Road Trip to Canada

We start our trip with a stop just north of Sacramento. No photos were allowed inside, but we got a peek at the inside of one of the first opera houses in the state of California.

2008-08-04T15:33:39Z

brandonalpert
We start our trip with a stop just north of Sacramento. No photos were allowed inside, but we got a peek at the inside of one of the first opera houses in the state of California.

The harbor at Bellingham, WA

2008-08-04T15:29:39Z

brandonalpert
The harbor at Bellingham, WA

Unretouched! That's the color of Moraine Lake, near Banff, Alberta

2008-08-04T15:29:39Z

brandonalpert
Unretouched! That's the color of Moraine Lake, near Banff, Alberta

DSC_0224.JPG

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
DSC_0224.JPG

Breakfast time for a local bull elk, Alberta Canada

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
Breakfast time for a local bull elk, Alberta Canada

What you can't see: the Elk Jam on the road that this guy caused!

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
What you can't see: the Elk Jam on the road that this guy caused!

He seemed docile, however I still used my telephoto to get in this close!

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
He seemed docile, however I still used my telephoto to get in this close!

Summer shower leaves the scene sparkling

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
Summer shower leaves the scene sparkling

Water just off the glacier glows with a wonderful blue/green color in the sun.

2008-08-04T15:30:10Z

brandonalpert
Water just off the glacier glows with a wonderful blue/green color in the sun.

No photo can capture the scope and grandeur of a real live glacier. This one has receded hundreds of yards of the last few decades. The pace of glacial recession has increased markedly due t ...

2008-08-04T15:36:21Z

brandonalpert
No photo can capture the scope and grandeur of a real live glacier. This one has receded hundreds of yards of the last few decades. The pace of glacial recession has increased markedly due t ...

Bundled up to walk on a glacier.

2008-08-04T15:36:44Z

brandonalpert
Bundled up to walk on a glacier.

I didn't see anyone else wearing shorts on the Columbia Glacier hike. I'm sure it's a high metabolic rate that keeps me warm :)

2008-08-04T15:39:01Z

brandonalpert
I didn't see anyone else wearing shorts on the Columbia Glacier hike. I'm sure it's a high metabolic rate that keeps me warm :)

No shortage of choices for hiking trails in British Columbia and Alberta!

2008-08-04T15:39:27Z

brandonalpert
No shortage of choices for hiking trails in British Columbia and Alberta!

The hike to Moraine Lake, above Lake Louise

2008-08-04T15:30:35Z

brandonalpert
The hike to Moraine Lake, above Lake Louise

Above Lake Louise, clearing after a summer afternoon shower

2008-08-04T15:30:35Z

brandonalpert
Above Lake Louise, clearing after a summer afternoon shower

Hard to beat the clarity of water this close to a glacier...

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
Hard to beat the clarity of water this close to a glacier...

When the sun comes out, the canoe rental comes to life on Lake Louise!

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
When the sun comes out, the canoe rental comes to life on Lake Louise!

World's strongest iced tea. Funny, it's almost impossible to find it unsweetened up here!

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
World's strongest iced tea. Funny, it's almost impossible to find it unsweetened up here!

On the trail: Bow River, just outside of Banff, Alberta. The photographer was a new friend, Eduardo, from Bogota, Columbia. He was a young computer animation artist enjoying a residency at ...

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
On the trail: Bow River, just outside of Banff, Alberta. The photographer was a new friend, Eduardo, from Bogota, Columbia. He was a young computer animation artist enjoying a residency at ...

"The Springs" otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, providing a backdrop for the Bow River.

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
"The Springs" otherwise known as the Banff Springs Hotel, providing a backdrop for the Bow River.

Our little friend was making an afternoon snack out of road salt, of all things!

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
Our little friend was making an afternoon snack out of road salt, of all things!

The local fauna are awfully friendly!

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
The local fauna are awfully friendly!

Just pick any random road pullout on the Bow River Parkway and you'll find something tranquil, beautiful and inspirational.

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
Just pick any random road pullout on the Bow River Parkway and you'll find something tranquil, beautiful and inspirational.

A bit sweaty and windblown, but nonetheless happy with the view after a big climb above the town of Banff

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
A bit sweaty and windblown, but nonetheless happy with the view after a big climb above the town of Banff

It's a 360 degree panorama. You'll not find any place quite like Banff.

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
It's a 360 degree panorama. You'll not find any place quite like Banff.

High Tea at the Banff Springs: note the pinky position

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
High Tea at the Banff Springs: note the pinky position

About as close as you'll get to England without leaving North America :)

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
About as close as you'll get to England without leaving North America :)

The mineral hot springs is a huge local tradition. 102 degrees right out of the ground! You can even buy an annual pass!

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
The mineral hot springs is a huge local tradition. 102 degrees right out of the ground! You can even buy an annual pass!

Lake Louise's glacial water has a surreal appearance that changes from moment to moment.

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
Lake Louise's glacial water has a surreal appearance that changes from moment to moment.

Hike about 3km above Lake Louise and you'll find a rustic tea house set next to yet another mountain lake and waterfall. It's a magical place, and the fresh baked tea biscuits are amazing af ...

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
Hike about 3km above Lake Louise and you'll find a rustic tea house set next to yet another mountain lake and waterfall. It's a magical place, and the fresh baked tea biscuits are amazing af ...

That milky white color is the glacial water of Lake Louise, looking more like clouds.

2008-08-04T15:30:36Z

brandonalpert
That milky white color is the glacial water of Lake Louise, looking more like clouds.

July brings an abundant display of wildflowers to the landscape. It's truly lovely.

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
July brings an abundant display of wildflowers to the landscape. It's truly lovely.

Lake shore above the town of Jasper, Alberta

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
Lake shore above the town of Jasper, Alberta

Amazing waterfall, Athabasca Falls, Alberta

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
Amazing waterfall, Athabasca Falls, Alberta

Our 4th bear sighting on this trip. Shot telephoto prox 200 mm, on the road to Radium Hot Springs. This guy was pretty shy, didn't really make much of an appearance.

2008-08-21T16:08:42Z

brandonalpert
Our 4th bear sighting on this trip. Shot telephoto prox 200 mm, on the road to Radium Hot Springs. This guy was pretty shy, didn't really make much of an appearance.

Heading home now, and this, our second pass of the Columbia Icefields brought us full sun. The light is so stunningly bright here.

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
Heading home now, and this, our second pass of the Columbia Icefields brought us full sun. The light is so stunningly bright here.

Old coal fired engine, on display near the Jasper, Alberta town center. Jasper has a busy railroad station, with both passenger and freight trains pulling in all day long. I shot this image ...

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
Old coal fired engine, on display near the Jasper, Alberta town center. Jasper has a busy railroad station, with both passenger and freight trains pulling in all day long. I shot this image ...

The flowers on this trip were many and varied. These were near a lake shore outside of Jasper, Alberta

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
The flowers on this trip were many and varied. These were near a lake shore outside of Jasper, Alberta

I've not seen water this clear anywhere else. It tastes great out of the tap too!

2008-08-04T15:30:40Z

brandonalpert
I've not seen water this clear anywhere else. It tastes great out of the tap too!

A lazy afternoon walk around a lake shore outside of Jasper brought this evocative light beneath the trees.

2008-08-04T15:30:41Z

brandonalpert
A lazy afternoon walk around a lake shore outside of Jasper brought this evocative light beneath the trees.

I can't think of a more appropriate place to hang out than the Fiddle River!

2008-08-04T15:31:26Z

brandonalpert
I can't think of a more appropriate place to hang out than the Fiddle River!