to pick up the scent of dead animals and also use updrafts to carry them into the sky.
The Turkey Vulture eats carrion or fresh carcasses which they find by using their keen sense of smell. Their stomach acid is extremely acidic which allows them to digest just about anything. By taking care of carcasses the Turkey Vultures provide an essential service by preventing diseases that would spread from rotting flesh.
They have a featherless red head and a hooked pale bill. Some would say they are not the most attractive bird when seen up close, but they have evolved with traits that make them unique. Please click on a photo to see a larger version.
Last night I was trying to find a location where I could position the Coast mountains behind this lighthouse. Then I used my 500mm lens to compress the view of the lighthouse and the mountains behind. I think I experienced some heat shimmer when I took this photo. This is an optical phenomenon that can occur when using telephoto lenses, especially long focal lengths, in hot weather conditions. It’s caused by differences in air temperature and density, which can lead to distortion or a flickering effect on your images. Click on the photo to see a larger version.
It was a great day in the mountains and the Fall colours were at their peak. I was fortunate to arrive there early and take images before the wind came up. My photos are a combination of beautiful yellow colours and golden light. Click on each image to see a larger and sharper version. To move through the gallery use the left and right arrows on your keyboard. I also like to click on the ‘Toggle Fullscreen’ button in the upper right hand corner which shows the images on a black background.
