British Columbia Photos
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Exploring, discovering what’s around the corner and challenging my boundaries (within reason), are where I find happiness. Traveling in my RV and towing a Jeep to unique destinations hasn’t always easy but capturing shots like this one makes it all worth it! When time flies, I know that I’m in my flow and I’m in my element. Behind my camera is where I find happiness, fulfillment and (importantly), connection with all of you. Helmcken Falls is a 141 m (463 ft) waterfall on the Murtle River, within Wells Gray Provincial Park, in British Columbia, Canada. It’s one of six falls on the Murtle River and the fourth tallest in Canada. Wells Gray Provincial Park has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. It’s lush alpine meadows are excellent for birding and wildlife. There are many hiking trails for every ability. Camping, boating, canoeing and kayaking on Clearwater Lake is a must! Businesses in the area also offer horseback riding, canoeing, river-rafting, fishing and hiking. Although my visit here was short, I look forward to going back and even getting some winter shots of the area too.
I recently went on a photo shoot to Vancouver Island, with plans to explore the northern section of the island. Mother Nature however had a different agenda; snow and ice (in November!). Vancouver Island is well known as the warmest place in Canada. The province’s capital city Victoria for example, enjoys an average temperature of 10°C, of 50°F. So, to have below freezing temperatures made traveling more challenging; ultimately, I had to change my plans. Not only did my RV need new tires (which I got during my travels) but I also had to consider that my RV wasn’t winterized. Who would have thought I’d have to worry about that in November! That said, I had to winterize my RV before I headed inland, and home. I captured this, my last photo of my trip, on my way home (an hour before I winterized the RV) outside of Abbotsford, BC. I had captured another photo here once before (see "Morning Ballet), so I purposely stopped to see if I could find another composition. The fog was starting to lift so time was of an essence. It was a bit of a scramble (yikes!) but fortunately, I came across this view immediately. I was however tempted to keep exploring but in the end I decided to stay, set up my gear and wait for the sun to (hopefully) illuminate the scene. My wait was worth it! Notice how the sun's rays are merely kissing the scene; it was exactly what I was waiting for. I love this photo; it’s mood, the subtle colors and it’s composition too.
To produce a well crafted photo that has meaning and conveys a feeling, can be a challenge; yet that is what I strive for. That said, many elements have to be in alignment for that to happen, and it's a lucky day when they do. When it comes to “moody” photographs, soft light and fog are definitely my friends. I love how the soft, diffused morning light reduces the highlights, softens the darks, opens up the shadows and yet make the colors pop. The fog not only adds depth to the scene but it definitely creates a sense of mood or mystery. This photograph was taken while I hiked a trail that started at the Stamp River Provincial Park (14Km’s/8.5 miles north of Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island). The park features moss covered rain forests, rapids, a waterfall and a substantial fish ladder (which allows half a million Coho, Sockeye and Chinook salmon to pass the falls). I parked my RV there for the night and was on the trail well before sunrise; I wanted to get out there before the fog would burn off. Their was a cool and misty breeze that followed the river, and the smell of decaying salmon was noticeably strong. This was bear country, and I knew they’d fattening up for their long winter’s nap so my bear spray was close at hand. What I love about this photograph is it’s sense of mystery and how the cool and warm colors are in harmony throughout the scene. I too love the focal point; the tree and how it’s leaning over the cliff’s edge.
I am not a fan of cold weather but the allure of a great shot is like Christmas morning; I can hardly wait to get out there! That said, it was the first frost of the season when I headed out with eager anticipation of what I might find. As I drove along this countryside I stumbled upon this view and I immediately noticed the lead in lines of the bulrushes and that they lead my eyes to the old farmhouse. It was early, the morning air was calm, the light was still blue (see note below) and the sun was just about to appear from behind the mountain. “Perfect!” I thought to myself, and I waited patiently for the sun to appear (brrr!). When the sun finally did appear and I was thrilled by what I saw! Notice how the warm casting sunlight accentuated the lead in line of the bullrushes and how it created a mix of both blue and gold color hues. Within seconds this amazing view disappeared; my patience (and tolerance for the cold) paid off! “Blue hour” is the light that is just prior to sunrise, or after sunset.
While in Tofino, British Columbia, I stayed in my RV at an ocean front RV resort and had the pleasure of enjoying this beautiful beach. On this blustery morning, I decided to stay close to my RV home and while out for my morning stroll with Arlo (my Aussiedoodle), I managed to capture this shot. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches and old-growth rain-forests, Tofino attracts surfers, nature lovers, campers, whale watchers, hikers, bikers, boaters and fishermen alike. Whether you want to get close to nature, or be pampered, Tofino has it all. There are many fine restaurants, hotels, gift stores and many fantastic art galleries too (being an art lover, I went in them all!).
