Algonquin Fall

geospatial_junkie

Morning in Algonquin is a very special time, especially in the fall. The warm and cool air mixes over water to create spectacular misty mornings. Dress warm though as the temperature dips below freezing! All photos were taken on an Induro Series 3 tripod, a Acratech GV2 ballhead, and a remote release to minimize shake.


D700, ISO 400, f11@5s. (70-200mm 2.8, 2 frames)

The Opeongo River offers some spectacular scenary. Low valleys are shrouded in mist and ice after a frost.

Pickeral weed and other types of aquatic grasses and sedges provide wildlife forage in the Opeongo system. It is also a coldwater thermal regime and this promotes the growth of watercress. Watercress is a important indicator species for cool and coldwater fish. This tributary is a well known spot for feeding moose (unfortunately none seen). On this particular morning, the mist provided a surreal atmosphere.


D700, ISO 400, f11@10s. (70-200mm 2.8)

The sun breaks through the trees here as it climbs into the sky. These mornings are so beautiful that sometimes the camera becomes secondary and you are left just quietly watching events unfold.

Steam rises off the lake and produces a great effect. These are the moments that the hikes in the dark and cold mornings pay off.

D700, ISO 400, f11@ 1/5s. (70-200mm 2.8)

The following photos are the result of a long hike up the trail to get there for daybreak. It was worth it as the views did not disappoint.

Poplars and maples showed up in stark contrast against a coniferous backdrop as the mist separated me from another peak.


D700, ISO 400, f11@ 1/25s. (70-200mm 2.8, 3 frames DoF stacked)

Two wider views on this plateau offered spectacular scenery of 100's of squared kilometers of Algonquin wilderness.


D700, ISO 400, f11@ 1/40s. (70-200mm 2.8, 3 frames stitched)


D700, ISO 400, f11@ 1/25s. (70-200mm 2.8, 10 frames stitched, 80-inches plus wide, 12 inches height)

Overall impressions of the trip were as follows:

1. I used the 70-200mm 2.8 more than any other lens. Why? Because the 14-24 and 24-70 were ofter too wide and got foreground elements in the photos I didn't want. What a surprisingly useful landscape lens.

2. Morning in the fall is a much better time for photography than dusk. There is much more spectacular and moody shots available.

3. Didn't use the 14-24mm once this trip. I find it difficult to use properly. You really need the right view and there is much more to consider in the composition. I will need to practice much more with this lens to use it properly. I used my 24-70mm somewhat, but again, the need to get past many foreground elements means it just didn't provide that reach!

This is my first batch of photos. More will come. I've got several hundred more shots to go through.

geospatial_junkie

A few more photos...

The colours over the hilltops were stunning. Hiking in the late afternoon/early evening revealed nice light hitting the hills. This was taken after hiking up an old game trail. Coming down in the dark was especially tough...


D700 ISO 200, f11@35s. (70-200 2.8)

One of the things that can really stand out in Algonquin is the isolation of colour against the backdrop of green conifers. This lone maple against a backdrop of green pine, black spruce, and yellow birch had already peaked. I punched up the levels in lab colormode (photoshop) to create a velvia-like image.


D700 ISO 400, f11@20s. (24-70 2.8)

Cuong

Spectacular.

Cuong

geospatial_junkie

Thank you Cuong. It was tough not to take a good photo during this time.

tisun

Love the mist and the colors. I also enjoy your description of the scenes and shots. Like you, I tend to use longer lenses for landscape for the same reason -- to remove distractions such as tree branches, tall grasses, etc.

geospatial_junkie

I don't think people use long lenses enough in landscape work. The big fad right now is for extreme wide-angles. These are terrific if applied in the correct situation. With stitching software and hardware now, you can really compress the shots to what you want and create a larger pano to encompass an entire scene.

Of course, with that said... I still love wide angle and can't wait to get an interesting foreground to bust it out on.

Awais Yaqub

Superb beautiful !

geospatial_junkie

Thank you Awais... from what I've seen of your work, it means a lot!

jeffmeyers

Brilliant work. I love that last shot with the red tree. But they are all brilliant. Your comments about using teles and wide angles in landscape shots is interesting. I tend to do just the opposite. I love squirming around in order to find just the right angle for a wide composition. I'll have to learn to use longer lenses!

geospatial_junkie

Mucho thanks Jeff. I still have more to go through. I also plan to go up again in a couple of weeks when the oaks begin to turn colour.

geospatial_junkie

Update
I'll keep posting here until I have gone through all my photos!


D700 ISO 200, f11@15s (14-24mm f2.8, exposure blend 2 images)

The spruce bogs in Algonquin provide valuable habitat to river otters, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. These bogs are prevalent in northern Ontario, but not so much in southern Ontario (Algonquin is very unique). Black spruce are prized in the paper industry and are industriously logged for their value.

spechtal

Stunningly beautiful photos! I have to make it to Ontario in the autumn.

On an aside, did you meet Mr. Canoehead while you were in Algonquin Park?:D

geospatial_junkie

Oh yes, I did. I also met Mr. Leafer.... Of course, this was on the way back to the motel to sleep for the day. My itinerary went something like this:

5:00AM- awake
6:00AM- hike in to site
6:45AM- setup
7:20AM- Sunrise
7:20-9:00 - Shoot
9:00-10:00AM- Hike back and have breakfast
10:00-4:00PM- Sleep
4:00-9:00PM- Shoot

The itinerary changes depending on whether or not there is a cloudy overcast sky. If so, I forgo sleep and hike for wildlife.

geospatial_junkie

Frost lines the cattails on the Opeongo. Boy... I wish I had a warm bed...


D700, ISO 400, f11@2s (70-200mm 2.8)

Tee Why

Nice images and very vibrant colors.

geospatial_junkie

D700, ISO 200, f11@1/10s (24-70mm 2.8, 13 images stitched. 80 inches by 12 inches)

At the Brewer Lake lookout.

Tango

good job man, great captures!

such unique conditions!:D lucky bugger

geospatial_junkie

Thanks everyone. I may have a few more to put. I just haven't had the time to go through them all.

T.G.

Wow
Fantastic images. Impressive work. Looking forward to more.

digismile

These are spectacular! I've only recently moved to Ontario and was told to put Algonquin park on my list. Now I know for sure

And I'm told that this should be a really great year for fall colors due to all the rain this summer. Bring it on!

geospatial_junkie

There are more factors than just the rain. Too much rain is actually a bad thing as it can prematurely bring the leaves off the trees. We've been getting consistent cool nights and that is helping the leaves to seal themselves from getting any more moisture. 1st week in October should be spectacular. It was only 50% when I went.