Postcard winter day in Banff I, Alberta, Canada.
Postcard winter day in Banff I, Alberta, Canada.
Vermillion Lakes and Mt Rundle, Banff National Park.
Vermillion Lakes and Mt Rundle, Banff National Park.
Castle Mountain is a mountain located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, approximately half-way between Banff and Lake Louise. It is the easternmost mountain of the Main Ranges in the Bow Valley and sits astride the Castle Mountain Fault which has thrust older sedimentary and metamorphic rocks forming the upper part of the mountain over the younger rocks forming its base. The mountain's castellated, or castle-like, appearance is a result of erosive processes acting at different rates on the peak's alternating layers of softer shale and harder limestone, dolomite and quartzite.
The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for its castle-like appearance. From 1946 to 1979 it was known as Mount Eisenhower in honour of the World War II general Dwight D. Eisenhower. Public pressure caused its original name to be restored, but a pinnacle on the southeastern side of the mountain was named Eisenhower Tower. Located nearby are the remains of Silver City, a 19th century mining settlement, and the Castle Mountain Internment Camp in which persons deemed enemy aliens and suspected enemy sympathizers were confined during World War I.
While looking nearly impenetrable from the Trans-Canada Highway, the peak can be ascended from the backside on the northeastern slopes. The trail to Rockbound Lake leads hikers around the eastern side. The massif contains several high points including Helena Ridge (2,862 m (9,390 ft)), Stuart Knob (2,850 m (9,350 ft)) and Television Peak (2,970 m (9,744 ft)), the latter being named for the TV repeater located on top. Technicians use a helicopter rather than hiking the long ascent to the top.
Moraine Morning
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Alberta, Canada
A composite of 233 images, taken with the Canon 5D MkII and 16-35mm lens, at Bow Lake in Banff, showing circumpolar star trails across the sky looking north over Num-Ti-Jah Lodge. Each image was 50 seconds, taken at 1s intervals at ISO 1250 and at f/4. Stacked in Photoshop using Chris Schur's Photoshop Action.
A composite of about 180 images, taken with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens at 10mm, at Bow Lake in Banff, showing star trails across the sky looking west. Illumination is from the waning gibbous Moon out of frame to the left. A meteor appears above Bow Peak,; a satellite rises over Bow Glacier. Each image was 45 seconds, taken at 1s intervals at ISO 1600 and at f/4.5. Stacked in Photoshop using Chris Schur's Photoshop Action.
The Milky Way over Herbert Lake, Banff, Alberta, near Lake Louise. Mount Temple is glacier-clad peak at left. A single exposure of 40 seconds at f/2.8 with 16-35mm lens and Canon 5D MkII at ISO 1600. No Moon, and taken in late twilight.
A composite of about 180 images, taken with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens at 10mm, at Bow Lake in Banff, showing star trails across the sky looking west. Illumination is from the waning gibbous Moon out of frame to the left. A meteor appears above Bow Peak,; a satellite rises over Bow Glacier. Each image was 45 seconds, taken at 1s intervals at ISO 1600 and at f/4.5. Stacked in Photoshop using Chris Schur's Photoshop Action.
A composite of about 180 images, taken with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens at 10mm, at Bow Lake in Banff, showing star trails across the sky looking west. Illumination is from the waning gibbous Moon out of frame to the left. A meteor appears above Bow Peak,; a satellite rises over Bow Glacier. Each image was 45 seconds, taken at 1s intervals at ISO 1600 and at f/4.5. Stacked in Photoshop using Chris Schur's Photoshop Action.
A composite of about 180 images, taken with the Canon 60Da and 10-22mm lens at 10mm, at Bow Lake in Banff, showing star trails across the sky looking west. Illumination is from the waning gibbous Moon out of frame to the left. A meteor appears above Bow Peak,; a satellite rises over Bow Glacier. Each image was 45 seconds, taken at 1s intervals at ISO 1600 and at f/4.5. Stacked in Photoshop using Chris Schur's Photoshop Action.
See photo in original gallery.