Tofino, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of British Columbia, are characterized by the wild natural scenery; ancient rain-forest, vast sandy beaches (which offer year-round surfing), many hiking trails, a paved 43 km. (26 mile) paved biking trail and many fine shops, hotels and restaurants. I spent 5 days in Tofino, in hopes of shooting some stormy sea and sky photos. Although the storms never developed, on this day there was a high surf advisory, so off I went in search of some waves. Not being very familiar with the ocean, I was somewhat intimidated by its mighty strength and roar. I spotted these ocean birds (called Brandt's Cormorants) silhouetted on this rock from quite a distance, noting their sleek necks and rounded bellies as I walked towards them. I climbed the boulders to get to this view (with one eye on the ocean!). Once I found my composition, I was waited for the "big" wave; I keeping one eye on the ocean so I wouldn't be swept in. Using my 100 to 400 Sony zoom lens I was able to capture this photograph. As I waited, I remembering comparing my fear of the ocean to theirs and envied their agility. That said, fear got the best of me and once I got this shot, I was out of there! Quick Brandt's Cormorants facts: They are expert divers and can swim more than 200 feet in pursuit of fish and shellfish. They're an aggressive bird. They migrate each year from Alaska to Mexico and are very common and widespread. Brandt's sports a vivid cobalt-blue throat patch and eyes during breeding season. They have wispy white feathers on the head, which you can't see in this photo.
"Calling Me" - “The mountains are calling and I must go.” ~ John Muir For those of you who feel the mountains speak to you, this photo and the words of John Muir (above), need little explanation. I'm truly a mountain girl; IT'S THERE that I feel the very essence of "Romi": IT'S THERE, while surrounded by it's beauty, that I can be my authentic and human self; at peace with my flaws and in admiration of whom I've become. IT'S THERE, that I turn inwards, in reflection of my many blessings. IT'S THERE, with the help and healing power of Mother Nature, that I find my inspiration (creatively and otherwise) IT'S THERE, that I want my ashes to be strewn; WHERE THE MOUNTAINS CALL TO ME.
As a beginner, I use to give composition very little thought, and most of my photos were grand scenes but now, I find myself finding great pleasure in finding and composing more intimate scenes, like this one. Although this type of photography isn't for everyone my photographic journey is for "me"; my soul and my healing. I'm in my element when I'm out exploring, and all my worries disappear. There, I'm at one with Mother Nature and I know she means me no harm. That said, I'm also there to represent her through my photography for all to see, experience and (hopefully) inspire in some way. I often think of those of you whom (because of your physical limitations), can't experience her, and for that I am sorry but I hope that just for a moment, you're there with me. Yes, it's (tearfully) lonely at times but I don't feel nearly as lonely when I'm out on the open road, and exploring Mother Nature. I named this photography "A Graceful Descent" because it represents my journey. We fall, we get up and we grow again! :-)
As mentioned previously, I’ve started to hone in on some more intimate scenes, like this one. Being so very visual, I tend to notice smaller scenes and with more practice of late, I’m starting to feel much more confident in pulling it all together. Although this photo may not resonate with everyone, I'm drawn to it's mystical qualities. I’ve often pondered, what takes an image from being a “snapshot”, to a piece majestic piece of “art”? It’s starts with the photographer observing the elements. That said, before composing this photograph, I considered these five things: 1. Geometry (the placement of the tree in the frame) 2. The color or colors (I loved the monochromatic look). 3. Luminosity (I loved the addition of the fog). 4. Contrast (soft light results in low contrast). 5. Mood (what was the general mood I wanted to capture). This photograph was taken in an ancient forest on Vancouver Island, BC. The cascading hairs are often referred to as “Old Man’s Beard” or “Grandfather’s Beard” but I’ve known it as “Witch’s beard” (hmmm......). They’re in the lichen family and are known as “Bearded Lichen (Usnea Longissima). They can grow up to 20 feet in length and with this tree hanging over a ridge, these beards were darn close!
Copper Island is an island on Shuswap Lake, located in south central British Columbia, Canada. Known for its world famous house-boating industry it's also admired by sun worshipers, outdoor enthusiasts, fishermen and boaters alike; with summer temperatures up to 40C+ (104F). I drive past Copper Island quite frequently, and admittedly it usually doesn’t catch my eye but on this recent early morning commute, the scene demanded my attention. My timing, the weather conditions and the lighting were all in alignment; I was thrilled! Thankfully I had my camera with me because moments and captures like these just can’t be planned. Thank you David and Lila and for letting me park in your driveway so I could capture this image. It was very nice to meet you!
