After four weeks of planning, V and I finally caught the weather and aligned days off to go and do the Grouse Grind and see Grouse Mountain before summer gasped its last breath.

It was a gorgeous day, and I managed to get a few nice photographs. Apparently I was too shaken up to hold my camera steady during most of the Grind itself, but the photos from the top are worth a look. I’ve tried a few more HDR shots, but the technique’s still a work in progress. Getting the exposure balance right on busy photos is something I’ve yet to figure out.

I barely caught this little guy on film – he was quick

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Fungus growing on a fallen tree

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They were either collecting moisture or secreting something – couldn’t tell what

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The drops look like they’re hanging in mid-air, it’s a little mesmerising

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Second attempt at an HDR photo – I really need to invest in a cheap tripod

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A view through the trees about 2/3rds of the way up the Grind

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Closer view of.. the view

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First view of the lift towers at the top of the Grind

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HDR #3: the view from the top of Grouse – totally worth it

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Some kind of radio tower at the top of Grouse

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A nice silhouette of the lift tower – incredible engineering

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A nice view of Downtown from the top of Grouse – skyscrapers contrasted with pines

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Hey, I can see my house from up here!

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A sightseeing heli swung in as the tram set off – pretty happy with this shot

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The chopper hung around for a while

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There was a cameraman in the doorway

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We couldn’t figure out exactly what it was doing

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The wedding ceremony wasn’t too pleased with its appearance though

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HDR #4

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We went and saw the Grizzly Bear habitat

Unfortunately I only got one decent shot of the bears, the rest were fairly blurry. They’re awe-inspiring animals though; not fully grown and already 400kg+.

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There’s snow in them thar hills

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HDR #5 – the Grouse wind tower is just visible over the peak

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There were some interesting wood sculptures at the top of Grouse

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Lumberjacks, owls, eagles and more

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The golden evening light was beautiful, but a winter chill is beginning to set into the air

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Nice shot of another bloody mountain

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Another bloody tree – looks nice though

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HDR #6 – Grouse Mountain tram lift tower

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The Grouse tram

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Just before we left – the light was gorgeous

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Lift sheaves in the evening light

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HDR #7

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And no sepia-tinged photo set would be complete without a beautiful girl and a lensflare