Snowy Owl & Workshop Update

This is the second Snowy Owl in the same area that I found my first of the year (see my Nov. 13 & Nov. 14 posts). I was almost as surprised as the owl as I wandered through the heavy frost in the misty fog as the rain started to fall. It's still too early to decide if this winter will be great for owls, but the early indicators are all good. Fingers crossed that they establish the area as their winter hunting grounds.

Two spots remain available for my recently added Winter Owl Workshop, February 10-14, 2025.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a9 III mirrorless camera body & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm F/6.3 ISO 6,400 @ 1/5,000s.

Belted Kingfisher (male) in flight

This male Belted Kingfisher interrupted our Wood Duck shoot during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December, chasing another male Kingfisher around the ponds for a few minutes. It was a ton of fun tracking this tiny speedster as it flew as fast and erratically as it did.

Due to an unfortunate medical emergency, one spot is still available for my Dec. 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop.

Belted Kingfisher male in flight (Megaceryle alcyon, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, BEKI) during my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Gret Gray Owl on a Birch Perch

The first whispers of Great Gray Owl arrivals have started to circulate a little later than usual this year. Here is one from my winter owl workshops in 2014 that I love because of its simplicity.

Another Snowy Owl was just seen along the beach near where I host my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops.

Great Gray Owl on a birch perch (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW, Dark Wood Owl, Lapland Owl, Striped Owl, Lapp Striped Owl) ©Christopher Dodds From my Winter Owl Workshops in February, 2014 500mm X 1.4 @700mm ISO 3,200, F5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my winter owl workshops in January and February

Short-eared Owl banking in flight

A Short-eared Owl banking in flight from last winter’s Owl Workshops. While I love cloudy, bright conditions for bird photography, there was no shortage of white sky days last winter. Lake Ontario never froze, which meant a lot of lake effect clouds and light snow.

Lake Effect clouds and snow occur when cold air moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere. As the air rises, clouds form and grow into a narrow band that can produce snow, which can be heavy at times.

Short-eared Owl Banking in Flight (Asio flammeus, Hibou des marais, SEOW). From my first Winter Owls Galore workshop that concluded on Friday. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Snowy Owl Workshop New Dates Just Announced!

Here is another image of what I believe to be the same Snowy Owl that I posted yesterday. It was so nice to find it in time for the nice light—smile. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it hangs around.

I have announced an additional Owl Workshop from February 10 to 14, 2025. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR SIGN UP.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm F/6.3 ISO 10,000 @ 1/5,000s.

Snowy Owl Workshop Update - They are back!

I have been predicting a good winter for Snowy Owls, and although it is too early to know for sure, it looks more and more like it will be. I had my first Snowy Owl on the drive back to Montreal from Toronto after my Sony Presentations at ProFusion Expo! It was perched beside the highway at a truck scale, making it an easy choice to stop and grab my 100-400 for a portrait - and it never flew away - smile.

Since the February 3-7 trip sold out in record time, I have added another workshop from Feb. 10-14, 2024. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @400mm F/5.6 ISO 5,000 @ 1/5,000s.

Bosque Bald Eagle

Among the many raptors we see during my Best of Bosque Workshop, the Bald Eagle is always a hit. This Bald Eagle spent most of the nice light far away in the “Eagle Tree” and finally decided to put on a show by harassing a Northern Shoveller. It must have dove on it at least a dozen times before giving up and flying away.

Bald Eagle (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tête blanche, BAEA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Mule Deer Portrait

Here is a portrait of a mule deer made while driving the north loop during last year’s Best of Bosque Workshop. He ran as soon as a carload of photographers showed up, jumped out of their car and slammed the car doors, proving the best strategy is to stay in your vehicle and use it as a blind.

Although I sold one of the cancelled spots for the Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop, one spot remains after a couple was forced to cancel due to a medical emergency. My terms are 100% non-refundable, but I return all money paid if I can sell the spot, and I would love to return all of their money. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP.

Mule Deer Portrait (Odocoileus hemionus) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

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I enjoyed my presentations at the largest camera show in Canada. Here are some images of me presenting in the Sony booth at the Profusion Expo in Toronto last week. I made a presentation in the Sony booth and on the main stage both days, and the shows were packed with eager photographers. Special thanks to Sony Canada and Vistek! This was my 10th year presenting at ProFusion and the 8th year for Sony!

Canadian Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at ProFusion Expo Nov. 7, 2024. Images courtesy Julio Vazquez (thanks, Julio).

Chris Dodds Live at ProFusion Expo

ProFusion Expo: Canada's largest photo and video event!

I am honoured to present at ProFusion Expo for the 10th consecutive year (8th year for Sony).

After over a decade of unparalleled success, ProFusion Expo has become the must-attend event in Canada, offering a unique opportunity for everyone, from established imaging professionals and serious enthusiasts to emerging content creators and up-and-coming vloggers, to learn, grow, and be inspired.

Don't miss the chance to attend my free seminar, which is a valuable opportunity to learn and connect. Be sure to say hello!

November 6, 2024, from 12:00 - 12:40 in the Sony booth.

November 6, 2024, from 14:30 - 15:45 on the Main Stage

November 7, 2024, from 12:00 - 12:40 in the Sony booth.