I named this image "Glimmering Copper", not only because of it's copper color but because the ridge is actually an island, called "Copper Island". Located in south central BC, it's a hub sun worshipers and boaters alike. This view is only minutes from where I hang my hat during the summer months; obviously I stayed a little longer this year. I chose to stay so that I could capture some winter scenes and as luck should have it winter arrived early; lucky me! Not one that loves the cold winter months (and short days!), I'll be heading south soon in my RV (with Arlo and my camera). I'd like to take a moment to thank all of my friends, followers and supporters. Without you my photography would go unnoticed and be purposeless (and so too my life!); you fill my heart. My self proclaimed purpose for my photography isn't just to nourish my soul but to inspire others to make the most of their life's, no matter what curve balls have been thrown their way. May you live and love wholeheartedly. "Happy Holidays"! Sincerely, Romi :-)
Copper Island, which is located in Shuswap region of south-central British Columbia, is the pride of Shuswap Lake. It was given that name because of it’s copper color however the Shuswap people (Secwepemc, pronounced suh-Wep-muhc), who were the first to inhabit these lands, named it Cemete’tkwe, in their Secwepemctsin language. In 1956 Copper Island became a Provincial Park and is busy with sun worshipers (summer, lol), hikers and boaters alike. To capture this image, in the way I had envisioned it, took some planning. I wanted the lake to look smooth (rather than choppy) so I needed to reduce my shutter speed; which required a density filter (which reduces the amount of light from entering my camera). With a slow shutter speed of 2 seconds, I had to use a tripod. I also wanted to include the foreground, so my camera was only 1 foot off of the (cold!) ground. This photograph is a good example of how colors (along with density) help to create depth in an image. Cool colors tend to reseed whereas warm colors come forward; you can clearly see that in this image. Notice the warmth (yellows) of the foreground and the cool colors (blues) in the background. Once I got this shot, I high tailed it back to the warmth of my Jeep! Welcome winter!
“Art, is in the eye of the beholder”. The "art" in photography is much more than capturing what I see, it's truly in the art of observing. The way in which light interacts with the scene can make a mundane scene, absolutely exquisite. That said, I’m always searching beyond my first glance for the unique and prized image, such as this one. I love abstract art but not necessarily just the typical obscure type. It’s the photographic pieces created by Mother Nature that I love and when it comes to composing, I don't just consider placement but light, form, colors and textures too.
While visiting Tofino recently (Vancouver Island, BC), one of my goals was to capture a few epic ocean sunsets. As each day drew to a close, I surveyed the sky in hopes for that epic shot. Fortunately, just as my stay drew to a close, the weather gods awarded me with this astonishing scene. Although there aren't a lot of vibrant colors in this photograph, I love its subtlety. The lack of vibrancy not only adds to its overall softness but it also evokes a sense of calm, peace and tranquility. I have no idea who the gentleman is that's gazing over the ocean but believe me, I sure was excited to see him walk into the scene; with him in the frame, the photograph bears a sense of depth and scale. I find his (reflective) stance quite interesting, in that it makes me wonder what he's thinking about, and that's why I named this photo "At One With The Ocean" *Tofino is known for its sandy beaches and old-growth rain-forest, Tofino attracts surfers, nature lovers, campers, whale watchers, hikers, bikers, boaters and fishermen alike. Whether you want to get close to nature, or be pampered, Tofino has it all. There are many fine restaurants, hotels, gift stores and many fantastic art galleries too (being an art lover, I went in them all!).
This is one of my all-time favorite photos, in all regards. Forest scenes are generally busy, in that there are so many trees and distractions. That said, Mother Nature made this composition, I just had to see it. Trampling through the forest looking for compositions is not easy but I don't have any complaints because I finding one is truly like being on an Easter egg hunt! I particularly LOVE this photo because it has so many of the compositional elements that I look for, and the light perfect (soft, not harsh). I particularly love the lead in line and how your eye goes around (and around) the tree and not out the frame. I also love this photograph's balance in that it's weighted equally with the central tree being the anchor. There's also a great sense of perception; notice how the background drops off. I named this photograph "Embraced" because the tree appeared to be embraced by the forest and because of the embracing circular path around it. I too noticed that it was flourishing, more so than the other trees, so Mother Nature must be embracing it too. May we all feel, (like this tree) "Embraced".
