Originally, when we booked our tickets from Australia, we were going to fly from New York to Vancouver, Cananda, where we were going to spend the last leg of our trip spread between the city and Whistler. At the time, I figured Whistler would be just as gorgeous (albeit different) to Banff – “mountains are mountains” or so I told myself. After talking to a couple of friends, I came to the realisation that I just couldn’t visit Canada and not make it up to the Rockies. Besides, Banff has been ‘number one’ on my travel list for as long as I can remember, so how silly would it of been if we never went ? Absurd, right?!. So, after a bit of negotiation (and a bit more money) I re-routed our tickets so we would fly from New York to Calgary, pick up a car and drive a little more than an hour out to the beautiful town of Banff. Wow!!! It was everything I’d hoped for and more. We had many, many highlights during our US-Canada trip but I have to say that for me, Banff takes the cake.
Lake Louise is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Banff. You don’t really see it from the road or car park, but you get those feelings of excitement and anticipation when you pull up (or at least I did). I remember walking up the little rise from where we had parked to be greeted with the most stunning vista I think I have ever seen. Ever. Lake Louise is just g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s and no photo can ever do it justice. The photo above was taken straight from the path that circles the lake – hardly more than 50 steps from the car!
I have been looking forward to sharing some of these shots with you ever since taking them. I realise now that its not because they are necessarily great photo’s, it’s because the experience was so significant to me – the lifelong realisation of a dream, and you as shared observers to one of my experiences of a lifetime.
Please click on any of these shots to see them larger; I think the view is worth it. 🙂
Canon 7D | EF 24-105L, EF-S 10-22 | Tripod & Handheld | Post: Photomatix (for the HDR images) & Lightroom
Above:. The two shots taken above are both from 3 bracketed images and processed as an HDR (High Dynamic Range). Even when done like this, its a pale imitation to what you see with your naked eye.
Above: Canoeists out on the lake. I’m pretty I sure posted this photo as a teaser while we where in Banff, but hey, I just love that water. Wish we could of done it.
Wow, stunning!
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Thanks, Bec. Now just imagine seeing it in person… So, so pretty.
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We’ve enjoyed several trips to Lake Louise, Banff, and surrounds over the past couple of years and it’s always so beautiful. Looks like you got really lucky with the weather with so few clouds in the distance – and the water looks great. I’ve been both in Winter (lake totally frozen over, an we hiked out across a large section of it) and in Spring – very different experience.
I generally favour landscape orientation in my landscapes, but I really like that portrait-oriented HDR. Just stunning.
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I suppose it doesn’t surprise me to hear you say that, Mike. I remember many years ago when I was down at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, I read a sign that said there was only about a dozen days in the year when you could see the actual cradle top due to inclement weather. The day we had a Lake Louise was glorious. Luck of the draw fell in our favour this time. We weren’t so fortunate by the time we made it to Vancouver though. Ah, swings and roundabouts, eh. 🙂
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First reaction…..OMG! second reaction…green with envy….third reaction recovered from being bowled over by such wonderful, breathtaking images. You have really surpassed yourself with these images Distan….have a great week
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Thanks very much, James. Doesn’t mother nature have some of the most incredible delights! So memorable. Oh how I’d love to travel more so I could feast more from her smorgasbord :-).
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Magnificent !
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Thank you, Mathias.
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Stunning scenery and images! I cannot wait to return to Germany’s Alps this summer and see the mountain foliage sporting similar hues to those here.
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beautiful, Distan. I love your variation in your photographs!
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Thank you so much, Carla. That’s very kind of you.
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That water looks so clear and beautiful, as do your images Distan.
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Too kind, Leanne. Thank you.
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Oh my goodness ! These are superb ! I live in Canada but I never went to Banff. I really hope to go someday. Wonderful photos !
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Oh, thank you so much Jocelyne. Canada was so beautiful and Banff was definitely a highlight for us on our holiday. I would love to spend some more time over there soaking up your glorious vistas. Appreciate you taking the time to comment too; much appreciated.
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