Atlantic puffin silhouette

Last minute opportunity for my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore and so much more workshop

There is only one room left for my recently announced August 10-13, 2022 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop. If you want to master birds in flight photography and create a complete portfolio of Atlantic puffin images, then this is the trip for you.

July 29 to August 1 SOLD OUT

August 1 to 4 SOLD OUT

August 4 to 7 SOLD OUT

August 7 to 10 SOLD OUT

August 10 to 13 ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!

Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore workshop update

There is only one room left for my recently announced August 10-13, 2022 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop. If you want to master birds in flight photography and create a complete portfolio of Atlantic puffin images, then this is the trip for you.

July 29 to August 1 SOLD OUT

August 1 to 4 SOLD OUT

August 4 to 7 SOLD OUT

August 7 to 10 SOLD OUT

August 10 to 13 ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!

Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshop only 1 room left

There is only one room left for my recently announced August 10-13, 2022 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop. If you want to master birds in flight photography and create a complete portfolio of Atlantic puffin images, then this is the trip for you.

July 29 to August 1 SOLD OUT

August 1 to 4 SOLD OUT

August 4 to 7 SOLD OUT

August 7 to 10 SOLD OUT

August 10 to 13 ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!

The Murres of Bonaventure Island

Here are a few Common Murre images from my recently concluded Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island. The daily Zodiac boat rides(weather permitting) around the cliffs full of seabirds in the early mornings are a highlight of the trip for me. The Sony Alpha 1 paired with the Sony 200-600 proved to be an absolutely perfect combination for the close and fast-moving seabirds like these Common Murres. All of these images were made within a few minutes of each other on the second morning of the first workshop on June 7.

Common Murre in Flight Dorsal View (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 6,400, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Common Murre in Flight Ventral View (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 5,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

The Common Murre is found in the seas of the Northern Hemisphere, but unlike the Thick-billed Murre, it prefers ice-free waters. On some islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it nests in dense colonies on narrow cliff ledges, in semi-enclosed rock cavities and in deep fissures, occasionally sharing its quarters with the Razorbill. The Common Murre can fly up to 200 kilometres from the nest to find food for their chicks, and, like the Northern Gannet, they can dive as deep as 100 meters, and depths of 180meters have been recorded. Courtship displays include bowing, billing and preening. The male points its head vertically and makes croaking and growling noises to attract a female. The eggs vary in colour and pattern to help the parents recognize them, each egg is unique. They make no nest and their single egg is incubated on bare rock. The average fledging age is about 21 days, during which the male and female feed the chick with Capelin and sand lance, carrying them one at a time. Both male and female Common Murres moult after breeding and become flightless for 1-2 months. After the breeding season, the Gulf populations move toward the Atlantic and winter off the coasts of Newfoundland. In southern populations, they occasionally return to the nest site throughout the winter. Northern populations spend the winter farther from their colonies. A group of murres are collectively known as a "bazaar" and a "fragrance" of murres (and you should get a whiff of the fragrance under the colony on Bonaventure Island).

In Québec, the Common Murre breeds only in the Gulf of St Lawrence. It is especially abundant on Bonaventure Island, with over 27 000 pairs, and on the Sainte-Marie Islands, where nearly 20 000 pairs nest alongside several other alcid species, including Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins. The Common Murre populations in the Gulf have recovered a great deal during the 70s and 80s but currently, the numbers on the Lower North Shore are still distinctly smaller than those reported by 19th-century naturalists. According to their accounts, an estimated 350 000 pairs of Common Murres bred there at the turn of the century, whereas today there are a mere 20 000. Poaching and human disturbance are the main causes of this decline.

Common Murre(Bridled) in Flight (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette - from bridée, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 6,400, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

The Common Murre (Bridled) is a race or sub-species of the Common Murre, which is seen in North America. Although the Common Murre is seen in the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans, this race is only seen in the Atlantic waters. It can be easily recognized by its bold white facial markings. It also has different coloured eggs than the Common Murre. Both races live among each other.

TOP TEN REASONS TO JOIN ME ON BONAVENTURE ISLAND:

I received this in an email from Stan Buman from Carroll, IA way back in 2009:

I joined Chris for the 2009 Gannets Galore Workshop. It was a great learning experience and a wonderful three days. Here are the top ten reasons why I would recommend attending a workshop with Chris.