November 7, 2024, from 14:30 - 15:45 on the Main Stage

Where? Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building (Front Street).

Red-Tailed Hawk Portrait

This portrait of a Red-Tailed Hawk was made during my Best of Bosque Workshop from our vehicle shortly after sunrise. The Red-Tailed Hawk landed in the middle of recently trimmed branches that were piled on the side of the road. We carefully manoeuvred close enough to get a portrait in the golden light with a pleasing background. The image was made after everyone in my group got the image I was after :)

Due to a medical emergency cancellation, one spot is still available for my Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop.

Red-tailed Hawk Portrait (Buteo jamaicensis, Buse à queue rousse, RTHA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

American Kestrel in flight

An American Kestrel from my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. One spot is still available for my December 5-9 Best of Bosque Workshop due to a medical emergency cancellation.

Why join me? I have the most experience leading workshops in and around Bosque del Apache. I spend at least 10 days scouting the best opportunities before the workshop starts, so you get all my years of experience there and the knowledge gained from recent scouting. This is a five-day workshop, so we are out photographing all five mornings and afternoons (with a mid-day break for lunch). We will visit sites outside the NWR to maximize opportunity and increase our species count. I have 40 years of experience and share all of that with you!

American Kestrel in flight (Falco sparverius, Crécerelle d'Amérique, AMKE) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Loggerhead Shrike

It was a stroke of luck that the Loggerhead Shrike landed directly before us, especially as I was tracking a Sharp-shinned Hawk circling above. The encounter was brief, but it allowed me to back up and capture the whole bird in the image without clipping anything off, a rare opportunity indeed.

Equipped with strong, slightly hooked beaks, shrikes are songbirds that hunt for a living. They survey their surroundings from exposed perches and then chase down insects, small birds, rodents, and reptiles. Shrikes have been nicknamed butcherbirds since they often hang their prey on thorns or barbed wire fences.

Two species are native to North America: the northern shrike of boreal Canada and Alaska, which wanders south in winters when food is scarce, and the more southerly loggerhead shrike (shown here), a widespread but increasingly scarce bird of fields and fencerows.

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus, Pie-grièche migratrice, LOHS) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane Flying in Epic Light & Bosque Workshop Update

A Sandhill Crane in flight during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December. The cottonwood trees were glowing in the epic high desert light!

A medical emergency cancellation has opened up the otherwise sold-out workshop. Join me in New Mexico for five full days of epic photography. Learn more about the December 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop HERE.

Sandhill Crane Flying in Epic Light. (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 6,400, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane and Bosque Workshop Openings.

A Sandhill Crane calls to announce its arrival as it lands in front of us during my Best of Bosque workshop last December.

Due to an unfortunate medical emergency, I have two spots open for the previously sold-out Dec. 5-9, 2024 Best of Bosque workshop. Join me for five full days of EPIC imagery and learning.

Sandhill Crane Calling in flight. Landing Loud. (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane in flight. Wing & Head Detail

Here is a close-up of a Sandhill Crane as it lands in front of us during my Best of Bosque workshop last December.

Due to an unfortunate medical emergency, I have two spots open for the previously sold-out Dec. 5-9, 2024 Best of Bosque workshop.

Sandhill Crane in flight. Wing & Head Detail. (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 8,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Northern Harrier in flight

A Northern Harrier from my Best of Bosque workshop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. A regular hunter over the corn and alfalfa fields, Northern Harriers are a pretty reliable raptor during my Best of Bosque workshop every December.

Northern Harrier in flightt (Circus hudsonius, busard Saint-Martin, NOHA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Sandhill Crane

This Sandhill Crane was photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December. When I checked the weather forecast the night before, it threatened some nastiness, but it amounted to only a light sprinkle of rain during the night. The saturated colours of the desert the next morning were a treat! Knowing exactly where the birds are is only part of the formula for a successful shoot; knowing where the best backgrounds are makes all the difference!

Only a couple of spots remain for my December 5-9, 2024 Best-of-Bosque Workshop!

Sandhill Crane in flight (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 4,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane Landing in Golden Light

A Sandhill Crane banks as it lands during my Best of Bosque workshop in New Mexico.

The wind was completely wrong when we set up, but it started to shift as the sun started to set and the high desert light started to warm, and we had a pretty epic session.

Sandhill Crane Landing in Golden Light (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 4,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Wood Duck emerging from shadow

A beautiful Drake (male) Wood Duck emerges from the shadow of a tree to bask in the golden rays of first light during my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico.

Wood Duck emerging from the shadows (Aix sponsa, Canard branchu, WODU) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,250, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Coyote Bosque del Apache

A lone Coyote photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. We have had some pretty amazing encounters with Coyotes over the years. Once I realized that this Coyote was headed down a dirt road our way, we slowly crouched and waited for its close approach; we were lucky that it chose the edge of a clearing to pause for photos.

A couple of spots remain for my Dec. 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop. Join me and my small group of six photographers for five full days of photography in and around Bosque del Apache.

Coyote (Canis latrans) from my Best of Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/500s Manual exposure. Sony animal eye auto-focus. Full Frame image.