High on Sunshine September 16, 2026

high on Sunshine both figuratively and literally

🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️🏔☀️

After monitoring the weather and my schedule, the stars finally aligned for one last ride up to "the top of the world" before the gondola shuts down for the hiking season on Sunday.  Employees were already at work preparing for the upcoming ski season on the Sunshine Ski Hill.  After riding the gondola up, I then veered off to follow the hiking trail further up instead of taking the chairlift up. The temperature was barely above freezing which meant frost cover was scattered here and there. 

I wondered what the colours would look like!  

No need to wonder any longer!

I was first to arrive at the viewing platform at Rock Isle Lake.  The tell tale sign was there were no boot prints in the frost on the bridge until I crossed.  It was chilly with not even a breeze.  After leaving the viewing platform and.....

.....rounding the corner, the view of Rock Isle Lake was even more spectacular, yet it was the cloud at the base of the mountains in the background that caught my eye.  

Oh my what a crazy sight! Somewhere down there are Grizzly and Laryx Lakes.  

Today's plan did not include hiking in that area. I opted to head west along the Twin Cairns Trail. This area was closed when I was up here back in early July.   

I came here for the ground colour, for the possibility of golden larches, to see snow-capped peaks and for the peacefulness.  I got it all tenfold! I saw no one once I left the intersection for Standish Viewpoint/Twin Cairns. The ground cover colour was at its prime. Many larch trees were at their peak while others were mid way and many had not started to change yet.  

There were the little things and the big things that captured my attention.  

I was in no rush to get anywhere, I was on "high on sunshine" time.  

When frost meets autumn shades, the detail is wondrous!

Oh my what a crazy sight!  

That's Mount Assiniboine behind the top end of the Standish Chairlift.  

It was the big things like this alpine meadow with a mountain range backdrop.

It was the little things like this ice with a sun sparkle in the middle.

I took some time at the Monarch Viewpoint to have a hot beverage paired with snacks.

The trail descending from the viewpoint leads to a favourite spot to spend a little time.  Along the way there are beautiful sights to see.  Even the ponds took on the autumn shades.

a thriving Hippie-on-a-stick

This is a favourite spot to sit awhile.  

The boulder is big, it's flat, the views are spectacular.

Yesterday I removed certain patches from my backpack. I kept Iceland and Canada then added the others.  I have room for new patches which I hope to collect next spring. The patches become conversation pieces. The middle top patch is Norway which I purchased in April. While hiking today, a guy noticed it and asked when was I there. As it turns out he's from Trondheim Norway.  

a perfect Golden Larch Tree

After spending significant time at that favourite place, 

I ascended to begin hiking the trail that would descend back to Sunshine Village. 

another valley covered in cloud

It was the little things like this small patch of red!

It was the big things like this whole meadow dressed in red! 

This was the view upon arrival back to Sunshine Village. The sun still shone brightly and it felt a tad bit warmer. I felt completely fulfilled and was in no need of anything more other than to hop on the gondola for the ride back to the parking lot.   

What a wonderful Wednesday it was being high on Sunshine!

navigating through a little hiccup in life

When a hiccup recently happened in life, I still could not just let life pass on by! September's shades are starting to show and I am, sure as the sun rises, going to see some.  In addition to actually being out there amongst the shades, I have visions of them, then placing those visions on watercolour paper to create a greeting, to You! 

The sunrises too have been sights to see. 

Through the trees, I saw the day was dawning beautifully!

Through the fog, another day dawned in a spectacular way! 

Do you see what I see?  

Yes, the shades are sweet but do you see something even sweeter?

On this day instead of the fog clearing soon as it was forecasted to do, it grew thicker.  While I was navigating my way through the fog, I watched a herd of deer navigate their way through the fog and the river. This was the last deer to cross. 

through it all,  I admired the reflections

Through it all, brightness appeared!

Orange-crowned Warbler

On the clear days, there was much in the way of bird migration activity to be seen!  A flock of White-throated Sparrows found a feast! This angle clearly shows why this Sparrow is called White-throated. They were sharing space with a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers.

one of the many Yellow-rumped Warblers

Between the Sparrows and the Warblers, many Cedar Waxwings were feasting also!

The sweetest sight of all over the past few days was this Great Horned Owl. It was not that far up in the tree. We spoke softly while admiring it. The Owl needs its naps as it navigates migration. Sweet dreams!  I feel fortunate to have seen this Great Horned Owl and also a Long-eared Owl over the past few weeks. 

My favourite shades of summer's end are not only the Orange/Golden Larch Needles but moreso the Orange/Red Maple Leaves. Maple Trees do not thrive in Calgary's weather. They do better in eastern Canada and on the west coast.  The Maple Leaf is displayed on our Canadian Flag. I like what it represents!   

I find cheer and colour help get me through life's hiccups!  

When nature calls!

 I answer!

When nature called on this day to go for a walk in the woods, I answered loud and clear! It was to be nice for a couple of hours in the morning so it was best to get going early.  The trees are beginning to turn colour and leaves are slowing starting to fall.  I like the light pink shade in the sky which is all natural, no help from wildfire smoke.  

When nature called to go for a stroll by the pond, I answered loud and clear!  I even went as far as to paint a picture from one of my photographs, once I got home.  I like simplicity so made alterations to bring more clarity by using lighter shades and including fewer objects. The reference photo is at the bottom of this post.  

When nature called to look up, I answered loud and clear!  

I glanced upwards to see the Moon shining bright in its waning gibbous phase.    

When nature called I listened and heard "paint that Western Wood Pewee you saw the other day"!  

I answered loud and clear!  The reference photo is at the bottom of this post. 

When nature called to just go, just look, just listen, just enjoy...I answered loud and clear! The following five photos are a mere few showing the beauty of nature I saw while out and about over the past few days. I sometimes wonder if what I do is because I am addicted or because I am passionate.  I like to think maybe I am addicted to being passionate!  I hope that is a good thing!

the resident one-eared Deer at Inglewood

a female Mallard and her perfect reflection

Great Blue Heron 

Yellow-rumped Warbler

they are passing through on their way south

a Townsend's Warbler

This is a lifer for me!

I'm happy you were curious enough to learn how I answer nature's calls! 

the two reference photos