Edge of Autumn – Golden Light at Bow Lake

There’s something sacred about autumn in the Rockies. The air turns crisp, the crowds thin, and the landscape begins its most dramatic transformation. I had long envisioned capturing Bow Lake at the peak of fall—when golden trees hug the shoreline and the first light of day glances across the water.

The Experience

Fall is my favorite season, and this morning reminded me exactly why. I arrived well before dawn, walking the lake’s edge in silence, the only sound the crunch of frost under my boots. I was completely alone.

As the sun crept over the mountains, it cast long, golden rays that lit up the forest in a soft, fiery glow. The stillness of the water mirrored the trees and peaks perfectly—no wind, no rush. Just light and color and stillness.

Challenges

Photographing in this kind of light is both a gift and a challenge. The window is brief—just minutes where the warm tones paint the scene before shadows shift. I used a wide-angle lens and a polarizer to cut glare off the lake and enhance the reflection. The large dynamic range meant I needed to bracket exposures to capture the full extent of the scene

Final Reflections

What made this morning truly special was the solitude. No footsteps, no shutter clicks except my own. Just me, the mountains, and the fiery larch trees reflected in perfect calm. It’s moments like this that make all the early alarms and scouting missions worth it.

Fall doesn’t last long, but it always leaves an impression.

Location & Gear

**📍 Location:** Bow Lake, Alberta

**🧭 Trail & Access:** Unmarked spur trail

**🎒 Gear Used:**

- Canon R5

- 24–105mm f/4

- Really Right Stuff tripod with spiked feet for rocky terrain