Canada's vast wilderness is home to some of the most magnificent wildlife on the planet. For photographers, the opportunity to capture these majestic creatures in their natural habitats is both a thrilling challenge and a profound privilege. In this guide, we'll explore Canada's "Big Five" wildlife species—bears, moose, whales, wolves, and eagles—and share expert tips for responsibly photographing these iconic animals.

The Ethics of Wildlife Photography

Before we delve into specific species and techniques, it's essential to understand the ethical considerations of wildlife photography. The wellbeing of the animals should always be your top priority:

  • Maintain a safe and respectful distance from all wildlife
  • Never approach, feed, or attempt to touch wild animals
  • Avoid disturbing natural behaviors or habitats
  • Learn to recognize signs of stress in animals and back away if needed
  • Follow all park regulations and guidelines
  • Consider the environmental impact of your presence

Remember that the most compelling wildlife images are those that show animals behaving naturally in their environment, undisturbed by human presence.

"The best wildlife photographers are naturalists first and photographers second. Understanding animal behavior is the key to anticipating those magical moments that make extraordinary images."

1. Bears: Canada's Iconic Predators

Canada is home to three bear species: black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears. Each offers unique photographic opportunities and challenges.

Where to Find Bears

Black Bears: Found across most of Canada's forested regions, black bears are particularly common in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces.

Grizzly Bears: Primarily found in western Canada, with significant populations in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. The salmon runs in Great Bear Rainforest and Katmai offer spectacular bear-viewing opportunities.

Polar Bears: Churchill, Manitoba is known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World." The best viewing time is October to November when bears gather along the shore of Hudson Bay waiting for the ice to form.

Photography Tips for Bears

  • Safety first: Always photograph bears from a safe distance, preferably from a vehicle, boat, or designated viewing platform. For polar bears, guided tours with experienced operators are essential.
  • Timing: Early morning and late afternoon provide the best light and often coincide with peak activity periods.
  • Patience pays off: Bears are most photogenic when engaged in natural behaviors like fishing, foraging, or caring for cubs.
  • Equipment: A telephoto lens (at least 300mm, preferably 400-600mm) is necessary for safe, respectful wildlife photography.
  • Settings: Use a fast shutter speed (at least 1/500s) to freeze action, and be prepared to increase your ISO in low light conditions.

Bear Behavior Insight:

Bears often exhibit curious, playful behavior, especially cubs. If you see a bear standing on its hind legs, it's typically trying to get a better view or smell—not displaying aggression.

2. Moose: Forest Giants

The moose is North America's largest deer species and one of Canada's most iconic mammals. These magnificent creatures can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and stand 6.5 feet tall at the shoulder, with massive antlers spanning up to 6 feet.

Where to Find Moose

Moose inhabit forested areas across Canada, particularly those with lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Prime viewing locations include:

  • Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
  • Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
  • Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba
  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
  • Forillon National Park, Quebec

Photography Tips for Moose

  • Seasonal opportunities: Fall rutting season (September-October) provides dramatic scenes of bulls with fully developed antlers. Spring offers chances to photograph cows with calves.
  • Water features: Moose often feed on aquatic vegetation in ponds and lakes, creating stunning reflection opportunities.
  • Caution required: Despite their seemingly docile nature, moose can be dangerous when disturbed. Never approach, especially during rutting season or when cows have calves.
  • Dawn and dusk: Moose are most active during these periods, which also provide beautiful, soft lighting.
  • Composition: Try to capture the animal's impressive size by including environmental elements for scale.

3. Whales: Ocean Giants

With the world's longest coastline, Canada offers exceptional opportunities to photograph various whale species, including orcas, humpbacks, belugas, and the rare North Atlantic right whale.

Where to Find Whales

Orcas (Killer Whales): Best viewed along British Columbia's coast, particularly in the Johnstone Strait and the waters around Vancouver Island from May to October.

Humpback Whales: Found along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Newfoundland, the Bay of Fundy, and the Great Bear Rainforest are excellent viewing locations from June to September.

Beluga Whales: Churchill, Manitoba offers the opportunity to see thousands of belugas in the Churchill River estuary during summer months.

Blue Whales: The St. Lawrence River in Quebec is one of the few places where these endangered giants can be reliably spotted.

Photography Tips for Whales

  • Boat stability: Choose larger, stable vessels when possible. Consider a monopod rather than a tripod to help with stability while still allowing flexibility.
  • Weather protection: Marine environments can be harsh on equipment. Bring appropriate weather protection for your gear.
  • Anticipation: Learn to read the water for signs of whale activity—blow spouts, footprints (smooth spots on the surface), or birds gathering can indicate where whales might surface.
  • Continuous shooting: Use burst mode to capture the perfect moment during breaches or tail slaps.
  • Perspective: If permitted, underwater housing can provide unique below-the-surface perspectives.

