Photography Life

PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels

  • Lens Reviews
  • Camera Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Compare Cameras
  • Forum
    • Sign Up
    • Login
  • About
  • Search
Home → Essays and Inspiration

Photographing and Enjoying Alberta’s Nose Hill Park

By Jason Polak 23 Comments
Published On March 14, 2025

It’s an abrupt transition, going from the tropics of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to the sparse plains of Alberta over ten thousand kilometers away, especially when that transition also goes from the Austral summer to the Boreal winter. This transition is one of landscapes, wildlife, and ecology, and it is something I experienced during my recent move from Brazil to Canada. My first introduction to these new and alien facets of existence was Nose Hill Park in Calgary, Alberta.

The Sparse Plains

When it comes to being surrounded by wildlife, my favourite places are the remote locations far away from civilization. For me, they are the most peaceful and tranquil of places. They feel right and provide a tonic from the strangeness of advanced industrial civilization. And although permanently disappearing into such a remote place is my ultimate dream, for now I contend with more urbanized places. City parks provide at least a shadow of the remoteness I crave.

In the past months, my favourite park has become Nose Hill Park in Calgary. Although I was born in Canada, I spent most of my life in Ontario, which has a completely different forested habitat compared to the endless grassland plains of Alberta. Thus, the strangely-named Nose Hill offers new and unexpected adventures. And it’s a big habitat, standing out at 1129 hectares – very large for a city park. Compare that with New York City’s Central Park at 340 hectares.

NH_Grassland_Sun
NIKON Z8 + NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 @ 50mm, ISO 64, 1/3200, f/1.4

Nose Hill’s vast, grassy plains are a home for a variety of larger wildlife, flowers, and birds. Though at first glance in the winter, it seemed to me that Nose Hill was devoid of life. Yes, I’m sometimes a little impatient and I want to see the animals right away! But after roaming through the park on multiple occasions, I realized that seeing the wildlife of the park is just a matter of learning the habits of the fauna and spending lots of time just… wandering.

NH_Deer_Feeding_Grass
Deer. NIKON Z8 + 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 3200, 1/250, f/5.6

After some visits, I found that it wasn’t so hard to locate the large deer population. A few weeks ago, I approached these graceful animals very carefully, and they didn’t take much notice of me when I sat down opposite to their hilly feeding area.

NH_Deer_feeding_Jason_Polak
Deer in snow-covered grass. NIKON Z8 + 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 1100, 1/800, f/5.6

Of course, birds are closest to my heart, and during the winter, there aren’t too many birds around. The exception is the gregarious Black-billed Magpie. A type of corvid, these Magpies love to hang out in huge groups and fly across the sunset sky against the Rocky Mountains. It’s not always easy to find them here, and some days I see none, but on other days their noisy calling gives them away. Then it’s just a matter of hoping I can catch up to them on the snowy slopes before they fly away. Usually, they fly away first.

NH_Magpie_Over_Plains_Jason_Polak
Black-billed Magpie. NIKON Z8 + 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 4000, 1/3200, f/5.6

A little more reticent are the coyotes. They don’t come around very often, but when they do, they give a definite sense of wildness. I’ve yet to figure out the best place and time to find them, but that’s part of the fun of wildlife photography – each new species is a new challenge.

NH_Coyote_Jason_Polak
Coyote. NIKON Z8 + 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 1800, 1/2000, f/5.6

And more than that. Each new place brings new advantages and new lessons to learn about wildlife photography. In the case of Nose Hill, the winter’s long and slow setting sun is an advantage, giving golden light at a glacial pace. But the sparseness is a lesson that reminds me that beyond gear, beyond traveling to exotic places, the most important thing is just to show up, be there, wait, and repeat again and again.

As for those days when I just don’t get any good shots? It’s not a problem. Nose Hill is so large that I can often go to the center of it and not hear any cars or see any people in any direction. Having a source of solitude so close to a city is a rare privelege and one I enjoy every time. It is exactly this solitude that motivates me to try and capture wildlife in a photograph, so I consider it part of the process.

