The Canadian Rockies are quite different in appearance and geology from the American Rockies to the south. The Canadian Rockies are composed of layered sedimentary rock such as limestone and shale, whereas the American Rockies are made mostly of metamorphic and igneous rock such as gneiss and granite. The Canadian Rockies are more jagged than their American counterparts because they have been more heavily glaciated, resulting in sharply pointed mountains separated by wide, U-shaped valleys gouged by glaciers. The Canadian Rockies are cooler and wetter, giving them moister soil, bigger rivers, and more glaciers. The tree line is much lower in the Canadian Rockies with Douglas Fir, Lodgepole pine, White Spruce and Aspen in abundance. Meadows provide grazing for Elk and Bears whilst extensive wetlands provide home to moose, beavers and waterfowl. Five national parks are located within the Canadian Rockies; Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Yoho and Waterton and in the Spring of 2024 (just before the terrible wild fires), we photographed them all. At this time of year many of the lakes have a deep green/aquamarine colour from the glacial meltwater and the tops of the mountains are still snow covered; but in the valleys nature abounds – making the most of what will be a very short summer.
© Gigi & Robin Williams Photography