British Columbia
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I’ve visited Albas falls many times over the years, and it never ceases to amaze me. Albas falls is a remote set of falls; one large (and wider) one below this one and a few smaller ones above this one. There’s a loop trail that meanders around the falls and Celista Creek that provide many stellar views. The forest floor is completely covered with green, flourishing moss, fallen trees and mushrooms; all thriving from the moist environment. Within the steep canyon walls the mist from the falls feels so refreshing; especially on those hot summer days. During spring run-off Celista Creek looks more like a river and although it’s quite a spectacle to see it’s not for the faint of heart or for little ones either. The trail is generally wet and slippery so good shoes are required. This is bear country (both Black and Grizzly), and I’ve seen many in this area before so I knew to be on the look out. The bears were just coming out of hibernation… so yah, I did’t want to be their first meal! :-) So, I packed my bear spray and I felt quite safe but the thunderous falls were so loud that I wouldn’t have heard a bear come up from behind me anyways. The vibrational sound penetrated my body and the earth below my feet shook too! To capture this shot, I had to increase my ISO, slow down my shutter speed (I had to use a tripod) and use a neutral density filter (which reduces the amount of light entering the camera), and then continually wipe the mist off of my lens! Wet and cold I hiked back up to my car; excited in knowing that I got some great shots. LOL, I was so embraced by this scene that I totally forgot about the bears! What a great day!
"Golden Birches" As I traveled the pacific northwest, I searched for that perfect and unique stand of birch (or aspen) trees to photograph, only to discover it was a lot harder than I had anticipated. It shouldn't have been so difficult but my list of "must haves" was long; mostly because I wanted my shot to be unique, and have a sense of mood. That said, I LOVE this photograph! The low light, distant fog, subtle colors and lack of density gives it a softness that I wasn't able to capture in any of my previous shots. Together, "Golden Birches" brings about a sense of calm, thus a calm to any room. This photograph will be hanging in my home.
While heading East alongside 3-Valley Lake (central British Columbia) one morning, I got a glimpse of these vibrant trees as I drove by. Gosh they were so beautiful against the calm blue waters, I just had to stop and get a shot. I pulled off onto a side road and prepared my camera and as I was attaching my long lens, I noticed something move in front of me! To my amusement, two black and fuzzy ears were popping up and down above the tall grasses and then I saw a big black muzzle; it was a bear. Oh geez, really! With my camera at the ready, I waited (and waited, and waited….) hoping the bear would show more of himself but he was much too busy eating ....something, and I wasn’t about to find out what! I turned my truck around and found a safer and closer spot to park :-) Although I felt safe from the bear, my vantage point was in a precarious spot. Not only did I have to stand on the shoulder of the (busy) Trans Canada Highway but it was on a corner and a cement barrier skirted the side too. I decided my tripod would put me into the danger zone of traffic so I used the cement barrier as my tripod; it worked and I got the shot I wanted.
In the spring, a grizzly bear’s diet consists of approximately 70% grass, to replenish their lack of proteins during hibernation. This is why you often see bears along roadways, where grass grows in abundance. Knowing this, I had my camera at the ready as I traveled along this (somewhat) remote logging road in the interior of British Columbia. I travel this road often and I see black, brown and cinnamon bears on a regular basis but this was the first time that I came across a grizzly bear. Grizzly bears come in many sizes, and this female (her cub was nearby) was relatively small. I once saw a grizzly that was at least 3 times larger (it was incredibly massive!) so I now have a sincere fear of them. I stayed with these grizzlies for approximately 10 minutes, and they didn’t seem to mind my presence. As I watched and gazed into their eyes, I felt at peace with them but I know those seemingly calm eyes are very deceiving and they deserve respect; I kept my distance. In this photo, she lifted her head to watch a vehicle drive behind me. Frightened by the noise of a bouncing utility trailer it was pulling, she and her cub scurried into the forest. Although I was disappointed that my photo session came to an abrupt end, I knew that this (my last photo) was going to be a keeper! Yay! I felt VERY fortunate by this opportunity. It's now a great memory and I’m thrilled to add it to my photography portfolio and here on my website.
