Canadian Rockies Vacations Guide - Banff National Park

Jasper Winter Wildlife Photography Workshop opening next week

John E. Marriott — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:41:32 +0000

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note for all of you wildlife photographers out there that I have an opening in my Jasper winter wildlife photography workshop next week from February 7th-12th.

Come and join me for five days of photographing bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer, coyote, and even wild wolves and lynx.

Bighorn sheep rams photographed during the 2011 Jasper winter wildlife photography workshop

Happy shooting!

John

Chilly morning in Jasper, Alberta

gcw — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:37:35 +0000

Look at that snow! Looking forward to our ice walk tour in Banff National Park. Ice Walks in Banff! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Winter Elk Photography in Banff

John E. Marriott — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:16:02 +0000

Banff National Park is one of the premier places in the world in which to photograph elk. From big bulls in the fall to cows and calves in the spring, Banff offers up a tremendous variety of elk photography opportunities in all seasons. One of my own personal favourite times of year to find and photograph elk in the park is during the cold, short days of winter, when the big bulls congregrate along the Lake Minnewanka Road and the start of the Bow Valley Parkway, as well as along Vermilion Lakes Drive.

Two bull elk fighting along the Lake Minnewanka Road in Banff National Park

Winter elk are often a bit more docile, too, so while you don’t want to walk right up to them, it is often possible to safely photograph them from 50-75 metres (yards) away with a lens in the range of 200-400mm. Mid to late morning often provides the best light, as does early to mid afternoon (when it’s a bit warmer). Adventurous souls can also try the Kananaskis Lakes Road down in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park for more elk and fewer people.

Happy shooting!

John

PS – want to learn more about how to photograph wildlife in winter in Banff and Jasper? Then check out my Jasper Winter Wildlife Photography Workshop.

Train and mountains, downtown Jasper, Alberta

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:17:49 +0000

No better way to start a Canadian Rockies vacation with a train tour of Banff National Park. Canadian Rockies Train Tours! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Snowstorm downtown Banff, Alberta

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:13:33 +0000

Snowy winter's day, perfect for winter activities in Banff National Park. Today we're taking an ice walk on our Canadian Rockies vacation. Ice Walks in Banff! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Mountain and trees around Jasper, Alberta

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:57:26 +0000

Great morning shot of downtown Jasper near Jasper National Park, a top Canadian Rockies vacation spot. Can't wait for our awesome boat cruise in Banff National Park tomorrow. Banff Boat Cruises! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Busy morning in downtown Banff, Alberta

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:33:17 +0000

Great start to our family winter vacation in the Canadian Rockies. There's so many things to do in Banff National Park we don't know where to start. Banff Hiking! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Downtown Canmore, great Canadian Rockies destination

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:25:42 +0000

Early winter morning in Canmore, Alberta near Banff National Park where you'll find the best Canadian Rockies experiences and outdoor activities. Horseback Riding in Banff! Book all activities at Banff Travel! Call 888-659-3394!

Image Category: City View

Downtown Canmore, great Canadian Rockies destination

gcw — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:25:42 +0000

Image Category: City View

Photographing Wolves in Jasper

John E. Marriott — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:07:26 +0000

It’s that time of year where wolf photography is at a peak, and there’s no better place in the Canadian Rockies to find wolves than in Jasper National Park, where more than five different packs can be found near roads that traverse the park.

Wild wolf photographed in Jasper National Park

My favourite areas to look for wolves in Jasper include the Maligne Lake Road and Highway 16 west of town into Mt Robson Provincial Park. If it’s solitude and wolves that you desire, then try the Snaring River Road first thing in the morning.

And if you want to try the Icefields Parkway, check out my $10 e-guide to finding and photographing wildlife along this famous roadway: How to Photograph Wildlife in the Canadian Rockies.

Keep in mind that Jasper wolves are wild animals and that you often get better images of them using long lenses and remaining in your vehicle.

Happy shooting!

John