2005 Banff Mountain Photography Competition
Special Mention
Julie Castonguay: “Golden Revelation, Purcell Mountains, British Columbia”
“The alpine larch (Larix lyallii) is one of my favourite trees. Found only in the most spectacular alpine environments of the interior Pacific Northwest, it becomes a flamboyant shade of golden-yellow in autumn. This startling tree has become my fall obsession and I make it my annual pilgrimage to roam these alpine shrines. Waking up on that early October morning in the alpine meadows, I meandered amongst the golden glory surrounded by towering granite peaks. I was rendered speechless by the sight of this small tarn where the reflection of these alpine larches was encircled by an intricate array of colours and textures and covered with thousands of their needles. That morning the light perfectly revealed all the beauty of this small sanctuary.”
Julie Castonguay, originally from the city of Québec, is passionate about nature and has been exploring the natural world through the lenses of her cameras since the late 1980s. In 2002, she temporarily suspended her work as a professional forester to study art and photography at NSCAD University in Halifax. Castonguay’s first solo photography exhibit was held this year in Halifax. Currently, she resides in beautiful Nelson, British Columbia, where she balances her professional career and her photography, continually exploring and integrating her connection to nature.