Forest Winter Owl Photography Tour 2023 – 2024: Quest for Great Grays

Owl Photography
December 29, 2023 - January 1, 2024

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FOREST WINTER OWL PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR - Quest for Great Grays

Private Tours: January 5 - March 15 2024

Public Group Tours:

1-day Tour: TBA

2-day Tour: February 24 - 25, 2024

Owl Photography Workshops:
Dec 29, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024
Feb. 17 - 20, 2024

CLICK HERE for workshop details

Self-drive guided owl photo tours from Saskatoon, Canada.

Where Can You Do Owl Photography in Canada? 

Based upon experience in previous years, we expect to find Great Gray Owls and Northern Hawk Owls during 1-day or  2-day Private Self-Drive Owl photography Tours.

Tour Description - Forest Owl Photography Tour (Owl Quest)

  • Join our experienced local birding guide for an Extended 1-Day or 2-Day Forest Owl Photography Tour. We will drive to visit the Boreal Forest habitat in or near Prince Albert National Park and adjacent areas north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
  • Visit best areas for owl photography including the Great Gray Owl!
  • As time permits, we will also visit best areas for finding  other forest birds. Some possible species include American 3-toed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay, Ruffed Grouse, Spruce Grouse, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll.
  • Good opportunities for owl photography especially on private tours!
  • 1-Day Forest Owl Photography Tour departs Saskatoon 9 am and returns about 9 pm.
  • 2-Day Forest Owl Photography Tour departs Saskatoon at 9 am on Day 1 and overnights in or near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Tour returns to Saskatoon at end of Day 2.
  • Alternately, participants may opt to join this owl photography tour in Prince Albert about 11 am and/or end the tour there about 6 pm. See below for Prince Albert area accommodation options.
  • Other locations where this owl photography tour may be joined include Rosthern and Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan.
  • Participants drive their own personal or rented vehicle while the leader drives in a separate vehicle. We will use hands-free cell phones or CB radios to talk during the owl photography tour.
  • Car Rentals from many companies available at Saskatoon airport.
  • This Forest owl photography Tour is part of our Northern Owl Adventure Tour Series organized by Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours. This tour can be taken following our Snowy Owl Photography Tour.
  • Your guide volunteers his time so that all funds support the work of Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation charity.  The person paying for the tour will receive a tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee.
  • We do NOT bait owls. Any owls we observe should be behaving naturally.

How many owls will we see?

For the past 30 years, your leader has enjoyed taking winter day trips into this part of the boreal forest in search of Great Gray Owls. The number of owls seen on each trip fluctuates from year to year due to differences in snow depth (deeper is better) and difference in mouse populations.

In a typical year we normally find roughly 3 - 6 Great Gray Owls. During the best years, we may find up to 25 Great Gray Owls. In most years, we find 1 - 3 Northern Hawk Owls as well. On poor years depending upon snow depth and mouse abundance, owls may be absent from the area we visit.

Possible Weather Delays

The long-term average climate information for the area we visit is published here. It shows that the average expected daily high temperature in mid-afternoon in February will be -8 C (+18F) . The average minimum temperature near sunrise will be -20 C (-4 F). These temperature values typically vary by +- 5 C on different days. Participants need to wear warm winter clothing (winter boots, winter coat, long underwear, etc.)

Although unlikely, it may be necessary to postpone the scheduled date of your tour to this region for the following possible weather related reasons.

  • Unusually Extreme Cold Weather - Predicted high temperatures below about -20C.
  • Blizzard conditions that have or might close roads

If necessary, the expected weather delay date for our special February 19 tour will be February 22. The date for weather-delayed private tours will be discussed with clients. If you are travelling to Saskatoon for this tour, plan to stay for a few extra days in case of tour delays due to bad weather.

What to Wear

Dress for the weather.
Wear winter hat, winter coat, warm pants and long underwear and winter snow boots.

Transportation

Participants on these tours need to drive their own personal or rented vehicle. RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are permitted on private tours but not on group tours. This tour may not be suitable for owners of full electric vehicles due to the distances travelled. EV charging stations exist at Prince Albert. One needs to check if the charging station in Prince Albert National Park is accessible in deep snow.

