Rock Isle Lake is a beautiful example of a high alpine lake. In the summer it has a spectacular number of alpine flowers-a photographer's delight. It is situated near the top of the Sunshine Ski Area in Banff National Park.
The subject of this image however is the very old larch tree, which is probably 400 to 500 years old. I chose this angle from the tree's perspective because it overlooks the old Mount Assiniboine trail used by the early travelers and adventurers. It would be something if we could 'see' what this tree has seen from its viewpoint over several hundred years. This trail to Assiniboine is still used in the summer but is very dangerous in the winter because of the high risk of avalanches. The image is a story of the 'circle of life'.
I observed that although it is in the last stages of life, it remains beautiful with its remaining bright yellow needles, which to some extent hide its old age. However, its dead branches are a give away that soon it will be no more. Its situation on top of the hill overlooking its progeny in the foreground speaks to me that our hopes and dreams and who we are, is alive through our children. It is nature scenes like these that Indians told their children about the 'circle of life'. You can always learn things from nature that you can identify with in your own walk of life.
Mike Montana