1. Chris knows the workshop locations and subjects. He has been to the Northern Gannet colony over 375 times, giving him intimate knowledge of the island and bird behavior. All professional wildlife photographers will tell you that knowledge of the subject is crucial for obtaining quality images.

2. With this knowledge, he works hard to put you in the right place by constantly monitoring weather conditions (such as wind direction) and bird activity.

3. Chris is respectful of, and well respected by, the Park Service employees. He treats them well and they treat him well.

4. The Gannets Galore Workshop is more than just photographing on the island. Photography from the Zodiac boat adds a whole new dimension to the diversity of images and bird species.

5. While birds are his primary focus, he is willing to photograph other subjects; Gray Seals come to mind.

6. He is a good birder. It isn’t just all about Gannets.

7. Being a top-notch photographer, Chris knows what it takes to get great images. He is willing to share his knowledge with his participants.

8. I am a better bird photographer because of Chris. Leading by example, he challenged me to work harder on my skills and work outside my comfort zone.

9. For those of you who live to eat, Chris will make sure you are well fed (quality and quantity). I eat to live but think I gained weight on this trip.

10. His ability to speak French comes in handy for us ignorant Americans who never learned to speak anything but English.

Atlantic puffin with Caplin and Stormy Skies

The very first image of my first day of the first Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop last year. I almost didn’t press the trigger as I was waiting for the Puffin to launch into the air. Properly exposing the subject lead to pure white over-exposed sky, so I just took the liberty of replacing the sky in Photoshop instead of throwing away the otherwise unimpressive image. I love the result!

Atlantic puffin Yawn

Kudos

My wife and I have taken two trips with Chris Dodds, Eagles in Homer, Alaska (EAGLES GALORE), and Puffins in Quebec (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE EDITION), and both trips have produced a portfolio of epic photos.

The first trip to photograph Eagles was well-organized: transportation was outlined, a meeting place was established, and we received suggestions as to equipment, clothing, weather, and what to expect well in advance. Chris had arranged our lodging, and upon arrival, we have a short briefing on what to expect during the course of the workshop. Transportation to the site was supplied, and to say the location and the subject was excellent is an understatement.

At times, we had forty-plus eagles overhead. Chris provided suggestions as to camera settings and provided whatever guidance was required during the shoot. Chris is very helpful and a fountain of knowledge of photography, but he doesn’t push it on you. And his head was never in the viewfinder of our cameras; he photographed, but never gave the feeling that he was on a shoot and his clients were just along for the ride.

The second trip was to Quebec to photograph Puffins. Again, the workshop was well-organized as outlined above: transportation to the site was suggested along with places to spend the previous night as we were to meet in a remote area with meager places to spend the night and dine. Boat transportation to the site was provided, and at times the puffins seemed to swarm. Chris gave us pointers on shooting small, fast-flying birds as well as the equipment necessary for closeup portraits of shy little subjects.

My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and Chris stands out among the many professional photographers we have been with. He is low key, has a good sense of humour (humour, in Canada) has a great knowledge of photography which he will share with any photographer in his groups, regardless of their experience level. We will certainly travel with Chris again.

- Carl (and Cheryl) Shneider

Puffins Galore Deluxe Edition August 10 to 13, 2022

Puffins Galore Deluxe Edition Update:

July 29 to August 1, 2022: SOLD OUT

August 1 to 4, 2022: SOLD OUT

August 4 to 7, 2022: SOLD OUT

August 7 to 10, 2022: SOLD OUT

August 10 to 13, 2022: ONLY TWO ROOMS LEFT!

DREAM OF PUFFINS…

I have been in search of the ultimate destination for an Atlantic Puffin workshop/safari for a very long time. The mandate was simple; find a location that is within reach, safe and easy to get to without a dangerous boat landing on slippery rocks and a place where we can get close to these comical little seabirds without hauling our gear up, and over, huge distances or having to hang over towering cliffs; a place where anyone can comfortably reach, regardless of age or physical ability; a place with reliable, safe and easy boat landings. I have photographed Atlantic Puffins in Iceland, England, Scotland, Wales, Maine, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Quebec; All of these "known" places have their drawbacks., and I simply can't imagine subjecting my clients to the abuse. Mission accomplished; I have found Puffin Paradise. This is the very best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills fishing, with fish in their bills, in-flight and in golden light.

Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lies a remarkably beautiful scattering of some thirty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The territory, the "Mingan Archipelago", became Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada 1984.

