experience the magic of canada’s
majestic owls & wild north

Embark on a thrilling photo tour in the Edmonton area, where the elusive great grey owl awaits. Known for their striking yellow eyes and silent flight, these majestic raptors thrive in the boreal forests and open meadows of Alberta. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll have the opportunity to capture intimate portraits of these incredible owls as they perch, hunt, and glide through their natural habitat. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a passionate wildlife enthusiast, this tour offers a rare chance to photograph one of North America’s most iconic and elusive birds in stunning detail.

A great gray owl perched on a frosty tree branch in a winter landscape.

Northern canada owls


Dates: January 5-10, 2026

Location: edmonton, canada

Price: $4199 usd*

Fitness Level: LEVEL TWO - GENTLE ADVENTURE

Group Size: 6 participants + group leader; Minimum 4 to go

*Price per person, based on double occupancy accommodations. Single supplement available for an additional fee, please inquire.

Tour Highlights:

  • Given the duration and location of this tour, expect many opportunities to photograph owls and other bird species.

  • High chance to encounter: Great grey owl, Northern hawk owl, Northern shrike, Spruce grouse, Ruffed grouse, Pine grosbeak, Canada jay, Blue jay, Redpoll, Pine siskin, White-winged crossbill, Boreal chickadee, Black-capped chickadee, Bohemian waxwing, Snow bunting, Northern flicker, Pileated woodpecker, Hairy woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Plain’s bison (location dependent), Moose, Coyote

  • Lesser known area, away from the more popular viewing areas.

  • Guided by experienced local Nick Parayko:  “I do my utmost to capture beautiful images of wildlife and scenery from around the world, with a focus on my home province. My goal is to provide professional quality photographs that do justice to beautiful environments and their many inhabitants.” To date, Nick has worked with and had images published by Travel Alberta, Canadian Geographic, the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and Hawkwatch International.

  • Nick is also a wildlife biologist and has agreed to do a presentation about the owls and local area at dinner one evening. We will also work together to educate participants about ethical practices in owl viewing, recognizing signs of stress in an owl, and how to capture beautiful images of owls that include the environment.

Book Now

Join us for an unforgettable winter adventure in Edmonton, Canada, a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts. This 6-day trip offers a unique opportunity to witness the majestic great gray owl in its natural habitat, along with other fascinating songbird and raptor species. We will enjoy a presentation about the local wildlife and ecology from our guide and wildlife biologist, Nick Parayko. 

Our itinerary includes comfortable accommodations, expert guidance to ensure a memorable and enriching experience. Don't miss this chance to create lasting memories in the heart of Western Canada’s winter wonderland.

Ethics Statement: Responsible Owl Viewing

At Focus Photo Tours, we are committed to promoting responsible owl viewing practices. We believe that it is important to respect the natural habitats of these magnificent birds and to minimize disturbance to their daily lives.

Our Ethical Guidelines:

  • Observe from a Distance: We maintain a safe distance from owls to minimize stress and disruption.

  • NO Baiting: Baiting owls is detrimental to their well-being and can lead to a range of negative consequences, primarily due to the habituation of owls to humans and the increased risk of injury or death.  

  • Avoid Flash Photography: Flash photography can startle and disorient owls, so we use only natural lighting for photography.

  • Minimize Noise and Movement: We keep our voices low and movements slow to avoid disturbing the owls.

  • Respect Nesting Sites: We do not approach or disturb owls during nesting season to ensure the safety of the young owls.

  • Educate Visitors: We educate our visitors about the importance of responsible owl viewing and encourage them to follow our guidelines.

  • Non-Disclosure Agreement: Participants will be asked to agree to the terms of a NDA in order to protect the locations of these owls to limit traffic and pressure.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, we strive to ensure that our owl-viewing activities do not negatively impact the owls or their environment. We believe that it is our responsibility to protect these amazing creatures and to promote a sustainable approach to wildlife tourism.

What’s Included:

  • Transportation to airport hotel via hotel shuttle

  • Transportation to location and throughout the duration of the tour

  • Transportation back to airport or airport hotel

  • Hotel accommodations January 5 to checkout on January 10

  • Breakfast (complimentary hotel)

  • Expert guiding and photography instruction in the field

  • Admission to Elk Island National Park

  • Presentation by wildlife biologist and guide, Nick Parayko

  • Tips/gratuities for local guides

What’s Not Included:

  • Airfare to Edmonton

  • Photography/personal Gear

  • Lunch/dinners

This tour begins and ends at Edmonton International Airport. Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.

All Images Used Courtesy of Nick Parayko

All Images Used Courtesy of Nick Parayko

A great horned owl perched on a thin, leafless tree branch with a blurred, warm-colored background.

