Bear Boat Katmai July 12-18, 2010 Massive Discount due to illness

Coastal Brown Bear CUB OF HEARTS (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5DMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @125mm ISO 400, F8 1/320s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

It’s only two weeks away, but I have two spots available at a massive discount. A couple who booked early last year have had to cancel due to a unexpected and sudden health crisis. They have no trip insurance and are willing to forfeit half of the US$4,995.00 workshop fee that they have paid. Please email (chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com), or call me (450) 827-1007 if you are interested in the trip of a lifetime. Bargain US$2,500.00 fee includes seven days instruction, guide service food and accommodation aboard the Coastal Explorer. Airfare to Kodiak Island and float plane from Kodiak Island to the boat (approx. US$475.00) are not included. Act quickly....MORE INFORMATION HERE

Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus, Goeland argente, HERG)

American Herring Gull Emerging with fish (Larus smithsonianus, Goeland argente, HERG) Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 800mm F5.6 L IS. ISO 400, 1/2000s F5.6 Manual. 580EXII Flash manual full power . Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

A quick post today to further demonstrate the power of side light to make dramatic, action stopping images in harsh light. This is another image from a good collection produced while Bonaventure Island was closed to visitors during a recent Gannets Galore Bonaventure Island Bird Photography workshop. We made the most of the day by visiting a favorite spot for Common Eider Ducks (we had males, females and babies really close). The gulls (Herring and Great Black-backed) would harass and steal fish from the diving Eiders.

Gannets Galore August 13-15, 2010 - still space available - more information HERE

Canon 800mm F5.6 IS L First impressions....

Yowsa, what an amazing piece of glass! This lens was razor sharp, fast and snappy to acquire auto-focus when used with my EOS 1D Mark IV camera body. Special thanks to Canon Canada for the loan and for giving a chance for workshop participants a chance to "get behind the wheel" and give it a try. New coatings, IS system and design all add up to make this a must have lens - anyone wanna chip-in? (grin).

Gannets Galore Bonaventure Island Workshop Report & Side Light for Nature Photography

Great Black-backed Gull Emerging with fish (Larus marinus, Goeland marin, GBBG) Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 800mm F5.6 L IS. ISO 400, 1/2000s F5.6 Manual. 580EXII Flash manual full power. Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Gannets Galore Bonaventure Island Workshop Report I:

Julie and I made the 12 hour drive to Percé on June 8th, arriving in town early in the afternoon that day. We scrambled up to the Northern Gannet colony on Bonaventure Island the next day to see that all is well and the colony is continuing to grow as expected. Photographic conditions continue to be the very best that Bonaventure Island has to offer.
Middleton Evans (author of Rapsody in Blue: A Celebration of North American Waterbirds), Gordon Kadonoff, Pat, Stokes & Denise Fishburne, Nick Honig & Tuma Young, Provash Ganguli, Amanda Reed, Ron Kellner, Ellen Goff and Wojciech Bedkowski all were simply a pleasure to spend time with, each having great spirits and all adding to the many great memories of yet another great spring on Bonaventure Island. Photographic opportunities from the morning Zodiac outings continue to get better with every trip. Harlequin Ducks, Common Eider, Atlantic Puffins, Common Murre, Razorbill, Black-legged Kittiwake, Black Guillemots, Great Cormorants, Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Grey Seals all gave award winning appearances.

Side Light for Nature Photography

During the second workshop, on June 15th, Bonaventure Island was closed due to strong winds from the North that pushed big waves onto the wharf and prevented landings. This was good news as we went out and photographed Black Guillemots, Common Eiders, Herring Gulls and Black-backed Gulls from shore. With the birds doing what birds do, and flying into the wind, I seized the opportunity to make dramatic action shots of the gulls taking flight after snatching fish from the Common Eiders. Pretty amazing to see the female Eiders lunge out of the water and attack the Gulls. I knew the moment the first Gull emerged from the water that I had to use the side light, at 90 degrees off to the right, to add dimension, texture and life to the image and sparkle to the water. I caught myself, more than once, asking my groups to remember that Gulls are beautiful, and worthy photographic subjects, too.

