Canada's vast wilderness is home to some of the world's most magnificent wildlife. From the coastal regions of British Columbia to the rugged mountains of Alberta and the northern territories, the opportunity to photograph iconic species in their natural habitats draws photographers from around the globe. This guide will help you prepare for your own wildlife photography adventure in Canada, with essential techniques, location advice, and ethical considerations to ensure both successful images and the well-being of the animals you encounter.
Essential Wildlife Photography Equipment
Wildlife photography presents unique challenges that require specialized equipment. While professional gear offers advantages, you can still capture compelling images with mid-range equipment and the right techniques.
Camera Bodies
For wildlife photography in Canada, consider these features in a camera body:
- Fast autofocus system with good tracking capabilities for moving animals
- Decent burst rate (at least 5-7 frames per second) to capture brief moments of action
- Good high-ISO performance for low-light conditions at dawn and dusk when animals are most active
- Weather sealing to protect against Canada's varied conditions, from coastal rain to mountain snow
Full-frame cameras offer better low-light performance, but crop-sensor cameras provide more "reach" with telephoto lenses, which can be advantageous for distant wildlife.
Lenses
The most important investment for wildlife photography is quality telephoto glass:
- Telephoto zoom (such as 100-400mm or 150-600mm) offers versatility for different sized animals and distances
- Prime telephoto (300mm, 400mm, or longer) provides superior image quality and often better apertures for low light
- Wide-angle lens for environmental portraits and landscape context
- Teleconverters (1.4x or 2x) to extend reach when needed, though with some light loss
Remember that certain Canadian wildlife requires extreme focal lengths—photographing bears safely means staying at least 100 meters away, necessitating 400mm+ focal lengths for frame-filling images.
Support and Accessories
- Sturdy tripod with a fluid head for smooth panning with heavy lenses
- Monopod for mobility in changing locations
- Extra batteries (cold temperatures drain them quickly in Canadian winters)
- Weather protection for your gear
- Binoculars for spotting distant wildlife before setting up
- Neutral-colored, quiet clothing that blends with the environment
Essential Techniques for Wildlife Photography
Camera Settings
Start with these baseline settings for wildlife photography in Canada:
- Shooting mode: Aperture priority with Auto ISO is versatile for changing light conditions, or shutter priority when action is expected
- Shutter speed: Minimum 1/500s for stationary animals, 1/1000s or faster for birds in flight or running mammals
- Aperture: Use the widest aperture your lens allows (f/4, f/5.6) to isolate the subject and maximize light
- ISO: Set Auto ISO with a maximum around 3200-6400 depending on your camera's capabilities
- Drive mode: Continuous/burst for action sequences
- Focus mode: Continuous AF (AI Servo for Canon, AF-C for Nikon/Sony) for moving subjects
- Focus points: Use focus point groups or zones for tracking
- Exposure compensation: +1 to +2 stops for subjects against bright snow, -1 for silhouettes
Composition Techniques
Great wildlife images combine technical excellence with artistic composition:
- Eye level perspective creates more intimate, engaging images
- Leave space for movement in the direction the animal is facing or moving
- Include environment to tell the story of the animal in its habitat
- Look for clean backgrounds to help your subject stand out
- Focus on the eyes – sharp animal eyes create connection with viewers
- Capture behavior rather than just portraits – hunting, feeding, or interacting with others
- Use light creatively – backlight for rim lighting, sidelight for texture
Field Techniques
Success in wildlife photography often comes down to field craft:
- Research animal behavior to anticipate movements and activity patterns
- Practice patience – quality wildlife images often require hours of waiting
- Move slowly and quietly to avoid startling your subjects
- Use natural blinds like trees or rocks when available
- Arrive early and stay late when animals are most active
- Follow tracks and signs to locate animals
- Consider camping in wildlife-rich areas to be present at prime times
Prime Wildlife Photography Locations in Canada
Bears
Canada offers exceptional opportunities to photograph several bear species:
Grizzly Bears
- Great Bear Rainforest, BC – During salmon runs (August-September), grizzlies gather to feed, offering incredible photo opportunities. The Knight Inlet and Bella Coola areas provide platforms and guided boat access.
- Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, BC – Canada's first grizzly sanctuary allows limited boat-based viewing from May to July.
- Fishing Branch River, Yukon – Unique opportunity to photograph grizzlies fishing for salmon amid frozen landscapes in October-November.
Black Bears
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario – Relatively accessible black bear habitat, especially along Highway 60 corridor in early morning.
- Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba – Open meadows provide clearer viewing of black bears from safe distances.