A great horned owl perched on a thin, leafless tree branch with a blurred, warm-colored background.

Snowy landscape with a snowy owl perched on a bare icy tree branch in winter.

Snowy landscape with a snowy owl perched on a bare icy tree branch in winter.

A close-up of a male Spruce Grouse standing on snow in a forested area with dark trees in the background

A close-up of a male Spruce Grouse standing on snow in a forested area with dark trees in the background

A yellow, black, and white bird perched on a tree branch in a bright, snowy background.

A yellow, black, and white bird perched on a tree branch in a bright, snowy background.

A pink bird, a Pine Grosbeak, perched on a mossy branch against a dark background.

A pink bird, a Pine Grosbeak, perched on a mossy branch against a dark background.

A sharp-shinned hawk perched on a thin, leafless tree branch with a light blue sky background.

A sharp-shinned hawk perched on a thin, leafless tree branch with a light blue sky background.

A close-up photograph of a small bird, possibly a House Finch, standing on snow with a light blue background. The bird has a red patch on its head and light-colored feathers with streaks, and it appears to have some food or dirt on its beak.

A close-up photograph of a small bird, possibly a House Finch, standing on snow with a light blue background. The bird has a red patch on its head and light-colored feathers with streaks, and it appears to have some food or dirt on its beak.

Daily itinerary

Day 0 (pre-trip)

Arrive at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) by end of day January 4 for early morning departure on January 5 to our hotel in St. Albert. Guests should book airport lodging (not included) at Fairfield by Marriott Edmonton International Airport, located directly across premium outlet shopping and popular entertainment venues. Upon arrival, take the hotel’s complimentary airport shuttle to the hotel from arrival terminal door 10. There is a restaurant on site for your evening meal.

Day 1

We will meet for an early breakfast at the hotel then travel to our accommodations in St. Albert (Included) (Best Western Plus). There is a grocery store near the hotel where we can stop to pick up snacks and packable items for lunch on the road during the tour. We will drop our luggage off for locked storage at the hotel then head out to look for some wildlife opportunities prior to afternoon check-in.

In the early evening, everyone will get checked in and settled into their rooms. We will meet in the lobby for dinner at a local restaurant to get acquainted with one another, their leader, and guide. We will discuss the itinerary for the upcoming days, and review some basic photography tips for photographing in the cold and snowy conditions.

Day 2-5

Breakfast at the hotel or on the road.

We will be departing early (6:30/7am) in order to arrive at the locations by sunrise to search for great gray owls and other wildlife. During the week, we will have the option to visit Elk Island National Park to look for bison, moose, elk, coyotes, and other wildlife. There will also be an opportunity to visit a songbird feeder set up for a variety of songbird species. 

Our lunches will be on the road (either packed lunch or a quick stop at a local restaurant) and we will enjoy discussions about settings, editing, creative tips, etc.

When the light runs out in the evening, we will return to the hotel area for dinner at a local restaurant and discuss plans for the next day.  We will also enjoy an evening presentation on the local wildlife and ecology by our guide and wildlife biologist, Nick Parayko.

Day 6

Early breakfast followed by checkout for transport back to the airport for departures. Guests should arrange for afternoon/evening departures. For those whose flights do not depart until January 11, we can provide transportation to your airport hotel on January 10. *Please book at the same arrival hotel, Fairfield by Marriott Edmonton International Airport.

location & accommodations

  • Map showing the location of Alberta, Canada, with Edmonton marked, surrounded by the provinces of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and the United States.

    Northcentral Alberta

    We will fly into Edmonton and then drive to our hotel. The exact location of this tour is intentionally kept vague to protect the privacy and exclusivity of the owls.

  • Exterior of a Best Western Plus hotel with a parking lot and several cars in front, blue sky with clouds above.

    Best Western st. Albert

    Website

  • Hotel lobby with front desk, seating area with orange chairs, potted plants, and retail shelves with snacks

  • A hotel room with two beds having dark wood headboards, white pillows, brown patterned bedspreads, a window with brown curtains, a desk with a chair, and framed artwork on the wall.

A man holding a large bird of prey, specifically a hawk, in an open grassy field with power lines and a cloudy sky in the background.

Tour Leader: nick parayko

Nick Parayko is a wildlife photographer and biologist driven to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world. By combining his experience as a biologist with his artistic vision, Nick strives to create images that showcase wildlife in their natural habitats and include compelling stories or themes about his subjects. Nick hopes his images and process taken to find and photograph elusive animals can offer viewers insights and glimpses into a species life history and is always excited to share his process and knowledge of the natural world with others. 

Nick is also a Content Creator for Travel Alberta and actively and his work has been published by Canadian Geographic, the National Audubon Society, the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and HawkWatch International.