Ahhh, the Canadian Rockies. One of my favorite place in the whole world, or at least the bit I have seen. This was taken right off of the Yellowhead highway north of Jasper. The water was so remarkably still, and the colors so vibrant, I could hardly get my camera out fast enough. Click, click, click...now I feel better.

Jasper National Park was established in 1907 and is the largest of the Canadian Rocky Mountain parks. Roche Miette is just out of view to the right of the photo and is a favorite haunt of the grizzly. The Canadian Rockies are a wild and unspoiled land of rock, ice, forests, endless valleys, and wildlife. Hiking in this mountain land is an incredible experience and one I would not hesitate to undertake if you are given the chance.

What makes the Canadian Rockies so spectacular? There are so many reasons it is hard to summarize, but let me say this. We had spent this day hiking into an Indian Summer spectacle of color. We also had seen numerous grizzlies, and black bears, feeding on the various slopes of Roche Miette and elsewhere. Elk and moose were no stranger this day, and bighorn were observed as well. To top it all off, we had plenty of days ahead of us to really take in the backcountry. So, I suppose the Canadian Rockies are special for an infinite number of reasons, to so many of us, that it doesn't really matter why. What matters most is that the Canadians found it in their hearts to preserve this incredible land for all of us to enjoy. Thank you Canada!

Sometimes you just know when a picture is going to come out the way you see it in your minds-eye. This was one of those shots. The composition, the colors, the clarity, the clouds, the ashen-gray drfit-wood, and the lack of con-trails made this shot one of my favorites.