Carpooling

If you would like to share the costs of a tour with other interested birders, then complete the Carpooling Section of the Registration Request Form below or email the tour name, your name, phone number and email address to birdtours@sasktel.net

PRIVATE Tour Options

Option A: Private 1-Day Forest Owl Photography Tour

  • Extended Full Day Private Escorted Birding Tour from Saskatoon to Prince Albert National Park and/or adjacent forests to seek out the majestic Great Gray Owl.
  • Ideal for bird photographers who wish to do owl photography.
  • Available most days January through mid-March
  • Tour begins at your Saskatoon hotel about 9 am and returns about 9 pm.
  • Clients not wanting to drive at night may choose to end tour about 6 pm in Prince Albert and plan to stay overnight in or near that city.
  • Extended Full Day Private Tour Fee: CAD $790 (about US $590, £520) for your party of 1 - 4 persons .
    Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included. Clients drive their own personal or rented vehicle.
  • SAVE $200 if you can cover leader's transportation in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.
  • Tax receipt issued for 50% of fee.

Option B: Private 2-Day Forest Owl Photography Tour

  • Private 2-Day Escorted Birding Tour from Saskatoon to Prince Albert National Park and adjacent forests to seek out the majestic Great Gray Owl.
  • Ideal for bird photographers who wish to do owl photography.
  • Available most days mid-November through April
  • Day 1. Tour begins at your Saskatoon hotel about 9 am. We will drive back roads near the southern edge of the forest boundary to look for owls until about 6 pm. Overnight at a hotel/motel/ bed & breakfast of your choice in or near Prince Albert.
  • Day 2. Tour will visit Emma Lake, Anglin Lake and Prince Albert National Park to look for spruce grouse and winter finches. Alternatively, we can choose to spend much of the second day driving additional roads north of the park to look for more owls. Tour normally ends at Saskatoon about 9 pm although we can choose to return by 6 pm if you prefer
  • Clients not wanting to drive at night may choose to end tour about 6 pm in Prince Albert and plan to stay overnight in or near that city.
  • 2- Day Private Tour Fee: CAD $1590 (about US $1200, £1000) for your party of 1 - 4 persons.
    Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
  • Tax receipt issued for 50% of fee.
  • SAVE $200 if you can cover leader's transportation in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.

Option C: Combined Forest Owl Photography Tour with Snowy Owl Tour or other Saskatoon winter tours.

In addition to registering for the above 1-day or 2-day Forest Winter Birding Tour, you may also choose to join 1 or both of the following private birding tours out of Saskatoon.

Click Title for more information.

SPECIAL PUBLIC GROUP TOUR DESCRIPTION -
Forest Owl Photography Tour (Great Gray Owl Quest) - Feb. 24 - 25, 2024

Day 1

  • Our small tour group departs Flyin J Travel Center in Saskatoon at 9:00 AM.
  • Alternatively, you may join tour at Rosthern about 9:45 AM or at Prince Albert about 11:00 AM.
  • During the remainder of daylight hours, we will drive the best back roads north of Prince Albert to search for Great Gray Owls that often visit roadsides at this time of year.
  • We will stop long enough for everyone to observe and/or photograph each owl.
  • Participants drive their own personal or rented vehicle while the leader drives in a separate vehicle. We will use hands-free cell phones to talk during tour.
  • Day 1 tour ends at Prince Albert about 6 pm.
  • 2-day tour participants should plan to stay overnight in or near Prince Albert
  • 1-day tour participants may opt to drive back to Saskatoon in the evening or stay overnight in Prince Albert to avoid having to drive at night.
  • Car Rentals from many companies available at Saskatoon airport.

Day 2

  • Our small tour group departs Prince Albert at 9:00 AM.
  • During the morning, we plan to make birding stops at Emma Lake and Anglin Lake and hike a trail in Prince Albert National Park to search for Spruce Grouse.
  • During the afternoon, we can decide to either explore other park trails or drive to other spots near the park in search of more owls.
  • Tour ends at Prince Albert about 6 pm.
  • Participants may choose to stay overnight in or near Prince Albert or drive back to Saskatoon during the evening.

GROUP Tour Options

On a group tour, your vehicle will be one of up to 5 vehicles plus the leader on the tour.