So, "What's so great about Tofino?", you ask. This! Known for its sandy beaches and old-growth rain-forest, Tofino attracts surfers, nature lovers, campers, whale watchers, hikers, bikers, boaters and fishermen alike. Whether you want to get close to nature, or be pampered, Tofino has it all. There are many fine restaurants, hotels, gift stores and many fantastic art galleries too (being an art lover, I went in them all!). While in Tofino, I stayed in an ocean front RV resort, that wasn't too far from the downtown core. From there I cycled the many lengthy, paved pathways and I strolled along the resort's beach too (Arlo, my 7-month-old puppy loved it, and so did I!). Capturing an epic ocean, sunset shot was on my bucket list, so every evening I'd check the horizon for those perfect sunset cloud formations. On this evening, I noted that the clouds were be lining up and forming perfectly, however my hopes got squashed when the marine layer (clouds) formed along the horizon. I thought I got skunked but..... read on. I got a few shots of a rather boring sunset before I turned away. Walking back to my RV, someone suddenly came up from behind me and said, "You should see the sunset now!" and with that, I did an about face! Back at the beach, the sun was peeking through a small opening in the clouds, and it was just a sliver! Knowing that time was of an essence, I quickly set my camera to capture the sun's rays and started shooting in repetition. The sunset lasted seconds! For all the photos I (unfortunately) miss, I'm fortunate to get others; a photographer's reality.
The community of Blind Bay is a favorite holiday destination by visitors all over the world. The bay itself is located on Shuswap Lake, BC and is loved by those who love sunshine, sandy beaches, boating, hiking, resort living and fine restaurants; basically it has it all! In the winter this area is fast becoming a major snowmobile destination, with challenging terrain and powder that is measured in feet, and not inches! The first thing I noticed when I observed this scene, was that there was so much to see (detail; just look at all the homes on the hillside!). Prior to capturing this image I had to consider that in order to see all the mynute details in a print form, it would have to be blown up, and quite substantially. So, I took two shots, one of the left side of the scene and the other of the right side of the scene, and later (in post production), I “stitched” together. Now, I have a file that’s almost twice as big than I would have had, if I had captured the scene in just one shot. Yay!
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 but 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 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 my 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 we all had helmet hair; lol ..you can imagine the looks we got when we walked it.... Too funny !:-) That said however, being an off-grid community, everyone was more interested in our travels than our attire! Such fun! Such GREAT, great welcoming and embracing community! 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.
The Western Red Cedars of “Ancient Forest National Park”, typically grow along the northwest coast of North America,. Oddly enough though, these were located in the interior of BC! Many of the enormously tall trees are well over 1000 years old; thanks to the perfect weather and soil conditions, and the ability to survive past droughts, storms, insect outbreaks and fires too. Knowing that the early morning fog would add “mood” to the overall composition, I arrived before sunrise, The little bit that was there however quickly dissipated but I did manage to capture this moody shot. That said, it's very indicative of what I felt; all alone, at peace and at awe with nature. As I meandered along the manmade boardwalks through the forest, I could feel myself depart from the world outside, in both in time in space. I certainly was in my element and for a moment, I was a child again, without a care it the world. I hiked around with my camera gear on my back and with my puppy Arlo by my side for almost 5 hours. He's only five months old but I started training him early to sit and be still when I set up my tripod. Although he can't go on all of my photo shoots, he’s such a good puppy and great companion. What I love about this photo is its overall sense of mood and when I look at it, I feel a sense of mystery, yet I feel the tranquility and calm too. I actually saw this scene from quite a distance so I carefully chose where to positioned myself and then I changed my lens and camera settings… and so on, and so on! I remember thinking that photography is a lot like golf! Just as there is a lot to consider and remember before you swing, well, there’s a lot to consider before you press the shutter button too! Do this, do that, don’t do this… and so on, ha ha! As I neared the end of my hike, Arlo (with an alert stance) came to a dead stop…. hmmm, this was a first! Suddenly I heard what he heard; a rustling noise but it was a noise that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. As I stood in the stillness the strange sound slowly got louder, and louder. When I looked up, I realized a strong wind was blowing above me (only) and the noise was from the thousands of leaves blowing in the wind. I chuckled…. and breathed a sigh of relief (lol).
