March 7th - 13th, 2026
Alberta, Canada, is renowned for its impressive diversity and abundance of owl species, setting it apart as a prime destination for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike. This stunning province, with its varied landscapes—from expansive boreal forests to open grasslands—provides ideal habitats that support thriving populations of majestic owls. Among the most notable species found here are the stately Great Gray Owl, known for its striking appearance and impressive wingspan; the agile Northern Hawk Owl, frequently spotted perched atop tree branches; the iconic Snowy Owl, famous for its stunning white plumage and fierce hunting prowess; and the powerful Great Horned Owl, recognized by its tufted “ears” and formidable presence. Each of these species adds to the rich tapestry of avian life in Alberta, making it truly one of the best locations globally for observing and photographing these remarkable birds in their natural environment.
Note: Dan will be leading this tour with two local guides and an owl scout.
Meet Daniel and Tanya Cox
2026 Alberta Owl Photography Tour Travel Plans
Saturday, March 7
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
Sunday, March 8 – Monday, March 9 (B)
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
Tuesday, March 10 (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
Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12 (B)
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
Friday, March 13 (B)
Depart Edmonton for your flight home today. This morning, we will have an optional gathering to reminisce about our experiences and review our images and post-processing techniques; please depart later than 1:30 pm if you would like to participate in the review/post-processing session.
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 7:00 and 7:30 AM and return between 5:30 and 7:00 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
7610 pp, DBL occupancy
Single Sup: 600
Pricing in US dollars
Deposit
$1500 Per person due at time of booking
Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, or check acceptedDeposits 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, 2025: 3,000 pp first installment
December 1, 2025: 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 59715Included
- 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), majority of group lunches and dinners, others will be on your own.
- Airport transfers, as noted in the itinerary, TBA
Not Included
- Flights to/from Calgary/Edmonton
- Travel/emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Pre/post-trip hotel stays
- Airport transfers on non-scheduled itinerary days
- 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
March 7, 2026
Arrive at Calgary International Airport (airport code YYC) today. Group welcome dinner and briefing this eveningMarch 13, 2026
Depart Edmonton today (airport code YEG). If you want to participate in this morning’s photo review/editing session (no field outing), please depart at 1:30 pm or later.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)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
Accommodations for 2026 Alberta Owl Photography Tour
March 7-9, 3 nights
The Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre
Conveniently located between Calgary International Airport and the city center, the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre is your home away from home. Stay just minutes from the Trans-Canada highway, within walking distance of two shopping centers, a variety of dining and entertainment destinations, and the nearby light rail transit system.Spacious guestrooms feature complimentary internet. Enjoy contemporary cuisine in Barrington’s restaurant and lounge, featuring a la carte breakfast and dinner, in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.
March 10-12, 3 nights
Best Western Plus Fort Saskatchewan Inn & Suites
The Best Western Plus Fort Saskatchewan Inn & Suites offers a welcoming experience that blends comfort with local charm. Located just off Highway 21, this modern hotel places you minutes from the Dow Centennial Centre, Fort Saskatchewan Museum, and the scenic trails along the North Saskatchewan River.Step inside and discover thoughtful amenities designed to make your stay seamless. Wake up to a complimentary hot breakfast featuring fresh omelets and local favorites. Recharge in the indoor pool, hot tub, and steam room, or keep your routine going in the 24-hour fitness center equipped with cardio and weight training gear.
Each guest room features plush bedding, a microwave, a refrigerator, and a 40-inch LCD TV. On-site perks include coin laundry and a sundry shop for essentials. Dining options like The Canadian Brewhouse and Sawmill are just steps away.
Helpful Information for 2026 Alberta Owl Photography Tour
TOUR LEADERS
Dan will be leading this tour along with two local owl guides and an owl scout. Tanya will not be on this trip.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
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.
WEATHER
The weather in Alberta can be highly variable during the winter season. Average daily high temperatures at this time of year hover around freezing (32°F), while average lows typically range from 9°F to 18°F. However, these are just averages; it’s not uncommon to experience lows closer to -4°F or even colder on occasion. Furthermore, a warm chinook wind can cause the highs to reach between 41°F and 59°F.
Given the potential for very low temperatures, it is essential to be adequately prepared and dress appropriately. We recommend dressing in layers; it’s better to be too warm and able to shed an outer jacket than to be too cold. Additionally, we suggest checking the weather forecast a few days before your trip to determine what kind of clothing you may need.
PASSPORT and VISA
A visa is not required for US citizens for stays less than 180 days. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry. One blank passport page is required for the entry stamp. Please visit the US Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs for the most up-to-date entry requirements.
VACCINATIONS
Please visit the CDC for the latest vaccination recommendations and health notices for travel to Canada.
BAGGAGE
Between camera gear and warm-weather gear, we acknowledge that we are asking you to bring a lot of equipment. However, please make an effort to keep your luggage somewhat compact. This will make for a more comfortable ride in the vehicles when we transport from Calgary to Edmonton. Please use soft-sided luggage versus a hard-cased suitcase.
CAMERA GEAR
Our local guides recommend a telephoto lens of at least 400mm (full-frame) or 250mm (on a 1.6x crop sensor camera). Longer focal lengths can be useful to get closer images of the birds and are particularly useful for Snowy Owls (800 mm+ is ideal).
Large telephoto prime lenses can provide great results, but smaller telephoto zooms are also a fantastic choice for this trip. A mid-range zoom lens that covers the 100-300mm range can also be useful for creating environmental portraits of the birds. There could also be landscape photography opportunities, so a wide-angle lens (optional) may be worth bringing as well, though this will not get nearly as much use as your telephoto lens. Tripods or monopods are welcome, but also optional.
We’ll send a full list of suggested camera gear to bring, and Dan will phone each guest to discuss gear closer to the trip time.
Have a question?
Have a question about this tour? We're happy to answer any queries you may have.
Testimonials from Natural Exposures' Explorers
"I just wanted to again thank you for a wonderful week of photography and relaxation away from the office. It was a really a good group."
Sue Wolfe, Texas
"Tanya and Dan’s logistic skills provide a seamless photo tour where one can truly enjoy the experience. With unlimited photographic opportunities Dan’s instruction has taken my photography to a higher level."
Linda Henry, Oregon
"We have been friends and have traveled with Dan and Tanya for almost 20 years. We have had the privilege of being invited to join them on their wonderful photography adventures. Dan, a master of photography, is always willing to share his vast knowledge of cameras and photographic skills. Tanya has mastered the art of arranging great tours along with being able to please everyone involved. I keep thinking of how Dan and Tanya pass the Rotary International "Four Way Test". Is it the Truth? Is it fair to all concerned, will it build good will and better friendships and yes it will be beneficial to all concerned. We love, trust and feel safe with Dan and Tanya. Our home is filled with spectacular images we have taken on tours with Natural Exposures Photo Tours."
Ed and Pat Nahin, California
