Field Workshop

Dates Sept 16–24, 2006
Leader Cliff Zenor
Fee $2,795 from Calgary, Alberta
Deposit $300
Limit 8
Terms and Conditions

In 1855 Canada's first national park was born in the Rocky Mountains. Banff National Park was conceived to protect the Sulphur Mountain Cave and Basin Hot Springs from commercial plunder and preserve the magnificent beauty of the lands straddling the Continental Divide. This area was once the prime territory of North West Company trappers, who traveled its secret valleys for their wealth of furs. Today, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, black-tailed deer and mountain goats thrive in five adjacent national parks that occupy over 12,000 square miles of pristine mountain wilderness.

The Canadian Rockies offer innumerable miles of scenic splendor. Here, broad valleys and sparkling lakes bounded by sheer, stratified walls give rise to massive mountains etched by impressive glaciers and adorned with a patchwork of meadows. Classic photographs of rugged snowcapped peaks reflected in mirror-smooth lakes can be created with ease! Amidst torrents of clear mountain water, magnificent landscapes and exciting wildlife, is exceptional photographic potential.

In Banff National Park we'll photograph fascinating glacial terrain and vast mountain landscapes. Elk and deer abound in this country. Here we'll discover the allure and magic of Canada's best-known national park. This region is truly one of the most incredible locations in North America! Our concluding days will be spent in Jasper National Park. Towering glaciers at the Columbia Icefields, tumbling waterfalls and rugged mountain peaks are all within reach of our camera lenses, as are local herds of elk.

We’ll show you the very best of the Canadian Rockies. Within one short trip you'll become familiar with and photograph the many moods of a landscape spectacle unique in the world.



Day 1
Participants meet our leader in Calgary, Alberta. (D)

Days 2–4
We drive the old Calgary–Banff Highway to Banff National Park, stopping frequently to photograph along the way. Depending on the light, we may get postcard views of Mt. Rundle, Banff's most famous mountain. During our stay in the Banff area we work the roadways intensely. The Bow Valley Parkway is the original route between Banff and Lake Louise before the TransCanada Highway was built.
Its "backroad" quality enhances our chance of seeing animals along the roadway. Numerous planned stops include Moraine Lake, formerly featured in the scene on the Canadian $20 bill, Lake Louise, the glaciated scenery of Icefields Parkway, and Herbert Lake. With a bit of luck, the lake will be glass-calm, giving near-perfect reflections of Mt. Temple and the other mountains near Lake Louise. We create spectacular photos of Bow Lake and hike the short Bow Summit Trail to Peyto Lake overlook. Fed by glacial meltwater, Peyto Lake is a dramatic aqua color of remarkable beauty. (BLD)

Days 5–7
At Jasper National Park we visit the alpine and subalpine zones and the lake region. We keep our schedule flexible so we can take advantage of changing landscape and wildlife photo opportunities and the best lighting situations as the weather dictates. (BLD)

Day 8
Jasper to Calgary—this “five-hour” drive translates into a full day of travel for photographers as scenic stops always beckon for our attention. We’ll reach Calgary by nightfall. (BLD)

Day 9
Participants may depart at any time today.


Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
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