The Beauty of Castle Mountain

The Beauty that is Castle Mountain

Castle Mountain is in the Rocky Mountains about half way between Banff and Lake Louise. It is a very scenic spot that looks good in all sorts of light and weather conditions. I love to see it when it is being lit up from the side because the shadows in between each of the parapet like peaks falls into deep shadow and makes the mountain look even more rugged than normal.

We were passing by at just the right time the other day to enjoy the sunrise. It was a particularly beautiful thing when the Alpenglow dropped down the face of the mountain. I love the Rockies!

The Beauty that is Castle Mountain

Panoramic image of the Alpenglow on Castle Mountain

Round Bales in Morning Light

Round Bales in Morning Light

I’ve seen this field of hay bales many times recently and I was really looking for a good opportunity to make some nice images. It always seemed that I was in a rush as I passed by and never had time to stop. I finally made an opportunity to stop one morning just before sunrise. The soft morning light was amazing and I could have spent hours there if the lighting conditions had held up longer.

Round Bales in Morning Light

Round Bales in Morning Light

Round Bales in Morning Light

Round Bales in Morning Light

The Full Moon Rising

The Full Moon Rising

I often plan photoshoots to coincide with the moonset at sunrise, around the time of the full moon. This event only happens on one day (or very rarely two days) each month, and as often as not it is obscured by clouds or fog, or I simply can’t make it out at that time on that day of the month. It is a very beautiful thing to see the moon painted with the colors of the sunrise and it really is worth making an extra effort to get out to see it.

I have only rarely considered that the moonrise at sunset is equally beautiful and powerful to see, and I haven’t paid nearly as much attention to the timing of that event each month. It was a happy accident today when I just happened to look over my shoulder and noticed that the moon was rising behind me, and it appeared to be huge against the horizon! I quickly found a nice agricultural scene that would highlight the beauty of the dusky colored moon and made a few nice images.

More Blackbird Hatchlings

Brewers Blackbird Hatchling

I had a chance to get a few more shots of these Blackbird hatchlings today. The light and the chicks were much more cooperative than they were the other day, and it was really fun to see them light up whenever anyone passed by. Their parents weren’t very happy, but I guess that’s their fault for building their nest in a very public area where people pass by regularly.

Here are a few more images of these cute and fuzzy birds.

Brewers Blackbird Hatchling

Brewers Blackbird Hatchling

Brewers Blackbird Hatchling