The shortest month of the year somehow produced a whopping 80 images to showcase February in the East Kootenay.

It is a testament to the expansive eye and mind-boggling natural beauty of the East Kootenay and the charm and life force of its communities.

February was a much nicer month in most parts of the region, with more sunshine and blue skies, than the oppressive gloom of January, when clouds become wedged between the mountain ranges and linger so long they begin to rot like old vegetation in the bottom of a garbage bin.

Along with the warmth of more sunshine and the noticeably longer days, comes the opening numbers of the Dance of Old Man Winter’s Death. Joyfully, for those who do not long for constant days of powder shredding, later winter on the ‘warm side of the Rockies’ is a finer, mellower place than what is experienced by our friends to the east.

This month’s collection of images were captured during a series of rambles that took us to most parts of the region. A wander around Fernie and through the Elk Valley; sunrise at Canal Flats; a sunny afternoon along Rosicky Road; a mid-month foray around Fort Steele; golfing on Lake Windermere at Invermere; morning at Rosen Lake; and sundry amblings around Greater Cranbrook.

Curiously, I was in a ‘bag the train’ mode as I shot several images of trains working through the region: in the Columbia and Elk Valleys.

Again this month we are joined by Wasa photographer Krista Nebloch, who submitted a variety of images that showcase an eager eye. She has provided items showcasing Wasa/Kimberley areas, including the Ice rink at dusk at Cameron Pond and a sunset shot from Wasa, as well as a sunset and some other interesting images of Kimberley Ski Resort, and a firewood searching expedition down Gold Creek.

Thanks also for the captivating ‘The Columbia River Wetlands, from Old Coach Trail’ panorama by Stephen Lebovits.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW and

Carrie Schafer/Through My Eyes Photography

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