After the Rain: Gorgeous Rainbow Photography From Across Canada
Updated: Oct. 17, 2024
The best part of a thunderstorm? The chance of a spectacular rainbow after it passes! Check out this awe-inspiring gallery of rainbow pictures from coast to coast.
Awe-Inspiring Rainbow Pictures
Capturing rainbow pictures is all about being in the right place at the right time—a fact Alexandra Fontaine knows well, having snapped this stunning shot in her hometown of Mission, B.C.. “The rain stopped, the sun broke through, and this beauty appeared over the golden grasses of the Silverdale Creek Wetlands,” she writes.
Living skies
This beautiful effect—known as “cloud iridescence“—was caught on camera by Russ Hayes as he was driving the Lac Des Nations Pathway, in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Thanks for sharing, Russ!
You’ll find more of Russ’s incredible snaps in this gallery showcasing Canada’s most beautiful lighthouses.
Enchanted ferry
Ever wondered what you’d find at the end of the rainbow? Photographer Annie Keeble of Nanaimo knows—she caught it striking the B.C. Ferry leaving Duke Point!
Find out the best things to do on Vancouver Island—besides capturing rainbow pictures, of course!
Home on the range
“Storm clouds bring rain, and rain brings the rainbows,” writes Kim MacDonald Cameron, who took some fantastic rainbow pictures on her farm in Southern Alberta. It’s enough to make even the most hardened city slicker yearn for a slice of the countryside…
Here’s more hauntingly beautiful Canadian photography.
Aim high
Paula Brown’s shasta daisies seem to be reaching for the rainbow in this striking low-angle shot.
This gorgeous gallery of sunflower photography will surely brighten your day!
Branching out
Framed by a gnarled branch, and softened with an artistic depth of field, this rainbow remains the focus of Sean Donnelly’s spectacular shot.
Take a virtual tour of Canada’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
After the storm
On June 6, 2020, a storm swept through Prince George, B.C., and Tammy Bouwman was there to capture its glorious aftermath. You can almost smell the rain on the hot pavement!
It’s official—this is the wettest place in Canada.
Making a splash
Sometimes the best show on the boat isn’t at the bow, but at the stern! That’s where shutterbug Lynn Mabley of Hinton, Alberta, snapped this pretty rainbow picture.
Here’s more of your best “making a splash” photography.
Somewhere under the rainbow
Douglas DeClercq of Winnipeg snapped this rainbow just touching the treetops. Even the sky seems kissed with its soft colours!
Planning a trip to Manitoba’s capital? Here are 50 great things to do in Winnipeg.
That’s one low ‘bow
Just how massive are the Canadian Rockies? The curious position of this rainbow in Jasper National Park really puts the height of the mountains into perspective! This remarkable phenomenon was captured by Dorothy Bartel of Saskatoon.
Summer in a nutshell
Open lake? Check. Wake board? Check. Throw in a crisp, colourful rainbow, and you’ve got the consummate summer shot. Thanks to Wendy Erlendson of Ste. Rose du Lac, Manitoba, for sharing this shot.
Check out more beautiful boat photography.
Light show
Pamela Wilcox captured this beautiful rainbow at the Grande Prairie Stompede back in May 2019. “The lights of the rides and the beauty of the rainbow make this really eye-catching,” she writes.
Never heard of the Grande Prairie Stompede? Check out 12 more hidden gems across Canada.
Postcard perfect
Although the Maid of the Mist has been retired from duty, it remains synonymous with Niagara Falls, having delighted generations of visitors with unparalleled views of this natural wonder. Norma Keith snapped this fantastic photo—complete with postcard-perfect rainbow—during the venerable ship’s heyday.
Check out more of Canada’s most beautiful waterfalls.
All-seasons attraction
Fast-forward a few months from Norma’s photograph, and although the weather has changed, the majestic Falls and its ever-present rainbow remain as awe-inspiring as ever!
Think you’ve seen everything the “honeymoon capital” has to offer? Discover 10 unique things to do in Niagara Falls.
Seeing double
Sometimes you’ve just got to switch your camera to panoramic mode. Vivian Gouliquer of Lake Country, B.C., used the horizontal crop to spectacular effect in capturing this double rainbow.
For more awe-inspiring natural wonders, dip into this collection of amazing northern lights photography.
Macro rainbow
Master of macro photography Russ Hayes captured the full spectrum of colour in these filaments of a spider’s web. Proof—if any be needed—that it’s always a good idea to stop and smell the flowers!
Pretty in pink
Sharon Peters of Three Hills, Alberta, says, “One evening last summer, I noticed this beautiful sunset and rainbow out my window. I grabbed my camera and headed to the edge of town to snap this photo.” We’re glad you did, Sharon—what a shot!
Don’t miss these dazzling night sky pictures from coast to coast.
Calm after the storm
“I shot this very rare ‘cloud rainbow’ as a distant rain storm passed over Grande Prairie,” writes photographer Dan Wever. The colours actually seem to be woven into the wisps of the cloud… Breathtaking!
Discover six bizarre things that happen when it’s about to storm.
A heavenly plea
Will Nalley of Ottawa writes, “I captured this shot on the mighty St. Lawrence River last spring. My brother Omar seems to be asking the Heavens to provide a bounty of topwater fish action!”
Read the haunting story of the lost villages of the St. Lawrence.
Western skies
“I was visiting the horses at Olds College here in town, which has an equine horse program for students,” shares Veronica Reist of Olds, Alberta. “A rainstorm was passing through, so I snapped a photo.”
Find out what it’s like photographing the wild horses of Alberta.
A stunning view
Susan Riley of Medicine Hat, Alberta, writes, “My husband Kevin and I were driving to Coronation, Alberta, to visit family, when I spotted this rainbow. It had the most vibrant colours I’d ever seen; I had to stop and snap a pic.”
Don’t miss this beautiful homage to harvest in the Canadian heartland.
On her doorstep
Brenda MacDonald of St. Joseph du Moine, Nova Scotia, says, This pic was taken from my front lawn one summer, right here in northern Cape Breton.”
These simply stunning sunset pictures will take your breath away.
O Canada!
“After stormy weather on Parliament Hill, we were treated to a spectacular rainbow,” writes Paula Brown, who snapped this jaw-dropping shot in our nation’s capital.
Planning a visit to the area soon? Add these great day trips from Ottawa to your itinerary.
Hit the road
Looking for road trip inspiration? If Heidi Sanita’s incredible photo is anything to go by, the Kananaskis Highway is worth adding to your bucket list.
Check out more great Canadian road trips everyone should take at least once.
A good luck omen
Wanda Harron of Estevan, Saskatchewan, says, “Years ago, after just purchasing a camera, I was anxious to try it out at a Saskatchewan Roughriders game. The game was delayed due to a thunderstorm that later produced this beautiful double rainbow just beyond Taylor Field in Regina. I dubbed the photo ‘God must love the Riders!’”
Enjoyed these rainbow pictures? Don’t miss this roundup of wild weather photography from across Canada.
