{"id":16447,"date":"2026-03-03T10:45:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T10:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/?p=16447"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:48:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:48:10","slug":"winners-of-the-2025-reflections-of-nature-photo-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/index.php\/en\/winners-of-the-2025-reflections-of-nature-photo-contest\/","title":{"rendered":"Winners of the 2025 Reflections of Nature Photo Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is proud to celebrate 22 photographers from coast to coast for their stunning images showcasing the beauty of Canada\u2019s wildlife.<\/h2>\n

This year, we received more than 10,600 images submitted in total! Year after year, we are stunned and left in awe at the support and generosity of every single photographer participating in the contest. We are grateful to every single person who shared their special wildlife moments with us \u2013 thank you.<\/p>\n

The winning, runner-up and honourable mentions of this year’s Reflections of Nature Photo Contest highlight the best of Canada\u2019s landscapes, wildlife and flora. They also capture how Canadians connect with nature and how wildlife weaves itself into our urban environments.<\/p>\n

From a quiet moment with an Arctic fox, to caribou moving steadily across a wind-scoured lake, this year\u2019s photos capture both patience and presence. There are close-up encounters beneath the surface, wildlife moments unfolding alongside busy urban life, and landscapes that feel vast, moody and humbling. Together, here are the 2025 photos that left us speechless.<\/p>\n

GRAND PRIZE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“A Last Glance” ~ Steven Heipel, Toronto, Ontario<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steven Heipel\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Far out on the frozen ocean of Baffin Bay, Steven Heipel traveled by snowmobile and qamutiik, hoping to glimpse Polar Bears. During a 10-day Arctic camping trip, Inuit guides paused at the base of this iceberg to harvest ice for fresh water. One guide spotted an Arctic Fox high on the ice and guessed its den was inside the iceberg.\u00a0 While the group congregated at the far end of the iceberg, Heipel waited alone. The fox appeared in a well of sea ice, paused for a breath, then began zigzagging through the maze of fallen ice again. Whispering a plea for her to look back, Heipel got his wish \u2013 just once \u2013 capturing a glance and a puff of breath in the cold air.<\/p>\n

RUNNER-UP<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“March of Shadows” ~Jean-Christophe Lemay, Rimouski, Quebec<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jean-Christophe Lemay<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

About 100 kilometres from Radisson in northern Quebec, Jean-Christophe Lemay spent days tracking caribou with little luck. The herd shifted locations nearly daily, and on this afternoon, the caribou had wandered far out onto a frozen lake, too distant for a handheld shot. With a little trepidation, Lemay decided to launch his drone above the caribou to see their reaction. To his surprise, the caribou paid no attention. From above, he captured their silent march across a landscape sculpted by wind and extreme cold, where temperatures often plummeted to -40 Celsius.<\/p>\n

FOCUS ON FAUNA <\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“A Quiet Crossing” ~Abby Keeler, Foothills, Alberta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abby Keeler<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On her first visit to Stanley Park, Abby Keeler set out at sunrise hoping to photograph otters and beavers. After two hours of walking along the waterway, she spotted this Common Raccoon scavenging along the riverbed and spent the next hour quietly observing and taking photographs. For this shot, she lay down on a trail, hoping no one came along to disturb them. Observing wildlife has always been part of Keeler\u2019s world \u2013 hours spent outdoors as a child turned into a daily ritual she eagerly embraced.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

RUNNER UP<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
“Into the Deep” ~Mike Jemmely, La Tuque, Quebec<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mike Jemmely<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mike Jemmely plunged into the clear waters of Forillon National Park in search of seals but instead discovered a North American Lobster peeking out from a tangle of seaweed. With its eyes fixed on the camera, the lobster paused long enough for Jemmely to capture this mesmerizing underwater portrait.<\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“The Dozing Bear” ~Jodie Gallant, Tahsis, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jodie Gallant<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Walking along the Conuma River during the salmon run on a school field trip, Jodie Gallant stumbled upon a Black Bear slumbering on a fallen tree. Perfectly camouflaged in the curve of the trunk, the bear was a reminder of how deeply wildlife belongs to this place. For Gallant, moving to a remote area taught her to slow down and attune to the rhythms of the seasons \u2013 a lesson this peaceful moment drove home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION <\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Elliston\u2019s Lure” ~Nancy Ross, Thorold, Ontario<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nancy Ross<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nancy Ross has admired Atlantic Puffins for years and chose Elliston Island \u2013 one of North America\u2019s best sites to observe these marine birds \u2013 for her dream shot.\u00a0 Positioning herself near the cliff\u2019s edge, she waited four hours for the perfect moment: a puffin landing at sunrise, wings outspread against a glowing sky, carrying nesting materials in its bill.<\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“A Blustery Encounter” ~Kyla Black, Lethbridge, Alberta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kyla Black<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On a week-long trip to Churchill, Kyla Black watched as a female Polar Bear and her two cubs trudged across rocky terrain in a swirling snowstorm. Then, a Common Raven swooped in, diving low to tease the bears, only to lift away, just out of reach, at the last second, play a game of cat and mouse.<\/p>\n

CANADIAN LANDSCAPES <\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Moody Morning at Tombstone” ~John Meragias, Saint Laurent, Quebec<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John Meragias<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

