Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

October 25, 2010November 6, 2015

Lake O’Hara

Tucked away in British Columbia’s Yoho National Park, Lake O’Hara is one of the crown jewels of the Canadian Rockies. But this alpine wonder is easily overlooked with the majestic scenery just to the east in adjacent Banff and Jasper National Parks. Just seven miles west of Lake Louise on the Trans-Canada highway, Lake O’hara’s pristine setting is preserved in part because it’s located at the end of a seven mile dirt road accessible only by reserved shuttle or foot. Limited accommodations are available at the lakeside lodge, the nearby campground, or one of several huts run by the Canadian Alpine Club, but reservations are required and fill up quickly in the summer months.

In the fall, the turquoise water of this glacially fed lake is a beautiful contrast to the golden larch trees that dot the surrounding cliffs. Like many of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies a high level of glacial silt (also known as rock flour) gives the water its incredible blue hue. Wildlife is abundant in the area and mountain goats can frequently be seen on rocky slopes and ridge lines above the lake along with hoary marmots and pikas. Nearby Lakes Oesa, Opabin, and McArthur are equally breathtaking if you have more than a day in the area and are accessed by an excellent network of trails. For the photographer, the stunning alpine scenery of the Lake O’hara basin is a world-class setting on par with any of the more famous sister parks of the Canadian Rockies.

October 19, 2010November 6, 2015

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Each year during the first week in October something special happens in the skies above Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m not referring to the glowing fall aspens or the fiery sunsets over the Sangre de Christo Mountains, but a sea of giant orbs floating gently over the landscape the likes of which you’ll see nowhere else on earth. It’s the International Balloon Fiesta where over 600 aviators from 20 countries around the world bring their brightly colored and uniquely shaped envelopes to sample what is known as the Albuquerque Box – a unique set of wind currents that will carry a balloon in any direction depending on its elevation.

For spectators and photographers in particular, watching a mass ascension at dawn is breathtaking. Silent except for the murmur of the crowd and the occasional jet burst from the burners, the balloons slowly fill and lift into the morning sky gently “kissing” each other as they jostle for air space. This is one location where you can leave the tripod behind as the sheer volume of people and balloons covering the enormous grounds and the constant activity makes it a hazard. In years past shooting film was a challenge, but today’s digital cameras with low-noise sensors are perfect for the constantly changing light as the sun rises.

In addition to mass ascensions that usually occur on the weekends, the balloon glow is another spectacular event held in the evenings. The balloons are tethered to the ground and kept inflated with their burners, which cause the envelopes to glow like the famed luminarias of the region. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world and is something everyone should experience at least once.

October 13, 2010November 7, 2017

Transition Time

Golden fall aspens and fresh snow, San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado (Russ Bishop/Russ Bishop Photography) — Golden fall aspens, San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado

The transition from summer to fall can be a sudden explosion of color or a subtle change in hues depending on how quickly the temperature drops as the autumnal equinox approaches. Equally dramatic is the first snowfall signaling the coming of winter. It might be a light dusting on leaves and branches adding a new dimension to the autumn landscape, or a large storm that blankets the slopes at higher elevations in stark contrast to the bold colors below. This image from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado exemplifies the later and is a prime example of seasons competing for attention – and for the photographer’s eye.