Canada is a paradise for wildlife photographers, offering incredible opportunities to capture images of bears, moose, whales, eagles, and countless other species in their natural habitats. However, photographing wildlife presents unique challenges, from mastering technical skills to finding and approaching animals safely and ethically. After 15 years of leading photography expeditions throughout Canada, I'm sharing my essential tips to help you capture stunning wildlife images on your next Canadian adventure.
Essential Equipment for Wildlife Photography
While it's possible to capture wildlife with almost any camera, certain equipment will significantly improve your chances of success:
Camera Body
If possible, use a camera with:
- Fast autofocus: Wildlife moves quickly and unpredictably. A camera with sophisticated autofocus tracking will help you keep moving subjects sharp.
- Good high-ISO performance: Many wildlife encounters happen in low light conditions (early morning, dusk, or in forests). A camera that performs well at ISO 1600 and above will be valuable.
- Fast burst rate: Being able to capture 8+ frames per second helps catch perfect moments, like a bird taking flight or a bear catching a salmon.
Lenses
The most important investment for wildlife photography is a good telephoto lens:
- Telephoto zoom (70-200mm): A versatile lens for larger wildlife when you can get relatively close, like moose in open meadows or bears along shorelines.
- Super-telephoto (300mm+): Ideal for most wildlife photography. A 100-400mm zoom offers flexibility, while a 500mm or 600mm prime lens provides maximum reach for distant or skittish animals.
- Teleconverters: These can extend your lens's reach by 1.4x or 2x, though with some loss in image quality and light-gathering ability.
Support and Accessories
- Tripod or monopod: Essential for supporting heavy telephoto lenses and keeping images sharp, especially in low light.
- Extra batteries: Cold Canadian weather drains batteries quickly.
- Weather protection: A rain cover for your camera gear is essential in Canada's often unpredictable weather.
- Binoculars: Helpful for spotting wildlife before setting up camera equipment.
Camera Settings for Wildlife Photography
Exposure Modes
I recommend these modes for wildlife photography:
- Aperture Priority (A/Av): My preferred mode for most wildlife photography. Use the widest aperture your lens allows (lowest f-number) to create a shallow depth of field that separates your subject from the background.
- Shutter Priority (S/Tv): Useful when photographing fast-moving animals. For birds in flight, use at least 1/1000 second; for running mammals, 1/500 second or faster.
- Manual Mode with Auto ISO: Great for changing lighting conditions. Set your desired aperture and shutter speed, and let the camera adjust ISO to maintain proper exposure.
Focus Settings
- Continuous autofocus (AF-C/AI Servo): Use this mode for moving subjects, as it continuously adjusts focus while you hold the shutter button halfway down.
- Focus points: For stationary wildlife, use a single focus point positioned on the animal's eye. For moving subjects, consider using dynamic focus tracking modes.
- Back-button focus: This advanced technique separates focus activation from the shutter button, giving you more control over when the camera focuses.
Other Settings
- Drive mode: Use burst/continuous shooting to capture sequences of action.
- Image stabilization: Turn on if your lens or camera has this feature, especially when handholding.
- File format: Shoot in RAW format for maximum flexibility in post-processing.
Finding Wildlife in Canada: Prime Locations
Bears
Black Bears: Found throughout much of forested Canada.
- Prime locations: Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario), Cape Breton Highlands (Nova Scotia), Pacific Rim National Park (British Columbia)
- Best time: Spring through fall, particularly early morning and evening
Grizzly Bears: Found primarily in western Canada.
- Prime locations: Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary (British Columbia), Knight Inlet (British Columbia), Fishing Branch River (Yukon)
- Best time: Salmon runs (July-September) offer spectacular fishing behavior
Polar Bears: Found in northern regions.
