“Snowed out” by Dean Heliotis

Going to tell my American friends this is Ontario in July. 

Mike Bryant, managing editor

“Honeycomb cowfish” by Eli Wolpin

Honeycomb cowfish are a more likely find in the Caribbean. They’re not supposed to be in frigid North Atlantic waters but climate change is bringing a lot of unusual creatures to Canada (read Karen Pinchin’s Discovery Place story on Nova Scotia’s Sable Island, “Sea change,” in the upcoming March/April issue of Canadian Geographic). This guy looks like an alien but I don’t think it wants us to take it to our leader. A piece of shrimp would probably suffice!

Editor’s note: this was the first sighting of a juvenile honeycomb cowfish in Canadian waters.

“Poseidon’s hand” by Eduardo Pulgar

All that’s missing from “Poseidon’s hand” is a trident gripped in the watery claw emerging from the waves of Lake Erie. “The sea was angry that day my friends,” I imagine the photographer saying. Yes, indeed it was.

Abi Hayward, senior editor

“King of the mound” by Donna Feledichuk

King of my heart! I love a badger, and I don’t think they get as much love as they deserve — so when I saw this lovely capture by Donna Feledichuk, it was a yes from me. Badgers are also pretty endangered in Canada as a result of habitat loss/fragmentation caused by urbanization and agriculture, which impacts many grassland species. Get this king a crown!

“Glacial bloom” by John Meragias

This composition! This colour palette! Native plants! A glacier! No notes from me.

Madigan Cotterill, digital and travel editor

“Tension in the North” by Shaun Antle

I’m always drawn to images that tell a story, and this photograph does exactly that. Aside from the strong technical execution — clean depth of field and clear subjects — this photograph captures a perfectly timed moment as the crow touches down beside a sleeping polar bear. This frame feels less like a still image and more like the opening scene of a fairytale, leaving the viewer to imagine what comes next.

Caroline Workman, digital marketing manager

“Canola contrast” by Craig Boehm

Growing up in Alberta this scene brought back memories of summer storms. I’ve always preferred to wait out a storm with headphones on in the basement, but I thought this moment was captured quite beautifully.

“Hidden” by Jake Zamora and “Climbing in British Columbia” by Christian Core

Working in social media leads to “chronic-onlineness” that has trained my eye to scroll-stopping images. Both these images immediately caught my attention — and I would love to see them on my feed.

Editor’s note: “Climbing in British Columbia” didn’t pass the eligibility check, as it wasn’t taken in the 2025 calendar year, but everyone agreed it was an epic capture.

Cindy Lagarde, graphic designer

“Badland in fall” by Pengyuan (Kurt) Wang

It’s amazing how drastically a landscape can change in just a few meters.

“Spotted salamander stare” by Kathryn Peiman

Amphibians are an under-appreciated bunch. This little beauty makes me smile.

Iza Valle, graphic designer

“Where the Earth holds its breath” by John Meragias

This photo feels like the landscape is showing off while the lake is quietly judging everyone from below. The contrast between the sharp peaks and the calm water makes everything feel balanced, quiet and timeless.