Rocky Mountain High: Part One

Kevin and I needed a break - we were desperately in need of a change of pace.  For us, slowing down and finding rest comes naturally in the great outdoors so we tossed some stuff in the Jeep and headed off to Canmore.  And although we left the mountains in the midst of a snowfall warning we did get to enjoy some gorgeous days outside (and even enjoyed an outdoor hot tub with giant snowflakes accumulating around/on us - seemed very quintessential Rocky Mountains to me!)  

Planning to be outside in higher elevations at the end of April is a little precarious.  Many hikes were laden with ice but it was lovely to be there when it was quiet.  (Note to self: bring spikes next time.)  We mostly ventured into familiar territory with a couple spontaneous adventures, all the way from Kananaskis Lakes to Lake Louise.  What an amazing place - we were given some photography opportunities unique to early spring.

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The wildlife scene was fairly quiet but we love watching anything - plus, it's all great photography practice!  We both had some new photography equipment that we were testing out, including testing out how much equipment our backs could handle as we hiked uphill!  We heard an owl and did our best to search for its location and waited patiently for it to show itself to us but to no avail.  Owl photography is definitely on my bucket list - or, more importantly, enjoying a moment of actually seeing one.  

We took a LOT of images - it will take a while before I've sorted through them all (which is a good problem to have).  This trip I was also making a return to my love of the black & white photograph.  When I first began taking pictures I remember being drawn to trees and trails and would order my film back in two sets: one colour and one black & white.  I love how the change in saturation can affect an image and its mood.  What are your preferences: black & white or colour?