Canadian Geographic is proud to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year competition. Seventeen photographers have been honored for their exceptional and outstanding images of Canadian wildlife.
Canadian Wildlife Photographer of the Year: Maxime Légaré-Vézina
The recent Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year competition, hosted by Canadian Geographic, has once again proven that capturing a photograph is about more than just pressing a button. It’s about telling a story that makes us feel something. They have seen some amazing talent this year, with images that capture the raw, emotional reality of life in Canada’s extreme environments.
The winning images—from a lynx family braving a snowstorm to a wildfire’s deadly beauty—achieved just that. They offer an intimate glimpse into a world that few get to see, pulling us into the natural drama of survival. An image that can create that kind of emotional connection will always stand out, and this year’s photographers have done that superbly.
Among all these incredible entries, one photographer was recognized for a body of work that truly captivated the judges. Maxime Légaré-Vézina of Quebec City has been named the 2025 Canadian Wildlife Photographer of the Year. He will now begin a two-year term as the Audain emerging photographer-in-residence with Canadian Geographic, supported by the Audain Foundation. This opportunity will allow him to continue his powerful visual storytelling on assignment in British Columbia, sharing his unique perspective with the world.
Canadian Geographic is pleased to honor Légaré-Vézina and the other 16 photographers for their outstanding images that showcase the beauty and resilience of Canadian wildlife.
On a cold morning along the wild coast of northern Vancouver Island, photographer Maxime Légaré-Vézina set out on a single mission: to find bears. The Quebec City native moved carefully along the shore as the pre-dawn light began to paint the sky.
After a long search, a moment of magic occurred. A solitary black bear emerged, perfectly framed by the sunrise. “The bear got closer and closer, then it looked up at me,” Légaré-Vézina said. “That’s when I got the shot.”
Using a long telephoto lens 600mm with a 1.4x teleconverter, he captured a stunning portrait where half the bear’s face is illuminated in golden light and the other half is cloaked in shadow. “It’s probably in my top 10 photos of all time,” he reflected. “Everything lined up exactly as I wanted.”
Maxime Légaré-Vézina’s path to becoming a full-time photographer began over a decade ago. It was sparked by an upcoming trip to Australia and New Zealand. “Back then, the iPhone was not as great at photographing as it is today,” he recalls. “So, I got my first camera [a Pentax K-r] and started playing around with it.”
This initial hobby soon evolved into a profound passion. Three years ago, Légaré-Vézina made the leap, leaving his banking job to pursue photography full-time. He now dedicates his time to studying animal behavior, observing wildlife, and developing the patience required to create compelling portraits of his subjects in their natural homes. When asked about his new career, he quips, “So far, so good — I’m not bankrupt yet!”
Winning the competition comes with a significant opportunity: a two-year term as the inaugural Audain emerging photographer-in-residence with Canadian Geographic. This role will allow him to embark on assignments for the magazine, giving him the chance to document the wild beauty of British Columbia. Légaré-Vézina is eager for the new adventures, stating, “There are so many places in Canada I want to photograph. My passion is … to travel, discover new places, new species and live this life of adventure.”
Terrestrial Life
Winner: Jean-Simon Bégin
Looking at this amazing photograph, you are immediately drawn in and can feel the cold of the extreme conditions. It’s a testament to the skill of the photographer, who captured a Canada lynx leading her kittens out of a northern Ontario forest during a heavy snowfall. The image speaks volumes about the incredible resilience of this species, whose broad, snowshoe-like paws allow them to move quickly and quietly through deep snow, perfectly adapted to survive in such an unforgiving environment.
Runner-up: Reece Buruma
A young raccoon, its fur matted and slick from a recent rain, forages for food in the Marthaville Habitat Management Area in Petrolia, Ontario. The intense stare from the raccoon is a powerful and direct gaze, a moment of connection that seems to look right through the lens and straight at the viewer.
Aquatic Life
Winner: Alex Côté
A common merganser chick was photographed diving in the shallows of Quebec’s Lake Memphremagog in search of juvenile bass. It was a risky move, according to the photographer, as the chicks faced danger from larger predators. “On several occasions, the adult bass tried to eat the little chicks, but the mother managed to rescue them in time!”
Runner-up: Maxwel Hohn
In a stunning display of the natural world’s perseverance, salmon were photographed migrating up British Columbia’s Campbell River to spawn. The photographer, hidden in the deep shadows of a canyon, was able to capture the fast-moving fish as they made their way upstream.
Flora and Fungi
Winner: Jillian A. Brown
During a intense wildfire near Squamish, British Columbia, a photographer captured the deadly beauty of the fire as it consumed moss on a rock face. While crews worked to protect the community, which was on high alert throughout June, the photographer focused on the raw power of the flames and the destructive nature of the event.
Runner-up: Haolun Tian
From a vantage point high above, an algal bloom in Dog Lake, near Kingston, Ontario, appears as a vibrant, abstract painting. What was once considered a problem only in highly polluted areas is now becoming more widespread. The overgrowth of algae is a serious issue, even in remote lakes, and is caused by the combined effects of landscape disturbance and climate change.
Things With Wings
Winner: Leslie Poulson
In British Columbia’s South Chilcotin Mountains, a northern spreadwing damselfly is covered in droplets of morning dew. This beautiful, delicate insect is typically found at high elevations and near the shores of ponds and lakes throughout Canada.
Runner-up: Trevor Lowthers
The photographer’s skilled use of a low-level flash, combined with the setting sun, makes this female wood duck appear to be “disco dancing” on the waters of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The unique lighting creates a sense of movement and drama, transforming the simple scene into a captivating and playful portrait.
Honourable Mentions
Eli Wolpin
In Whytecliff Park, a protected area and popular diving spot in West Vancouver, B.C., a squat lobster was captured on camera. The crustacean can be seen diligently guarding the entrance to its makeshift home: a discarded beer bottle.
Keri Fisher
In a garden in Kemptville, Ontario, a photographer captured a beautiful moment of nature at work. A metallic sweat bee, its body shimmering, was photographed collecting pollen from the anther of a lily.
Artur Stanisz
High on a hillside on Baffin Island, Nunavut, an Arctic hare was photographed resting in the shadow of Mount Thor. The image captures the hare in a transitional phase as its coat begins to change from brown to white for winter camouflage.
Brandon Broderick
After a wildfire near Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, new growth has started to reclaim the burned area. The image shows nature’s resilience as fresh greenery emerges from the charred landscape, marking a cycle of destruction and renewal.
Christy Grinton
Near Port Alice, British Columbia, a sea otter pup was captured in a heartwarming moment as it cuddled up to its mother.
Jean-Christophe Lemay
In Rimouski, Quebec, a photographer spotted this red fox hanging around near fast-food restaurants. While urban foxes have adapted to city life, they face significant dangers. The image serves as a powerful reminder that these animals, though resourceful, are at a higher risk of being injured or killed by cars in our ever-expanding urban environments..
Tom Halligan
On a late spring night near Lakefield, Ontario, a series of images were compiled to capture the stunning activity of hundreds of fireflies. The resulting photograph offers a mesmerizing look at their collective glow as dusk settles over the landscape.
Amanda Peyton-Noseworthy
In Birchy Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, a photographer was captivated by the vibrant green moss covering the forest floor alongside a hiking trail..
From stunning portraits of a lone black bear to the serene beauty of a mossy forest floor, this year’s Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year competition has showcased the incredible talent of photographers across the country. These remarkable images will hopefully inspire others to explore the beauty of nature. For more information on the winning photographs and the competition, you can visit the Canadian Geographic website at: canadiangeographic.ca.
