I spent a lovely afternoon wandering Weaselhead Park in south west Calgary this week. The Autumn colour was stunning, but not initially the target of my lens this time.  I had taken the 100-500mm lens to seek out the local wildlife. I did find some nice shots and saw a great battle between a little red squirrel and a piliated woodpecker. 

As I was almost back at the parking area I saw a stand of birch that I couldn't walk by. I tried a few differing angles with the telephoto but wasn't happy with any of them. Then I recalled a nice trick that is easily done with the telephoto, shoot and move, or panning for the initiated.   

Quite simply, you set a long exposure and move the lens as you make the shot, something we usually try desperately to avoid. Be careful to be moving prior to opening the shutter and keep moving until it closes (for these birch tree images at least). Moving up vertical targets or across horizontal ones is usually the way to get the best results, but there are no rules.   

As you can see in the image below, it can produce some lovely abstract work. I made 4 attempts before I got this one, the other three are laughably poor, but that is often the case when panning. I still think it is a wonderful technique and one I should use more often. 

I have captured this scene so many times now that I've lost count. It remains one of my most loved locations for sunrise in Kananaskis. It's not just about the finished product, it's about the journey to the mountains in darkness, a short walk through the dark forest, and setting up beside the lake with the headtorch lighting the way. 

If you get it right on the day, the water in Wedge Pond will be dead calm and reflecting the spectacular scene to come. Beyond the far bank Mt Kidd rises to rises to 2958m (9704 ft) Named after nineteenth century surveyor William Kidd,  it provides the perfect backdrop reflected in the calm waters of Wedge  Pond. 

I love this image but my portfolio already has three shots of the wedge pond so it won't quite make the cut, but it's still a lovely memory for me of another wonderful morning in the mountains . 

What a crazy two and a half years I've had. Leaving Canada to live in Scotland (how I miss it already). Buying and remodeling an 1870's farmhouse in rural North Lincolnshire, completing the task and moving in, ready for retirement, before suddenly returning to the stunning natural landscapes of Canada, once again, on the outskirts of Calgary, Alberta. 

The image below was made today, the very first time I've produced an image (other than on the phone camera) for two and a half years. I threw the camera bag in the truck and headed out to scout the Cataract Creek area with a view to hiking Mt Burke at some point. 

I was heading south on highway 940 which soon transitions into Range Road 52A.  As you traverse the gravel logging trail, climbing steadily, the views begin to open up. It was only a matter of time before the snow squall that was blowing around made something of the midday sky and allowed me to make a nice shot of the gravel road and its vibrant golden flanks cutting through the endless forest. There's no sign yet of the larch turning, but with temperatures cooling in the evenings now, it won't be long before they bring their own splash of yellow across the endless green blanket that envelops the space between towering mountain peaks. It's good to be back, and out with the camera again, for a while at least.