The silent shores of Lake Minnewanka were eerie on that cold dreary morning. The clouds sucked away the sunny disposition of the Rockies, leaving behind the still waters of the lake, with only the green conifers to give me company.
It was supposed to be colorful sunrise in the mighty Canadian Rockies, but with the sudden change of weather, I had to make a sudden change of plans, and I found myself shooting the ghostly cold shores of Lake Minnewanka.
Lake Minnewanka
AB Canada
To be exhilarated by the fresh air and refreshed by the sweet water of the mountains,
to be woken up by a brisk morning walk or relaxed by evening saunter on the grassy alpine meadows,
To be thrilled by the snow in the winter and elated by wildflowers in spring,
To crave for a simple life in the wilderness....
When I spotted this herd lazily grazing by the rolling summer meadows in the heart of the breathtaking mountainous terrain of Kyrgyzstan, I craved for the simple life these herders had. Tough though it may be, this simple life seemed so much more fulfilling. I guess grass in always greener on the other side.
What do you crave for in your ideal 'simple life'?
At Bashi
Kyrgyzstan
The red I seek is not of a rose, but the red alpenglow of a snow-capped peak.
The rose I see is not of a Rosé, but of the pink hues reflecting in a gurgling mountain creek.
The green I seek is not of a lovely salad, but of the vibrant green alpine meadow
The love I seek is not of humankind, but of the great wild outdoors, of towering mountaintops, of glistening lakes, of dramatic glaciers, of lush forests, of unspoilt nature.
This is the love I seek every day, not just during heart day
What's your true love?
Altyn Arashan
Karakol Kyrgyzstan
The clouds lapped above me, carried by the cool yet constant breeze sweeping over the valleys and mountaintops. With the clouds came the dynamic interplay of shadow and light, constantly changing over the canvas that was the rugged landscape all around - dozens of canyons, hundreds of peaks, and an endless moving panorama of breathtaking alpine scenery.
I could spend an eternity at top of this rifugio, but I had to move on to the next amazing destination in the heart of the Italian Dolomites
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Italy
“Hark, now hear the sailors cry,
Smell the sea, and feel the sky,
Let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic."
A wave swooshed over the rock in front of me, erasing the thousands of footsteps that ambled along that warm sandy beach along the Pacific shoreline of Las Penitas in Nicaragua. The last rays of the sun cast a deep orange glow in the sky, signally the end to a wonderful week of traveling around the beautiful country.
When I look back at this photo, I can still hear the sound of crashing water from every wave, and the sweet smell of salty air with every breeze.
Las Penitas
Nicaragua
I was driving through what seemed like the most uncooperative of weather: moody grey skies, thundering rain and freezing winds. And in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, it was a travesty that I couldn't step out even for a mere moment to enjoy the remarkable landscape all around. And with sunset approaching, I was losing hope of getting a good shot.
And then in a few moments, the storm passed by, and I was in driving through the wet aftermath: glistening trees on a sun-drenched landscape under glowing billowing clouds. I found a small turnout where this beautiful creek wound its way through the mountains. It was then I wished I had more time to explore this beautiful part of Spray Lakes Provincial Park.
Hopefully another time.
Spray Lakes Provincial Park
AB Canada
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
High in the Tienshan lies several beautiful grassy meadows that serve as the summer pastures for the majestic Kyrgyz horses. Life in this terrain yields one of the most hardiest breed of horses, walking on treacherous terrain with an unparalleled ease. But the one thing they lack in this high terrain is salt.
While in Arslanbob, I hitched a ride with a local herder who maintained his stock in the high alpine meadows. Crammed into SUV with 8 other folks wasn't a pleasant experience, but I was grateful for his hospitality as it saved a precious few hours of hiking. Upon reaching his pastures, the herder opened up bags of salt and spread it around. And all it took was a whistle to attract a few dozen horses galloping in from all over the valley to eat salt. To see the majestic equine beasts thundering about the thin mountain air was like nothing else.
Arslanbob
Jalal-abad Region, Kyrgyzstan
I stood on the shores of Lake Sherburne watching the awakening of Many glacier in Glacier National Park. A gentle morning light fell on the rugged Rockies lighting up the numerous glacier carved valleys. The still waters of Lake Sherburne reflected this tranquility while the delightful sounds of passerine birds enveloped the shoreline. I can still remember the pleasant scent of morning pine carried over by the calm breeze.
It lasted but for a fleeting few minutes. No sooner had I finished capturing this beautiful scene than I heard the loud clap of distant thunder. And within moments, the morning light was replaced by a raging thunderstorm. I had barely gotten back to my car when the clouds broke, and the calmness was broken by rain like I had never seen before.
With each passing year, my memories of this trip to Glacier National park over 10 years ago slowly fade away, but looking at photos of that day instantly transports me back to that wonderful sunrise, and leaves behind a yearning to go back once again to recreate this wonderful memory.
Glacier National Park
MT USA
"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn..."
Looking back, I am glad my curiosity for what's around the corner peaked at the right time: when I had both the income to travel and when my passion for photography grew. The travel has given me a rich treasure trove of memories and experiences that, accumulated over time, I value more than income I have earned.
Waking up that early morning a few years ago on that tiny village perched over the lip of Laguna Quilotoa proved to be a fortunate choice: I was able to witness a truly amazing spectacle in Ecuador: a glistening blue lake amidst the rugged Andean terrain forming the volcanic spine of the country. This, along with the day-long hike around the lake, is one such experience I will never forget.
Laguna Quilotoa
Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador
