Oh, great observation!

Yup. I was stunned myself. It’s remarkable how much it changes with the lighting. It didn’t look like this five minutes later.

She’s definitely becoming a better photographer, but her phone camera really is impressive. It’s a real quantum jump over the previous generation. If it had as powerful a zoom as mine I might consider just using a phone.

Rachael's camera is great. There is something about the way it processes color and sharpness that is exceptionally good. Or, maybe it's Rachael's eye for lighting and composition.

OK, that's enough. I guess I need to travel to this part of the world soon. So beautiful. Thank you for showing us.

Anyway, these are definitely aspen/poplars and not birch. You would see at least some flapping-in-the-wind pieces of bark if they were birch.

OK, so this has led me to some googling and also to some laughs out loud. I'm from Minnesota where I thought there were no aspen. I think of Colorado and mountains for aspen. But Mr. Google tells me that there are more aspen in Minnesota than any other state!!! I always knew them as poplars because that is what my parents always called them. Mr. Google has now taught me that aspen ARE poplars! I've had a lot of laughs to myself over this but my biggest laugh was when I read Kelly's question, "Do birch grow in the wild?" I guess it's where you grow up!

Thanks for reminding us about Robson. Sue and I did a 2 month long backpacking trip in the Rockies 25 years ago. Great shots. Glad you were able to avoid the crowds.

Either way, you're a bit of rock star to many followers, Scott (and Rocky) 💗

Mount Robson creates it's own microclimate, with species that are typically found in wetter coastal forests.

Stunning photos!

Do birch grow in the wild?

I asked google - birch are mostly in the east (although they will grow if planted in most areas) and prefer river banks.

Google also says that aspen has the largest natural range of any tree in North America.

You must have grown up in the east? I wouldn't think birch at all - but I grew up in the west - my mind automatically goes to aspen. Aren't they beautiful trees?

Wow! Stunning

From this angle that dark patch looks like Abe Lincoln's face, leaned back and staring at the sky. Who needs Mt. Rushmore?

I'm no expert but it looks more like insect damage to me: I don't see any evidence of charred trunks here, just standing timber. It's ripe for destruction by a fire, though.