Experience the haunting beauty of Canada’s winter prairies and forests in search of the world’s most iconic owls. From the vast snow-covered plains of Saskatchewan to the silent spruce forests of the Rockies, this journey offers intimate encounters with Snowy Owls, Great Grey Owls, and Great Horned Owls, all set against dramatic winter backdrops.
Experience the haunting beauty of Canada’s winter prairies and forests in search of the world’s most iconic owls. From the vast snow-covered plains of Saskatchewan to the silent spruce forests of the Rockies, this journey offers intimate encounters with Snowy Owls, Great Grey Owls, and Great Horned Owls—all set against dramatic winter backdrops. An optional extension to Vancouver Island adds a coastal twist, with sea eagles, seabirds, and even whales. This expedition is crafted for photographers who seek not only remarkable images but also a deeper connection with the rhythms of nature in one of its quietest, most poetic seasons.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Calgary
Arrive at Calgary International Airport and meet your Skua guides for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. The city’s winter light and prairie edge landscapes already hint at what lies ahead. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Calgary.
Days 2–4 – Snowy Owls on the Saskatchewan Plains
We travel east into Saskatchewan’s snowbound agricultural heartland, where wide horizons and minimal tree cover make ideal habitat for Snowy Owls. These Arctic visitors perch like statues on fence posts or glide low across stubble fields dusted in white. With guidance from local trackers and Skua experts, we’ll explore the quiet backroads during the golden hours of dawn and dusk, when the owls are most active and the light is soft and low. Along the way, expect encounters with Horned Larks, Pronghorn Antelope, and possibly Bald Eagles following river corridors.
Photo Tip: Aim for low angles to isolate owls against clean backgrounds; keep your distance and use a long lens to preserve natural behavior. Evenings will be spent reviewing images and warming up at cozy rural lodges immersed in the stillness of the prairie night.
Day 5 – Return to Calgary
We journey westward, scanning frozen coulees and wooded riverbanks for Great Horned Owls and Bald Eagles. These majestic raptors claim winter territories along the Bow River, often visible roosting in cottonwoods or soaring over open water fringed with ice. This transitional day offers a chance to diversify your owl portfolio and capture new habitats and behaviors. Evening return to Calgary and overnight in a city hotel.
Days 6–7 – Rocky Mountain Owl Country
The final days are spent exploring the foothills and mixed forests of the Rockies, where Great Grey Owls hunt silently across meadows and frozen clearings. Their broad, dish-faced heads and ethereal presence make them favorites among wildlife photographers. We’ll also keep watch for lingering Snowy Owls in open montane areas, and the occasional Northern Pygmy Owl or Three-toed Woodpecker among the trees. On the last evening, we gather for a farewell dinner and image sharing session, reflecting on the quiet intensity of winter wildlife photography.
Optional Extension – Vancouver Island (Days 8–10)
For those seeking an oceanic finale, the west coast of Vancouver Island offers a change of rhythm and species. We explore tidal estuaries, rocky coves, and temperate rainforests, where: Bald Eagles patrol river mouths for fish. River Otters leave prints in the frost along the mudflats. Orcas and Humpback Whales may breach offshore. Surf Scoters, Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads ride the winter swell in dazzling light. This optional extension includes practical sessions on shooting in coastal conditions, from salt spray protection to creative use of fog and backlight.
Calgary International Airport
We can include international flights to/from the destination thanks to our dedicated ticketing service, as well as trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended). Contact us for a personalized and obligation-free quote.
Single room charge on request: 600 €