Our next stop was Sunrise at Swiftwater Lake at Many Glacier. Many Glacier became one of our favorite and most productive stops for wildlife throughout the week. This shot would be the view from the restaurant and several rooms in the Many Glacier Hotel. If you plan on visiting the east side of Glacier, this is a hotel to consider.

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Swiftwater Lake at Sunrise

This afternoons education commenced with a lecture outside. This was the first afternoon we had plenty of sunshine and temperatures approaching 70 degrees. The afternoon shoot was an exercise. Our subject, Columbian Ground Squirrels. I know, some of you are saying squirrels? Yes, but these are not the gloomy grey squirrels we have back east. The purpose of the exercise was 2 fold. First practice your approach to animals, slow and steady wins the race. I think Jake said it best when he asked his father what was the best way to teach patience. Patience is something we all have to work on, not just to be better photographers but better people.

Columbian Ground Squirrel, Glacier National Park

The second purpose to the exercise was to help us be mindful of the objects in our foreground and background that can make or break an image. Often we are so excited about getting the shot that we fail to control the various elements within the frame. This was clearly the best lesson that was reinforced all week and one I will continue to practice in the future.