Canadian Rockies

[Teeth]

Originally Posted by maggie_potatoes

I've been reading through some e-books called "How to Photograph the Canadian Rockies" to get some tips on shooting locations, time of day, etc.

Good call on the e-books! Darwin Wiggett's a great guy and knows those rockies like no one else. If you're looking for further inspiration or locations, check out some shots by Wayne Simpson or Ian Mcgillvrey.

As for bear spray, I always have it on me when I go out. Anything to buy a couple more seconds or to use as added defense is a benefit. In the end it's up to you, I just prefer to be as prepared as possible... and I've been scared by fresh bear tracks while wandering alone a few times.

[Heap64]

I have read all of Darwin's guides they are great. I have a ton of stuff loaded into the GPS and my camera bag full. This trip put me over the top to get some filters and a good tripod. We are taking my 85 year old mother and one of my sisters as well. My wife and I are already talking about a second trip to allow us more time to hike and walk in late September.

[maggie_potatoes]

Yeah, I certainly won't be wandering along but I think we'll pick some bear spray up when we get there. I'll check out those URLs.

Wow James...sounds like you are well prepared!!

I've decided to go ahead and purchase the 10-22. I had a bright idea last night and am considering selling my seldom used Canon 85mm f/1.8. Although I love the little guy, it hardly ever sees the light of day. This would help me to justify purchase of the new lens and I know I would have much more use for the 10-22 as I really enjoy taking landscape photos. There...it all worked out!

[Canajun]

Too bad you are going to Edmonton before heading back to Calgary. Otherwise I thought the Forestry Trunk Road was another great route to take. Mind you the roads are all unpaved and the accommodations are scarce. It may not be what you had in mind.

Common sense is your best tool against wildlife. Here's my take on pepper sprays.
"The National Park Rangers are advising hikers in Glacier National Park and other Rocky Mountain parks to be alert for bears and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter.
They advise park visitors to wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them. This might cause a bear to charge.
Visitors should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a bear is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear scat so you have an idea if bears are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear scat.
Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper."

If you like birds. While in Calgary. You might want to check out the Inglewood bird sanctuary. I've always had good luck there.

Have a wonderful time.

[maggie_potatoes]

"Black bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Grizzly bear droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper."

Oh dear.... LOL!!

[Luckless]

As for the wild life, keep alert, keep your head about you. Things can go badly, but you're usually fairly safe. The usual food source for bears and such tend to be far smaller creatures than humans. They're not stupid, and won't go out of their way to pick a fight with something large enough to potentially kill them, they would much rather leave you alone and go after smaller easier prey. Remain calm, keep your distance, and don't be terrified of the bear.

Probably the most dangerous place to be is one where you can see cubs, but not momma bear. Give cubs a very wide area.

Also, try and travel with a group of strangers. Fat ones that look slower than you are best.


I wonder how many people from PEI are planning photo trips to the Rockies this year. I will be making my first trip from the Island to the mountains, and actually planning a road trip with a friend from out that way. Flying into Calgary to meet her, then taking a slow tour to visit my sister way out on Vancouver Island. I'm still debating what gear I will be getting before heading out. Sadly UWA is not likely to be included in the list due to budget reasons and other lenses that take priority, but I'm sure I will still have a great time running with a normal and a telephoto for wildlife.

Really need to decide on what filters to pick up, and what style to go with. I'm tempted to go with just a pair of ND and a good circular polarized. I'm thinking that layering shots in post is going to be more effective than trying to use GNDs.

[Heap64]

Originally Posted by Luckless

Also, try and travel with a group of strangers. Fat ones that look slower than you are best.

Really need to decide on what filters to pick up, and what style to go with. I'm tempted to go with just a pair of ND and a good circular polarized. I'm thinking that layering shots in post is going to be more effective than trying to use GNDs.

I love that advice, except I might be the fattest slowest person in our group

Layering shots is for sure an option and I considered it myself. My choice came down to how many photos I thought I would be taking and how long I want to spend in photoshop? I decided I would rather spend the money and a little more time in the field instead of the time on the computer. I decided to pick up a couple GND's as well as a circular polarizer.

[maggie_potatoes]

Another Islander on here...Cool!! We are actually going there for our honeymoon and not an official photo trip, however, I am certainly going to try and shoot as much as I can! I would love to plan an actual photo trip there some day.

I do have GND's and a polarizer which will be in the bag at all times. The time will tell whether or not they get pulled out or if I opt for layering. The 10-22 should be here by tomorrow. YAY! Lots of time to get familiar with it before the trip.

I'll continue with my fitness routine to ensure I can out-run slow people, small children and seniors.

[Canajun]

Originally Posted by maggie_potatoes

Another Islander on here...Cool!! We are actually going there for our honeymoon and not an official photo trip, however, I am certainly going to try and shoot as much as I can! I would love to plan an actual photo trip there some day.

I do have GND's and a polarizer which will be in the bag at all times. The time will tell whether or not they get pulled out or if I opt for layering. The 10-22 should be here by tomorrow. YAY! Lots of time to get familiar with it before the trip.

I'll continue with my fitness routine to ensure I can out-run slow people, small children and seniors.

You don't have to be fit. You just need to be close enough to be able to trip one of them when the time comes up.

On a serious note. I've read so much about tourist losing their "once in a lifetime" photos because some thief broke into their car and stole their camera/laptop.
If you cannot leave it in your hotel. Put it in the trunk, and don't wait until you get to your destination. Do it before you leave the hotel you never know who's watching. And if you have no trunk. Don't just cover it with your jacket. It's not fooling anyone.
Lastly, if you can afford an external hard drive. Backup your stuff every night and leave it in the hotel safe. Sorry I don't mean to be Mr. Doom & Gloom but it's a reality. You don't have to do a lot to safeguard your belongings just common sense.

There's so much to see out here. Sometimes you don't have to drive so far, you just have to look.

Oh yeah, if a moose lowers his head. That means he's about to charge

[WaltA]

And if a skunk lifts his tail ...... run!

[nordlysBW]

I found that one collateral good thing about carrying bear spray is you easily get together a party of four or six people at the head of a trail where Parks Canada post a bear warning and require hikers not to go it alone but in minimum groups of four or six depending on circumstances.

That saved my day as a solo hiker at Minnewanka Lake for example.