Editor’s note: MatadorU photography student Cassie Kos has traveled the world from Cambodia to Peru, but says “My favorite photography scenes come from my own backyard.” You can find more from Cassie Kos on her website.

1

Moraine Lake, Alberta

Moraine Lake is usually overrun with tourists, but once the rains come, the place clears out, and often this is the best time to photograph it. When the fog covers the mountains in the distance and rain falls from the sky, this place turns into one of the most peaceful locations in Canada.

2

Grizzly — Kootenay Highway 93, British Columbia

On a scenic drive to Panorama, British Columbia, a drizzle fell as we rounded curved roads along the mountain ridges. As we came around another corner, we noticed a large truck stopped in the middle of the road. In front of the truck, we saw this grizzly bear, his fur wet from the rain and a stressed look in his eyes from the close encounter with the stopped truck. I managed to get just a couple of quick photos from within our vehicle before the bear took shelter back in the forest.

3

Forest Stream — Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

Tropical Storm Arthur landed on the east coast of Canada during our time on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Fortunately for us, the weather made for some excellent photography opportunities. We camped very close to here and experienced torrential downpours while tenting.

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4

Waterfall — Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

Tropical Storm Arthur provided plenty of rain to ensure the streams and waterfalls were constantly flowing.

5

Ocean Storm — Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Hurricane Arthur landed on the coast of Nova Scotia while we were visiting Peggy’s Cove, a small lighthouse town that had been evacuated prior to our arrival.

6

Northern Lights Reflection — Loon Lake, Saskatchewan

Canadians love to camp, and during the cold winter months, every so often the weather cooperates and the skies open up to display the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights, while not very rare, are a phenomenon that Canadians do not take for granted. Day and night, the Saskatchewan province is beautiful, and with little light pollution in Northern Saskatchewan, the aurora is often visible.

7

Red Barn — Meota, Saskatchewan

There is no shortage of old homes and barns to photograph throughout Canada, and each seem to have their own story to tell through their battered wood and faded paint.

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8

Larch Valley — Banff, Alberta

Every year around mid-to-late September, the alpine larch tree needles turn a golden yellow colour. The process of the larch trees turning to gold and their needles falling off lasts just a few short weeks each fall.

9

Northern Lights and Milky Way — Loon Lake, Saskatchewan

Due to the orientation of the earth as it circles the sun, the Milky Way is not visible to Canadians for much of the year. The best chance to view the Milky Way comes during the months of May through August, which corresponds with longer daylight hours.

10

Sentinel Pass — Banff, Alberta

In Larch Valley there’s a hiking path heading toward Sentinel Pass, home of Ten Peaks — the mountains that were displayed on the Canadian $20 bill for many years. These are also the same peaks that are often shown framing the turquoise water of Moraine Lake.

11

Stutfield Glacier — Columbia Icefields, Alberta

Located in the northern part of the Columbia Icefield, Stutfield glacier can be admired from a convenient roadside pull out. Just a few miles south, people are able to walk on the Athabasca Glacier.

12

Rocky Mountains — Alberta

Like most locations in the Canadian wilderness, clouds and rain often surround the mountains peaks. I never do get sick of the amazing Rocky Mountain scenery in Canada, and consider myself fortunate to live so close to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.