Kudos

"Thanks for a great weekend.  I got some great shots, learned some new things and met some terrific people.  You and Julie were perfect hosts.  I really appreciated your patient, attentive instruction........ "

- Amanda Reed Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Gannets Galore Bird Photography Photo Tour / Workshop / Safari June 10-12 & August 13-15, 2010

Northern Gannet landing with sea weed (Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 70-200mm F2.8 IS, (@200mm). ISO 400, F5.6 1/2500s Manual. Canon 580 EXII Flash in Manual - full power. Full Frame. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Gannets Galore Bird Photography Photo Tour / Workshop / Safari June 10-12 & August 13-15, 2010

I still have limited space available for my June 10-12 and August 13-15, 2010 Gannets Galore Photo Tour / Workshop / Safari (June 14-16 & 18-20 are SOLD OUT; Thanks to those who registered). This is THE best place on earth to learn the art of avian photography. There is non-stop action and a plethora of artistic models at close range. Sure to be the photographic adventure of your lifetime, the daily (weather permitting) four hour Zodiac cruise under the largest Northern Gannet colony in the world offers close views of thousands of Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, Razorbills, grey seals & whales and, of course, diving Gannets.

Be sure to read client TESTIMONIALS HERE

JUNE 10-12, 2010 GANNETS GALORE INFORMATION HERE

AUGUST 13-15, 2010 GANNETS GALORE INFORMATION HERE

Lincoln's Sparrow & Point Pelee Workshop / Safari Report

Lincoln's Sparrow vertical look-back with reflection, Melospiza lincolnii (Bruant de Lincoln) Point Pelee National Park of Canada (Southwestern Ontario, Canada). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 500mm F4L IS USM and 2X II Tele-extender. ISO 800, 1/200s F9. Canon 580 EX II Flash in manual mode. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Point Pelee Spring Songbird bird photography workshop / safari report

Just back from leading my annual spring bird photography workshop / safari at Point Pelee National Park near Leamington, Ontario. I was joined by Robert Parent & Sylvie Desjardins of Lac-Beauport (Quebec), Gail Bisson of Sydney (Nova Scotia), Multiple workshop veterans (and friends) Rick & Melody Curtis of Flower Mound (Texas) and Jerry Purdy of Kalamazoo (Michigan); a fine crew. There was lots of speculation about what kind of photography would be possible with the early leaf-out and unusually warm spring. Things did start slowly and, in keeping with tradition Jerry Purdy had to leave early to take care of business; sparking the start to the best spring migration I've ever witnessed at Point Pelee (sorry Jerry). The days are all blurred into one in my memory, but once things got started, the quantity and quality of birds dripping out of trees keep increasing. Unfortunately, the most memorable moments were the afternoon after the workshop had ended, so only Rick and Melody Curtis joined Julie and I for the dozens of Blackburnian Warblers dripping from the trees in Tilden Woods that afternoon. The next morning brought a gorgeous male Kirtland's Warbler that stuck around all day on East beach. Suffice it to say; it was the best I have ever seen it at Point Pelee! My only wish would have been for everyone in the workshop to have witnessed Pelee's best.Lincoln's Sparrow , Melospiza lincolnii (Bruant de Lincoln) Point Pelee National Park of Canada (Southwestern Ontario, Canada). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 500mm F4L IS USM and 2X II Tele-extender. ISO 800, 1/200s F9. Canon 580 EX II Flash in manual mode. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Hydrophobia to the rescue

The weather ranged from cold to freezing cold with a fair mix of rain and cloud. Greg Downing (NatureScapes.net) and Bian Erwin (Think-Tank Photo) conspired to send me a rather thoughtful assortment of rain gear for my camera as an early birthday gift (it was my birthday on May 6 when I drove to Pelee); suffice it to say that their timing was impeccable and the Hydrophobia 300-600, Hydrophobia 70-200 & Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash were all put to good use - watch for a full review after more field testing during my Bonaventure Island Gannets Galore workshop series in June. We even endured hail and sleet between a rather monsoonish downpour while photographing at our set-ups at Rondeau Provincial Park. This gear is the ONLY camera rain covers that have ever worked for me; Thank-you Greg & Brian.

Kudos...