Option A:  SPECIAL 1-Day Public Group Forest Owl Photography Tour for your group of 1 - 4 persons

  • Extended Full Day Public Group Escorted Birding Tour from Saskatoon to forests near Prince Albert National Park to seek out the majestic Great Gray Owl.
  • Part of Northern Owl Adventure Series
  • Clients may photograph birds at each stop.
  • Available Saturday, February 3. 2024
  • Tour begins in Saskatoon at 9 am and ends at Prince Albert at 6 pm or in Saskatoon about 9 pm.
  • SPECIAL 1-DAY Public Group Forest Winter Birding Tour Fee: CAD $590 (about US $440, £390) for your party of 1 - 4 persons .
    Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
  • Tax receipt issued to person paying for tour for 50% of fee.
  • SAVE $200 if you can cover leader's transportation in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.
  • There is a minimum number of parties needed for this group tour.

Option B: SPECIAL 2-Day Public Group Forest Winter Birding Tour for your group of 1 - 4 persons

  • 2-Day Public Group Escorted Birding Tour from Saskatoon to forests in and near Prince Albert National Park to seek out the majestic Great Gray Owl.
  • Part of Northern Owl Adventure Series
  • Clients may photograph birds at each stop.
  • Special 2-day Tour: Date February 24 - 25, 2023
  • Day 1: Tour begins in Saskatoon at 9 am and ends at Prince Albert at 6 pm.
  • Day 2: Tour begins in Prince Albert at 9 am and ends at Prince Albert at 6 pm or at Saskatoon about 9 pm.
  • SPECIAL 2-DAY Public Group Forest Winter Birding Tour Fee: CAD $990 (about US $750, £630) for your party of 1 -4 persons. Date February 24 -25, 2024.
    Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
  • Tax receipt issued for 50% of fee.
  • SAVE $200 if you can cover leader's transportation in your vehicle from Saskatoon and back.
  • There is a minimum number of parties needed for this group tour.
  • Accommodation is limited so please book as early as possible.

Option C:  SPECIAL combined Forest Winter Birding Tour with Snowy Owl Tour or other Saskatoon winter tours.

In addition to registering for the above 1-day or 2-day Special Public Group Forest Winter Birding Tour, you may also choose to join either of the following public birding tours out of Saskatoon.

Click Title for more information.

SPECIAL HALF-DAY February 23 Snowy Owl Public Group Tour Add-On Fee: CAD $290 (about US $215, £190).
Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
Tour begins in Saskatoon at 2 pm and ends about 5:30 pm.

SPECIAL 1-DAY January 27, 2024 Combined  Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour / Snowy Owl Public Group Tour Add-On Fee: CAD $390 (about US $290, £250).
Fee includes guiding services. Meals and accommodation and transportation are NOT included.
Morning:  Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour begins in Saskatoon at 9 am on January 27 and ends about 12 noon.
Afternoon:  Snowy Owl Tour begins in Saskatoon at 2 pm on January 27 and ends about 5:30 pm.

TAX RECEIPT: A tax receipt for 50% of the tour fee will be issued to the person paying for the tour.

RESERVATIONS - Forest Winter Birding Tour

RESERVATIONS: Please complete and submit the following form or email us your full name(s), mailing address, email address and requested tour dates.

E-mail: birdtours@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-652-5975

Full payment due at time of booking. Payment instruction will be emailed to you after registration form is received.

If you don't have a cell phone, enter your landline number.
Mailing address needed for tax receipt.
You will be sent payment instructions by email.
You will be sent payment instructions by email.
OPTIONAL
Smoking is allowed only inside your own personal vehicle. No smoking is permitted during meals, anywhere in shared accommodations or outside during birding stops or hikes.

If you do not hear back from us within 24 hours, then please email: birdtours@sasktel.net or phone 306-652-5975.

Owl Photography Tours

Owl Photography Tour
Great Gray Owl by Nick Saunders

Large Owl

by Canadian Great Gray Owl researcher, Robert W. Nero

"The bird is not as big as
it looks" say those who measure
with a finger
poked through feathers to body.

What nonsense. The owl is entire
of itself, massive in a coat of
soft plumes, and the perfect outline
of its round head is what the bird is,
no more, no less.

Click here for complete poem.

Hoary Redpoll by Nick Saunders

Can I bring my pet dog on this tour?

Dogs are not permitted on this tour.