Whale Watching Tip:

When photographing humpbacks, watch for clusters of bubbles at the surface—this often indicates bubble-net feeding, where whales are about to surge upward with open mouths.

4. Wolves: Elusive Pack Hunters

Wolves represent one of the most challenging yet rewarding wildlife photography subjects in Canada. These intelligent, social predators maintain large territories and generally avoid human contact, making sightings relatively rare outside of protected areas.

Where to Find Wolves

Your best chances for wolf photography are in:

  • Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario (known for its Eastern timber wolves)
  • Parc National de la Mauricie, Quebec
  • Banff and Jasper National Parks, Alberta
  • Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba
  • Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, Manitoba (where wolves and polar bears can sometimes be photographed together)

Photography Tips for Wolves

  • Super-telephoto required: A lens of at least 400mm, preferably 600mm or longer, is essential for wolf photography.
  • Winter opportunities: Wolves are more visible against snow, and their territories are more accessible via snowmobile or dog sled in some regions during winter.
  • Listen: Howling can alert you to wolf presence, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • Patience is crucial: Be prepared to spend days in the field for just a few minutes of wolf activity.
  • Learn pack behaviors: Understanding wolf social structures and hunting patterns will help you anticipate photographic opportunities.

5. Eagles: Masters of the Sky

Canada is home to both bald eagles and golden eagles, with the bald eagle being more commonly photographed due to its distinctive appearance and coastal habitat preferences.

Where to Find Eagles

Bald Eagles: Congregate in large numbers along British Columbia's coast, particularly during salmon runs. The Squamish River Valley and Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park host one of the world's largest concentrations of bald eagles from November to February.

Golden Eagles: More commonly found in mountainous regions and the prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Photography Tips for Eagles

  • Flight shots: Use a fast shutter speed (at least 1/1000s) to freeze wing motion.
  • Focus tracking: Become proficient with your camera's continuous autofocus and tracking capabilities.
  • Fishing action: Bald eagles fishing provide spectacular photo opportunities. Position yourself to capture the moment they snatch fish from the water.
  • Background matters: Try to position yourself so eagles will fly against clean backgrounds like the sky or distant mountains.
  • Behavior sequences: Eagles have many interesting behaviors beyond flight—including nesting, feeding young, and territorial displays.

Eagle Photography Insight:

For dramatic eagle portraits, look for opportunities when they call out, showing their open beaks and expressive postures. These vocal displays often happen during territorial encounters or when communicating with mates.

Essential Wildlife Photography Gear

While great wildlife photographs ultimately depend more on knowledge and field craft than equipment, certain gear can significantly improve your chances of success:

  • Telephoto Lenses: 100-400mm zoom is versatile; 500-600mm prime lenses are ideal for serious wildlife work
  • Camera Body: Fast continuous shooting (8+ fps) and good high-ISO performance
  • Support: Sturdy tripod with a fluid or gimbal head for telephoto lenses
  • Extenders/Teleconverters: 1.4x or 2x to extend reach (with some loss of image quality)
  • Weather Protection: Camera rain covers, dry bags
  • Binoculars: Essential for spotting and observing wildlife before photographing
  • Appropriate Clothing: Camouflage or neutral colors, waterproof layers

Wildlife Photography Tours with True North Tourism

At True North Tourism, we offer specialized wildlife photography tours led by professional wildlife photographers and naturalists who know exactly where and when to find Canada's most photogenic species.

Our wildlife photography experiences include:

  • Small group sizes (maximum 6-8 photographers) for personalized attention
  • Exclusive access to prime viewing locations
  • Expert guidance on camera settings and techniques
  • Specialized photography boats, vehicles, and blinds
  • Sessions on post-processing and image selection
  • Comprehensive pre-trip information on equipment and preparation

Photographing Canada's "Big Five" wildlife species offers both tremendous rewards and significant challenges. Success requires preparation, patience, ethical field practices, and respect for the animals and their habitats. When these elements come together, the resulting images can tell powerful stories about Canada's wilderness and the magnificent creatures that call it home.

Whether you're capturing a grizzly fishing for salmon, a bull moose in autumn fog, a breaching humpback whale, a wolf pack in winter, or an eagle soaring against mountain peaks, wildlife photography in Canada creates memories—and images—that will last a lifetime.