This necklace of land carved out of the limestone bedrock is the site of spectacular natural monuments that bear witness to the never-ending wear of the sea and the centuries. And there is an abundance of life in this strange half-world: plants of variegated hues and shapes, seabirds gathered in colonies, seals, dolphins and whales, swarming the blue vastness in which the islands bathe.

Many of my favourite images of Puffins and Razorbills were made with only my Sony a9 and Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master lens! The Puffins and Razorbills and plentiful and they fly within inches of us. There will be many opportunities to photograph the Puffins and Razorbills returning to their burrows with fish in their mouths!

Join me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, for a dream Puffin photography workshop/safari. This trip will be limited to 5-8 participants and will surely be the trip of a lifetime for anyone seeking to get close and personal (safely) to Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. We will be the only inhabitants of the island; we will be sleeping within 50 feet of the nesting Puffins and Razorbills! Gourmet meals included! Dawn to dusk Puffin photography.

Our target subjects include (but are not limited to): Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Common Murre, Savannah Sparrow, Semipalmated Plover, Semipalmated Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Black Guillemot, Common Eider, Great Cormorants, Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Grey Seal, Minke Whale many other species of birds and marine mammals.

The trips are timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony with the Puffins returning with fish to feed their young.

Includes: Four days of professional instruction and guidance by Christopher Dodds, boat transportation to and from the island, three nights of single occupancy accommodation, gourmet meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and logistics management. Not included in the price is your transportation to Montreal Pierre-Elliot Trudeau Airport (YUL), hotels (I have a block of discounted rooms available at the Montreal Airport Marriott for nights before & after the workshop), meals, drinks, souvenirs or other expenses of a personal nature.

Who should attend: This workshop is highly recommended for any level photographer. Whether you are completely new to nature photography, an experienced amateur, or a seasoned pro. There will be something to photograph and we will have plenty of time to tailor your instruction to your abilities. The seasoned pro can take full advantage of the logistics, my site and subject knowledge.

Getting there: The starting point and meeting place is the town of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec (Canada). You should arrive in Sept-Iles, Quebec the day before your workshop starts.

Sept-Iles Airport (airport code: YZV serviced by Air Canada) is 152km or 94.5 miles from Lounge-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Quebec City Jean Lesage Airport (Airport code: TQB Serviced by most carriers) is 831km or 516 miles from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (Airport code: YUL Serviced by most carriers) is 1,086km or 675 miles from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Details: An extremely detailed email with the precise itinerary, hotel recommendations (for the night before your workshop), camera gear suggestions and tested clothing checklist will be emailed after registration is complete.

Questions: Feel free to email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call me at +1 (514) 945-6195

How to expose for fog: Northern Gannet Landing with Seaweed in Fog

My second group was treated to some heavy fog and wind while at the Gannetry on Bonaventure Island. Fog is often misunderstood by eager photographers; The histogram shifts everything right when properly exposed for the highlights, which results in an image without much contrast. Once captured properly, it is very much up to the photographer to make adjustments post-capture to reflect the intended artistic result: adjusting the black point to taste can result in an image that looked very much like the photographer saw it, or almost completely remove the fog by adjusting the black point.

Adobe Camera Raw histogram of the raw image above. Notice the distinct lack of any black point or shadow. It is imperative to record data all the way to the right of the histogram, with careful attention to not touch the right side which results in loss of details in the highlights.

Atlantic Puffin Sunset Landing

An Atlantic Puffin landing in golden light with wings fully spread was photographed during my Deluxe Puffins Galore workshop in Quebec, Canada.

Join me for the Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop in Quebec, Canada

~

Join me for the Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop in Quebec, Canada ~

Join me August 10-13, 2022 for a dream Puffin adventure on a beautiful little island in The Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Our accommodations are in a newly restored lighthouse and the gourmet food is to die for! We will have easy access to the island’s Puffins and Razorbills from before dawn until after sunset. A Photographer’s dream!

Atlantic Puffin and the red boathouse

An Atlantic Puffin in golden light against an out of focus red boathouse makes for something completely different. Image made in camera during my Deluxe Atlantic puffin workshop in Quebec, Canada.

Atlantic puffin in Flight in Golden Light

An Atlantic Puffin battles heavy winds while landing at its nesting site in the very last drops of golden light. Join me for a deluxe adventure of a lifetime on a little island full of Puffins and Razorbills. We will be the only inhabitants on the island and have exclusive use of the lighthouse and newly restored accommodations. Did I mention the gourmet food? Learn more about the Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop HERE.

