Paterson Photography

Paterson Photography Fine art is located in Lethbridge Alberta. Started in 1985 by Mike Paterson while he was living in Waterton lakes National park in Alberta Canada.

Mike And Paterson Photography has been involved in all areas of the photography industry. But Mike’s true love goes back to his nature and wildlife photography.

Paterson photography fine Art is a reflection of this love. Showing some of his amazing prints from around Southern Alberta and Western Canada.

Slow Down!!

What you see when you slow down!! I was out for a walk the other night at Belly River Campground … Read more

Waterton May 11 2019

Headed to Waterton yesterday, May 11 2019. Was an AMAZING day. Not many people outside of the town site. The town site was PACKED. Was going to spend the night at Belly River campground but decided to head home as the wind came up later in the day.

A few pictures of the van in Waterton.

first stop has been the same for the last year and that is up on Chief Mountain Highway. I head up to the border then turn around and work my way down.

It is cool looking into the US without crossing the border. From this lookout I headed to Belly River Campground to see how busy it was. Not busy at all but that will soon change.

Waterton May 11 2019
Looking across the border into Glacier

After a tour and shooting around Waterton it was off to find a quiet place to rest. Maskinonge is the perfect spot, lots of people drive through but they don’t stay, must be because there is no services there. I do not mind, better for me. Also being May 11, 2019 it still is not tourist season.

Read more

Van updates

I have several van updates that I have on the to do list. In the past year I have not … Read more

Red Rock Coulee

Red Rock Coulee – Great in all seasons!

Red Rock Coulee
Red Rock Coulee
Red Rock Coulee

If you are looking for an amazing road trip may I suggest Red Rock Coulee.  I have driven past on highway 3 a number of times and always wondered what was there, now I know. It is well worth the drive for a day or even if you want to stay in the area for a couple days.

Will be heading back that way soon for some more pictures and exploring!  Funny thing is that all the rock pictures that I took and I like the flower ones the best!

This place is amazing, a little out of the way and NO services. There is one broken picnic table and that is all the extras that are there. But it is well worth the drive. I do suggest that you go WELL prepared. When it is hot out this place is even hotter. If it is dry this place is drier. When it is cool this place is COLD!! There is no shelter to get out of the weather unless you hide behind a rock and they are not that big!

Read more

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing, another way to pass the winter!

I have never been ice fishing. But if I was to go it would be inside one of these amazing huts! Truth be told I am not big into fishing even in warm weather. In my books stopping at a grocery store to pick-up your fish is easier and more enjoyable. But that is me.

Ice fishing hut, not your grandfather's hut
Ice fishing hut, not your grandfather’s hut
Tracks of all types
Tracks of all types

Getting out!

This past weekend with the slight break in the frigid temperatures I decided that I would head out. I wanted to see what I could find worth taking pictures of. There was a lot to shoot. It was not what I was expecting but there was a lot!

My first stop was at McQuillan Reservoir. In a very short walk I found a number of subjects to photograph. From the ice fishing tents, the animal tracks to some rabbits and a few birds it was a fun day. Cannot say that I got to walk very far as the slight breeze that was blowing was enough to make it painful to stay out. But with so many subjects to photograph I had to take pictures. It is also funny how after a number of days of clouds that a day of even a little sun makes being outside enjoyable.

Read more

Groundhog day!

So I tried doing a test for groundhog day and that did not work. I tried convincing my Gopher and Marmot subjects to come out for a picture this morning and they turned me down. So to make the prediction for southern Alberta I went outside to see if I could see my shadow. The result is that I did not see my shadow! I did get snowed on and I did get frost bite, but no shadow.

So seeing that I could not get a picture of anything close to a groundhog on this cold snowy morning here are a couple pictures from past years when it was warmer.

This gopher had built it’s home in a huge pile of dirt. One of the exits was about 8′ off the ground giving it a view that the other gophers envied.

Not official groundhog day prediction
Look no shadow.

Read more

Winter is back!

Suppose to be a cold and snowy weekend. Cannot complain so far this winter with what we have had. I … Read more

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle, out looking for lunch East of Lethbridge A busy week at the studio with two big shoots and … Read more

Blue Heron

Went down to Elizabeth Hall wetlands and saw this Blue Heron out looking for lunch. Found some tiny fishy and … Read more

My photographic bucket list – The Marmot

The Yellow-bellied Marmot another subject on my bucket list

Marmot on the look out
Marmot on the look out

I have never written down a bucket list but I do have one or should I say two. Today I found something on one of those lists – a Yellow-bellied Marmot. Some days they seem to get longer as I hear of new subjects that I would like to shoot.  The reason that I have two bucket lists is that one list I try to keep realistic. Items on that list are accessible to me in western Canada, like the Yellow-bellied Marmot. On the second list I have items that are crazier like a lion in Africa, Penguins, Tigers, etc.

Read more