"Wells Gray Centerpiece" *vertical
Exploring, discovering what’s around the corner and challenging my boundaries (within reason), are where I find happiness. Traveling in my RV and towing a Jeep to unique destinations hasn’t always easy but capturing shots like this one makes it all worth it! When time flies, I know that I’m in my flow and I’m in my element. Behind my camera is where I find happiness, fulfillment and (importantly), connection with all of you. Helmcken Falls is a 141 m (463 ft) waterfall on the Murtle River, within Wells Gray Provincial Park, in British Columbia, Canada. It’s one of six falls on the Murtle River and the fourth tallest in Canada. Wells Gray Provincial Park has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast. It’s lush alpine meadows are excellent for birding and wildlife. There are many hiking trails for every ability. Camping, boating, canoeing and kayaking on Clearwater Lake is a must! Businesses in the area also offer horseback riding, canoeing, river-rafting, fishing and hiking. Although my visit here was short, I look forward to going back and even getting some winter shots of the area too.
My recent travels included a visit to my late husband's family in Mission, BC. and being an early riser I set out before sunrise to explore the many back-roads behind Mission and Deroche, BC. I didn't have my Jeep with me (I often pull it behind my RV) so I cruised around in the comfort of my RV. I sit quite high in it, so I see so much more than most in their vehicles do; including this silhouetted fisherman. There were well over 100 people fishing on the shores of the Nicomen slough, and they all seemed to constantly reeling in their lines with catches.... Hmmm? Being curious, I stopped to chat with a gentleman and he proceeded to tell me that they're all fishing for Coho Salmon and that their limit (government enforced) was two. "I got my two", he said. I then asked him, "Being that they're spawning, are they any good to eat?", to which he replied, "The Coho are fine, but you don't want to eat the Chum salmon, we release them". This photo was a bit tricky to take and to process (raw file) because the scene is both brilliant and dark. I enjoyed the challenge, and love the result! We can learn much by exploring, asking questions and stepping outside my comfort zone. Where to next!?
The difference between taking a photo and making a photo is the intent, the vision and passion (or in my case, sometimes my obsession, lol!). A lot of effort that goes into a photo-shoot, yet sometimes I don’t get single shot. That’s the reality of the photography but I enjoy the challenge, and the rewards. Often times, my capture just doesn't seem match my vision, while other times my it exceeds my expectations (that's always a bonus!). There are many types of thought-provoking photography but lately I’ve been aspiring to more expressive photography, that have an emotional attachment. Bright, warm and colorful images are generally happy, gleeful images that put a smile on your face, while the more dreary, foggy and cool images are more calming and peaceful. On the other hand, many dark images evoke a sense of melancholy or even dread (which I’m not a fan of). This photo was taken at Little Qualicum Falls, on Vancouver Island, and although it was beautiful, I found it difficult to find a composition. It was raining, and I thought I got skunked until I came across this smaller, more intimate scene. The highlighted green moss caught my eye first, and then the cool mist; which adds depth and a calming and mysterious mood to the overall image. This image belongs to Mother Nature; it's her composition, just waiting to be noticed. 🙂
*Are my photographs real, or manipulated? It seems these days, that the general public believes that all digital photographs have been manipulated. Although this is may be true of some photographs, ultimately, it's the artist’s (the photographer’s) art and creation. This could be argued however that it’s basically telling lie. In this photograph, a single eagle flew into the frame and then in the same repetition of images, another eagle followed. So, I blended the two images together so they appeared in one frame; this is now what's called a "composite". A composite photograph is an image that has been manipulated; they can include (but not limited to), the blending of two photos, adding an element or swapping out a sky. *So why do digital images have to be processed in the first place? The snapshots that you take with your smartphone, are all JPEG files; which basically means that your smartphone camera did all the adjustments for you (yay!). Sure, the convenience is great but the downside is that the files are small, and lack pixel detail. I on the other hand, I take what’s called “RAW” images, which offers a large amount of pixel detail. That said, the upside of a RAW image is that you don’t lose too much of the original detail when you blow it up. The downside however is that (out of camera) they look flat and lack vibrancy. So, a RAW image requires post processing to restore them.... and time! *So, what are my thoughts on digital alteration? I like to edit my digital files to represent what I saw (using highlights, contrast and tones to draw my viewer’s attention to the subject or overall scene), and if it’s a composite it had better be from the same scene, taken at the same time (like this image). *In conclusion: The argument remains, “Is manipulating an image a lie, or a piece of art”? The debate continues..... *A side note: It was pouring when I took this photograph (in Ucluelet, BC), and with the wind, I had to constantly wipe off my lens. Arlo went with me on this photos shoot; he wasn’t impressed 😊
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!