2025 Great Gray Owl Photography Tour
Your four-day photography tour provides you with an unbelievable opportunity to experience the majesty of the great gray owl. Join me in the field as I share my knowledge and years of experience. As a highly acclaimed and award-winning wildlife photographer known widely for my winning great gray owl photos, I will share my expertise and help you on your photography journey whatever your skill level. From understanding great gray owl behaviour to learning how to approach an owl to capturing sharp inflight photos and composing compelling images these trips are designed to improve your photography skills and allow you to photograph these mesmerizing beauties.
Your four-day private photography tour provides you with an unbelievable opportunity to experience the majestic great gray owl up close and personal. A typical day begins before sunrise allowing us to get the best morning light and enjoy the activity of owls at the beginning of the day. We will break for lunch and continue to look for owls in the afternoon continuing to the best light in the early evening. Each day is yours and can be tailored to your ability and activity level.
The entire time we are in the field, I will emphasize ethical wildlife photography practice. Both your safety and that of the owls are of primary importance when we are in the field and I will continually observe the species we are encountering to look for any signs of stress.
Late February and early March is great gray owl mating season and the owls are frequently active during the day. Great gray owls are not easy to find and knowing the area they are in is still no guarantee of actually finding one. Please note although I will try my best to locate great gray owls there is no guarantee any will be seen and if seen, sightings can be as short as a minute or last for hours. I will be scouting for owls before the tour and if none seem present in the area I will provide participants the option to cancel the tour and receive a full refund.
All tours are offered in Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada. Whether you have been photographing for years or just received your camera there is something for everyone in these day tours.
2025 Tour Dates
March 4 - 7
March 18 -21
Costs
$3200 - per participant
Maximum three participants per trip
The entire time we are in the field, I will emphasize ethical wildlife photography practice. Both your safety and that of the owls are of primary importance when we are in the field and I will continually observe the owls we are encountering to look for any signs of stress.
What is included:
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodations
- In-field photography tips and teaching
- Light snacks and a limited selection of refreshments each day
- A light brown bag breakfast and lunch each day
What is not included
- Transportation to and from Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada
- Accommodations
- Dinners each night
What level of physical activity is required?
- You will need to be able to carry your own camera gear for 200-500 meters in cold weather and uneven terrain.
What will the weather be like?
- Weather is unpredictable Temperatures tend to be around -30C in the morning and around -4C later in the day but can vary greatly.
- An updated forecast will be provided closer to the actual date of the tour.
What should you bring?
- Warm clothes and footwear to be outside up to -20C for long periods of time. Dress in layers, however there will always be access to the tour vehicle to warm up.
- Plenty of batteries as they drain quickly in cold
- A lens that has reach to at least 400mm, 600mm is ideal
- Tripod is optional, but is not required. Donna will not have a tripod.
Daily Itinerary (subject to change)
7:00 am - pick up at accommodations
7:30 - 8:00 am - arrive at first location
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - look for owls and travel to other locations as needed
12:00 - 2:00 pm - lunch and return to accommodations if necessary
2:00 pm - pick up at accommodations
2:30 - 3:00 pm - arrive at first location
3:00 - 5:30 pm - look for owls and travel to other locations if needed
5:30 - 6:00 pm - return to accommodations
- Up to 45 days before the tour $2800 refund
- Between 29 - 14 days before the tour $1000 refund
- 13 days before the tour no refund
For all tours, each participant will be required to sign a Release of Liability and an Assumption of Risk Waiver before the start of the tour. You may be asked to sign a photo release form (optional).
NOTE: While we will make every attempt to find the wildlife during the tour there is NO guarantee that we will. Inability to find wildlife does not warrant a refund.