Edge of Autumn – Golden Light at Bow Lake
Golden trees, glassy reflections, and peaceful sunrise at Bow Lake—an unforgettable autumn morning captured in the Canadian Rockies.
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
Emberlight on the Meadow – A Morning to Remember at Rainier
Glowing skies, golden foliage, and a fleeting moment of alignment at Mount Rainier — this is the story of chasing light in “Emberlight on the Meadow.”
Anticipation on the Road to Paradise
Some mornings just feel different.
As I drove up toward Paradise, the sky had already begun to blush with color — a surefire sign that something special was about to unfold. That quiet thrill began to stir in my chest, the kind of feeling that makes you speed up ever so slightly, double-check your gear in the passenger seat, and steal glances at the clouds glowing above the treeline.
I knew this morning had potential.
The Rush for Composition
By the time I pulled into the lot, the clouds above Rainier were already starting to bloom with color. I scrambled out of the car, breath pluming in the cold morning air, fumbling to find the composition I had carefully scouted the day before.
There’s always a moment of frantic energy when you know the light is about to peak — and you’re not quite set up. Tripod legs clatter open. Gloves half on. Lens cap somewhere in the grass. And then…
The Emberlight Moment
Mount Rainier stood bold and radiant, its shoulders wrapped in drifting clouds painted in hues of lavender and flame. In front of me, the scrub oak burned gold, echoing the sky above. I paused for a breath — the light, the tones, the stillness — it all aligned.
Rainier is never a guarantee. The mountain creates its own weather, and many trips end in whiteouts or disappointment. But that morning? That morning was perfect.
This frame, Emberlight on the Meadow, is one of those images that feels like a reward not just for being there — but for loving the process.
Location & Gear
**📍 Location:** Paradise, Mount Rainier
**🧭 Trail & Access:** Skyline Trail
**🎒 Gear Used:**
- Canon R5
- 15–35mm f/2.8
- Really Right Stuff tripod