Experiencing one of Canada's most remarkable wildlife spectacles with the Sony A1 II
Introduction
Every spring, a small area of rural Manitoba becomes home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in North America.
The Narcisse Snake Dens aren't just impressive—they're unlike anything else I've experienced. Tens of thousands of Red-sided Garter Snakes emerge from underground limestone dens after spending the winter below the frost line. Within a matter of weeks, the landscape comes alive as the snakes gather in enormous mating balls before dispersing across the surrounding countryside for the summer.
It's a phenomenon that attracts wildlife enthusiasts from around the world, yet standing there in person is something photographs can hardly prepare you for.
I visited during peak emergence with the Sony A1 II, a 200–600mm lens, and a 90mm macro lens, hoping to capture not only the snakes themselves but the entire ecosystem that surrounds this remarkable place.
Where It Is, When to Visit & What Happens
The Narcisse Snake Dens are located about an hour and a half north of Winnipeg, making them an easy day trip or an excellent stop while exploring Manitoba during spring migration.
The best time to visit is typically from late April into May, depending on weather conditions. As the ground begins to warm, tens of thousands of Red-sided Garter Snakes emerge from a network of underground limestone dens where they've spent the winter hibernating.
For several weeks, the snakes gather around the den entrances as males compete to mate with arriving females, creating the famous "mating balls" that have made Narcisse internationally known.
Boardwalks connect several of the dens, allowing visitors to experience the spectacle up close while protecting both the habitat and the snakes.
It's one of the largest snake gatherings anywhere on Earth—and one of the most fascinating wildlife events Canada has to offer.
What I Saw
Nothing quite prepares you for seeing thousands of snakes moving across the forest floor.
At first, your eyes focus on one or two individuals. Then you begin noticing movement everywhere.
The ground seems alive.
Snakes slide quietly beneath the boardwalks, weave through grasses, disappear into the den openings, and gather in constantly shifting clusters around the entrances.
What surprised me most, though, wasn't just the snakes.
The entire forest felt alive.
Warblers darted through the trees overhead, sparrows sang from nearby shrubs, and insects had begun returning with the warming weather. It felt like spring was unfolding all at once, with the snake dens simply acting as the centrepiece of a much larger natural event.
What I Felt
I've photographed wildlife across Canada, but Narcisse gave me a completely different appreciation for how remarkable nature can be.
Despite the sheer number of snakes, the atmosphere wasn't intimidating.
It was peaceful.
People quietly walked the boardwalks, stopping every few metres to watch another group of snakes moving through the leaves. Conversations naturally became whispers, as if everyone understood they were witnessing something truly unique.
There was a sense of curiosity more than anything else.
Instead of feeling like I needed to rush from one photo to the next, I found myself standing still for long periods simply watching the behaviour unfold.
What I Photographed
Naturally, the snakes became my primary subjects.
Using the 90mm macro lens, I focused on the intricate details that are often missed when looking at the spectacle as a whole—the texture of their scales, the patterns along their bodies, and the way dozens of individuals intertwined during the breeding season.
Stepping back with the 200–600mm allowed me to isolate individual snakes while compressing the busy scenes around them.
One unexpected highlight, however, came from looking upward.
The surrounding forest was full of spring migrants, and colourful warblers constantly flitted through the branches above the snake dens. Between photographing snakes, I found myself turning the camera skyward to capture Yellow Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers, and other songbirds arriving during migration.
It became a reminder that Narcisse isn't only about snakes—it's part of a much larger spring ecosystem coming back to life.
The Equipment I Used
Sony A1 II
The Sony A1 II handled every situation effortlessly throughout the day.
Whether I was photographing tiny details with the macro lens or tracking fast-moving warblers high in the trees, the autofocus remained incredibly reliable. The high-resolution files also allowed me to crop tighter when needed while preserving excellent image quality.
Switching quickly between macro photography and distant wildlife never felt like a compromise.
Sony FE 200–600mm f/5.6–6.3 G OSS
Although most people think of photographing snakes up close, I found myself using the 200–600mm far more than expected.
It became the perfect lens for isolating individual snakes without disturbing them, and it was invaluable once the warblers began moving through the surrounding forest canopy.
Having that extra reach allowed me to photograph behaviour that would have been impossible with a shorter focal length.
Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
The macro lens completely changed how I approached the day.
Instead of simply documenting the spectacle, it allowed me to focus on the details—the scales, the eyes, the subtle textures, and the incredible patterns that make Red-sided Garter Snakes such beautiful animals up close.
For anyone visiting Narcisse, I wouldn't want to leave a macro lens behind.
Conclusion
The Narcisse Snake Dens are one of those places that almost feel impossible until you experience them for yourself.
Photographs can show thousands of snakes gathered together, but they can't fully capture the feeling of standing quietly among them as spring unfolds all around you.
What makes Narcisse special isn't simply the number of snakes.
It's the reminder of how interconnected nature really is. While thousands of garter snakes emerge from their winter dens, warblers arrive from Central and South America, insects return, forests awaken, and another Canadian spring quietly begins.
It's one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences I've had, and one that I'd gladly return to again.
If you find yourself in Manitoba during the spring, don't rush through it. Walk the boardwalks slowly, spend time observing rather than simply photographing, and take in one of Canada's most incredible natural events.
Sometimes the most memorable wildlife experiences aren't about finding a single animal—they're about witnessing an entire ecosystem come alive.
– Jared VanderMeer