Photography in Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park is a great place for viewing wildlife, especially birds. It is, however, very important to treat these animals with respect. Approaching can threaten their survival. Once wildlife become accustomed to being around people, they are in danger of losing the very thing that makes them special – their wildness. A good rule of thumb is if you are close enough to cause an animal to move, you are too close.

Commonly spotted species:

• Bald eagle
• Red fox
• Eastern coyote
• Great blue heron
• Red squirrel
• Osprey
• Semi-palmated plover
• Bluejay
• Red-breasted robin
• Goldfinch 

Best locations to bird watch:

• Wetlands/marsh area between Brackley Beach and Covehead Lighthouse
• Tlaqatik Trail in Greenwich
• Greenwich Dunes Trail in Greenwich

The gently rolling landscape and coastal vistas of Prince Edward Island, immortalized by L.M. Montgomery in the pages of Anne of Green Gables, have been the subject of countless photos over the years. There are few things that inspire the imagination more than the ever-changing views of the sea and coastline. They are breathtaking at any moment, but sunsets on the North Shore of Prince Edward Island are something special.

Some suggested points you may wish to visit for some stunning views:

• Cavendish Beach Dune Crossing: Enjoy a view of Cavendish Beach and the surrounding dunes. It’s also a great spot from which to watch the sunset. 
• Gulf Shore Way East Lookout: Pull off the road or stop along the multi-use trail to watch the shorebirds and take in the views of the wetlands. 
• Oceanview: The name says it all! A not-to-be-missed vantage point with the beach and dunes of Cavendish to the West and the signature red sandstone cliffs to the East. 
• Homestead Trail: Hike or cycle this trail for some picturesque landscapes that vary from farmer’s fields to shoreline. There are particularly lovely views of the dunes in the distance from some areas. 
• Greenwich Dunes Trail: Our most beloved trail for good reasons, the views from the floating boardwalk over Bowley Pond and the top of the dune crossing overlooking the beach are quite simply spectacular. 
• Covehead Lighthouse: This is a signature image of PEI National Park without question!

Red or white? Take your pick! PEI National Park has beaches in each region well worth your exploration. They vary from large, wide beaches lined with rolling pinkish-white sand dunes like Cavendish or Brackley to more narrow stretches composed primarily of red sand like Rustico. Some areas are dominated by sandstone cliffs with ragged, eroded edges. They all have their beauty.

A few suggestions for beachy views:

• Doyles Cove: A picturesque cove with a narrow beach littered with sandstone of all sizes and surrounded by rich red cliffs.
• Greenwich Beach: Wide beach, peppered with tide pools at low tide and lined with the highest dunes in the province.
• Covehead Beach: Sandy beach in the shadow of the lighthouse near the busy Covehead Harbour.
• Ross Lane Beach: Smaller and less visited than nearby Brackley with the same beautiful views.

Visiting a protected space like a national park is special thing indeed. Parks Canada is proud to act as a steward of these magical places and spaces and to present them to visitors. Caring for these places is a shared responsibility and every visitor plays a role.

• Stay on established trails to avoid trampling vegetation and always give wildlife plenty of space. If you don’t have a telephoto lens (at least 300-400 mm), show the animal in its natural surroundings.
• Never enter the dunes or any areas of closure.
• Do not surround, crowd, or follow an animal. • Never put people (especially children) at risk by posing them with wildlife.
• Never put people (especially children) at risk by posing them with wildlife.
• Do not stalk or pursue wildlife.
• Do not try to entice wildlife by feeding or by simulating animal calls.

Special Note: Photographers who travel the park in search of good photo opportunities have a special responsibility to wildlife, park ecosystems, and fellow visitors.

This respect for the park and its inhabitants does not end at your departure. Be mindful of the reality that many people may see your beautiful photos and be influenced by them. This is especially true if you share them publicly. Be responsible in the images you take, how you take them and how you share them. Ignoring signage, marked areas of closure and/or stepping off the beaten path to get the shot -- or even making it look as though you have -- may result in others engaging in harmful behaviour in order to replicate your image. This can result in unintentional but potentially significant harm.

Safety

All wild animals experience stress when crowded by humans. This is hard on the animals and dangerous. Wildlife behaviour is unpredictable, especially when females are with young and males are defending territory during the mating season.

No Drone Zone

Prince Edward Island National Park is a “no fly” zone for drones of all sizes. Under special circumstances, drone permits can be granted but the application process is lengthy, and most are rejected. Birds of prey consider drones a threat and have been known to attack them. They are a harmful disturbance to wildlife and, in general, most visitors do not appreciate seeing them. Don’t risk a fine. Leave your drone home.

Many photographers enjoy sharing their work online in public or group platforms. We love seeing the images you capture of the park, but there are some important considerations to remember before posting.

• DO prioritize wildlife safety: You may be the lucky one to happen upon the perfect shot of a beloved species – a seal sunning itself on the beach, for example, or a snowy owl perched on a dune taking a much-needed break from migratory travel. In addition to ensuring you respect the animal’s space, please do not tag the image with its specific location if you share it right away online. Doing so can draw unwanted, potentially harmful traffic toward the animal causing it unnecessary stress. If you do share a pic, tag “Prince Edward Island National Park”, perhaps, but not “Rustico Beach, PEI National Park”, for instance. You could also wait a few days to share it which lessens the chance the animal is still there to be found.
• DO share with consent: Not everyone wants their photo shared publicly. If you have pictures with identifiable people in it that you do not know, please reconsider sharing. This is especially true if the people in question are children. When in doubt, ask if you can. Most people appreciate it!
• DO use proper place names: If you want to tag us when you share a photo, please ensure you have the name correct. The proper name is ‘Prince Edward Island National Park’ or ‘PEI National Park’. There is no ’Cavendish National Park’, for example, or ‘Greenwich National Park”. 
• Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PEInationalpark/ and tag us with @PEInationalpark