The Canadian Rockies mountain range spans the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. With jagged, ice-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife, it is a spectacular area for nature photography in any season. Composed mostly of shale and limestone, the Canadian Rockies are protected by national and provincial parks, several of which are included in a World Heritage Site.

I have been to the Canadian Rockies at various times of the year, but my most memorable visit was in winter. I joined a small group of photographers on a January excursion to the mountains, where we experienced stunning winter conditions – cold but very photogenic.

Canmore is a town along the Bow River in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, west of Calgary. It's known for craggy summits like the Three Sisters and Ha Ling Peak. We arrived at the Bow River at dawn with the intention of catching sunrise over the mountains and we quickly settled on a bend in the river that offered reflections of the mountain scenery all around.

I was shooting a reflection of the Three Sisters (a trio of peaks) when I looked over my shoulder and saw the sky further east ablaze with color. So, I quickly moved my tripod low to the ground to maximize the reflection and pointed my camera toward Ha Ling Peak. I used the natural curve in the river to form a leading line pointing to the mountains in the distance. The clouds lit up in vibrant hues of orange, casting a clear reflection in the calm water.