"Hey Chris, 

We wanted to thank you for the great time and wonderful experience.  It was just awesome to see so many birds including all the Warblers and Tanagers all in one area.  "I got a feeling" that having the rare opportunity to photograph and hear the Kirkland Warbler singing was an experience that many birders would have been very envious of.  The Yellow Billed Cuckoo was outstanding to see and we were got some marvelous shots even for the Texas Zoomers.  We had the opportunity to take great shots of the Northern Parula, Tennessee, Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Blue, Cape May, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Pine, Black-and-white and  American Redstart Warblers.  We saw many other birds and Warblers adding to the excitement of the workshop (even the "OMG" Bay-breasted Warbler).

It was a fun workshop and a pleasure to met Julie, Jerry, Robert, Sylvie, and Gail.  Thanks again for all your advice, counsel and exercise (hahaha).  Looking forward to another workshop in the future and anytime you are in Texas give us a shout.  

Sincerely,

Texas Zoomers (aka Rick & Melody Curtis from Flower Mound, Texas)"

Lincoln's Sparrow with crest raised, Melospiza lincolnii (Bruant de Lincoln) Point Pelee National Park of Canada (Southwestern Ontario, Canada). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 500mm F4L IS USM and 2X II Tele-extender. ISO 800, 1/200s F9. Canon 580 EX II Flash in manual mode. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.Lincoln's Sparrow vertical portrait, Melospiza lincolnii (Bruant de Lincoln) Point Pelee National Park of Canada (Southwestern Ontario, Canada). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 500mm F4L IS USM and 2X II Tele-extender. ISO 800, 1/100s F9. Canon 580 EX II Flash in manual mode. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii (Bruant de Lincoln, LISP)

A species only seen during migration for most Great Lakes Region birder, William Brewster (1936, in Bent 1968) describes the Lincoln's Sparrow as "a keen, intelligent little traveler, evidently, quite alive to the fact that dangers threatened at all times, but too cool-headed and experienced to be subject to the needless and foolish panics which seize upon many of the similar birds." Lincoln's Sparrows are remarkable for staying well hidden, but a careful observer, with patience, can often get quite a good look. These Sparrows often raise their crown feathers when alert or concerned, giving their heads a bit of a peaked appearance. The Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii, bruant de lincoln, is a medium-sized sparrow. Adults have dark-streaked olive-brown upperparts with a light brown breast with fine streaks, a white belly and a white throat. They have a brown cap with a grey stripe in the middle, olive-brown wings and a narrow tail. Their face is grey with brown cheeks, a brown line through the eye and an eye ring. They are somewhat similar in appearance to the Song Sparrow. Their breeding habitat is wet thickets or shrubby bogs across Canada, Alaska and the northeastern and western United States; this bird is less common in the eastern parts of its range. The nest is a well-concealed shallow open cup on the ground under vegetation. These birds migrate to the southern United States, Mexico and northern Central America; they are passage migrants over much of the United States, except in the west. They forage on the ground in dense vegetation, mainly eating insects and seeds.
They are very secretive. Their song is a musical trill, but this bird is often not seen or heard even where they are common. This bird was named by Audubon after his friend, Thomas Lincoln, of Dennysville, Maine. Lincoln shot the bird on a trip with Audubon to Nova Scotia in 1834, and Audubon named it "Tom's Finch" in his honor.

The Northern Parula & Canon Professional Services (CPS) Revamped

 Northern Parula Male , Parula americana (Paruline à collier) Point Pelee National Park of Canada (Southwestern Ontario, Canada). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIII, 500mm F4L IS USM and 2X II Tele-extender. ISO 400, 1/500s F9 Manual mode. Canon 580 EX II Flash in manual mode. Tripod and Wimberley Head II. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Just going through some images from last year's Point Pelee bird photography workshop while preparing for this years. Photographing migrant Warblers is probably the most challenging type of bird photography; there is no food, bird calls or water drips to attract your subject. There's no choosing nice perches, and choosing great backgrounds is a result of your ability to move faster than your speedy subject. Migrant bird photography at a place like Pelee can be quite rewarding, though, many of the tree-top dwellers forage for fuel at near eye-level while migrating. The total number of bird species recorded at Point Pelee is 372, of which at least 340 of these species have been recorded during the spring migration period. The stream of birds in the spring is not a steady flow from the south. The birds usually arrive in intermittent waves, a pattern unique to eastern North America. In some years these are well marked but, in others the fluctuations in numbers and variety is so meagre that a wave in difficult to detect. A "wave" occurs as a result of a warm weather front advancing from the south or southeast meeting a cold weather front from the north or northwest. Two situations will cause the birds to descend. One is when the two fronts meet at ground level. The other is when a warm front in which migrating birds are flying overrides a cold front. The rising warm air becomes cooler with the increasing altitude until it is finally too cold for the birds and they descend.

