Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries

Explore the Spectacular Landscapes and Awesome Animals of Western Canada

Enjoy some northern exposure with these 15 images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Photographs selected by Allison Scates

Two polar bears fight
Two male polar bears square off for battles over territory and, ultimately, mating rights. Randall Ball, Manitoba, 2024

What does it mean to be picture perfect? Just take a hike along the tundra regions of Western Canada, and the significance of that phrase will become clear to you.

With majestic mountains, an awesome array of animals and beautiful Banff National Park, Instagram-worthy images are easy to come by. The second-largest country in the world, Canada has one of the planet’s largest intact boreal forests. If you ever find yourself there, do like these Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest entrants and be camera-ready. Take a look.

Cut out view of city
The South Saskatchewan River begins in southern Alberta and ends in central Saskatchewan. Hadi Asgari, Saskatchewan, 2019
Bison in snow
The furry hairs on these bison may help to keep them warm on frigid days walking the tundra. Tracy Kerestesh, Saskatchewan, 2018
Northern Lights over church
The extraordinary northern lights dance above the steeple of a modest church. Mark Duffy, Saskatchewan, 2021
Owl in field
An owl seemingly takes a pause from its daily routine to pose for a photo. Mark Duffy, Saskatchewan, 2021
Neon Hotel
If travelers need a place to plunge, this illuminated hotel may have just the thing. Russ Styles, Alberta, 2017
Bison in Road
Cowboys wrangle their herd, moving bulls to pasture for the winter. Karen Jarvie, Alberta, 2017
Bison through car
A driver admires a grazing bison near Grasslands National Park. Stephanie Foden, Saskatchewan, 2016
2 polar bears fight
A lone willow ptarmigan walks across a wintry tundra against a soft gray background as flakes fall around it. Dawn Wilson, Manitoba, 2021
Dog with bird in mouth
This dog picked up a bird to bring home on a sunlit morning. Kip Earney, Manitoba, 2018
Salmon underwater
Two salmon swim upstream as they migrate back to the river of their birth to spawn. Franco Banfi, British Columbia, 2022
Mountains behind city
A craggy mountain billows over the charming town of Banff. Michelle Hough, Alberta, 2024
Ground hogs
Two yellow-bellied marmots are seemingly in awe of the picturesque landscape in front of them. Alan Zhou, Alberta, 2023
Canoeing
Two adventurers enjoy the blue waters of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park as the sunlight pierces the clouds. Dave Leduc, Alberta, 2024
polar bear walking
A lone polar bear struts across the tundra to wait for seals to exit the frozen waters of the Hudson Bay. Randall Ball, Manitoba, 2024

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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