TOUR DATES
February 24-28, 2027

$3650 per person

LOCATION
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada

Event Overview:
This exclusive workshop, limited to 4 photographers, offers hands-on wildlife photography instruction and insights into Alberta’s central western forests. Participants will receive personalized guidance from expert leaders in a small group setting.  Five nights accommodation including breakfast is included. 

Expected Wildlife:
Anticipated sightings include Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Barred Owl, and Boreal Owl. Other wildlife may include magpies, jays, chickadees, elk, coyotes, foxes, weasels, snowshoe hares, and deer.

Workshop Activities:
The group will explore Alberta’s backroads and secondary highways in pursuit of the Great Gray Owl, Snowy Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Short-eared Owl, Pygmy Owl, Barred Owl and more. Time will be spent scanning the forest for birds perched in trees or on posts. Once spotted, participants will carefully exit the vehicle for ample photography time. Quiet walks along gravel roads will also be part of the experience during morning and afternoon sessions.  Spending time in Alberta's forested areas and grassy plains finding Snowy and Short-eared Owls with occasional Great Horned Owls will also be included in the daily itinerary.

Workshop Venue:
We will primarily be spending the majority of daylight hours pursuing our target species, the Great Gray Owl, Pygmy, Barred, and Northern Hawk owls on the back roads and secondary highways of the Alberta back country. All participants will be encouraged to spend a great deal of time examining the forest as we drive slowly along looking for birds in the trees, fence posts and other structures that are used as vantage points for the owls in their daily search for prey.  When birds are located, we will leave our vehicle carefully with cameras and equipment and spend as much time as desired photographing each individual bird. At times we may also be walking on various gravel backroads quietly as we go about each morning and afternoon.  Additionally we will spend days working the backroads of the grassy plains and farmlands discovering Snowy, Short-eared and Great Horned owls.

Photographers will always be within short distances to heated vehicles for warming up and to provide ready access to all personal all photography equipment. At the end of February in Alberta the sun rises a little before eight a.m. and sets just slightly before 6 p.m.  Temperatures typically involve lows near 17 degrees and highs around 35 degrees so dressing warmly in layers will be the best way to plan on dressing. More on this for participants after registration.

Daily Itinerary: February 25, 26, 27, 28

The workshop will begin and end in Airdrie, Alberta, just a short 20-minute trip from the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Participants should plan to arrive in Airdrie before 5 pm local time the day before the workshop begins, on February 24 to allow time to pick up transportation, and check in to the provided accommodation at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Airdrie.

A 6:30 pm Workshop Orientation will be held in the dining area of the Comfort Inn and Suites. 

• Each morning leave Airdrie forty-five minutes before sunrise at 6:45 a.m.
• Mid-day Lunch Break at a local restaurant each day
• Return to the Comfort Inn and Suites in the evening after good light is lost by 7:00 p.m.
• Evening may be spent preparing for the following day and editing and cataloging images taken.
• Dinner meal may be on your own or as a group as determined daily.

Additional Information
Transportation to and from the city of Calgary, Alberta must be provided by participants, and arrival must be scheduled prior to the start of the event. Airport pickup is not included in the cost of the event. Various auto rental companies are available for event participants inside the airport terminal close to the baggage carousels and ride services such as Uber or Lyft. Transportation during the three-day event is provided.

Once an event deposit has been received, participants will receive a packet of information other attractions and points of interest in the area. 

A list of suggested photography equipment and other items for your trip to central Alberta in February will also be sent to participants. Details will be provided to ensure that you are appropriately dressed for the Albertan weather at this time of year. 

Check, cash or other arrangements may be made by contacting Wayne Williams directly at
956-867-7877  - [email protected] 

Please get in touch with Alberta Owls Photography Workshop organizer, Wayne Williams, at 956-867-7877 by messaging, or send an email to [email protected] with any questions about reserving a space.  

Price Includes: 

• Welcome and Orientation Coffee, at 6:30 p.m. in Airdrie, Alberta, at a local restaurant. 
• Four full days of photography in the beautiful Albertan winter countryside.
• Five nights of accommodation at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Airdrie, Alberta. 
• Accommodation during the event is provided on a double occupancy basis. Rooms are nicely apportioned with two queen beds, a fridge, and a microwave. Participants who wish to have a private room may choose a supplemental $400 US fee.
• All transportation is provided during the three days of photographing the owls
• Breakfast each of the three days of the workshop
• Camera and nature instruction (Birds in flight and bright Winter conditions)

Price Does Not Include: 

• Flights to Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Transportation from and to the Calgary Airport: Uber or Lyft $25-40 CND each way 
• Meals other than breakfast 
• Gratuities 
• Trip Insurance  
• Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at local grocery outlets and restaurants. 

* A 50% deposit is required 
The workshop balance is due 60 days before the first day of the workshop.

Workshop Deposits are non-refundable and full workshop balance payment must be made 60 days prior to the start of the workshop.
Once paid, no refunds will be made, however full credit to future workshops can be arranged.
Cost of Workshop is $3650 with 50% payment due when registering on the website.