Atlantic Puffin flying with a bill full of fish photographed at close range in fog on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec, by Christopher Dodds. — **Atlantic Puffin with bill full of fish at 20,000 ISO — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @ 600 mm. ISO 20,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image top to bottom; cropped left and right to 4 x 5 aspect ratio.

Atlantic Puffin at ISO 20,000: Full Frame in the Fog

Christopher Dodds August 18, 2026

A foggy morning on Île aux Perroquets produced an unforgettable close encounter with an Atlantic Puffin carrying a bill full of fish. Photographed full frame at 600mm, 1/5,000 second and ISO 20,000, it's also a perfect example of why I don't fear high ISO when photographing birds in flight.

Razorbill flying with a mouthful of fish for its chick during Christopher Dodds' Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner | Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop

Christopher Dodds August 17, 2026

A Razorbill races home with a beak packed with fish for its hungry chick on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. I photographed this fleeting moment at 1200mm during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop — composed in-camera, full frame and completely uncropped.

**Atlantic Puffin Returning With Fish — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Atlantic Puffins Galore: Thank You for Another Incredible Season on Île aux Perroquets

Christopher Dodds August 13, 2026

Five groups, countless puffins and another remarkable season on Île aux Perroquets. A huge thank you to everyone who joined my 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshops—and a look ahead to 2027.

A self-portrait of me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, made around 1987, shortly after purchasing Château Photo in Châteauguay, Quebec. The portrait was made with film in my Hasselblad 500CM. Looking back, I wish I'd used my Nikon FE2 instead so I could have been holding the Hasselblad in the photograph. It's a small detail—but nearly forty years later, I think it would have told the story even better.

From a Small Portrait Studio to a Life Behind the Lens

Christopher Dodds July 28, 2026

One old self-portrait. One small regret. A lifetime of memories.

While photographing a recent portrait of fellow wildlife photographer Steven Smith, I was reminded of this image from 1987—made shortly after purchasing my first portrait studio. Looking back, it sparked memories of film cameras, darkrooms, newspaper assignments and the journey that eventually led me into wildlife photography.

**Roseate Spoonbill Landing in Morning Fog with Wings Fully Extended***(Platalea ajaja,* Spatule rosée, Espátula rosada, ROSP). Image made April 3, 2026, while scouting for my Ospreys of Florida Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @550mm ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/3,200s. Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Roseate Spoonbill Through the Fog Before My Florida Osprey Workshop

Christopher Dodds July 24, 2026

A Roseate Spoonbill emerges from dense morning fog while scouting before Christopher Dodds' Florida Osprey Workshop. Discover why difficult weather often creates the best wildlife photographs, why ISO 20,000 doesn't scare experienced photographers, and how learning to adapt to changing conditions can transform your bird photography.

**Sea Otter Resting in a Kelp Bed, Antoine Larson Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska** (*Enhydra lutris*) From my Ultimate Alaska Bear Boat Trip. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS @400mm ISO 1,600, f/4.5 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image. Join me in Alaska for the Ultimate Brown Bears Galore Workshop Adventure. LEARN MORE HERE.

Photographing Sea Otters in Antoine Larson Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska

Christopher Dodds July 22, 2026

Before my annual Coastal Brown Bear workshop begins, I always try to spend a few days exploring Kodiak Island. One of my favourite stops is Antoine Larson Bay, where Sea Otters drift through lush kelp beds, offering wonderful opportunities for intimate wildlife photography before the adventure with the bears even begins.

**Storm Light Over Douglas Glacier** (*Ursus arctos*, Coastal Brown Bear, Oso pardo, Ours brun) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright © Christopher Dodds. Hasselblad X2D II 100C medium format mirrorless camera with Hasselblad XCD 35–100mm E Lens @ 75mm (59mm full-frame equivalent). ISO 50, f/20 @ 1/13 sec. Photographed handheld while field testing the remarkable image stabilization of the Hasselblad X2D II. Manual exposure.

Beyond the Bears: Seeing the Bigger Picture at Hallo Bay

Christopher Dodds July 20, 2026

When the bears remained distant at Hallo Bay, I looked beyond the obvious. Instead of reaching for a longer lens, I photographed the landscape with the Hasselblad X2D II, creating an environmental portrait of a lone coastal brown bear beneath Douglas Glacier while putting the camera's remarkable handheld image stabilization to the test.