If these nocturnal (night-time) migrants find themselves over Lake Erie near sunrise they must continue onwards or drown. After flying perhaps hundreds of kilometres in one night, it is this extra 30 to 40 kilometres across the lake that really demands their last strength. This explains why exhausted birds are sometimes found at the tip of the Point. A similar situation, but on a larger scale, occurs when migrants cross the 800 to 1000 kilometres of the Gulf of Mexico. If the weather is good they continue inland in one continuous flight without stopping, but with a north wind and rain they descend on the coast in great numbers, often in an exhausted state.

Do consider joining me at Point Pelee National Park this May 8-12, 2010 as I still have two spots available due to last minute cancellation. More information can be found HERE.

Canon Professional Service Revamped in Canada

Canon Canada has announced their revamped paid CPS program. Choose between Gold and platinum paid levels HERE. It seems to me that we are getting more for less, when compared the the Canon USA CPS program HERE while the Canon EUROPE CPS program is currently still offered FREE HERE.

There's a rumor circulating in Canada that the current discount on professional camera bodies and L Series lenses that Canadian CPS members currently enjoy will no longer be offered; this because there is no mention of it on the new CPS web site. Well my sources at Canon Canada tell me that CPS benefits never really did include a discount, it was offered to CPS members by the Canon Canada marketing people to offset the currency exchange rate that sent many pros across the border into the USA to shop. The good new is that the discount is still offered, and that there is no forseen end to it.

Nikon professional services, or NPS, in the USA is offered FREE HERE, in Canada, it's  FREE HERE and in Europe (Nikon Professional User) it's  FREE HERE

Gannets Galore Bird Photography Safari / workshop June 10-12, 2010 & August 13-15, 2010 Just Announced!

Northern Gannets SPOONING (fencing = pair bonding), Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D S MKIII, 500mm F4 IS Gitzo 1325 tripod, Wimberley Head II.  ISO 400, F18 1/200s Manual. Full Frame. Click HERE to purchase a print or license an image for publication.

Northern Gannet Painted Flight, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 70-200mm F2.8 IS, 1.4X II Tele-Converter (270mm) Hand-held from Zodiac.  ISO 250, F8 1/1600s Manual. Full Frame. Click HERE to purchase a print or license an image for publication.

Gannets Galore; New Dates Added!

Due to the overwhelming popularity of my Gannets Galore Photo Safari / Workshop series (both the June 14-16, 2010 and 18-20, 2010 are SOLD OUT), I've added some new dates. June 10-12, 2010. June is the best time to photograph the thousands of Razorbills, Common Murres, Black Legged Kittiwakes, Grey Seals and thousands of adult Gannets in perfectly prime breeding plumage. Please see HERE for more information.
August 13-15, 2010 still has a few spots left; simply the best time to photograph the many thousands of baby Northern Gannets - some at just arms length.
All of the Gannets Galore series workshops / safaris include four nights hotel, 3 four hour Zodiac excursions under the colony (weather permitting) with breakfast once landed on the island, three full days photographing at the colony and expert instruction and guiding by Christopher Dodds (more than 350 days experience guiding guests on Bonaventure Island). Did I mention the motorized transportation to the colony for your heavy camera gear? - that’s just one of the little bonuses when traveling with Chris (smile).

Be sure to read the many testimonials found HERE; all real people, from real places!

