- Home
- About
- Canada
- US
- Destinations
- Adventures
- Guides
- Canada
- A Guide to Biking From Banff to Jasper, Alberta
- A Guide to Biking the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
- A Biking Guide for Quebec’s Eastern Townships
- A Guide to Biking British Columbia’s Gulf Islands
- Niagara Area Bike and Wine Tour Guide
- A Guide to Visiting and Biking the Okanagan Valley in BC
- A Guide to Biking Prince Edward County, Ontario
- Vancouver Airport Layover Guide
- A Bike and Wine Tour Guide for Victoria to the Cowichan Valley
- US
- Europe
- South America
- Canada
- Book & Gear Reviews
- Travel Resources
- Contact
Travel Photo Thursday: What Cold Looks Like in Calgary
Calgary is in the middle of a cold snap. Last night it was -49C with the windchill. Fortunately the cold is supposed to break by the weekend – which is a good thing because I’m cross country skiing to a lodge that Prince William and his new bride visited near Lake Louise last summer. In -49C temperatures I wouldn’t want to go.
But the cold does provide opportunities for catching close-ups of Jack Frost, especially when you’re windows are junk. So I spent some time with a new macro lens having fun this morning. They’re not my usual travel photos but some shots look otherworldly and for those of you lounging on a beach, this is something you’ll never see unless you spend time inside a freezer.
Interesting snowflake design
Looks like an abstract painting
Hard to believe it's a snowflake
Primeval forest
Caught as the sun was coming up - at about 8:30 am
Looks like birds to me
Another abstract
Silver jeweled crystals
A frozen world
Sunrise in the forest
Balancing act
Any favourites out of this bunch??
Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos.
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
Vote for my article on WorldTravelist.com, sharing the best travel content on the web.
About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
View all posts by Hike Bike Travel →
68 Responses to Travel Photo Thursday: What Cold Looks Like in Calgary
Leave a Reply
About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
Feel free to email me at
leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
STAY CONNECTED
Food Recipes and Restaurants
Surprising Saskatoon: A City of Great Restaurants
TweetSaskatoon took me aback. I figured since it was a prairie city, seemingly in the middle of nowhere – that there would be a backwoods feel to the whole food scene. But was I ever wrong. Saskatoon is a city of great restaurants. Within an hour of landing I was enjoying a fantastic lunch at Souleio’s on [...]
wow.. amazing photography.. Would like to know the settings and camera you used for those snowflake shots..
Barb in Saskatoon
Hi Barb,
I have a new Canon Rebel T3I. The lens I used for shooting the snowflakes was a Canon 60mm EF-s Canon Macro lens (1:2.8). I changed from Aperture priority settings with the aperture wide open to the automatic setting. I took a lot of shots because it’s hard to get the whole frame in focus. Also shot about half with the shots with a tripod. If you need more specifics just shoot me another email.
Awesome cold photography. Better you than me. LOL Thanks for sharing. I’m sharing this with everything I’ve got !
Thanks Mike. I am wearing three layers in my house to keep warm and am looking at window replacements for next year – but then I won’t have Jack Frost visit. Enjoy your warmer climate.
Very cool photos Leigh. Thank goodness it will be a lot warmer this weekend. Enjoy Skoki Lodge!
Audrey recently posted..Get A Taste Of Bavaria At The Waldhaus Restaurant And Pub
Hi Audrey,
Also hoping to check out the Lake Louise ice sculptures at the end of the weekend. Guess you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view.
These are beautiful Leigh!! Are you saying that these tiny ice sculptures were on your windows this week? Look for us at Lake Louise this weekend – we also have a get-away planned there! Hoping to skate on the lake and enjoy many hot toddies!
Gillian @OneGiantStep recently posted..Monday Moment: Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
Hi Gillian,
These shots are all of ice crystals on my windows – on the south, west and east side of the house, initially as the sun was coming up, taken today. I’ll keep my eyes open for you at Lake Louise. We’ll probably be there on Sunday after about 1pm. Do you think we’ll get some good blog material out of those sculptures?