Razorbill in flight with fish

The striking black-and-white Razorbill nests in cliffside colonies overlooking the ocean, often among murres, fulmars, puffins and kittiwakes. It uses its sharp, hatchet-shaped bill to catch fish underwater, sometimes diving to 100 meters (330 feet).

Incredibly, the oldest known Razorbill was at least 41 years old It was banded as a nestling on Bardsey Island in the United Kingdom in 1968, and was resighted while breeding in 2009.

Atlantic Puffin in Flight with Fish

There are still two spots left for the newly added August 10-13, 2022 Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop. Join me for an incredible experience that all starts when we move into our newly restored lighthouse accommodations. After a delicious gourmet lunch, we walk about 200 meters (yard) and start photographing Puffins galore! In the mix will be Razorbills, Common Murres, Eiders, Savannah Sparrows, Whales, Grey Seals and so much more!

“Chris: Just a quick note to express my appreciation for the fine workshop (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP) hosting provided by you and Julie, along with Louise and Marie-Josée and the charming Auberge facilities. We were fortunate to have such good weather and abundant puffin activity, and your guidance and tips were very helpful, even for a long-time Sony mirrorless shooter. I found the other clients quite interesting and enjoyed sharing the experience with all of them. Despite some travel challenges to and from the Mingan Archipelago, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the prospect of joining you in another workshop in the future.

Again, thank you for your excellent leadership and engaging fellowship on Iles aux Parroquets – now to plough through the 30,000+ images I brought back to find the “exceptional” few!”

— Gordon Norman California | USA

Atlantic Puffin Post Sunset Stretch

An Atlantic Puffin stretches against a magical magenta sky after sunset during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop.

Do you like Puffins? Gourmet food? uber cool accommodations? Join me from August 10 to 13, 2022 for an exceptional adventure in a lighthouse on a little island in the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence. This is a truly deluxe adventure with some of the very best Puffin photography in the world. Learn more about my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop HERE.

“The Puffins Galore Workshop on I’ile aux Perroquets exceeded my expectations. Chris is an exceptional photographer, teacher, and all around good guy. He was quick to point out the best photographic opportunities for the group, taking into account the constantly changing weather, light and tides. He was always available to answer questions and give tips, catering to all levels of experience in the group. The accommodations were excellent and the food was first rate. Our chefs/housekeepers/hostesses, Louise and Johanne, were amazing. The photographic opportunities were endless with an unbelievable number of puffins as well as razorbills, guillemots, gulls, whales and seals. This was my first photography workshop and I am looking forward to my next adventure with Chris.”

— Mark Adkins Rochester| MN

Atlantic Puffin Portrait in the Mist

Thoughts on depth of field….

I recently had a conversation with another photographer who suggested that the ONLY way to make a portrait like this (headshot of a Puffin) was to stop down to f/22. As you can see from this image, f/8 rendered the face and bill sharp, while the rest of the image/bird is out of focus. The result here is the essential parts that are sharp, the face, eye and bill, pop as the result of the rest of the image being soft :) That said, I most certainly do stop down to f/22 to increase the depth of field while trying to get a portrait like this with the Puffin looking directly at me.

Join me August 10-13, 2022 for a Dream Lighthouse Island Deluxe Puffin Adventure. This is the very best of Puffin photography with beautifully restored lighthouse accommodations and gourmet food. We will be the island’s only occupants besides the hundreds of Atlantic Puffins that we can get close to. Learn More:

https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/deluxe-puffins-galore-workshop-photo-tour

“The four days and three nights on the I'ile aux Perroquets (Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop) will go down in my mind as one of those life experiences that will stay with me forever. That isle is a very special place. You did an incredible job. I was thinking about you on the trip back. What does it take to be a top-notch photographer as well as a gentlemanly guide, teacher, chaperone, and friend? You have a unique set of skills that somehow pull off the attributes necessary. Each and every one of us that left that island felt as though we had made a personal connection with you. That is no easy task. Must be a Canadian thing! Keep doing what you're doing. A very sincere "thank you" to you. This trip exceeded all expectations.”

