Scenic view of a calm lake reflecting tall mountains with snow patches and dense green forest on the shoreline during daytime

Elk Rut, Owls & Fall Landscapes Photo Tour

Autumn Wildlife & Scenic Photography in the Heart of Alberta

Join me for an immersive 4.5-day photography adventure in Alberta, Canada—timed perfectly to capture the powerful elk rut, elusive owls in their natural habitat, and the rich colors of fall landscapes. With only three spots available per tour, this intimate experience ensures personalized guidance, quiet shooting conditions, and maximum flexibility.

Tour Length:

4.5 days

Group Size:

Limited to just 3 photographers

Cost:

$5,500 CAD per person + 5$ GST Tax  (Approx $4000 USA Dollars)

2026 Tour Dates

September 14-18, 2026

September 21–25, 2026

Tour Highlights

Elk Rut in Full Swing

Photograph bull elk during peak rut as they bugle, posture, and spar for dominance. Early mornings often bring dramatic light and atmospheric conditions that make for exceptional wildlife images.

Owls in Their Element

Seek out Great Gray Owls in their native forest and grassland habitats. With Ken’s deep field experience in these areas, you’ll maximize ethical, low-impact photographic opportunities.

Alberta’s Autumn Landscapes

Capture golden aspen forests, rugged foothills, and scenic mountain vistas bursting with fall color. A perfect mix of wide landscapes and quiet forest details offers something for every photographic style.

Schedule:

  • Day 0 evening arrive in Calgary and check into hotel

  • Days 1 sunrise owls, afternoon head to Canmore / Banff. Landscape, Elk, Bighorn Sheep

  • Day 2 - Sunrise Elk Banff, Depart mid morning for Jasper, Landscape, wildlife stops on the way.

  • Day 2 to Day 3 mid day - Jasper area, Elk, Moose, Bears, Landscape

  • Day 3 Evenings Banff Elk

  • Day 4 Moraine Lake sunrise, Elk

  • Day 4 Evening owls

  • Day 5 morning sunrise with owls. Plan depart mid afternoon from Calgary for home

Schedule subject to change depending on wildlife and weather.

A great grey owl with yellow eyes perched on a tree branch in a forest with yellow autumn leaves.
Beautiful mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks reflected in a calm lake, under partly cloudy skies, with dense forest along the shoreline.
Close-up of a great gray and brown owl with yellow eyes, set against a blurred green background.
A great grey owl flying through a green forest near a brown pine cone.
A serene mountain lake reflecting the snow-capped peaks and dense evergreen forest under a cloudy sky.
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.
Empty highway stretching towards snow-covered mountains and forested hills under cloudy sky.
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.
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.
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.

What’s Included

  • 4.5 days of guided field photography sessions

  • Local transportation during the tour

  • 5 nights Comfortable accommodations - Including night before tour starts

  • Personalized guiding,  instruction and field support

  • Optional evening image reviews and editing tips

What’s Not Included

  • Meals and snacks

  • Airfare or travel to and from Calgary International Airport (YYC)

  • Transportation or accommodation after the official tour date

  • Travel insurance (highly recommended) 

Fitness Level Required

Easy to moderate. Most locations are near the vehicle or accessed via short walks on uneven terrain. Participants should be comfortable carrying their own gear and spending extended time outdoors in cool fall weather.

Payment & Booking Details

  • Price: $5500 CAD per person + 5% GST ($4000 USD at 1.38 exchange)

  • Deposit Options:

    • $500 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve your spot, with the balance up to 50% due within 60 days of booking.

    • 50% deposit at booking (non-refundable portion: $500).

  • Final Payment: Remaining balance due 60 days prior to the workshop or tour start date.

  • Currency: All payments are in Canadian Dollars. Note: your spot is not confirmed until payment is received and processed.

  • Payment Reminders: Email reminders for final payment will be sent automatically.

Cancellation Policy

This tour involves accommodations and other arrangements requiring non-refundable, advance commitments by Ken Anderson Photography.

  • The $500 deposit to reserve your spot is non-refundable.

  • If you cancel before final payment is due, all payments will be refunded minus:

    • The $500 deposit to reserve your spot

    • Any unrecoverable third-party costs (e.g., permits, lodging, transportation deposits).

  • If you cancel after final payment, no refund will be issued.

    • If your spot is filled by another participant, we will refund the full amount paid minus the $500 deposit to reserve your spot.

  • 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 and Non-Disclosure Agreement 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.

By participating, you agree to keep confidential all location information disclosed or discovered during the event, including but not limited to specific nesting, roosting, or hunting areas of owls and other vulnerable species. You further agree not to:

  • Share GPS coordinates or detailed location descriptions

  • Publish identifiable location information on social media, blogs, or forums

  • Guide others to these locations without express written permission from Ken Anderson Photography / Ken Anderson Sports Inc.

A digital waiver will be sent to you upon registration and must be completed before the start of the workshop. These measures are in place to protect wildlife from disturbance, harassment, and habitat degradation. Your cooperation helps ensure the continued health and safety of these species.