Those are BEAUTIFUL! I really like the “abstract” ones.
I can’t even imagine it being that cold. Here in LA people are griping because it’s in the 50s (Fahrenheit!)
@Michael People expect LA to be warmer whereas at least in Calgary a week of really cold weather isn’t a big surprise. Plus the temperature will be back up to a balmy 4C by Saturday.
Ah, amazing! so pretty!! I love the last one.
jade recently posted..Animals of the Everglades
Very cool photos
Muza-chan recently posted..Japanese traditions – Lion Dance, Shishi-mai
Thanks @Muza-chan.
Yes, very cool shots indeed!
I’ve been hearing about the cold weather in Alberta, but here in spoiled Vancouver we are kind of tuning it out because we’re just trying to survive at -5C!
Average Traveller recently posted..One of the Best: Woodland Park Zoo Seattle
@Ryan It’s a damp cold in Vancouver so I think it’s very penetrating – and it all becomes a function of what you get used to.
pretty!!!…but wow, -49!!!
Denise recently posted..Picture Perfect: Glimpses of the Maltese Coastline
@Denise The -49C was with windchill. Fortunately the actual temperature was only -30. Only two more days and we’re back to better temperatures and at least the sun is shining.
I remember Jack Frost’s artwork from when I was a kid. I miss seeing it……….but I don’t miss being so cold in the house!! Beautiful pictures!
Thanks Nancy for taking the time to leave a comment. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
These are fabulous! Do stay warm
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — January 19th, 2012 — Royal Flora, Chiang Mai, Thailand
@Nancie My husband suggested riding the exercise bike 15 minutes out of every hour. I’d be warm for sure then.
These are beautiful, Leigh! They look like paintings. You should frame them.
You’re right, I won’t see anything like this anytime soon – I hope! Thanks for sharing.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Jamaican Orchids
@Inside Journeys You’re right. I should blow up one or two of them and put them in my office instead of leaving everything on the computer.
Wow! Nice shots:) I’m wondering if I’ll get anywhere with snow this winter…now I’m inspired to make the effort. Beautiful!
Kymri recently posted..Dogs Around the World
Kymri – I couldn’t have made these shots without my macro lens. It does focus your eye on the details and the beauty of small things.
Very cool photos! (No pun intended).
Dick Jordan recently posted..Remembering MLK: Riding to Freedom
Thank you Dick.
I actually love all of these pictures and can see why you would want to share them! My favorite is the first snow flake pictures. And I thought it was cold at 21! I hope it warms up a bit for you
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Early One Morning in Innsbruck
Thanks Debbie. I had fun taking the photos.
Spectacular photos! But -49C? That’s unbelievably cold, even for Calgary. Hope it warms up so that you’re able to go skiing this weekend.
Laurel recently posted..Walking in a Winter Wonderland in the German Alps
It was about -32C Laurel with a stiff breeze that the weather network said made it -49C during the wee hours. Fortunately it’s warmed up to -20 with little wind.
Gorgeous!!!
How about cushion covers placemats trim on sheets pillowcases a series of framable prints and hasty notes???
I LOVE the designs and the colours!!
Lets market them !! June
Love your idea June – now why didn’t I think of that.
These are spectacular photographs. Thanks for sharing them.
Susan Scheid recently posted..Soonest Mended
Susan – Thank you for your lovely comment.
These pictures are wonderful. It’s certainly a different perspective. I’m getting the chills thinking of your temps. I like the sunrise one the most.
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..Visiting Old Mission Santa Barbara
@Mary One of the great things about Calgary is that the bitterly cold temperatures don’t last for long. In fact all the Jack Frost has melted leaving nothing but a clouded window.
Brrrrrr! That looks cold!