— Paul Treseler Massachusetts | USA

Thanks, Paul. Pauls has been back every year since, and has signed up for two back-to-back workshops this year :)

Learn More about the Deluxe Puffins Galore Dream Lighthouse Adventure HERE

〰️

Learn More about the Deluxe Puffins Galore Dream Lighthouse Adventure HERE 〰️

Atlantic Puffin with fish STORMY SKIES

Here is an image from a dark and overcast day during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Photo Tour in 2019. Knowing how much I dislike completely white skies, I shot this loose with the intention of replacing the sky with a more visually appealing one :) After I finished the colour version, I immediately thought that I would like to see a black & white version; Leave a comment with your preference, and why you prefer one over the other.

Black & White Atlantic Puffin with fish STORMY SKIES (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens ISO 2,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame. White sky replaced with Photoshop. Converted to Black & White with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

Atlantic Puffin with fish STORMY SKIES (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens ISO 2,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame. White sky replaced with Photoshop.

KUDOS

I have done Chris’ Puffins Galore workshop twice. The Puffins workshop is absolutely top-notch. Chris is an excellent host, along with his wife Julie, and is one of the premiere bird photographers in the world. You will learn tons and go home with a portfolio of Puffin (and razor bill) portraits and flight with fish. Also, the accommodations and food are excellent on the island. Do it, if there is room. - Frank Sheets

Join the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Adventure

〰️

Join the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Adventure 〰️

I have been in search of the ultimate destination for an Atlantic Puffin workshop/safari for a very long time. The mandate was simple; find a location that is within reach, safe and easy to get to without a dangerous boat landing on slippery rocks and a place where we can get close to these comical little seabirds without hauling our gear up, and over, huge distances or having to hang over towering cliffs; a place where anyone can comfortably reach, regardless of age or physical ability; a place with reliable, safe and easy boat landings. I have photographed Atlantic Puffins in Iceland, England, Scotland, Wales, Maine, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Quebec; All of these "known" places have their drawbacks., and I simply can't imagine subjecting my clients to the abuse. Mission accomplished; I have found Puffin Paradise. This is the very best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills fishing, with fish in their bills, in-flight and in golden light.

Northern Gannet Over-the-Top

A Northern Gannet cartwheels while calling at the top of its dive in the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence, Quebec, Canada. We have had some epic time photographing from the early morning Zodiac excursions during my Gannets Galore Workshops in Percé, Quebec, Canada.

Harlequin Duck

A Harlequin Duck stretches its wings on the rocks of Bonaventure Island. Image made hand-held from the early morning Zodiac boat trip around the island.

KUDOS

Many thanks to Chris for a wonderful and exciting photography experience. Your professionalism, talent, patience and knowledge helped to make the Gannets Galore photo trip an experience of a lifetime. The hundreds of thousands of Northern Gannets on Bonaventure Island were unbelievable. I took thousands of photographs of Northern Gannets in their everyday activities. They were elegant, comical, clumsy, arguing, fishing, sleeping, working, copulating, preening and fencing. It was nonstop and exhilarating. Now, I get to my favourite part - the Zodiac tour around Bonaventure Island. It’s 5:00 am and we start the 4-hour trip to see dozens of species of birds and seals as well as a couple of Minke whales. The 4 hours seemed to pass like minutes. The Harlequin ducks and Black Guillemots were among my favourites and a real treat to observe and photograph.

- Gordie Kadonoff Hampstead | Quebec | Canada

Northern Gannets SPOONING

Here is an image from 2013 that I have looked at so many times! It is extraordinary how affectionate Gannets can be!

There is still a couple of spots available for my June Gannets trips due to unvaccinated participants who decided to postpone another year.

Join me for the ultimate immersive bird photography workshop! We start each day onboard a 28-foot Zodiac Hurricane under the bird-filled cliffs of Bonaventure Island. We’ll be photographing diving Gannets, Common Murres, Razorbills, Harlequin Ducks, and Black Guillemots while getting close to Grey Seals and Whales. After our daily Zodiac adventure, it’s off to the colony with the park staff transporting our gear on their Kawasaki Mule, making our walk an easy and pleasant one!

Pine Warbler

Point Pelee Migration - Last-minute cancellation!

Due to last-minute cancellation, there is only one spot available on my May 7-11, 2022 Songbirds of Point Pelee Workshop.

Kudos

I was impressed on how much Chris cared about making sure everyone was learning, engaged, and getting the most out of the trip. I look forward to my next workshop with Chris!

Michael Lyncheski Gladstone, New Jersey, USA