Common Loons and Great Grey Owls - Alberta, Canada

A pair of common loons floating on a calm body of water with two loon chicks resting on one adult's back.

Join me for a one-of-a-kind 3-day photography tour focused on two of Canada’s most iconic and elusive birds: the Common Loon and the Great Grey Owl. This tour takes you deep into wild regions of Alberta and central Canada where quiet mornings on mirror-still lakes and silent walks through owl habitat offer truly special photographic opportunities. With only three photographers per tour, this is a quiet, focused, and highly personalized experience.

Intimate Encounters with Iconic Canadian Birds in Pristine Wilderness

June 22-24, 2027 - 1 spot available

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Price: $3600 CAD per person + 5% GST Tax ($2600 USD)

Tour Highlights

Split-Day Photography Tour

This is a split-day wildlife photography tour, designed around the times when our two main subjects are most active and the light is at its best.

Each day begins with approximately a 5:00 AM pickup from the hotel. We spend the morning photographing Common Loons, followed by time searching for and photographing Great Grey Owls until around lunch.

We then return to the hotel for an approximately 5-hour midday break, giving everyone time to rest, download images, recharge batteries, have lunch and prepare for the evening session.

Later in the afternoon, we head back into the field for our evening Great Grey Owl photography. We remain out through the best evening light and do not return to the hotel until after sunset.

Common Loons | Mornings

Our mornings are primarily dedicated to photographing Common Loons during the beautiful early morning light. We’ll work around active loon territories, photographing adults, pairs and, when present, chicks and family interactions.

After the morning loon session, we will continue searching for Great Grey Owls and other photographic opportunities until our midday break.

Great Grey Owls | Evenings

Our evenings are dedicated to Great Grey Owls, taking advantage of the longer summer evenings and increased activity later in the day.

We’ll focus on natural behaviour and opportunities such as hunting, flight, perching and environmental portraits. All owl photography is conducted without baiting, flushing or interfering with the birds, allowing us to photograph natural behaviour while respecting the owls and their habitat..

A male common loon swimming in water with water droplets on its head, black head with red eyes, white cheeks, and black and white patterned body.
Close-up of a great grey owl with detailed brown and white feathers and bright yellow eyes, looking to the side against a blurred background.
A great grey owl landing on a barbed wire fence post in a field, with a blurred wooded background.
A close-up of a loon swimming in a lake with water droplets dripping from its beak, background of blurred green foliage.
A great grey owl perched on a twisted branch in a natural setting with blurred green and purple background.
Three common loons swimming on a calm lake with blurred green background.
Close-up of a common loon swimming in water, with water droplets on its head and a background of green water.
A majestic great gray owl flying low over a green field with its wings spread wide.
A pair of common loons swimming in a greenish lake with a chick resting on one loon.
A loon swimming in a lake with a loon chick riding on its back.
A loon with a black head, pointed bill, and a striped white necklace, swimming in calm water.
A detailed close-up of a great gray owl in flight with its wings partially open, set against a dark background.
A great grey owl perched on a weathered tree stump in a natural setting with blurred trees in the background.
A close-up of a common loon swimming in green water, with beads of water on its head and vibrant red eyes.
A great grey owl flying through the air with its wings spread wide and talons extended, approaching a wooden post on a fence, with a blurred small brown and robin bird sitting on another post in the background.
A great gray owl flying low over a field of wildflowers during sunset.
Two adult common loons with black-and-white patterned bodies and black heads, facing each other on a calm greenish lake, with a chick peeking out behind them.

What’s Included

  • 3 days of guided field photography sessions

  • Use of rubber boots for loon photography

  • Local transportation during the tour (starting and ending in Calgary, Alberta)

  • 4 nights single occupancy accommodations  (including the night before tour and after the tour)

  • Personalized instruction and field support

  • Detailed pre-trip itinerary and gear/travel recommendations

What’s Not Included

  • Meals and snacks

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

  • Transportation to hotel and airport

  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

  • Gratuities (optional)

Fitness Level Required

Easy to moderate. Loon photography may require sitting or lying low on a marsh shore for extended periods. Owl photography typically involves short walks on uneven ground. Participants should be comfortable carrying their own gear and being outdoors for extended periods.

Accommodation is Included:

I have partnered with Alt Hotel Calgary University District for accommodation.. It is in the NW Calgary and opened in June 2023. It has great amenities around it such as, numerous restaurants, coffee shop, grocery store,pharmacy.

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 2.4% 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 2.4% 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 60 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 Common Loons & Owls Workshop