- Prime location: Churchill, Manitoba
- Best time: October-November when bears gather waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze
Whales and Marine Life
- Orcas: Johnstone Strait and Telegraph Cove (BC) from June to October
- Belugas: Churchill River (Manitoba) in summer
- Humpbacks and Minke Whales: Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick) and Witless Bay (Newfoundland) from June to September
Moose and Other Large Mammals
- Moose: Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario), Cape Breton Highlands (Nova Scotia), Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland)
- Caribou: Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland), Northern Saskatchewan
- Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep: Jasper and Banff National Parks (Alberta)
Birds
- Bald Eagles: Brackendale (BC) has one of the world's largest concentrations in winter
- Puffins: Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (Newfoundland) from May to August
- Sandhill Cranes: Whitewater Lake (Manitoba) during spring and fall migrations
Wildlife Photography Techniques
Composition Tips
- Eye level: Whenever possible, try to photograph animals at their eye level. This creates a more intimate and engaging perspective.
- Rule of thirds: Place your subject at one of the intersections of an imaginary grid that divides your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically.
- Space to move: When an animal is moving or looking in a particular direction, leave more space in the frame in that direction.
- Environmental portraits: Include habitat in your compositions to tell a more complete story about the animal's life.
Behavioral Photography
The most compelling wildlife photos often capture natural behaviors:
- Patience is key: Be prepared to wait hours for meaningful behavior to occur.
- Learn animal habits: Study the species you want to photograph to anticipate behaviors and be ready to capture them.
- Look for interactions: Mother-young relationships, feeding, territorial displays, and other interactions create dynamic images.
Light Considerations
- Golden hours: The hour after sunrise and before sunset provides warm, directional light that enhances wildlife photographs.
- Overcast benefits: Cloudy days create soft, even light that's excellent for bringing out details in fur and feathers.
- Backlight: Shooting with the sun behind your subject can create dramatic rim lighting, especially for furry or feathered animals.
Ethical Wildlife Photography
Responsible photography practices are essential for wildlife conservation and safety:
Keep a Safe Distance
- Use longer lenses rather than approaching too closely.
- Follow park guidelines: In most Canadian parks, stay at least 100 meters (330 feet) from bears and wolves, and 30 meters (100 feet) from other large animals.
- Watch for signs of stress in animals (stopping feeding, staring, changing direction). If you observe these, back away slowly.
No Baiting or Calling
- Never use food to attract wildlife for photography.
- Avoid using calls or sounds to attract animals, especially during breeding seasons.
Respect Habitat
- Stay on established trails to avoid damaging vegetation or disturbing ground-nesting birds.
- Never enter closed or restricted areas.
Group Etiquette
- Keep voices low when near wildlife.
- If photographing with others, take turns rather than surrounding an animal.
Safety Considerations
Wildlife photography in Canada comes with inherent risks:
- Bear safety: Carry bear spray in bear country, make noise while hiking, and know proper bear encounter protocols.
- Weather awareness: Be prepared for rapid weather changes, especially in mountainous regions.
- Never photograph alone: Having a partner who can watch for animals approaching from behind is invaluable.
- Communication: Carry a satellite phone or personal locator beacon in remote areas where cell service is unavailable.
Guided Opportunities
Consider specialized photography tours for accessing prime wildlife areas:
- Photography hides: Many wildlife sanctuaries offer photography blinds/hides specifically positioned for wildlife viewing.
- Boat-based experiences: Marine wildlife is often best photographed from specialized photography boats.
- Expert guides: Local guides know where to find wildlife and can provide invaluable assistance with behavioral knowledge.
Post-Processing for Wildlife Images
A few tips for enhancing your wildlife photos after capturing them:
- Subtle adjustments: Enhance contrast, clarity, and sharpness to make details pop, but avoid over-processing that looks unnatural.
- Crop thoughtfully: While cropping can help improve composition, avoid excessive cropping that degrades image quality.
- Ethics in editing: Maintain integrity by not adding or removing elements from wildlife images.
Canada offers some of the world's most spectacular wildlife photography opportunities. With preparation, patience, and respect for the animals and their habitats, you can capture images that not only document your experience but also contribute to a greater appreciation for Canada's remarkable biodiversity. Happy photographing!
