Banff National Park

It is time to continue with the drive through Banff National Park.

I really don't think I need to say much about the photos,as they speak for themselves.

This is Lake Louise,a lake that has perhaps been on more calendars than any other.

The next two photos are similar,yet different.I couldn't choose between the two,so you get to see both.

The following words may seem out of place,but,even though this is not the Grand Canyon,Mount Everest or Victoria Falls,God's touch is still evident here.

From the great Grand Canyon to the northern lights
Victoria Falls to Mount Everest high
Every miracle in this world confirms
The Master’s touch is everywhere you turn  

Guest Post by Steve Hiebert Photography

Today I am sharing a post put together by my son,Steve. I am very proud of the work he does and love to share it with you all.

Johnston Canyon

1/2 second exposure f/22, 12-40 f2.8 lens on OMD EM-1 Handheld using built in image stabilization.

Processed in Lightroom from a RAW file to maintain detail in the highlights as well as the shadow areas.

Top of Sulphur Mountain, Banff

1/3200 f/4.0, 12-40 f2.8 lens on OMD EM-1

Processed in Lightroom from a RAW file with a gradient tool to bring down the highlight of the sky.

Top of Sulphur Mountain

9 image stitch (stitched in Photoshop)

1/1600 f4.0, 12-40 f2.8 lens on OMD EM-1

All images processed in Lightroom from RAW files with gradient tool used to bring down haze and highlights in the sky.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

15 image stitch to get a wider angle of view.

1/5sec f/16 12-40 f2.8 lens on OMD EM-1

Here is the process I went through to create the Johnston Canyon Lower Falls image.  Below are 15 JPEG images straight out of the camera.  To create the final image that was posted I used the RAW files though and I’ll explain as I go along why that is.    So first I processed all the images in Lightroom.  Some of the images I worked in Lightroom with a spot adjustment tool to create an HDR image essentially.  Notice at the very top of the falls is a really bright spot where the sun is shining against the trees.  This became a very distracting spot and draws the eye away from the main subject.  I used the spot adjustment tool and lowered the exposure on that area.  I also made a general over all adjustment to the shadows.  If you look at the close up image below you can see that bright highlight in the trees that I’m talking about as well as how “blocked up” the shadows are.  That’s because this was shot as a JPEG.  When I shot in RAW I was able to manipulate these images way beyond what any JPEG is able to be worked.  It brought out a lot more detail in the highlights as well as in the shadow areas of the image making a much richer and fuller looking image.  After working with these files in Lightroom I then opened them in Photoshop to stitch the files together to create the full image.  After the final image was stitched I then opened it in SnapSeed (desktop version) and added a little extra separation to the water to to show the patterns a little more.

Johnston Canyon Part 2

This post will be short on words and long on photos,so tie up those hiking boots and let's walk to the Lower Falls at Johnston Canyon.

Just enjoy the scenery.

Kai ,taking it all in.

Posing for a photo.

Carful,don't bump your head on that overhang.

The Lower Falls are in sight.

Even a rainbow for our enjoyment.

To properly view the Lower Falls we have to walk through a rock tunnel/cave.Since there were so many people,we had to wait our turn.

From inside the tunnel we can already see the falls and feel the mist.

We have now walked 1.1 km or .683 miles. The falls are 20 metres or 65 1/2 feet high.

 The sound and feeling the mist is an amazing experience.

Closing Thought:

Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator.

(In my mind this is one of those signs.)

Johnston Canyon,Banff,Alberta Part 1

Johnston Canyon was right near the top of the list of places to see while in Banff.

This was the first place we stopped at on our one day tour of Banff National Park.

Having been there many years ago,27 years,to be exact,I sort of knew what to expect,but had also forgotten some areas.

Steve,Kai and I started down this 1.1km or just over half a mile long walk/hike which took us to the Lower Falls.

We walked alongside this stream the whole distance,with the scenes changing constantly.

This beautiful young lady was always willing to pose for a picture at trailside.

It was a joy to have this time together with two of the people,here on earth that I love the most.

We took longer than many,to walk this distance,because with two photographers,we stopped frequently to capture the scenes.

This was one of those walks where there was spectacular beauty all the way and I wanted so much to capture most of it.

The closer we got to the Lower Falls,the canyon walls became deeper.

