Arrived at the trail head of this world-famous lake early in the morning only to be greeted by an empty parking lot that ensured silence and seclusion. New to the Canadian Rockies and unfamiliar with the grizzly bears that make their homes here, I must confess that I got a little anxious. My best bet was to clap, make as much noise as possible and hope that any bears in vicinity would change their course. The last thing I wanted to do was surprise a grizzly sow with her cubs and become a victim of fatal attack by a protective mother.

At the end of the trail, I was stunned when I looked down at the glacial valley. It seemed as if someone had splashed bright, intense turquoise watercolors to create Peyto Lake, a majestic masterpiece of Mother Nature. Dense clouds, like dabbed white and grey paints hovered on  the mountains. The tranquil waters mirrored Caldron and Peyto peaks of Waputik range. Yes, I had this landscape sprung from a dream all for myself to enjoy.

Technical info (Peyto Lake pic below):

Canon 6D , Canon 24-70 mm f2.8L  lens @24 mm

Exposed for 15 secs @ Aperture f/18 , ISO 50

Tripod : Silk Pro

The clouds acted as natural filters to the sky and allowed for a uniformly exposed shot. I kept the shutter speed low to highlight continuity in clouds and water.  The lake gets its distinct Robin's egg blue colors from the glacial silt suspended in the water. It was overcast and a colorful sunrise eluded me, nevertheless early morning adventure did pay its dividends. The water was still and I was able to catch reflection. In addition to that, I could savor the sight of one of the most famous lakes in the world in solitude. Birds and squirrels were my only companions. Had I arrived later in the day, it would have been impossible for me to set up my tripod as this place would be crammed with people, each one jostling for better view ! Timing is the key and is often the most overlooked aspect of landscape photography.