Nestled in the Purcell mountain range of British Columbia, is a Staubert Lake; a small lake only minutes west of the rustic and out of the way community of Trout Lake. After an amazing couple days of ATVing around the mountains in the area (west of Bugaboo National Park), we got up early to make our way home and had planned to catch the 8:30 a.m. Gelena Bay ferry across Arrow Lake. While we drove our RV slowly down the well-maintained gravel road, we happened upon this tranquil lake view. Most eye-catching were the vibrant reflections in the calm waters and the quickly moving shadows from the clouds above. As we stopped to take some shots, I noticed the shadows on the hillside and they were moving fast and this scene was just coming into play! Wow! I knew time was of the essence and that I wouldn't have time to swap out my heavy 400mm lens for my 25-200mm lens; I had to deal with it’s cumbersome size and weight. Quickly, I changed my ASA/ISO to 80, changed my shutter speed to 400 , set my f-stop for 5.6, and then set my lens to 171 mm.... I held my breath and held my camera as steady as I could, with hopes for a great shot. My efforts paid off! As many of you know, the “rule of thirds” applies to most artistic applications however I feel that when reflections are involved, that rule can be broken, it’s the artist’s right as an artist. You’ll notice here, that I placed the lake’s edge in the middle of the photo, rather than at a third. I absolutely love this photo’s balance; it what makes this photo so appealing and strong! Notice the dark shadows that outline the trees on the left. Not only does it surround the group of trees but it does so equally (in balance). Then notice the group of well-lit trees to the right (without the shadow), they’re opposite to the group of trees on the left. Finally, the darkness of the foreground frames this photo nicely and balances the dark shadows above. There was so much to see and do here in this off-grid valley; we look forward to visiting the area again very soon!
"Calm Reflections" I woke up this chilly October morning to a big surprise, snow! I purposely parked my RV for the night next to this pond; I was hoping to photograph the morning mist rising from it. You can imagine my surprise when I opened the curtains and saw snow, in October! As I meandered quietly by myself I noticed my feelings of calm, and I wanted to capture that feeling. That said, with the snow covered trees, lack of vibrancy and the calm reflective waters, I knew exactly how to capture it and set up my tripod for a slow shutter speed.
I can't begin explain the level of excitement I feel when given the opportunity to capture some of this world's most amazing places. Even more exciting however is to come across scenes like this that are truly unique and different; they usually involve the weather and the sun (or lack of). In this photo, thick valley fog, falling snow and darkness completely surrounded me; winter was in the air. I was focusing on a field of wispy bulrushes when to my astonishment the sun suddenly appeared, and only on this tiny spot. I had no time to waste, so I found the best composition and adjusted my camera accordingly. I was elated by the vibrant, vivid and contrasting colors; they demand the viewer's attention. That said, I thoroughly enjoy sharing these rare photographic moments with you. I hope that you can feel the "wow" too.
A short uphill walk through an old growth forest lead me to a set of switchback stairs, a viewing platform and a 115 foot (35 meter) suspension bridge that overlooked this 99 foot (30 meter) waterfall. As I hiked up to the waterfall I was very quick to notice the terrain; it was SO lush! The old growth forest floor was covered with large broad leaf ferns and the surrounding trees were draped with heavy green moss; which in itself was photo worthy but because my time was limited I couldn’t stop. At the top of the stairs was a viewing platform and a suspension bridge that crossed over to the other side of the canyon. It was quite the sight to see and because the gorge was so narrow and deep, you can imagine how loud the sound of the cascading water was! I walked across the sturdy steel cable suspension bridge to a viewing platform on the other side. It however had a limited view of the falls so I decided this view was far better. From this view I noticed the natural lead in lines and the highlights created by the open sky above and although one might consider downed tree lying across the water a distraction, one might also consider it a point of interest (as I do).
In south-central British Columbia lies Upper Seymour River Provincial Park; north of the off grid community of Seymour Arm. The only way to get to this photographed location is on an ATV, on a decommissioned logging road. Here you will find TRUE solitude, a pristine waterway and nature is abound. We live in such a beautiful part of the World. That said, on this particular trip we observed an incredibly thunderous grizzly bear sauntering across the sand bar! Needless to say, we promptly left because we knew that if the grizzly decided to give chase we wouldn’t be able to turn our ATV around quick enough (on the narrow overgrown road we were on). Interestingly, notice the dark trees in the background; as the sun was setting they were in the shade of the mountain to which they are rooted while the valley floor was illuminated by the sun. What I love about this photo are the vibrant colours and varied densities. I too love the mix of both horizontal and vertical lines ...and of course, I love how it makes me feel. :-) This photo will always remind me that enormous bear but more importantly it reminds me of how much I value the tranquility and solitude that nature provides.