This is what much of the walk looked like,a walk suspended at the edge of the canyon walls.I dared not think about this while on the walk,or I might have become very nervous,instead,I focused on the beauty my eyes were seeing.

As we neared the Lower Falls the water became more and more turbulent.The sound was amazing and the sight,awesome.

In a day or two,I will take you to the Lower Falls.

Until then,I leave you with the first verse of the hymn,I Sing The Mighty Power of God.

I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

Rocky Mountain Scenery

I don't usually show so many photos of one subject or place,but,these are the Rocky Mountains and they deserve to be shared. I had such a great time during the one day I was there,so I really want to share as much of that day as I can.

This was at the start of our drive into the mountains.In the distance I spotted this long waterfall.I took this shot while driving.

 This area had been burned at one time and the sign said it was a controlled burn,perhaps to prevent forest fires from spreading.Check out the peak Kai is pointing out to you.

Here is a closer look at that peak.

It was a beautiful drive through stands of tall trees and always those gorgeous mountains ahead of us.Yes,that is snow,or more correctly,those are glaciers on top of the mountains.

Looking down and not to be missed is the gentle beauty of the wayside flowers.I think the purple/pink one is Fireweed and of course it is surrounded by Daisies. 

From the rugged beauty of the mountains to the small intricate beauty of the flowers,all has been created by God and He allows us to enjoy it daily.

The Rocky Mountains

Did I mention that I loved being in the Rockies,even if it was only for one day?

I know many of these pictures may be similar,but there was just so much beauty,I didn't know when to stop shooting.

I sure was glad I was not driving through here,or we might have hit the ditch or worse.I couldn't take my eyes off the scenery.

This is very similar to the previous picture,only zooming in more on just one mountain.

I have no words to describe this.

Can you see Steve and Kai in this picture. Both were busy getting their own shots.

The blue sky certainly added to the beauty of the mountains.

I never actually sang out loud,but in my heart and mind were the words to How Great Thou Art.

Oh Lord my God,when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have,

I see the stars,I hear the rolling thunder,Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul,my Saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art,how great Thou art

HEADING WEST TO BANFF

August 1st,and I am up before the sun is,getting a few last minute things together for a quick trip west to Banff,Alberta.Before 6am,Steve and Kai pulled up at my house,loaded my stuff and away we were. 

The early morning light made these wind turbines look lovely.The moon in the western sky added to the beauty.

It was a long day of driving.Roughly 14 hours from Morden,to Calgary,Alberta and we were determined to do this in one day.We arrived in Calgary around 8:30pm,at the hotel Steve had reserved for us.By this time we were all ready to settle down and get some rest.

Sunday morning,it was a quick breakfast and then about an 1 ½ hours of driving to get to the mountains.I was so excited to finally be right there,it had been 27 years since I last was in the mountains.You can see by this picture that I was shooting through a dirty windshield,but I didn't mind,I could clearly see these majestic mountains.

As we got even closer,we pulled over to get some better pictures.I don't usually like pictures with hydro lines in them,but this was the best I could do from the roadside.

 The moon was still visible in the western sky,adding to the beauty of the scene.

We stopped at a small lake and Steve and Kai had to go check it out.Even Kai was getting her own photos with her iPod.

I had to get my two travel companions on a picture.This was going to be a full and fun day.

We spent only one day in the mountains,partly because of time restraints and costs,but we filled that day with lots of activity,beautiful scenery and time together,making memories.

Watch for more posts to come from this one day.

SUNFLOWERS and FRIENDS

I know that several blogging friends have indicated their love for sunflowers and one in particular who just celebrated a birthday.Betsy had a special day yesterday and I know she loves sunflowers so,this may be a day late but I hope you still enjoy these photos,Betsy.

I also hope that these bright blooms,which grow freely around here,will brighten the day for each one who reads this.

While trying to get a close-up shot,this bee decided to get in the picture.

 

Large fields of sunflowers can be seen around my area. The farmers grow them for bird feed and also for the sunflower oil which they produce.I actually like to use this oil in baking.

It doesn't matter how many I see,I still think this is a beautiful flower.

Trust me to get shots from the back side,just because.

The intricate details on these heads is amazing.

Closing Thought:

True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time." ― Marie Williams Johnstone