Final Post: Ontario

Ahh, so here is the final update to this. The reason I want to finalize it is unclear, yet I suppose that since I started it, it simply needs an ending.

I’m back in Ontario. Back to flatter land and (slightly) warmer weather - although the temperature out west seems to have risen since I left.
I confess that I’m not a great “alone” traveler. It always takes a few days to get used to the fact that not only are you alone, but your experiences are yours alone as well. Yet, posting my photos and rambling thoughts has - in a way, brought about some relief from this.

I’ll admit, I was discouraged after the fourth day, when I had practically nothing photographic to show for my time, travel and expense. That morning in Dillon, Montana, with the snow and cold and wind blowing at 7am, was hard to face physically; and certainly even more difficult to get enthused over from a visual sense. My head and hands were cold and I didn’t feel like getting my gear out to shoot, let alone getting inspired. I hadn’t dressed for this and besides, winter is the time for snow; not May! Should I have heeded the advice to go to Cuba or Arizona? Didn’t matter for there I was.

Yet it was during that day when both the weather and my outlook got a boost. The sun found its way through those gray skies for just a few moments. The hills around Dillon were mostly deserted and it gave me space to just feel the desolate beauty of the place. Bannack, a Ghost Town/National Park was my nearby destination and it was such a blast to be alone and do a walkabout there. This same feeling stayed with me all the way back to the Northwestern area of the state and into Glacier, continuing across the border and along the Alberta Foothills.

I did get some images: No, nothing close to my goal of 50-80gigabytes worth, but some worthy shots.

I will go back out there. I would love to return to Waterton and the Foothills, perhaps visit Glacier National Park and maybe even get down to Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Get permission to shoot some First Nations people on both sides of the border.

Maybe I’ll take along a 400 or 500mm lens to get so much closer to the spectacular wildlife. Grizzlies?

Just not in early May.

Canmore, Alberta

Didn’t like to leave Waterford yesterday, where the mountains were not quite so high but the tourists were few.

Well, one more morning to go. It is a truly beautiful morning. I write this from Canmore - a tourist trap if there ever was one. Yet not nearly so bad as Banff where I’m told one can spend $8000 on a purse. As most people know, both these places are nestled in some of the most breathtaking scenery in Canada. But I had to see it, so here I am and frankly, I only stayed here because I managed to get a cheap rate. The room is not a room per say, but a series of rooms; including two bedrooms, kitchen, dining and living room - ski chalet actually, that I got for sweet $68.

Two days ago while hiking around Waterford I came across an eagle's nest. I watched quietly as the mother and father swooped in and out of the nest with fresh kills of small animals. I was alone and wished I had a much longer lens in order to catch them closer. Speaking of lenses, while in that same area I came across a photographer who specializes in grizzlies. He was hauling a 400mm f/4 Nikon and on his way to seek out bears deep into an adjacent area’s creek bed. He is called Rod and somewhere I have a link to his web site. The guy is unarmed, wearing camouflage and he stays quiet so that he can come across grizzlies without warning.
He has seen and photographed seven different grizzlies in the last three weeks and knows of another half dozen. Now I love the outdoors but I am not quite so adventurous as this.

The drive up here along a quiet road in the foothills was a slow one which suits me just fine. It was somewhat surreal at the same time: Big skies, ranches and a great deal of open space while listening to the Pogues. Yet this crazy juxtaposition of Shane McGowan and the Canadian west worked for cowboy fences, Dirty Old Town and me.

I made a slight detour to visit a very spiritual place called Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. Archaeological evidence shows that for thousands of years Plains Aboriginals forced buffalo off the sides of cliffs here, where they would fall to their death. Many died on impact, but those that survived were killed with spears and later butchered for their precious meat. Spear and arrowheads are still occasionally found at the bottom of cliffs in this area (although it is illegal to remove anything).

Finally saw Lake Louise, which is all it is said to be, with the exception of a huge (yuge to hockey analysts) luxury hotel behind the camera of seemingly every photo taken here. It is nevertheless a beautiful place.

Between Banff and Lake Louise was a young moose in a creek. I saw it, as I was driving and decided to stop and watch. It was only when I looked through my 200mm that I noticed both its hindquarters and one leg were torn and big chunks of flesh ripped away. I met a Canadian wildlife guy who explained that wolves had attacked the young moose and that if I stayed hidden I could wait and perhaps view the wolves bring it down once more. I respect nature being what it is, but decided that I didn’t really wish to see this so off I went.

So today I am off to Calgary for my last night in the west.
Fly out tomorrow.

