Yamnuska

When you leave Calgary and drive to the mountains, you’ll probably see Mount Yamnuska.

“Yamnuska” is the popular name for the mountain near the Bow River’s exit from the Rockies. It is also known as Mount Laurie, but that name is seldom used. This Stoney Indian word “Yamnuska” means ‘flat faced mountain’. It is this ‘flat face’ that distinguishes it. It is very popular with hikers and climbers as well as photographers; one of its advantages is its proximity to Canmore, home to many mountaineers and picture-takers.

Yamnuska has appeared in some movies shot in Alberta including Legends of the Fall with Brad Pitt, Open Range with Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall and more recently, Brokeback Mountain with Heath Ledger.

This morning I accompanied Bob Bear and Stu Hamilton for  an early morning photo excursion to Yamnuska. We caught the sunrise on the mountain and captured some interesting scenery around a pond that we discovered conveniently situated between us and the mountain. I begin with a picture of the mountain with its face being warmed by the early morning sun.

We were fortunate to have a still morning, allowing us to capture the very clear reflections in the pond just in front of us. I took advantage of the light and the still waters to take this next photograph which features the near mirror image of a fallen tree reflected on the water’s surface. This pond is in a low lying area which is quite damp and marshy. As you will notice, many of the trees in the immediate area are dead or  in poor shape. Despite their tattered appearance, they lend interest to the scene, particularly the uprooted stumps. What they lack in life and beauty they compensate with character.

 

This next scene features Yamnuska from a slightly different angle and includes another up-rooted tree. Both are beautifully reflected in the water.

Today’s final picture was taken immediately upon our arrival, before the sun had risen. A test shot, so to speak. It is much the same composition as the first shot, but it looks quite different with the cooler colour tone. I like the almost monotone look; this picture would have looked good in black and white.

It was a warm morning and a beautiful day to be outside. Despite the lure to remain in this very picturesque location, other priorities beckoned and we returned home soon after 8:00 am. We had already enjoyed a great day and could look forward to enjoying it much longer.