A small lake off Hwy 12, en route to Abraham Lake from Nordegg, a hamlet in Alberta; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
In the Fall of 2022, I’d driven to Jasper for the annual Dark Sky Festival. Jasper by the way is the 2nd largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. The temperatures throughout my stay were in the upper teens and low twenties. Then in late October, after my return, we had more than 20 cm of snow in Calgary. The winter that followed was mild, in my opinion. The average annual snowfall in Calgary is 120 cm or so — I’m used to 220 cm or more, having lived in Ottawa!
Recently, I travelled to Edmonton and decided to drive back to Calgary via Banff. I took Hwy 11/12 for the trip. I had taken that route at night in the middle of winter way back in 1982, and I did not see anything around me. My eyes were focused straight on the road in front of me. But the recent daylight driving along the same road was breathtakingly beautiful. The golden larch trees, the Abraham Lake and the mountains along the road stunned me — I’ve seen a lot of mountain scenery but each trip that I have made to the mountains has been unique. Anyway, a few days after my return to Calgary, we had a good snowfall of around 15 cm. But in a few days, the snow was gone.
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20,000 Steps Around the World, a book on display at the Mountain Film and Book Festival at the Banff Centre; November 5, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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An eastbound recreational vehicle on the David Thompson Highway (Hwy 11); leaving behind the Saskatchewan Glacier; Alberta; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
I love books, and this past weekend, November 5, I drove to Banff for an interesting book festival at the Banff Centre. Here is a collection of my photographs taken October 7-8 and November 5, 2023. I have enjoyed all the seasons in Alberta and I hope the 2023-24 winter is as mild as the last 2 winters I have experienced in Alberta. As for my beloved friends in Ottawa, I hope that along with a decent amount of snow, the temperatures fall low enough for the largest skating canal in the world to go into a deep freeze. For the first time in history, the canal failed to open during the 2022-23 season. Enjoy the photos!
Reflecting Pool, Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton; October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Talar Building, Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton; October 7, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Larch trees with the needles at peak in gold before they fall off, Hwy 12, Alberta; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A lookout point by the beautiful Abraham Lake — an artificial lake and Alberta’s largest reservoir — lining David Thompson Highway (Hwy 11) between Nordegg and North Saskatchewan River Crossing. The stunning Mount Mitchener is seen in the background; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Autumn foliage in the forest around Abraham Lake, Alberta; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Vehicles pass through spectacular autumn foliage and beautiful mountain scenery along the David Thompson Highway (Hwy 11); October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The beautiful turquoise colours of Abraham Lake from a trail path along the lake, Alberta, October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Autumn foliage around Abraham Lake — Alberta’s hidden gem; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Mountain scenery around Abraham Lake, Alberta; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Saskatchewan Glacier driving westwards on Hwy 11 (David Thompson Highway) towards Saskatchewan River Crossing; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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One of several stunning peaks behind The Crossing Cafe at Saskatchewan River Crossing; Banff National Park; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the North Saskatchewan River near Saskatchewan Crossing; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos. Please see plaque, below
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Excited visitors at the newly constructed lookout overlooking the beautiful glacier-fed Peyto Lake; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos
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The must-see Peyto Lake, Banff National Park; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Trekkers at the dazzling Peyto Lake which is fed by the Peyto Glacier whose sediments give it the turquoise hue, Banff National Park; October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Castle Mountain pictured from the Storm Mountain lookout on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A); October 8, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Elk on Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff; November 5, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant.
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A view of Mount Rundle rising 2,949 m (9,675 ft.) from the partially frozen Vermillion Lakes, Banff; November 5, 2023, Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Big horn sheep at Mount Norquay lookout, Banff; November 5, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Town of Banff, with Mount Rundle at left, from Mount Norquay lookout at sunset; November 5, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simeg Photos.
Date posted: November 8, 2023.
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Amazing. The display of Natures wonders.