Black and white portrait of New Brunswick artist Steven Smith holding one of his intricate crow artworks inside Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, photographed using available light with a Leica Q3 43. — **Artist Steven Smith with his Crow Artwork at Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea.** Image ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Leica Q3 43 @ 43mm ISO 800 F/2.8 @ 1/125s. Full-frame image composed in camera with available light.

Photographing Artist Steven Smith at Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Christopher Dodds July 14, 2026

Every now and then I point my camera at something other than wildlife. During a visit to St. Andrews by-the-Sea, I spent an afternoon photographing my friend Steven Smith—an extraordinary Canadian artist whose craftsmanship, creativity and passion made for an unforgettable portrait session.

Orange-crowned Warbler in flight photographed in warm evening light on Kodiak Island, Alaska. The tiny songbird is captured with wings fully raised against a soft golden background, showcasing its agile flight and delicate plumage. — **Orange-crowned Warbler in Flight** (*Leiothlypis celata,* Paruline verdâtre, Reinita coroninaranja, OCWA) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera with the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 5,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Orange-crowned Warbler in Flight on Kodiak Island, Alaska

Christopher Dodds June 29, 2026

While exploring Kodiak Island, Alaska, an Orange-crowned Warbler suddenly took flight, providing a perfect opportunity to test the new Sony FE 100–400mm GM, Sony a9 III, and 2X Teleconverter. Fast autofocus, incredible frame rates, and a little luck came together to capture this fleeting moment.

Christopher Dodds field testing the Sony FE 100-400mm GM lens during torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast for a real-world wildlife photography review. — The **Sony** **FE 100-400mm GM** proved itself during days of wildlife photography in torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast, delivering outstanding image quality, reliable autofocus, and confidence-inspiring weather sealing.

Sony FE 100–400mm GM Review: Field Tested During Torrential Rain Along Alaska's Katmai Coast

Christopher Dodds June 27, 2026

What happens when you take Sony's new FE 100-400mm GM into days of torrential rain on Alaska's Katmai Coast? Instead of laboratory charts and specifications, this real-world review covers autofocus, image quality, weather sealing, handling, and why this versatile telephoto zoom impressed me in the demanding conditions where wildlife photographers actually work.

Golden-crowned Sparrow stretching after a shake while perched on the tip of a spruce tree in Alaska. Its wings are fully extended, revealing the bright yellow crown against a soft golden background. Photograph by Christopher Dodds. — **Golden-crowned Sparrow Landing on a Spruce Tip** (*Zonotrichia atricapilla,* Bruant à couronne dorée, Chingolo coronidorado, GCSP) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 10,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Golden-crowned Sparrow Stretching After a Shake on a Spruce Tree on Kodiak Island, AK

Christopher Dodds June 26, 2026

While exploring the backroads of Kodiak Island, Alaska, Julie and I watched a Golden-crowned Sparrow perform a quick stretch after a shake, briefly revealing the bright golden crown that gives the species its name. Moments like this last only an instant, reminding us why patience—and being ready—are so important in wildlife photography.

**Townsend's Warbler in Fresh Spring Foliage** (*Setophaga townsendi,* Paruline de Townsend, Reinita de Townsend, TOWA) Near Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony α1 II Mirrorless Camera Body & the new Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS & Sony 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 20,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Townsend's Warbler Near Anchorage, Alaska in Early June

Christopher Dodds June 25, 2026

A colourful Townsend's Warbler greeted Julie and me shortly after arriving in Anchorage, Alaska. Early June is a wonderful time for spring migration, and this handsome bird provided the perfect reminder that sometimes the best wildlife photographs are waiting just beyond the parking lot.

**Pacific Wren Singing on a Cold Morning at Sunrise on Kodiak Island** (*Troglodytes pacificus,* Troglodyte de Baird, Chochín del Pacífico, PAWR) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 10,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Pacific Wren Singing in the Cold Morning Air on Kodiak Island

Christopher Dodds June 24, 2026

On a cool Kodiak Island morning, a Pacific Wren perched atop a spruce tree and filled the air with its surprisingly powerful song. Backlit by the rising sun, each note briefly revealed wisps of visible breath, creating a fleeting photographic moment that combined behaviour, light, and a little bit of Alaskan magic.

