Vermilion Lakes Sunrise in the Banff National Park
When I set up my gear on the shore of the first of the Vermilion Lakes, it was cold and dark. I wanted to be there early to catch Jupiter and Venus in the eastern sky before it brightened too much. The pair, with Mars less visible to the left, were directly above Mount Rundle’s peak when I arrived.
As the horizon brightened the stars faded while color started to creep into the clouds. The lake was frozen with a thin cover of ice which gave abstract reflections of the sky and the silhouettes across the water.
(Please click on any image to see a higher resolution version)
Early sunshine brought a cloud to life as it stretched and broke up over Mount Rundle. Before long, bright pink strands hung above the Bow Valley. It was a beautiful morning and I loved watching it build from darkness into light.
The pink softened quickly and pastels held the sky until the sun blew away the soft hues of the early morning.
Christopher Martin Photography 
I think pre-dawn and the ensuring sunrises are absolutely magical. Love the shots – the stars with the lights reflected in the lake ice is my favorite. Do you have any tips about taking a night sky photo? We currently live in Namibia – famed for its clear night skies – and I want to get at least one photo of that (plus the dawn arrival).
November 6, 2015 at 9:12 pm
Reblogged this on Janes Heartsong and commented:
Thought of Laura and her blog about the sky a few days ago.Check this out Laura! Great photos of mountains and the three planets from another blogger and great photographer.
November 2, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Coooooooollllllll! 😎
November 2, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Magical light from this place, a real gem of a location and such good photos – great to see the three planets. Will reblog for one of my followers to see.
November 2, 2015 at 4:44 pm
These are pure magic, Chris!
November 1, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Breath-taking!
November 1, 2015 at 10:15 am
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos – I can’t decide which one I like best.
October 31, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Simply beautiful; wonderfully captured an rendered.
October 30, 2015 at 5:31 am
Very kind words Dan – thank you.
October 31, 2015 at 6:40 am
Gorgeous series of this scene, Christopher. Fabulous!
October 29, 2015 at 11:31 pm
Thank you Jane. Have a great weekend!
October 31, 2015 at 6:40 am
Prize winning shots. I’ve been to Banff and wish to have caught a glimpse … thanks for capturing.
October 29, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Vermilion Lakes has always been a favourite place in Banff for me.
October 29, 2015 at 9:12 pm
WOW..!!! Wonderful photos..!!! Spetacular..!!!
October 29, 2015 at 8:29 pm