Great captures… very artistic
Cam recently posted..When the Tourist becomes the Tourist Attraction
@Cam You’re the first person who’s ever called me artistic. Got a D in art as a kid – who gets a D? But thank you for making my day. And it’s above zero again – Thank God!
Wow! -25 or -30 C, been through plenty of that but -49! Nature’s art work is gorgeous. Reminds me of Narnia. Magic!
Sophie recently posted..Urbino – a secret Italian hilltop town
@Sophie Narnia is a good descriptor. Fortunately -49 was only with the windchill – otherwise it was a balmy -30C in a protected place.
Awesome! Love this collection of photos. I can’t believe how cold it is there. Keep warm!
@Randy We’re warmer already and less than two months of the really cold stuff to deal with. In one day the temperature flipped from -27C to 3C so we really do get a bit of everything here.
I love these. Beautiful. Playing with photography is a hobby of mine– how cool for you that you have that new lens.
Jenna recently posted..A Travel Photo Treat: January in Northern California
@Jenna Only problem with a new lens is that you want to spend way too much time taking photos.
Excellent photos. Exquisite detail and very beautiful. What cold? There is no such thing as bad weather. There is only being dressed inappropriately. Chinooks are on the way. It won’t be long now before the shy people are snowshoeing in shorts.
@Barry Point well taken re: dressing – but there are days where I don’t want to be outside when I’m frostbitten within seconds despite protection taken. It is amazing if you’re active how much cold you can tolerate though.
SUCH a cool idea for a photo essay! I love it!
Candice recently posted..Montreal is a Feeling
@Candice – It’s amazing what you can see looking out of a window with fresh eyes … and a macro lens.
Ooh, I love the one that looks like birds to you (or is that the title of the picture, actually?). Anyway, for the shapes look like someone is throwing snow-covered pine branches in the air! Looks great!
Ireland Wanderer recently posted..Things to see in Southeast Ireland
@Ireland Wanderer Thanks for stopping by and your very nice comment.
Wow! Those are beautiful! I think the first one is my favorite
I also really like the one that loks like a forrest at the end.
Sabrina recently posted..Cologne Christmas Markets
Thanks Sabrina. I had fun playing around – and just as well I did because we’ve warmed right back up.
Wow! These are really gorgeous photos!! And yes, reminds me exactly what it used to be like to live in Calgary – haha!
Wow, these are gorgeous Leigh. You really have captured the beauty of winter. -49 is insane! You gotta move back to Vancouver woman:) But really stunning photographs.
@Deb Fortunately we’ve really only had two really cold weeks in Calgary – and I’m quite happy here with the Rockies so close. Loving the sunshine too.
Brrr! I’m not envious of your weather, but your photos are beautiful. I especially like the second one. These would look great framed in a collage!
@Andi – Fortunately it hasn’t been a really cold winter – only a few bad weeks. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Those are beautiful! We don’t get to see many of those here in California. Amazing how nature creates such spectacular art!
@Jeremy Fortunately I didn’t see Jack Frost very often this year!And I’m getting new triple glazed windows so he may not be visiting at all next year. Thanks for your lovely comment.
Wow, I’ve never seen snowflakes from that perspective. A couple of those pictures look like someone blew up a bird or something.
These are just so cool shots. Just shows that nature can be so pretty in adverse conditions.
Arti recently posted..Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
I liked the final one! Brrrrr… i feel cold! LOL
Great post Leigh!
@Ciki Right now we’re in full on summer so hope not to see those flakes until November.
Oh my! Those are breathtaking! They look like they belong to some other world. Great captures!
Jessica recently posted..Tips for Sleeping with a Baby in a Hotel: Travel Tips Tuesday
@Jessica They were great fun to do and with snow in the forecast this week I may be able to do get some more soon.
Beautiful in an eerie, futuristic, freezing your buns off kinda way. Glad it was you out there taking those pics and not me.
Travel Wired recently posted..The Best of Swiss Rail Journeys
@Thanks for your well worded comment.