After a grueling week-long trek through Tombstone Territorial Park with a 70 lb backpack, John Meragias camped for two nights in the pouring rain, hoping to capture the moody beauty of this rugged wilderness. His persistence paid off at sunrise when he discovered clusters of Cottongrass along the lake\u2019s edge, framed by the jagged mountain peaks. Though modest compared to more colourful blooms, Cottongrass are compelling \u2013 especially when juxtaposed by dramatic skies and the untamed terrain of northern Yukon.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

RUNNER UP<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Doorway to Light” ~Mike Douthwright, Kamloops, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mike Douthwright<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Mike Douthwright made the trip from St. John\u2019s to Tickle Cove, Newfoundland, after hearing about the breathtaking view through its sea arch at sunset\u2014and it didn\u2019t disappoint. For over an hour, he waited patiently for the clouds to part, framing the scene for that fleeting moment of light. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

CANADIAN LANDSCAPES <\/strong><\/h3>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
“After the Blizzard” ~Edward Savage, Nanaimo, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Savage<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the aftermath of a brutal blizzard, Edward Savage endured -40 \u00b0C temperatures for over three hours, waiting for the northern skies to light up with aurora borealis. With the moon at his back casting light across jagged snowdrifts, the scene unfolded: wind-carved ridges leading to a stand of spruce trees overlooking the vast, frozen expanse of Hudson Bay.<\/p>\n

CONNECTING WITH NATURE <\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Algonquin Awakening” ~Kayley Amo, Huntsville, Ontario<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kayley Amo<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

An early morning trip to Cache Lake in Algonquin Park gave Kayley Amo a chance to slow down and appreciate life\u2019s small wonders: a sunrise, trees cloaked in mist and still waters reflecting the soft morning light.<\/p>\n

RUNNER UP<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Amidst Giants” ~Ray Cislo, Edmonton, Alberta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ray Cislo<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While backcountry skiing in the Rocky Mountains, Ray Cislo captured a striking scene of skiers climbing the slopes. Their tiny silhouettes against the vast expanse of the mountain range highlight nature\u2019s immense scale and the privilege of exploring its wonders. Cislo timed the shot perfectly, waiting until the skiers aligned with the sweeping ridges to evoke that sense of grandeur, all while balancing the demands of skiing and photographing at once.<\/p>\n

URBAN INTERACTION <\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“The Coastal Hunt” ~Glen Strickey, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glen Strickey<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Glen Strickey first headed to this fishing wharf after hearing reports of a Short-eared Owl in the area. Over the next 10 days, he made the 60-minute drive after work, logging more than 1,000 kilometres in search of the elusive raptor. He spotted the owl several times, and on the day, he captured this photo, it was hunting in a field near the wharf \u2013 its long wings sweeping through the air as a fishing boat framed the scene.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RUNNER UP<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
“Solace Amidst Steel” @jillianabrownphotography, Squamish, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jillian Brown<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With her husband in surgery, Jillian Brown turned to her camera for solace. Under the Granville Island Street Bridge, she discovered a colony of Cormorants nesting among the steel beams. The birds leapt from the metal structure, soaring toward the ocean, on the hunt for food. The graceful contrast between the birds and the harsh lines of the bridge brought Brown back to the bridge time and time again. Look closely, and you\u2019ll spot a nest tucked behind the highlighted Cormorant, with its partner nestled upon it.<\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“School Crossing” ~Ronia Nash, Squamish, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ronia Nash<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On her way to the 2025 Invictus Games at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Ronia Nash spotted a family of Canada Geese waddled down the busy street. She had only a few minutes to capture the moment \u2013 first as they crossed the road, then as they walked away in the neat line. With a school bus in the background, the scene almost looks as though the parents are escorting their goslings to school.<\/p>\n

FINDING FLORA <\/strong><\/h3>\n

WINNER\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“The Marvel of Survival” ~Milena Esser, Hamilton, Ontario<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milena Esser<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the remote Experimental Lakes Area, conditions are perfect for pitcher plants to flourish. While documenting the region as an environmental researcher, Milena Esser turned her lens toward a Purple Pitcher Plant. Its bulbous shape and rich colour catch the eye but look closer and you\u2019ll find tiny inward-pointing hairs, guiding unsuspecting prey towards the plant\u2019s ingenious trap.<\/p>\n

RUNNER UP\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Treasures on the Trail” ~ Sarah Neufeld, Dawson Creek, British Columbia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sarah Neufeld<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On a quiet nature walk near Dawson City, Sarah Neufeld noticed a cluster of delicate Psathyrellaceae<\/em> mushrooms rising from the forest floor. Drawn by their contrast and colours, their earthy tones framed by a wash of soft green, she captured this incredible shot.<\/p>\n

HONOURABLE MENTION\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"
“Golden Hour” ~Kyla Black, Lethbridge, Alberta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kyla Black<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kyla Black returned to Waterton Lakes National Park five times to find the right conditions to capture this shot. On a late-spring evening, a hillside was covered in balsamroot as the sun set behind the mountain peak \u2013 a fleeting moment that made the effort worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the Reflections of Nature Annual Photo Contest<\/a> or other ways the Canadian Wildlife Federation helps promote our connection with nature\u00a0 ><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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