Seeing the Beautiful

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Athabasca Falls, Jasper NP, BC, Canada

Rainbow in the glow created by the effect of the sun's rays on the mist lingering over the mountain...

The Athabasca River and the Falls... The noise was deafening. It is beautiful and amazing. We visited here in the evening when there were only a few other people around. It truly was awe-inspiring. And, when we went back to our car in the parking lot, a big black bear was strolling through the parking lot which caused us to have to change our route!

The river has carved a channel through the rock...

The river surges on with so much energy after coming over the falls... Notice the layered rock...

Mount Edith Cavell looms behind this pair of mountains whose reflection was mirror-like
until the sprinkle of rain disturbed the surface... As you drive along the highway (93A) you go from one beautiful sight to another... a memorable place...

Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper NP, BC, Canada

Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper NP, Alberta, Canada
Rain in our campsite below translated to a fresh dusting of "confectioners sugar snow" upon the glaciated mountain.

I found myself repeatedly photographing the mountain because
its presence and form was so captivating.

Mountains and tall trees try to obscure my view...

The Canadian Rockies are so large and varied.

Clouds and glaciers meld into one...

Mountain outlines are beautiful organic shapes.

The mountaintop pieced through the clouds...

...so I try to decide, is it more impressive close up or far away...

Clouds and lighting add to the drama...

The glacier is many stories thick. The photo cannot do it justice.

There are serious warnings about the danger of going beyond the trail...

Falls from the glacier feed this glacial lake

Minerals are scraped from the rock by both the moving ice and the water.
This "glacial flour" is what gives the ice and water its greenish color.

Kenny stands in an area that was washed out when a chuck of the glacier fell into the glacial lake. The ensuing overflow of the lake, that surging force, washed out the trail's parking lot! Fortunately no one was present that evening in 2014. It was discovered the following day when people came up the road to walk the trail toward the glacier. You can imagine their surprise!