Juvenile White-winged Crossbill perched on a stinging nettle plant against a soft yellow-green background. The bird's distinctive crossed bill and white wing bars are visible as it feeds among the seed heads in natural habitat. — **Juvenile White-winged Crossbill on Stinging Nettle** (*Loxia leucoptera,* Bec-croisé bifascié, Piquituerto aliblanco, WWCR) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @705mm ISO 40,000, f/8 @ 1/2,500s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Juvenile White-winged Crossbill on L’île aux Perroquets During the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop

Christopher Dodds June 6, 2026

A Juvenile White-winged Crossbill continued to surprise participants on my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop by remaining on L’île aux Perroquets for a second day. Far from its typical boreal forest habitat, this nomadic finch provided rare photography opportunities on a small treeless island off Quebec's North Shore.

Blue-headed Vireo perched on a bare branch during spring migration at Point Pelee National Park, showing its blue-grey head, bold white spectacles, yellow flanks, and soft creamy background. — **Blue-headed Vireo** (Vireo solitarius, Viréo à tête bleue, BHVI) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Blue-headed Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds June 5, 2026

Some migration mornings at Point Pelee start quietly. Then one cooperative Blue-headed Vireo appears down low, and suddenly, fifty birders and photographers are gathered around a single bird, enjoying the moment.

Yellow-throated Vireo perched on a branch at Point Pelee National Park during spring migration. Bird photograph captured during Christopher Dodds' Songbirds of Pelee wildlife photography workshop. — **Yellow-throated Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration** (*Vireo flavifrons*, Viréo à gorge jaune, Vireo gorjiamarillo, YTVI) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE GALORE WORKSHOP Point Pelee National Park of Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 2,500, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Yellow-throated Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds June 4, 2026

Yellow-throated Vireos are often heard long before they're seen, and even more rarely photographed well. During my Songbirds of Pelee workshop, this bird spent time feeding at eye level in Tilden Woods, giving us outstanding views and excellent photography opportunities during spring migration at Point Pelee.

American Bittern swimming low in calm water near the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, creating a reflection and wake as it crosses open water. — **American Bittern Swimming Through the Marsh at Point Pelee** (*Botaurus lentiginosus,* Butor d'Amérique, Avetoro lentiginoso, AMBI) Image created while scouting for my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mark II 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.

American Bittern Swimming at Point Pelee: A Rare Marsh Photography Moment

Christopher Dodds June 3, 2026

Most photographers are thrilled just to see an American Bittern. Watching one swim across open water is even rarer. This unusual behaviour photographed from the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee offered a glimpse into a secretive marsh bird that spends most of its life hidden among reeds and cattails.

Brown Thrasher perched on a lichen-covered branch during spring migration at Point Pelee, Ontario, surrounded by soft green forest background. — **Brown Thrasher on Lichen-Covered Perch at Point Pelee** (*Toxostoma rufum,* Moqueur roux, Cuitlacoche rojizo, BRTH) Image created during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4 X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Brown Thrasher at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds May 28, 2026

This Brown Thrasher briefly stepped onto a beautifully lichen-covered perch beside the trail at Point Pelee National Park while feeding young hidden deep inside a nearby brush pile. The moment lasted only seconds, but having my manual exposure already locked in made it possible to react instantly before the bird disappeared back into the cover.

**Black-and-white Warbler Creeping Down a Woodland Vine at Point Pelee** (*Mniotilta varia,* Paruline noir et blanc, Reinita trepadora, BAWW) Image created during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4 X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Black-and-white Warbler Creeping Into the Open at Point Peleed

Christopher Dodds May 27, 2026

You usually hear a Black-and-white Warbler before you see one. During my Songbirds of Pelee workshop, this bird worked high overhead while a Blue-headed Vireo sang nearby, forcing photographers to make the classic Point Pelee migration decision — stay put or chase the next bird. Patience paid off when the warbler suddenly crept down a twisting woodland vine, completely out in the open at eye level.

Male Wilson’s Warbler perched on a rain-soaked branch holding an insect in its bill during spring migration at Point Pelee, Ontario. — **Wilson’s Warbler with Insect Prey During Spring Migration** (*Cardellina pusilla,* Paruline à calotte noire, Reinita de Wilson, Cardellina pusilla, WIWA) Image created during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4 X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Rain, Reflexes, and a Wilson’s Warbler at Point Pelee

Christopher Dodds May 22, 2026

A gloomy forecast, steady rain, and fast reflexes came together perfectly during my Sony-sponsored Point Pelee photo walk when this Wilson’s Warbler briefly landed with a beak full of insects while refuelling during spring migration.