The Tsútswecw Flume Trail is located in south-central, beautiful British Columbia, near to what’s known as the world’s famous "Adams River Sockeye Salmon Run". There are two flume trails, "The Lower Flume Trail", which meanders along Adams River and "The Upper Flume Trail", which loops up and around Bear Creek. Always wanting some exercise, we hiked the upper trail. At the trail’s entrance we stopped to read an information board that explained why this was called “The Flume Trail”. It explained that this trail parallels an old flume and that a flume was a V-shaped wooden trough that, when filled with water, were used to transport logs are from the upper mountain slopes to the valley bottom. 11 miles of flumes were built, all by hand, in the early 1900’s. As we entered the historic trail it got notably damp, and suddenly the forest was very lush, with green moss covering the hillsides around us. The trail ascended almost immediately, and as we climbed we noticed the moss covered remnants of the old flumes scattered on the ground around us. It wasn’t long before the trail was covered in ice and snow, however we were prepared and quickly slipped on our snow cleats. So much better! At the very top of our climb the trail turned back and we entered a gorge. We crossed Bear Creek, a number of times, on well-constructed wooden bridges. It was so beautiful, I remember how blessed I felt; having had a hip replacement only 9 months before. “What an amazing treasure”, I said. The canyon walls were covered with a thriving, vibrant green moss, trees were strewn everywhere and the water carved edges of the creek echoed the sounds of the rushing water; I was in my glory! Then, after a few switchbacks, we came upon yet another surprising view! From up above, we looked down on waterfall; a bridge crossed it at its base. It was very picturesque. I thought I could get a great shot of it however the view was obstructed because of all the wind blown trees. Oh well, but you can imagine how excited I was when, from there, the trail meandered along with the creek. I knew I’d get an even better shot here! I only had my iPhone with me on this hike but I knew I'd be back and I could use these shots as studies. I went back a week later and because of my studies I knew where to position myself. This shot was taken with my Sony ILCE-7RM2 SLR, mounted on a tripod. I took so many great shots of this scene; it truly was a fantastic and memorable day!
On Thanksgiving Day, 2017, we ventured out on our ATV’s for what was a truly adventurous and rewarding day. With my dear friends Ray and Karen we ventured out to Pettipeace Lake, a lake we had tried to get to a before; with each attempt we ran into obstacles, including knee deep snow, the disappearing daylight and a bridge washout. This time however we were prepared and set early and with great anticipation of the day that lie before us! As we approached the bridge washout we were disappointed to see that, although it was still under repair, a huge mound of boulders blocked our way. So, what to do? With excited determination we pulled up our sleeves and went to work, moving the boulders one by one until finally, we made a path for the ATV's. “Yay!”, we were elated to be on our way, to the “elusive” Pettapeace Lake. As we gained altitude, we entered a fog bank and the dampness could be felt with every breath; it had grown bitterly cold. Soon, snow began to fall and stick to the road; "If the snow gets much deeper", we agreed, "we'll have to turn around". We pressed on and as we approached this lake, we were all in awe; I had never (ever) seen such a beautiful winter scene. "Wow!", we all commented, “unbelievable!” were the words that came out of our mouths. The spiritual serenity of this alpine view was majestic; truly Mother Nature at her best. We were so excited by the scenery and really wanted to continue on but we were losing daylight, and fast; it was time to turn around. As we descended, we raced the day's darkness, and we froze as we did! Our original plan was to return to our cabin, wash up, dress up and go to the local community’s Thanksgiving dinner however because we were running late, we chose to drive directly there. We arrived, wet, cold and dressed in our winter gear and adorned our helmet hair; lol ..you can imagine the looks we got! Too funny :-) That said however, being an off-grid community, everyone was more interested in our travels and our attire! Such fun! Our Thanksgiving dinner was the perfect ending to a perfect day! I'll never, ever forget this adventurous day we shared. Pettipiece Lake is a lake located just 19.7 north-east of Seymour Arm via logging/forestry roads; in the province of British Columbia, Canada.
When there's a combination of sunshine and fog, I'm out the door with my camera! The fog was lifting fast and thought I was too late, but then I turned the corner and saw this; I was elated. The sun shone primarilly on the one spot of fog that was left in the valley, and it happened to be where the vibrant fall colors were. There's usually a lot of planning involved in getting a good shot but sometimes there's a little luck too.
