C B Images

Photography by Chris Bates

2019

Stellar's Jay Big Cedar Boardwalk
Steller's Jay Mt Revelstoke National Park: ISO 400, 85mm, f/6.3, 1/100

This beautiful jay was hoping we would feed it. We are happy to report that we obeyed park rules and did not feed the animals.

This was taken at the Big Cedar Boardwalk Trail at Mount Revelstoke National Park in British Columbia, Canada.

Genetic Mutation
Genetic Mutation: ISO 400, 170mm, f/4.0, 1/640

These are small flowers in our backyard garden. The majority of them are white with a pink interior. The odd one is all pink. Makes you think of the the saying, "Be Different."

Nature is full of surprises and wonders.

Blue Eyes Dragonfly II
Blue on Green: ISO 200, 87mm, f/4.0, 1/1600

This was taken at Elizabeth Hall Wetlands in Lethbridge, Alberta. A blue eyed dragon fly resting in the marsh.

Wind was blowing pretty good the day I took this. Hard to get a sharp photo.

Close up Poppy
Iceland Poppy Close up: ISO 400, 190mm, f/4.0, 1/1250

We planted an Iceland Poppy in our backyard garden this spring. We had them in our garden in Red Deer and missed their colour and constant blooms.

The flowers on this new plant are much larger than we experienced in Red Deer. This bloom is about the size of a palm of a hand. I believe that is some sort of tiny bug on underneath the right side filaments.

Sunbathing Marble Canyon
Taking Advantage of the Sun: ISO 200, 85mm, f/5.6, 1/250

Took this shot on a short hike at Marble Canyon located in Banff National Park late in May.

Caught this chipmunk in the distance and wasn't sure what it was until I zoomed in. The chipmunk was alive and breathing. Just taking advantage of the warm spring sun.

Guess animals love to sunbathe as well.

Red Wing Blackbird
Red Wing Blackbird: ISO 320, 210mm, f/4.0, 1/320

Spotted this Male Red Winged Blackbird at Elizabeth Hall Wetland Nature Reserve in Lethbridge, Alberta pretty easily as he was trying to catch my attention as I moved closer to the marsh.

He must have been protecting a nest nearby because he was causing a loud distraction.

A couple of females were also flying around. They were probably busy gathering food for their young.

Pink Tulip
Pink Tulip: ISO 200, 90mm, f/4.0, 1/800

Spring is finally here in Southern Alberta. Our tulips are in full bloom and have survived our on again/off again spring.

Snowy Cat Tails
Snowy Cat Tails: ISO 12800, 81mm, f/5.6, 1/4000

We are experiencing a very long cold snap here in the "Great White North."

We had an unusually warm January but February has given us a bit of a shock with an extended period of negative double digit temperatures (in degree Celsius.)

News agencies are calling it a "Polar Vortex" but I am just calling it a typical Canadian winter.

This picture of a local pond was taken early December 2018 when it was warm enough to take a walk without risk of losing your fingers or nose and a fresh coat of snow had fallen. These cat tails are also waiting for spring and the warmer weather it promises.

Chameleon, Lizard, Warm, Calgary Zoo
Calgary Zoo Chameleon: ISO 800, 150mm, f/5.6, 1/400

Yesterday was a nice day to talk a walk in the park. So took a morning stroll at the Calgary Zoo.

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this little guy checking out the spectators behind the glass.

I think he saw me.