Polar Bears
- Churchill, Manitoba – The "Polar Bear Capital of the World" offers specialized tundra vehicles that safely position photographers for close encounters during October-November as bears gather awaiting Hudson Bay to freeze.
- Wapusk National Park, Manitoba – For advanced photographers with guides, opportunities to see polar bear mothers with cubs emerging from dens in late February-March.
Mountain Wildlife
Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats
- Jasper and Banff National Parks, Alberta – Mountain goats and bighorn sheep can be photographed along several highways and hiking trails, particularly at mineral licks and during the fall rut.
- Kootenay National Park, BC – The Radium Hot Springs area is known for its resident bighorn sheep population that often comes down to roadsides.
Moose
- Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario – Spring and early summer bring moose to roadside salt licks and marshy areas.
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia – The Cabot Trail provides viewpoints for moose in clearings.
- Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland – Large moose population with relatively habituated individuals.
Marine Wildlife
Whales
- Johnstone Strait, BC – World-class location for orca (killer whale) photography, particularly during salmon runs in July-September.
- Tadoussac, Quebec – The confluence of the Saguenay and St. Lawrence Rivers attracts beluga, minke, and blue whales from May-October.
- Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick/Nova Scotia – Humpback and fin whales feed here during summer months.
Sea Birds and Coastal Life
- Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland – One of North America's largest seabird colonies, with gannets, murres, and kittiwakes nesting on cliffs accessible by foot.
- Bonaventure Island, Quebec – Home to one of the world's largest northern gannet colonies.
- Haida Gwaii, BC – Diverse marine wildlife including puffins, sea lions, and unique subspecies of black bears.
Birds of Prey
- Boundary Bay, BC – Winter congregation of snowy owls, rough-legged hawks, and short-eared owls over coastal marshlands.
- Canadian Raptor Conservancy, Ontario – Offers specialized photography workshops with trained birds of prey in natural settings.
- Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia – January-February eagle feeding program attracts dozens of bald eagles for dramatic flight shots.
Seasonal Wildlife Photography in Canada
Spring (April-June)
- Baby animals – Bear cubs, fox kits, and young ungulates appear
- Migratory bird returns – Dramatic courtship displays
- Moose in roadside pools feeding on mineral-rich aquatic vegetation
- Awakening bears in mountain meadows grazing on fresh vegetation
Summer (July-August)
- Whale watching peaks along both coasts
- Alpine wildlife more accessible as mountain passes clear of snow
- Long daylight hours in northern regions for extended shooting
- Lush backgrounds for environmental portraits
Fall (September-October)
- Salmon runs attract bears, eagles, and wolves to rivers
- Rutting season for deer, elk, moose with dramatic male confrontations
- Fall colors provide spectacular backgrounds
- Polar bear gathering near Churchill
Winter (November-March)
- Snow creates clean, minimalist compositions
- Wolf activity more visible against snow
- Snowy owls migrate south into more accessible areas
- Ice formations along coasts attract unique marine life
Ethics of Wildlife Photography
Ethical considerations should always take precedence over getting "the shot":
Wildlife Protection
- Keep appropriate distances (100m from bears and wolves, 30m from other large mammals in national parks)
- Learn animal behavior to recognize stress signals
- Never bait or manipulate animals for photographs
- Avoid nests and dens, particularly during sensitive breeding periods
- Never chase or pursue wildlife
Environmental Protection
- Stay on established trails to minimize habitat impact
- Pack out all garbage
- Travel in small groups to minimize disturbance
- Respect closures and restrictions designed to protect sensitive areas
Responsible Image Sharing
- Be honest about image circumstances (wild vs. captive, composites)
- Consider not geotagging sensitive locations that could become overcrowded
- Use your images to promote conservation and respect for wildlife
Planning Your Wildlife Photography Tour
At Pryanaya Seledka Tour Agency, we offer specialized wildlife photography expeditions led by professional photographers and naturalists. Our tours provide:
- Expert guides who know animal behavior and locations
- Small groups to ensure individual attention and minimal wildlife disturbance
- Specialized vehicles and blinds positioned for optimal shooting angles
- Technical instruction suitable for all skill levels
- Conservation education about the species and ecosystems we photograph
Whether you're interested in the iconic grizzlies of British Columbia, the polar bears of Churchill, or the massive whale pods off the Atlantic coast, we can create a customized wildlife photography expedition that respects both the animals and your creative vision.
Remember that patience and respect for nature are the wildlife photographer's greatest assets. The most compelling images come not from pursuing animals, but from understanding them well enough to anticipate magical moments and be ready when they unfold naturally before your lens.
