February went by so fast that I ended up in the third week of March before I knew it.

This e-KNOW thing is keeping us busy – too busy because we’re not getting out and about enough and our cameras are starting to wonder if we’ve forsaken them.

Yet, with the increasing light that stretches winter to its breaking point – sprrrrrringggggg – the itch to shutterbug grows.

February in the East Kootenay was highlighted by a romantic Valentine’s Day escape to Island Lake Lodge (a separate photo tour will be published soon). It was the only real winter landscape we experienced during the month, which was more like early April in its demeanor.

While we ‘suffered’ under some grey stretches and watched trees trying to bud like daring fools, our kin and countrymen elsewhere in Canada struggled with Old Man Winter’s boot on their throats. It was one of those months where I remembered, with smug fondness, why I moved to paradise.

Another highlight of the month was Griz Days, Feb. 27-Mar. 1 in Fernie; balmier than usual but still wintery enough for the fun to flow. Beautiful sunny and clear skies made Fernie burst with delicious light.

Images in this month’s collection include: Island Lake Lodge; Cranbrook and area; Invermere, Radium Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs; Fernie and area; the Wardner/Jaffray area and Roosville. A couple of tours through Kimberley were badly muffled by curmudgeonly weather.

Lead image: A fire roars in the lounge at Island Lake Lodge.

Please click on image to enlarge and to begin self-directed slide show…

Photos by Ian Cobb and Carrie Schafer/e-KNOW

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