Darwin Wiggett - Natural Moments Photography

The Rocky Mountains are mostly known for their scenic grandeur and some of the larger mammals such as grizzly bears, elk and mountain goats. Like many mountainous regions they are also home to an amazing variety of wildflowers. A short growing season and significant elevation differences allow the enthusiast to observe and document spring and summer flora simultaneously in close proximity. 

Based on a number of requests from our past photography tour participants, in June this year, Darwin Wiggett and Alan Ernst will be hosting our first ever summer flower photography field trip.

The timing of this tour has been chosen to capture the peak of the early summer displays at the valley bottom around Aurum Lodge, while at the same time providing access to spring flowers in the sub-alpine meadows (which may still have snowy patches at that time of year). Come and meet some of our showy species such as the wood lilies, a variety of orchids, shooting stars, Indian paintbrush, dwarf primroses and many, more. 

This event will focus primarily on flowers in their natural settings in a variety of eco-systems and habitats from montane forests to wetlands and sub-alpine. As it is at the height of the snowmelt, we will also be visiting some of our magnificent waterfalls in the region. Unlike our other photography tours, we may not be out and about from first light until dusk, as this is just past the summer solstice, where it never gets really dark around here. However, we will still be getting up reasonably early to beat the winds and capture the pleasing light before mid morning and then again in the early evenings. Sunrises and Sunsets will be optional for those who do not require any sleep… or when the weather co-operates with stunning light. 

Like our other tours, this will be a great opportunity for like-minded nature lovers and photographers to get together, share experiences and learn from Darwin and Alan who are intimately familiar with the area. There will be minimal theory or technical sessions on this tour but we will try to drive a little further than on our other trips (e.g. a day in Yoho and Kootenay Parks for instance). 

Any media or format is acceptable (however, keep your equipment “bearable”). Participants should be reasonably familiar with their camera gear and, obviously, you will need close-up features and good wide-angle coverage. Many locations will require hiking in, so you MUST be able to hike for at least three to four hours a day with your gear, including elevation gains of up to 400 meters or so (1,300 ft). As with all of Darwin’s field trips at Aurum Lodge, the itinerary will be flexible and follow the best subjects, weather and lighting, rather than guaranteeing visits to specific locations. Remember these photo tours are an intense immersion into photography and our focus is on shooting as much as possible

Package includes:

• Five nights accommodation at Aurum Lodge, single occupancy

• All meals from dinner on first night (22^nd) to lunch on the last day (27^th)

• Trip participation (as usual we will carpool during the event)

• All taxes

• Limit is 6 to 7 participants

• Cost C$ 1,549 per person, all-in

  For more information and to reserve your spot contact Alan at the Aurum Lodge