A panoramic view of one of the highlights of driving Banff's amazing Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake.

Rock flour creates this unique color. It is essentially bedrock that has been ground down into extremely fine grains by glacial erosion.

The lake is fed by Peyto Creek, which drains water from Caldron Lake and Peyto Glacier (part of the Wapta Icefield).

During high volumes of rock flour—typically over the summer months—a distinctive grey hue can often be seen where the glacial melt enters the lake. The overall effect, however, is a turquoise hue throughout the lake itself.

Thank you for your comments, faves or suggestions!

Tags:   Peyto Lake Peyto Panorama wide angle glacial waters rock flour Bow Summit Canadian Rockies lakes Icefields Parkway Banff Alberta Canada reflections Explore

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A must stop when driving Alberta's Icefields Parkway.

"Sunwapta Falls is a waterfall of the Sunwapta River located in Jasper National Park, Canada.

Sunwapta is a Stoney (Assiniboine) word that means turbulent water.

The water originates from the Athabasca Glacier, and volumes are higher in early summer, caused by glacial meltdown.
It is a class 6 waterfall, with a drop of 60 ft (18 m) and a width of 30 ft (9.1 m)."
From Wikipedia

Just another wonder along this very impressive highway.

Enjoy a wonderful Spring weekend!

Tags:   Sunwapta Falls turbulent waters Icefields Parkway Jasper National Park Sunwapta River Athabasca Glacier autumn waterfalls Assiniboine Alberta Canada Explore

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Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is located 10 miles west of Tillamook, Oregon on the north end of the beautiful Three Capes Scenic Route.

"The sleepy village of Cape Meares is tucked along the northern side of the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Meares State Park. This small, but impressive park is home to both the shortest lighthouse and the largest Sitka Spruce in Oregon. Its viewpoints overlooking the Pacific Ocean are known as a prime whale-watching spots during migration seasons. This area is also a favorite nesting ground for sea birds, including the Common Murre, Bald Eagle, and Peregrine Falcon. It is home to the “Octopus tree,” once featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and was a Native American meeting place.

This village has spectacular and secluded beaches, spanning many miles, and is a perfect location for beach combing, kite flying, camp fires and storm watching. The beach borders the Bay Ocean Spit, separating Tillamook Bay from the ocean, and offers mile and miles of hiking trails among forested sand dunes."
visittheoregoncoast.com

Thanks for taking a look! Always appreciated.

Tags:   Cape Meares Cape Meares State Park Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge Three Capes Scenic Route Central Oregon Coast Oregon Coast Tillamook Pacific Ocean Oregon coast

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The Mistaya River flows under Mt. Sarbach on it's way to it's slot canyon downriver. Another favorite stop along Alberta's spectacular Icefield Parkway.

"Mistaya River originates in Peyto Lake. A series of elongated lakes are formed along the river: Mistaya Lake and Waterfowl Lakes.

Mistaya merges into the North Saskatchewan River at Saskatchewan River Crossing."
Fr Wiki

Sending best wishes, thoughts and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Tags:   Mistaya River Mistaya Canyon Mt. Sarbach Peyto Lake Icefield Parkway Alberta Canada not an HDR

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The Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park is one of my favorites, and where I prefer to finish my visits there. Wonderful campground and considerably less traffic and congestion than Many Glacier or Lake McDonald. Striking beauty in any direction.

The region was considered sacred ground by several Native American tribes including the Blackfeet and they performed Vision quests here. Aside from Chief Mountain, the Two Medicine area is the most sacred section of the park to the Blackfeet. I must agree that my spirit soars whenever I am here.

An earlier post of the image in b/w in comments, plus a couple shots of Chief Mountain.

Happy Friday! May your weekend be most wonderful!

Tags:   Two Medicine Two Medicine Lake Pray Lake Mt Sinopah Rising Wolf Mountain Painted Teepee Peak morning Blackfeet Vision Quests Y_Ext_Montana

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