You just can’t visit Seymour Arm, without visiting “Daniels Store” (or, as it's often referred to, “The Floating Store”). It floats year round in this pristine and tranquil bay, called Bughouse Bay on Shuswap Lake, BC. I’ve been visiting Seymour Arm with my family for many years, and I'm now a regular. It’s a unique, sleepy, off grid community that’s nestled at the very top of the Okanagan/Shuswap, and mere steps from the glacier mountains of the Monashees. There’s only two ways to get to Seymour Arm, either by boat or drive a logging road. That said however, once you’re there, its quaint beauty is immeasurable. Being there is like stepping back in time; it’s very community minded, casual, extremely relaxing and everyone helps each other. Folks regularly drive the gravel streets on their ATV’s, just as though it were their car (there’s always a few parked at the floating store!). Some visitors to Seymour Arm are there only to launch their boats so the can access their cabins, while others enjoy the pearly white sandy beaches. Campers, fishermen, hunters, gold-panners, swimmers, kayakers, canoeist, boaters, house-boaters and paddlers of all ages come to enjoy this region. One mustn’t (can’t!) forget Daniel’s store, it's love by all. They sell sporting goods, kids toys, alcohol, groceries, gas, and they rent water toys and sell local crafts too (this photo included). My children and grandchildren have very fond memories of the store; choosing their favorite penny candy or devouring an ice-cream cone on the picnic table on the store’s boardwalk was/is always revered as a special treat. There have been so many memories created and shared at the store and Seymour Arm; the valley is a profoundly large part of my love and family life.
“Mystical” This water fall is one of several water falls that form "Albas Falls" , near the lakeside community of Seymour Arm, British Columbia. I've visited Albas Falls many times and have often considered that if it were near a major highway, it wouldn't be quite so majestic (it would be inundated with tourists). In south, central British Columbia, it can be found off-grid by approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles), and one has to be prepared for a (sometimes) rough ride. The trail that leads to the falls starts at the bottom (on Shuswap lake) and loops around the many spectacular falls that make up Albas Falls. I've hiked this trail many times with friends and family but on this day I was prepared and by myself, and then I took my time to consider the shot. That said however it took a good dose of patience (it was a mostly cloudy day) and luck (the angle of the sun hitting the mist). There had been days of (much needed) rain prior to this day so the water spilling over the falls was intense, and loud! It too was very slippery and even though I was wearing a good pair of hiking boots, I took a good tumble. I saved my camera though (!) and when I saw this photo I considered my many bruises worth it! LOL Off I go, on to my next adventure! Watch for more photos to come in the coming weeks
*Shown here in a cropped square format. *Full Frame version available for viewing on request.
This was such a spectacular day for a hike and photo shoot! I drove to the top of Mount Revelstoke (BC) and quickly got my gear together and set out while the morning light was perfect. The spectacular mountain views and valley fog below took my breath away! I love (and am thankful for) my motor-home, Jeep and collapsible bike. Together, they allow me the freedom to roam... and enjoy many meals with view like this one!
It was early in the morning, on Thanksgiving Day, October 2017 when we dressed warm for an all day, high altitude, alpine ATV ride. The Monashee mountain range, in October, is unpredictable however we prepared for it. As we gained altitude it became foggy, the falling snow started to stick to the road and the wind was bitterly cold in our open ATV's. "If the snow gets much deeper", we remarked "we'll have to turn around". We pressed on and eventually stopped to have lunch in the middle of this winter wonderland (we were thankful for thermoses of hot coffee!). While there my girlfriend and I ventured into the forest and happened upon this lake. Wow, what are the chances that behind this tree, that tree, around the corner and over a rise, there would be a lake! I immediately noticed the reflections, they were darker than the trees themselves, “Wow”, I remember exclaiming and began taking photos. By days end we were exhausted, cold and hungry but as luck should have our timing was perfect for us to enjoy the Seymour Arm Community Association's Thanksgiving dinner. What a great day to share with friends! The spiritual serenity of the alpine incredibly majestic; I'll never forget this special day that I shared with my dear friends, nor this hidden treasure.
I love abstract photography. I find joy in searching and noticing nature's little (or not so little) details; perhaps those that others would miss. One October day (while out ATVing with friends) we ventured up into the alpine and along the way we stopped at a vista to capture the valley views. Across the way a was a mountain slop that recently been logged, which made way for the young deciduous trees to flourish. The combination of the fall colours, the green of the coniferous trees and the white snow created this interesting pattern. Although this photo lacks a focal point, viewers are drawn to it out of curiosity. LOL, can you imagine this shot made in to a puzzle!