Heading North

Hi,
Well I am leaving the Waterton area in just a few minutes.
I love this place but, want to catch the light over the foothills, so I likely won't post any images. Not enough time really.

Have seen eagles, big horn sheep, mountain goats and many, many gophers (ho-hum).

Last evening I went high into the mountains and just stood there with my jaw hanging down. How could I never have experienced the west before? After marveling at the beauty of Canada and indeed how fortunate we Canadians are to call this our home, I eventually headed back down the mountain. Sitting down to enjoy something to eat was even more a treat because the young people who were running the grill had a mixed music list of Neil Young songs. Nothing could have topped off the day or had been more appropriate than this bit of Canadiana. Lump in the throat stuff.

If I can find the Internet tonight I will post more images later this evening.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

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I haven’t been able to get on the Internet the last two days.

So here it is, Saturday night and Sunday morning of May 9th and 10th. Yes I am back in Canada – four days to go on my short trip.

Friday night I stayed in Columbia Falls and the night before in Missoula (both in Montana).

The best part of Missoula were the very nice people I met and waking up to beautiful blue skies on Friday: The first in five days!

From Missoula I headed north towards Glacier National Park. On the way I discovered this wonderful place where I found and photographed bison. It was an experience not to be forgotten. I was the only one there (unless you count the bison, antelope and deer).

Passed many small northwestern towns and villages ending up in Columbia Falls on the edge of Glacier National park. While visiting a glacial lake there, I met an Ansel Adams look-a-like (also a photographer) who is on his 75th day of attempting to shoot all the National Parks in the US. He started in Alaska and is determined to complete his quest. He is called Herman and is the bearded guy in one of the attached photos. To offset costs, Herman has slept in his car the entire journey.

First thing this morning it was back to the grey, cold weather, eventually turning to snow…arrghh. I crossed back into Alberta (into even heavier snow - this is May, no?) ending up in the most fantastic place ever: Waterton National Park, Alberta, which is where I am as I write this. I simply cannot describe the pristine beauty of this place, set in the mountainous wilderness. I don’t even mind the snow. As a matter of fact it is beautiful, because right now there is no wind and it is hovering around zero.

We have so much in Canada. I don’t know why I waited so long to discover this place. I am staying here for a couple of days to get some more photographs and will put up some more if I can. In the meantime, I am attaching some images shot over the past several days.

Dillon, Montana

So I drove a long way today. All the way from the border to close to the bottom of the state: Dillon to be precise. Met some interesting people including some very, um, interesting US Border people.

In my attempt to get away from the bad weather I think I have somehow managed to bring it with me. At least that's what some Montanans believe!
It is 10pm and I am looking outside it is and snowing once more. I thought the further south from Alberta I drove, the less it would snow. But I'm told that it is a rare May indeed that doesn't get several "winter" storms. The weather report calls for mixed snow and rain through to at least Saturday here. The ceiling is 400 feet, so visibility is actually worsening. Alberta weather is set to clear in a couple of days, so perhaps I should begin heading a loop north and get to where there is some nicer light.
Saw beautiful scenery when the weather had clearing intervals today. South of Great Falls I had my first taste of spectacular mountains. But shooting mountain landscapes (whose tops can't be seen clearly) with a tripod in snowy or high wind conditions isn't what I was hoping for.

The speed limit here is 75mph on the interstate. I was told that up until a few years ago there was no speed limit at all.

Today I saw a large coyote, some eagles, many elk and a number of other critters. There truly is a lot of wildlife. All over Montana is fantastic fishing and they boast some of the best fly fishing for trout in the world. The rivers and streams seem to be everywhere and Dillon seems to be almost the centre of it.
These are images shot in the mountains when the weather lifted.

Montana Border: Day Two

Hi,
This is my very first entry on my very first blog. I just found a place to get on line.
I wanted this to be a photo blog with few words and some photos, yet it is one with no photos and a few words.
For the second night I've been stuck in a horrendous snowstorm with 100 kmh plus winds on the Montana border in Coutts, Alberta.
Power was out most of the day but just came on. Not exactly a successful Montana landscape photography trip thus far with these unexpected early May severe weather conditions.
An elderly couple of ladies are staying a few doors down in the same motel. Their car flipped over after they lost control on the road. Thanks to the weather, crews can't get it for them until tomorrow.

I will try once more to head into Montana tomorrow but if the weather doesn't lift soon the photo trip may become a flop. Must keep positive though and hope the weather does a complete turn tomorrow.