Alberta Owl Photography Tour II

2027 Alberta Owl Photography Tour II Travel Plans

Wednesday, February 10 (D)

Arrive at Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC). We’ll meet up tonight for a group welcome dinner to get acquainted and discuss the details of the days ahead.

Overnight in Calgary at The Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre (or similar)

Thursday, February 11 – Friday, February 12 (2B)

These two days will be spent in Southern Alberta, specifically in the Calgary area. This region has a unique geographic advantage as it is located at the intersection of multiple habitat types. In the foothills, we may have the opportunity to photograph species such as the Great Gray Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. In the open country to the east of the city, we will search for Snowy Owls and Great Horned Owls, and with a bit of luck, we might even encounter Short-eared Owls. Additionally, we can spend time observing other bird species, including Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, and more!

Overnight in Calgary at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre (or similar)

Saturday, February 13 (B)

Today, we will travel north from Calgary to Edmonton, likely making a few stops along the way. Depending on what we have seen so far, we may look for Snowy Owls in the prairies.

Overnight in the Fort Saskatchewan area, at the Best Western Plus Fort Saskatchewan Inn & Suites (or similar)

Sunday, February 14 and Monday, February 15 (2B)

For the remainder of the workshop, we will be based in the Edmonton area. For these two days, we will primarily explore the southern boreal forest and the parkland surrounding this region. Our main focus will be on locating Great Gray Owls and Northern Hawk Owls. However, we may also venture into nearby areas for a chance to spot Snowy Owls and Great Horned Owls. In addition to owls, we may encounter other bird species and could be lucky enough to see mammals such as elk, bison, and moose.

Overnight in the Fort Saskatchewan area, at the Best Western Plus Fort Saskatchewan Inn & Suites

Tuesday, February 16 (B)

Depart Edmonton for your flight home today.

Overview: What to Expect

During this workshop, we will aim to spend the majority of daylight hours in the field. Each morning, we will depart from our hotel between approximately 8:00 and 8:30 AM and return between 4:30 and 6:30 PM. Depending on owl activity, weather conditions, and the group’s energy levels, we may take a midday break on some days.

Our days will primarily be spent driving around the countryside in search of owls, as this is the most effective way to cover a larger area. While we will be driving a lot, we will also incorporate some walking during the tour. Most photography will be done near the vehicle, so physical activity will be fairly low. There may be occasional trail walks (around 1/2 mile) if the weather and trail conditions are favorable. The maximum walk might be a little over one mile at a slow pace, if the physical abilities of the group allow.

When we find an owl, we will park in a safe location and exit the vehicles. We will carefully observe the bird’s behavior to ensure that we are not causing any disturbance. For the well-being of the owls, we will not use playback calls or baiting methods. We will schedule short breaks approximately every two hours for bathroom visits and snacks. Additionally, we will take a lunch break at a restaurant along our route daily.

• Guest Limits

  7 Guests Maximum

• Trip Cost

  7,910 pp, DBL occupancy

  Single Sup: 700

  Pricing in US dollars

• Deposit

  $1500 Per person due at time of booking
  Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check accepted

  Deposits are non-refundable. If cancellations are necessary, we require this request in writing. We will do our best to resell your space. Only if we can resell your space, we will refund (minus the deposit and discounts given to sell your space). No partial refunds are possible for unused services.

• Installments

  July 1, 2026: 3,000 pp first installment

  October 1, 2026: Final payment

  Installments are payable by check only. Please make checks payable to Natural Exposures and mail to:

  Natural Exposures
  810 N. Wallace, Suite E
  Bozeman, MT 59715

• Included

  • Private small group travel with Daniel J. Cox
  • Two local professional owl guides + a scout
  • Accommodations for six nights
  • Transportation in two private vehicles – SUV/van
  • Breakfast at the hotel daily (B) + Welcome Dinner. Other lunches and dinners will be on your own.

• Not Included

  • Flights to/from Calgary/Edmonton
  • Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance
  • Pre/post-trip hotel stays
  • Airport transfers
  • Gratuities for local owl guides and owl scout
  • Attractions/optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Miscellaneous expenses, including Internet charges, laundry service, alcohol/soft drinks, etc.

• Flights to Book

  February 10, 2027
  Arrive at Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC) today. Group welcome dinner and briefing this evening

  February 16, 2027
  Depart Edmonton today (airport code YEG).

• Travel Insurance

  Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance is not required for this photo tour, but we always recommend purchasing it for any trip. Emergency medical evacuation insurance is affordable and can be purchased for each trip or an entire year, and can even be bundled with your regular travel insurance! We recommend one or more of the following, depending on your needs:

  Global Rescue
  (use code natexp)

  Allianz Global Assistance 
  (use Travel Agent ACCAM F203564)

  Insure My Trip

• Terms & Conditions

  Natural Exposures cannot control nor is responsible for abnormal weather, natural disasters, or any other disaster that might affect the trip. Travel insurance should be purchased to cover any missed flights or medical problems that may affect/delay your travel. National Parks have the right to change our itinerary.

  By booking a trip with Natural Exposures, you agree to the following CANCELLATION AND LIABILITY POLICY