NH_Deer_Rockies_Jason_Polak
Deer against the rocky mountains. NIKON Z8 + 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR @ 500mm, ISO 1800, 1/800, f/5.6

So, what are my thoughts on Nose Hill? Well, for me, the most interesting thing about exploring a new habitat is discovering a new piece of the biosphere, and seeing how it might be linked to other pieces already experienced. It’s something that’s unique to being outdoors because it informs us not just of some abstract system, but of the natural system that gave us life itself. Nose Hill’s sparse prairie is another piece of that puzzle tucked away in the north, and it is one that I am eager to learn much more about as the winter turns to spring in just a few more weeks.

Looking for even more exclusive content?

On Photography Life, you already get world-class articles with no advertising every day for free. As a Member, you'll get even more:

Silver ($5/mo)
  • Exclusive articles
  • Monthly Q&A chat
  • Early lens test results
  • "Creative Landscape Photography" eBook
Gold ($12/mo)
  • All that, PLUS:
  • Online workshops
  • Monthly photo critiques
  • Vote on our next lens reviews
 
Click Here to Join Today
 

Related Articles

  • Narrows-1
    Photographing the Narrows in Zion National Park
  • Herd of elephants
    Photographing Wildlife at Etosha National Park (Part 1)
  • Lion cubs sons
    Photographing Wildlife at Etosha National Park (Part 2)
  • Sunset in Caparaó
    Photo Essay: Caparaó National Park
  • Yellowstone National Park (1)
    A Sad Tale of Photographing in Yellowstone
  • birding in a bag 5
    Photographing Birds and Insects Presentation
Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options
Filed Under: Essays and Inspiration Tagged With: Essays, Wildlife Photography

About Jason Polak

Jason Polak is a bird and wildlife photographer from Ottawa, Canada. He has been interested in photography ever since he received a disposable film camera as a small child. His career as a mathematician led him to move to Australia in 2016, where he started seeing colorful parrots. A few casual shots with a lens completely unsuitable for birds got him hooked, and now wildlife photography is his biggest passion. Jason loves to show the beauty of animals to the world through photography, and one of his lifelong goals is to photograph five thousand species of birds. You can see more of Jason's work on his website or on his YouTube channel.

guest

guest

23 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jeff Rosen
Jeff Rosen
March 26, 2025 1:19 pm

Hi Michael

Watch for long eared owls in the spring along with rock wrens but that could be a rare sighting

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Jeff Rosen
March 26, 2025 1:28 pm

Long-eared owls, eh? Now that’s something I’d like to see!

0
Reply
Michael Cox
Michael Cox
March 19, 2025 3:18 pm

Nose Hill was my peaceful place when I lived in Calgary, and a great place to take a dog, off-leash. We never encountered much wildlife, but that wasn’t what I was there for. The wind in the grasses, the way the hills are cut by small ravines where trees offer some respite in the summer, the vista from the edges of Nose Hill of the city and airport and the Rockies. It’s really an amazing place for Calgarians and visitors.

0
Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl
March 19, 2025 9:28 am

Thanks for the lovely article about Nose Hill Park, a place near and dear to me. During COVID my husband and I headed to Nose Hill at least 3 or 4 times a week, and got to know it’s many nooks and crannies intimately. As Calgarians it’s not lost on us how unique and special Nose Hill is, embedded smack dab in the middle of the city, enabling all who visit an extraordinary glimpse into our prairie grasslands and views of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. The crocuses will be making an appearance soon, and you’ll be blown away at the abundance and variety of them. Welcome back to Canada!

1
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Cheryl
March 19, 2025 10:34 am

Thank you for the comment, Cheryl. Nose Hill is indeed unusual and I’ve never seen a park this wild or large in a city. I wasn’t sure there’d be any flowers there in the spring, but your comment gives me some hope for macro photography!

0
Reply
Lis
Lis
March 17, 2025 5:49 pm

Lovely photos and a lovely article, as always :)

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Lis
March 18, 2025 11:13 am

Thank you!

0
Reply
Ian Watson
Ian Watson
March 17, 2025 10:18 am

Welcome back to Canada, Jason. I look forward to seeing the beauty you find there.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Ian Watson
March 17, 2025 12:07 pm

Thank you, Ian! I am looking forward to doing my best to show it off :)

0
Reply
Robert John
Robert John
March 16, 2025 11:28 am

Have you got a Z8 then? I think it is the real successor to the D500 – especially if (like me) you are lucky enough get a helpful windfall. Works well with the 500/f5.6 – and 1.4 TC.

