This morning I went out early with Bob Bear to capture the sunrise. Sunrise comes early at this time of the year, so we were in position, ready to go soon after 5:00 am. The sunrise didn’t live up to expectations but we did get some good shots of the Vermilion Lakes and then later, Mount Rundle and the Vermilion Lakes from Mount Norquay.
My first picture features Mount Rundle taken from the shore of the first of the Vermilion Lakes. The dock in the foreground is for use by canoeists, put there by the kind folks at Parks Canada.
Turning westward, I took this next picture from the same general location. It features two prominent peaks in the Banff area, reflected in the lake. As an added bonus, I got the reflection of the reeds in the water as well. Difficult to tell where the reeds end and their reflections begin, though.
We went into Banff for a coffee and to warm up a bit before ascending Mount Norquay for our next series of pictures. It’s cold around here early in the morning. We drove up the road to the Mount Norquay ski resort, stopping at a turnout that gives a good view of the Town of Banff and the Vermilion Lakes. In this next picture, I focused on Mount Rundle. You can also see part of Banff in the lower right hand corner.
Today’s last picture shows the Vermilion Lakes, just west of the Banff Townsite. The lakes sit on the bottom of the Bow Valley between the mountain ranges on each side. The Bow River flows past the lakes (not through) on the far side of the lakes in this picture. The transcontinental railroad is also squeezed in there, between the river and the lakes.
I’ll be going out again on Sunday, weather permitting. There is still much terrain to explore and photograph.