"Mother Nature's Gift" - Brazeau Dam, Alberta. "Into the forest I go, camera in hand I lose my worries, renew my spirit and find my soul"... Romi Boon. While traveling in my RV, I search of new places to explore, along with photographic opportunities, for the curiously different and/or a one-of's (something out of place or by its self). As I drove through the rolling foothills of central, western Alberta, I was thrilled to find this grouping of birch trees because of the colourful foliage surrounding the them; framing the trees. This, was exactly what I had been searching for! Prior to taking this shot, I stopped to consider a few things, including; a prominent tree, colour(s), what and where is the focal point (center of interest) and depth of field (so everything would be in focus). Although the dark tree in the forest (on the right), does draw your attention, it's the large birch that catches your attention first, and that's exactly what I was shooting for. I'll always be reminded of "Covid" when I look at this photo, because Mother Nature added some colour and excitement to my life, on what was otherwise a trying day. When I’m exploring with a camera is in my hand, I’m filled with purpose and meaning; my worries disappear when my creative passions are being met.
Unbeknownst to many, British Columbia has a thriving and world renowned wine industry. There are five wine producing regions in BC; Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley, the Similkameen Valley and the Okanagan Valley, ....which is pictured here. There are a total of 370 licensed wineries in BC and 929 vineyards. 120 wineries are located here in the Okanagan Valley. More than 60 (grape) varieties are produced, including: Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. The BC wine industry contributes 2.8 billion dollars to the British Columbia’s economy yearly and welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year. That said, the Okanagan Valley is a year round hot spot, with beautiful lakes and beaches, world class golf courses and numerous world renowned ski resorts. British Columbia has a lot to offer; wineries, stunning mountains, clear blue lakes, islands, rain-forests, beautiful stretches of old growth coastline, picturesque cities,, cute towns, and world-class skiing, too. Together these things make British Columbia an extremely popular destination. Be sure to add BC to your "must see" bucket list!
"Okanagan Wine Country" Unbeknownst to many, British Columbia has a thriving and world renowned wine industry. There are five wine producing regions in BC; Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley, the Similkameen Valley and the Okanagan Valley, ....which is pictured here. There are a total of 370 licensed wineries in BC and 929 vineyards. 120 wineries are located here in the Okanagan Valley. More than 60 (grape) varieties are produced, including: Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. The BC wine industry contributes 2.8 billion dollars to the British Columbia’s economy yearly and welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year. That said, the Okanagan Valley is a year round hot spot, with beautiful lakes and beaches, world class golf courses and numerous world renowned ski resorts. British Columbia has a lot to offer; wineries, stunning mountains, clear blue lakes, islands, rain-forests, beautiful stretches of old growth coastline, picturesque cities,, cute towns, and world-class skiing, too. Together these things make iBritish Columbia an extremely popular destination. Be sure to add BC to your "must see" bucket list!
This could be anywhere but on this particular day, while hiking alone through a meandering path (near Valemount, BC), I was reflecting on freedom and boundaries. I was here, in my RV, free of all my regular responsibilities, free to do whatever I wanted, and free to roam wherever my feet would take me. As the trail meandered, I reflected on the value of freedom, responsibilities and boundaries and concluded that we need recognize these, our human needs. Now when I look at this photo, I'm reminded that life is like this meandering trail; there are boundaries for us to follow yet we're free to meander. It was a welcomed break for which I was thankful. That said, I was also very thankful I didn't encounter a bear (which I did on a later visit!).
Unbeknownst to many, British Columbia has a thriving and world renowned wine industry. There are five wine producing regions in BC; Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, Fraser Valley, the Similkameen Valley and the Okanagan Valley, ....which is pictured here. There are a total of 370 licensed wineries in BC and 929 vineyards. 120 wineries are located here in the Okanagan Valley. More than 60 (grape) varieties are produced, including: Merlot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. The BC wine industry contributes 2.8 billion dollars to the British Columbia’s economy yearly and welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year. That said, the Okanagan Valley is a year round hot spot, with beautiful lakes and beaches, world class golf courses and numerous world renowned ski resorts. British Columbia has a lot to offer; wineries, stunning mountains, clear blue lakes, islands, rain-forests, beautiful stretches of old growth coastline, picturesque cities,, cute towns, and world-class skiing, too. Together these things make iBritish Columbia an extremely popular destination. Be sure to add BC to your "must see" bucket list!
