Transition to Winter

As the golden hues of October fade into the stark stillness of November, Ontario’s wild landscapes undergo a profound transformation. It’s a month of anticipation for wildlife, a time of final preparations before the long hush of winter. For those who wander the trails or peer through camera lenses, November offers a raw and intimate look at nature’s transition. The land may seem quieter, but for the observant, it’s a period rich with subtle activity and powerful stories of survival.

November in Ontario is often overlooked. The vibrant colours of fall have mostly vanished, and the snow has yet to fully claim the landscape. Bare branches stretch toward grey skies, winds gain an icy edge, and wetlands begin to crust with the first layers of ice. For photographers, this in-between time can seem subdued, but it’s in this subtlety that incredible opportunities lie.

Without dense foliage, visibility increases. Animals are easier to spot and track. The dramatic lighting, long shadows, soft morning mists, and the low-angled November sun provides atmospheric conditions perfect for wildlife photography.

Ontario’s diverse ecosystems, from the boreal forests of the north to the mixed woodlands of the south, support an impressive array of wildlife. In November, nearly every species is adapting, shifting, or migrating.

For White-tailed Deer, November marks the height of the rut and breeding season. Bucks, often elusive during other parts of the year, become bold and visible. They spar with rivals, mark territory with scrapes, and pursue does through open fields and forest clearings. This surge in activity offers excellent opportunities for photographers, though it’s crucial to maintain distance both for safety and to avoid interfering with natural behaviours.

In northern Ontario, Moose have typically finished their rut by early November. Bulls retreat into quieter habitats to recover, feeding heavily to rebuild fat reserves lost during weeks of rutting activity. Photographers may find them near frozen wetlands or lakeshores, often alone and slower moving.

While many songbirds have long since departed, November brings some of the most dramatic bird spectacles in the province. Large flocks of waterfowl, including Tundra Swans, Snow Geese, and various duck species, pass through Ontario’s lakes and wetlands enroute to southern wintering grounds. The shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie become stopover sites, where thousands of birds gather, rest, and refuel.

Birds of prey, particularly Rough-legged Hawks and Snowy Owls, begin appearing in open fields and farmlands. These raptors breed in the Arctic and migrate south to Ontario to overwinter. For wildlife photographers, spotting a Snowy Owl on a fence post against a snowy field is a bucket list moment.

Meanwhile, some birds don’t leave. Black-capped Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers remain active, fluffing their feathers and darting between trees. Their presence adds liveliness to otherwise quiet forests and their willingness to approach perches makes them excellent subjects for close-up photography.

Animals that remain through Ontario’s winter must prepare now. Their behaviors in November are driven by an urgent need to store fat, cache food, or build shelter. Chipmunks, Red squirrels, and Voles are in full-on hoarding mode. They cache seeds, nuts, and other food in hidden storage sites. Red Squirrels, in particular, are vocal and visible defending stashes from intruders with a fury that belies their size.

Some mammals are nearing the start of hibernation. Eastern Chipmunks, for instance, will soon enter a deep torpor, waking only occasionally to snack from their stored supplies. Bears, on the other hand, are not yet hibernating in early November. They continue to feed intensively, particularly on berries, nuts, and carrion, preparing for a winter long sleep.

Photographers seeking to document this behaviour must tread carefully. Disturbing a bear late in the season can have serious consequences for the animal’s health and survival.

In ponds and rivers across Ontario, Beavers work tirelessly. They reinforce lodges, stock underwater caches of branches, and adjust dams to maintain water levels as ice forms. Beavers are most active at dawn and dusk. Times when the November light is soft and golden. I know this is one of my favourite times to capture Beavers.

Beaver lodges can be photographed from a distance, ideally with a long lens. With patience and quiet observation, photographers might catch glimpses of these industrious rodents hauling branches or gliding through the water with barely a ripple.

Wildlife photography in November isn’t about dramatic displays or colourful backdrops. Instead, it rewards patience, awareness, and adaptability. The landscape may appear lifeless, but a closer look reveals activity in every corner.

Here are some tips for photographers during this season:

• Track changes: Learn to read signs like tracks in early snow, fresh scrapes, or scat can guide you toward wildlife.

• Use the light: November’s low-angle light creates texture and contrast, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Fog and frost add atmosphere to shots.

• Dress for success: Staying still is crucial, so dress in layers to avoid movement caused by cold discomfort. Silent fabrics and muted colours help you blend into the environment.

• Respect distance: Use telephoto lenses to capture wildlife without intrusion. Ethical photography means never disturbing an animal’s routine.

• Seek shelter shots: Capture animals interacting with or preparing their winter homes. Beaver lodges, bird cavities, or squirrel dreys tell stories about survival.

• Focus on Details: Frost on a whiskered nose, the tension in a deer’s muscles, or the delicate pattern of a snowy owl’s feathers. November invites attention to nuance.

November may lack the vibrant spectacle of October or the crystalline beauty of December, but it holds a quiet urgency all its own. In forests, marshes, and meadows across Ontario, animals are deep into their preparations for the cold, lean months ahead. This is not a time of abundance. It is a time of decisions, of instinctual rituals that determine survival.

For wildlife photographers and nature observers, November is a season of patience and discovery. Every rustle in the underbrush or wing overhead is part of a larger narrative. The wild’s timeless answer to winter’s approach. Those willing to brave the chill, rise early, and wait quietly among the bare trees will be rewarded, not only with photographs, but with a deeper connection to the rhythms of nature.