Natural landscapes: bubbly

ICE BUBBLES, ABRAHAM LAKE, ALBERTA

This lake, in the front range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains just outside Banff National Park, has long been on my bucket list. In winter, the lake is renowned for fantastical ice, including amazing columns of ice bubbles and I’ve seen incredible photos that prove it.
I finally visited a week ago (it’s a four-hour drive from my home in Calgary) and spent more than two treacherous hours making pictures while the wind whipped around me. How treacherous? I took two mega falls on the slippery ice, leaving my left knee quite sore for several days.
That said, I came away with more than two-dozen ‘keeper’ photos, including this one (here’s another: http://500px.com/photo/24800283). The processing is quite bold, with very dark blacks and strong whites, plus a decidedly bluish hue, all to help you connect with the brilliance of the ice and the lake. Nikon D90, tripod, polarizing filter.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Want to buy this picture? Email me and I’ll make it happen! (fdking@hotmail.com).

Check out my coffeetable book “BLUE SYMPHONY: Winter in the Canadian Rockies”: http://bit.ly/kFb3Xw

Tags: Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada, Canada natural landscapes, Canada photography, Canada pictures, canadian rockies, Fine art photography, Frank King, Frank King photo blog, Frank King photo website, Frank King photography blog, Frank King photos, Frank King pictures, Ice, mountain photography, natural landscape pictures, nature, nature photography, nikon d90, not HDR, photos of Canada, photos of Canadian scenery, photos of scenery, photos of winter scenery, pictures of Alberta, pictures of Canada, pictures of Canadian scenery, pictures of mountains, pictures of winter scenery, Rocky Mountains, scenery pictures, snow, winter

15 thoughts on “Natural landscapes: bubbly”

Paul Zizka on February 7, 2013 at 10:26 am said:

NICELY done Frank! I love this.

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- Frank King Photos on February 7, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks, pal. 🙂 I’m going back, likely this weekend, to have another go at this lake.
  
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RCNaturephotos-Rachel Cohen Photography on February 7, 2013 at 9:23 pm said:

Beautiful capture Frank!! 🙂

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- Frank King Photos on February 8, 2013 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks for the kind words, Rachel. 🙂
  
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xinapray on February 8, 2013 at 12:45 pm said:

Beautiful tones and textures, Frank!

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- Frank King Photos on February 8, 2013 at 2:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks, pal. Much appreciated! 🙂
  
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Don Chesney on February 8, 2013 at 9:05 pm said:

You should check the ice dunes that grow in some conditions at the leeward ends of ice covered lakes. They grow in layers like honey combs and look like brain coral. If you climb on them the shards, which stand together on end, can slice you to ribbons. It´s quite amazing stuff.

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- Frank King Photos on February 8, 2013 at 9:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Don. Abraham Lake is on my list for a return visit; hopefully, I’ll have more time to look for ice dunes. 🙂
  
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Brian Comeau on February 12, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:

WOW!!! WOW!!! Beautiful and very unique image Frank. I’d say it was worth the trek but I’m not the one with the sore knee. Hope you feel better soon buddy.

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- Frank King Photos on February 12, 2013 at 7:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks, pal. I’ve already visited this lake again to work it more, but it was snowing! Crap. Well, I’ll give it another go in a few weeks.
  
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rickfurmanek on February 22, 2013 at 5:19 pm said:

Wow! What a neat opportunity. Well done!

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- Frank King Photos on February 22, 2013 at 5:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Rick. I’m hoping to do one more trip there this winter. It’s a six-hour round-trip from my Calgary home.
  
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Aparna on March 9, 2013 at 8:07 am said:

Got just one word. MIND-BLOWING. Oh wait, that makes it two 🙂

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- Frank King Photos on March 9, 2013 at 8:10 am said:
  
  LOL! Thanks for visiting and posting a great comment. 🙂
  
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gizella on January 17, 2016 at 10:13 pm said:

Fantasztikus élmény látni ezt a munkát. Gratulálok.

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