Magpies are funny. Where we used to live they were so skittish that they fly off from our garden if you so much as went to the window. Here on the (dog-walking) common you get virtually get on top of them. Just recently I was photographing them joining a buzzard on a carcass.

Well – you have landed back in Canada during ‘interesting times’. Canada is quite entitled to remind Trump (and the U.K.) that their navy patrolled the Western Atlantic, their pilots virtually crewed 6 Group (Bomber Command) and they were one of the two constituent armies in Montgomery’s 21st Army Group. As well as Dieppe, pilot training and aircraft manufacture. Quite some contribution to defeating Hitler.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Robert John
March 17, 2025 12:07 pm

Yeah, got the Z8. I think it’s nice to have the full-frame option, sort of like having two focal lengths in one, at least compared to APS-C, which is especially useful as I like primes the best. I think I would have gotten the Z8 now even if there were an APS-C option. Bit of a splurge like you said, but a great camera.

Canada and the U.S. are indeed going through some interesting times. But compared to the politics of Brazil – seems quite tame to me. haha!

0
Reply
bg5931
bg5931
March 15, 2025 3:55 pm

I remember those plains, and an epic sunset that I could not photograph, when driving between Calgary and Banff. This was more than a decade ago. Amazing place – I am sure you will enjoy it tremendously.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  bg5931
March 17, 2025 12:04 pm

Yeah, the sunsets are indeed epic around here! You must have witnesses a very nice one indeed. Thanks, bg!

0
Reply
James
James
March 15, 2025 12:46 pm

Welcome to Calgary, Jason!

Delighted to have you here, and to see your lovely pictures of my favorite park in my city!

If you’re not already up on the various local spots for wildlife, please feel free to shoot me an email and I can send you some locations.

Again, welcome!

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  James
March 17, 2025 12:04 pm

Thank you, James. I sent you a message! I’d love to hear some tips.

0
Reply
Allan369
Allan369
March 15, 2025 11:34 am

Love the article Jason.
Many areas to explore near Calgary.
Banff National Park, Canmore, and Jasper.
Lots of wildlife to photograph as well as landscapes.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Allan369
March 15, 2025 11:52 am

Thank you, Allan! I just got here and I’m SO excited to explore those areas and see the mountains. Landscape photography is my secret second love after birds….

0
Reply
Dave Conlin
Dave Conlin
March 15, 2025 10:51 am

Welcome to Alberta! I live just a bit north of you (just outside Edmonton). From a wildlife photography perspective you have the fortune to live within a relatively short distance to the Rockies and the southern Alberta grasslands and lakes where there are many opportunities waiting for you. I am looking forward to see what you make of it.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Dave Conlin
March 15, 2025 11:08 am

Hey Dave! It would be cool to encounter you in the field! I’m dying to go see the Rockies as soon as I settle in a bit more!

0
Reply
Dave Conlin
Dave Conlin
Reply to  Dave Conlin
March 16, 2025 11:04 pm

Hey Jason, I am about a 4 hour drive north from Calgary. Should you decide to venture this way I can give you some pointers, at least in the area where I do most of my photography. Cheers, Dave.

0
Reply
Jason Polak
Jason Polak
Author
Reply to  Dave Conlin
March 17, 2025 12:08 pm

I’ll definitely look you up if I come that way, and I intent to explore the whole province if I can!

0
Reply

Learn

  • Beginner Photography
  • Landscape Photography
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Portraiture
  • Post-Processing
  • Advanced Tutorials
Photography Life on Patreon

Reviews

  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews
  • Best Cameras and Lenses

Photography Tutorials

Photography Basics
Landscape Photography
Wildlife Photography
Macro Photography
Composition & Creativity
Black & White Photography
Night Sky Photography
Portrait Photography
Street Photography
Photography Videos

Unique Gift Ideas

Best Gifts for Photographers

Subscribe via Email

If you like our content, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates using the link below:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Beginner Photography
  • Lens Database
  • Lens Index
  • Photo Spots
  • Search
  • Forum

Reviews

  • Reviews Archive
  • Camera Reviews
  • Lens Reviews
  • Other Gear Reviews

More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Workshops
  • Support Us
  • Submit Content

Copyright © 2025 · Photography Life

You are going to send email to

Move Comment