Elk Rut, Owls & Fall Landscapes - Canadian Rockies

Elk Rut, Owls & Fall Landscapes

Canadian Rockies Wildlife Photography Tour

September 19 – September 25, 2027

5 Photography Days | 6 Nights Accommodation | Maximum 3 Photographers

$7,500 CAD per person + 5% GST (approximately $5500 USD)

Experience Alberta in the heart of fall on a small-group photography tour combining Great Grey Owls, the Rocky Mountain elk rut, wildlife and spectacular autumn landscapes.

We begin in Great Grey Owl country before travelling through Kananaskis Country, Banff National Park, the Icefields Parkway and Jasper National Park.

Late September brings bugling bull elk, changing fall colours, cool mornings and the possibility of early-season snow in the mountains.

With only three photographers, our schedule remains flexible. Wildlife, weather and light determine where we spend our time and when we move.

Ken Anderson Photography is licensed and insured to operate commercial photography tours within Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

Tour Highlights

Great Grey Owls

We begin and end the tour in Great Grey Owl territory, with several opportunities to photograph these incredible birds in their natural habitat.

Fall brings beautiful yellow and gold backgrounds and a completely different look from my winter and spring owl tours.

No baiting. No flushing. No harassment.

Elk Rut

Late September is prime time for the Rocky Mountain elk rut.

We will photograph elk in both the Banff and Jasper regions, concentrating on early mornings and evenings when mature bulls are bugling, gathering harems and challenging rivals.

Canadian Rockies Wildlife

Throughout Kananaskis, Banff and Jasper we will continually look for additional wildlife.

Possible subjects include bighorn sheep, moose, bears, mountain goats, coyotes, pika, Northern Hawk Owls, eagles, hawks and other mountain wildlife.

Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.

Fall Landscapes

This is not only a wildlife tour.

We will photograph the mountains throughout the trip, including fall foliage, alpine lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountain peaks and glaciers.

The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is one of the highlights of the tour, and we treat the drive itself as a photography day.

A great grey owl with yellow eyes perched on a tree branch in a forest with yellow autumn leaves.
A large elk with impressive antlers walking through a grassy field with a blurred forest background.
A large owl perched on a wooden fence post in a grassy field, with trees and a blurred yellowish background.
Beautiful mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks reflected in a calm lake, under partly cloudy skies, with dense forest along the shoreline.
A small rodent, possibly a pika, with fluffy fur and gray and white coloring, is holding and chewing on a small branch with green leaves while standing on rocky terrain.
Close-up of a great gray and brown owl with yellow eyes, set against a blurred green background.
A large elk with impressive antlers standing in a field of green plants with a dark forest in the background.
A serene mountain lake reflecting the snow-capped peaks and dense evergreen forest under a cloudy sky.
Close-up of a moose with large antlers, brown fur, and a dark face.
A bird with the head of an owl and the body of a bird of prey in flight over grass.
A mountain stream flowing through a forest with tall pine trees, against a backdrop of rugged mountains and a clear blue sky.
A great grey owl perched on a tree trunk in a forest with yellow and green autumn leaves.
A serene mountain lake surrounded by tall pine trees with snow-capped rugged mountains in the background, reflecting in the calm water, under a partly cloudy sky.
A small rodent, possibly a pika, sitting on rocks and holding a piece of grass in its mouth in a rocky natural environment.
Close-up of a great gray and white owl with a facial disc, staring sideways with yellow eyes, against a blurred yellow and green background.
Two young goats playing and touching noses.
A large great grey owl with outstretched wings landing on a barbed wire fence, holding a small bird in its talons, in a grassy field.
Close-up of a moose with large antlers, wet fur, and an open mouth.
An owl in mid-flight flying over a barbed wire fence in a green, wooded area with sunlight filtering through the trees.

2027 Itinerary

September 19 | Arrive Calgary

Arrive at Calgary International Airport and check into the ALT Hotel Calgary University District.

Overnight: Calgary

September 20 | Great Grey Owls & Kananaskis

We begin before sunrise in Great Grey Owl territory.

After our morning owl session and a break, we head into Kananaskis Country for wildlife and fall landscapes before returning to Great Grey Owl territory for the evening.

Overnight: Calgary

September 21 | Great Grey Owls, Banff & Canmore

We check out and leave before sunrise for another morning with the Great Grey Owls.

From there we head west into the Canmore and Banff areas, photographing wildlife and landscapes throughout the day.

Our evening focus will be the elk rut in the Banff area.

Overnight: Canmore

September 22 | Banff, Icefields Parkway & Jasper

We begin well before sunrise, head for Lake Louise and catch the shuttle for Moraine Lake Sunrise. Then we will travel north along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper stoping art numerous lakes and water falls.

The journey to Jasper is a full photography day with stops determined by wildlife, landscapes, weather and light.

We finish with evening elk rut photography in Jasper

Overnight: Jasper

September 23 | Jasper Elk Rut & Wildlife

A full day in Jasper concentrating on the elk rut, other wildlife and Rocky Mountain landscapes.

Our primary elk sessions will be around sunrise and again during the late afternoon and evening.

Overnight: Jasper

September 24 | Jasper, Icefields Parkway & Great Grey Owls

We begin with one final morning photographing elk and wildlife in Jasper before travelling south.

We will photograph wildlife and landscapes along the way, with the goal of finishing our tour back in Great Grey Owl territory for the evening.

Overnight: Calgary

September 25 | Departure

Check out and depart for home.

What's Included

  • 5 full photography days

  • 6 nights accommodation

  • 3 nights Calgary

  • 1 night Canmore

  • 2 nights Jasper

  • All transportation during the tour

  • Banff and Jasper National Park entry fees

  • Professional wildlife and landscape photography guiding

  • Great Grey Owl and elk rut photography

  • Photography instruction and field support

  • Detailed WHAT NEXT guide to help you prepare for your trip

What's Not Included

  • Airfare or transportation to Calgary

  • Meals, drinks and snacks

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses

  • Gratuities

Deposits & Booking

A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your spot on this tour.

  • Deposits are non-refundable (see Cancellation Policy below)

  • Invoices are issued electronically

Canadian Clients

Canadian clients may pay in CAD using:

  • Interac e-Transfer (no processing fee)

  • Credit card (a 2.7% processing fee applies)

U.S. Clients

U.S. clients may pay in USD using:

  • ACH bank transfer (USD) – preferred, lowest-fee option

  • Credit card (a 2.7% USD processing fee applies)

USD pricing is converted from Canadian pricing using a fixed exchange rate of 1.38.
ACH payment instructions are provided directly on the invoice.

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour / workshop date

Automatic email reminders are sent in advance of the final payment deadline.

Non-Photographer Companions

The same daily rates apply for non-photographer companions.

Cancellation Policy

This tour involves accommodations, transportation, and other arrangements that require non-refundable advance commitments.

  • The 50% deposit is non-refundable

  • If you cancel before final payment is due, we will attempt to fill your spot

    • If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee

  • If you cancel after final payment, no refund will be issued unless your spot can be filled

    • If successful, all payments will be refunded minus a $500 administration fee

We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and travel insurance to protect your investment.

Waiver & Non-Disclosure Notice

All participants are required to sign a Liability Waiver prior to joining any Ken Anderson Photography workshop or tour. This agreement outlines the inherent risks associated with wildlife photography in remote environments, affirms that you are responsible for your own personal safety at all times, and includes a commitment to protecting sensitive wildlife locations.

Register Below for The Elk Rut & Owls Photography Tour