Owl Photography Tour Testimonial

"Thanks again for the wonderful experience last weekend. Still on a GGO high as I work on my photos. " C.R. Regina

Covid Safety Policy on Tours

  1. Your tour leader is fully vaccinated.
  2. Clients must normally drive themselves in their own personal or rented vehicle. The leader will normally drive in a separate vehicle. We will use cell phones to communicate between each other during the tour.
  3. This policy may change when public health orders change or when Covid case numbers decrease.
  4. Please contact us before booking tour if you have any special requests with regard to this policy. In certain cases if requested, leader may be willing to ride in client's vehicle.

Gift Certificates

GIFT CERTIFICATES: Click here for information about purchasing a gift certificate for this owl photography tour or any of our other tours.

How to get to Saskatoon

Air: Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) is served by Air Canada, Westjet and their U.S. partners United and Delta.

Air Canada Star Alliance partners also include Aegean, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels, Copa, Croatia, EgyptAir, Ethiopian, EVA, Lot, Lufthansa, SAS, Shenzhen, Singapore, South African, Swiss, TAP, Thai, Turkish, United.

Westjet international partners include AeroMexico, Air France, Air Transat, Azores, Cathay Pacific, China, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, Emirates, Hainan, Hong Kong, Japan, KLM, Korean, LATAM, Philippine, Quantas, Virgin Atlantic, Xiamen.

Train: Saskatoon's Train Station is served by Via Rail's Canadian train serving Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Vancouver.

Bus: Saskatoon - Edmonton and Saskatoon - Regina bus service

Car: Saskatoon is located on Canada's Yellowhead cross-country highway plus 6 other major highways connecting with all cities in Canada and USA. If you drive, you do not need to rent a car for our tours.

Accommodation Options near Prince Albert

If you prefer to reduce the driving distance during this tour, you may choose to stay overnight at a motel or resort in or north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Here is a partial list for your convenience. Click on the name for their website. A google search will find more motel plus bed and breakfast options.

PRINCE ALBERT

EMMA LAKE (48 km north of Prince Albert)

ANGLIN LAKE (72 km north of Prince Albert)

List of Potential Bird Species

Some of the birds that we might encounter during this owl photography tour might include:

  • Common Goldeneye
  • Gray Partridge
  • Ruffed Grouse
  • Spruce Grouse
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse
  • Bald Eagle
  • Northern Goshawk
  • Merlin
  • Gyrfalcon (rare)
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Snowy Owl
  • Northern Hawk Owl (rare)
  • Barred Owl
  • Great Gray Owl
  • American 3-toed Woodpecker
  • Black-backed Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Northern Shrike
  • Canada Jay
  • Blue Jay
  • Black-billed Magpie
  • Common Raven
  • Boreal Chickadee
  • Bohemian Waxwing
  • Snow Bunting
  • Pine Grosbeak
  • White-winged Crossbill
  • Common Redpoll
  • Hoary Redpoll
  • Evening Grosbeak

Owl Photography Tour Guide

Tour Guide: Stan Shadick. Click for more information about your tour guide.

Snowy Owl Tour

Other Bird Photography Sessions

Other Tours

Owl Photography Tour may be combined with:

Other Tours and Workshops: Click here to see a complete list of our upcoming tours and workshops.

Multiple Tours Discount

Can't decide which tour to take?

Check out our multiple tours discount described here.

Proceeds support Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation

Monthly Newsletter

Learn about special offers and new tours.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the monthly electronic Newsletter from Saskatoon Custom Bird Tours.

Owl Photography Tour Client Images

This owl photograph was taken during a February 11, 2022 tour by Dianne Young. We found 16 Great Gray Owls on her 2-day trip.

Great Gray Owl
by Dianne Young

This takeoff owl photograph of a Great Gray Owl was taken by Bhaskar Thankey during a 3-day trip from February 5 - 7, 2022.

Great Gray Owl
by Bhaskar Thankey

Here are a few images of one actively hunting Great Gray Owl captured by client Brian Henderson during a 2021 tour. We found 4 Great Grays on that trip.

Great Gray Owl

Great Gray Owl

Great Gray Owl Book

Great gray Owl book
The Great Gray Owl - Phantom of the Northern Forest

The book Great Gray Owl - Phantom of the Northern Forest was written in 1980 by naturalist Robert Nero who has worked at natural history museums in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. I have an extra copy that I will give to the next person who completes a booking for a private 2-day Forest Owl Photography Tour and requests this book in the Comments section.