lake louise

Ice Age Remnants

There was a remarkable change in terrain. Gone were the thick conifers on rocky slopes with gurgling creeks carrying fresh snowmelt. The slippery scree of the glacial moraine was unmistakable, and up the U-shaped valley, I could spot the tail of the Victoria Glacier and the thin icefield it originated from.

Time and climate change had definitely taken its toll at the Valley of the Six Glaciers in the heart of Banff National Park. Where the six glaciers used to converge was now a vast debris field left behind by the glacier as it had retreated. Barren hillslopes sans vegetation were evidence of where the glaciers had originally risen up to.

While it is unfortunate that this glacial terminus won't revert back to its glorious self in my lifetime, I do hope that other glaciers around the world won't reach this same fate.

Banff National Park

AB Cananda

Glaciated Blues

My visions for the Canadian Rockies comprised of grand glacial-blue lakes guarded by towering snow-capped peaks lined by massive glaciers, and a layer of evergreen forest carpeting the landscape below. And from the air, it most certainly looked like…

My visions for the Canadian Rockies comprised of grand glacial-blue lakes guarded by towering snow-capped peaks lined by massive glaciers, and a layer of evergreen forest carpeting the landscape below. And from the air, it most certainly looked like that. However, it was not until I explored the various lakes nestled deep within the glaciated valleys that I got to realize those visions.

Perhaps the most characteristic of these lakes is the Moraine Lake, set in one such valley just south of Lake Louise. From the shore, the look looked unremarkable, similar to the other lakes in the area. But after climbing up to get the aerial perspective, I got to see the true colors of the landscape it was surrounded by, with the grey skies enhancing the muted colors of the scene.

Despite the throngs of crowds visiting that lake, I still had felt solace and a sense of belonging to this beautiful naturescape. The craggy peaks, the vast carpet of green surrounding the azure blue lake, and the fresh scent of mountain air rejuvenated my senses, and I, for one, was better for it.

This was shot with a graduated ND filter at F/11 and 1/200s at ISO 800

Moraine Lake
AB Canada