Common Loon and Great Grey Owl Photography Tour

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 4-day photography tour focused on two of Canada’s most iconic and elusive birds: the Common Loon and the Great Gray 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

Tour Length:

3 days

Group Size:

Limited to just 2 photographers

Price:

$3300 CAD per person + 5% GST Tax (Approx $2400 USA dollars)

2026 Tour Dates

Tour 1: June 8–10, 2026

Tour 2: June 15-17, 2026

Tour Highlights

Mornings with Common Loons.  

At sunrise photograph loons from the water edge at eye level using Timing of this tour is around when chicks are usually hatched. Capture tender moments with chicks, adults calling across the lake in glass-calm conditions.

Evenings with Great Gray Owls

With expert knowledge of the area and seasonal movement, we’ll maximize your chances of photographing Great Grey Owls ethically and in beautiful, natural settings.

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 comfortable accommodations  (including the night before tour and after the tour)

  • Personalized instruction and field support

  • Detailed pre-trip itinerary and gear/travel recommendations

  • depending on the clients back ground on use of kayaks, is an option to photograph from kayaks

What’s Not Included

  • Meals and snacks

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

  • Transportation or accommodation before or after the official tour dates

  • 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.

Payment & Booking Details

  • Price: $3300 CAD per person + 5% GST ($2400 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.

Register below for Common Loons & Owls Workshop