How to age the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)

Northern Gannet second year Dorsal View, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5D MKII, 300mm F2.8 IS Hand-held.  ISO 250, F4 1/2500s Manual. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Northern Gannet third year Dorsal View, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5D MKII, 300mm F2.8 IS Hand-held.  ISO 250, F3.5 1/2500s Manual. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Northern Gannet fourth year Dorsal View, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5D MKII, 300mm F2.8 IS Hand-held.  ISO 250, F4 1/2500s Manual. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Northern Gannet fifth year Mature Adult Dorsal View, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Parc national de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Bonaventure Island, Quebec Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5D MKII, 300mm F2.8 IS Hand-held.  ISO 250, F4.5 1/2500s Manual. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

After spending more than 350 days ,over the years, up at the Northern Gannet colony on Bonaventure Island, I have quite a collection of images. Last year, I found a new spot to photograph vertical dorsal views of these striking seabirds. Spending time with your subject is the best way to study and learn about their every behavior. Always remember to try to cover every aspect of behavior and every age possible. Remember that you can turn your camera to vertical for a fresh perspective.

There are still a couple of spots left for the June 18-20, 2010 Gannets Galore Photo Safari Workshop

Viola Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition

If you haven't done so already, there's still time to enter this prestigious competition. Entries can be submitted HERE until 9AM, Monday, March 8th, 2010. Be sure to read the new rules, most notably the need to submit images from a DSLR with a minimum 10 Mega pixel resolution. Why the new rules? ... Who knows? You are allowed to lightly crop your image, so perhaps the rule would have been better stated as a minimum file size, instead of making every image from the single most popular wildlife photography camera in recent history, the Canon EOS 1D Mark II (and the EOS 1D Mark IIN), ineligible.

Even when this was called the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year, I though (and still do) that this competition should be called the wildlife IMAGE of the year competition. I really do feel that such a prestigious title should be awarded to the photographer with the best portfolio of wildlife images. One lucky shot shouldn't earn the title of Nature Photographer of the year in my humble opinion.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update 2.0.3

Canon has announced that the long awaited, video-related firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II will be available from mid-March. Firmware version 2.0.3 enables full 1080p HD video recording at 24, 25 and 29.97fps to match the PAL and NTSC broadcast standards. It also adds a new histogram display while shooting movies and allows users to manually control sound recording levels. Audio sampling frequency has also been increased to match broadcast material standards.
Press Release:
Canon adds 24 and 25fps HD Movie recording 
to the EOS 5D Mark II with Firmware 2.0.3
London, 2nd March 2010 – Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24* and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.

Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing film makers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920x1080 and 640x480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps. 

A new histogram display for shooting movies in manual exposure, shutter-priority (Tv) and aperture-priority (Av) have been added, and exposure modes will also be available in movie mode. Improved audio functionality will allow users to set sound record levels manually using a sound-level meter displayed on the LCD screen. The audio sampling frequency has also been increased from 44.1KHz to 48KHz, providing the optimum audio signal typically required for professional or broadcast material.

With its full frame CMOS sensor and compatibility with Canon’s wide range of premium lenses, the EOS 5D Mark II is already recognised for its outstanding HD video performance. Launched in September 2008, the camera immediately created a wide range of new possibilities for photographers and videographers, and the addition of new frame rates and manual audio levels extends those possibilities even further – allowing movie makers to shoot stunning movies to suit practically any creative purpose.
Extreme sports photographer Richard Walch was one of the first to be given the chance to use the newly updated EOS 5D Mark II to shoot the snowboarding movie “I Love My Friends”. Commenting on the EOS 5D Mark II’s video performance, Richard said: “The addition of the new frame rates opens up a whole new range of possibilities. If you’re a cinematographer, independent film maker or just enthusiastic about making your own movies, get out there and give it a try”. 

“I Love My Friends” shot by Richard Walch on the EOS 5D Mark II with the new firmware includes a look behind the scenes video is available to view at http://www.canon-europe.com/eos5dmarkII. 

The firmware will be available to download from mid-March from the Canon website http://www.canon.com/eos-d/


National Geographic Traveller rates Gaspé #3 Best-Rated Travel Destination in the world

Northern Gannets LOVE, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 300mm F2.8 and 1.4XII Tele-converter  ISO 250, F8 1/800s Manual. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine rates Gaspé number 3 destination in the world:

Subject to development, mass tourism, pollution, globalization - are the world's great places still...great? Jay Walljasper writes on page 50 of the November / December 2009 edition of National Geographic Traveler Magazine, Gaspé ranks # 3 in the world - Congratulations Gaspé!
jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the colorful Gaspé Peninsula  offers "oceanfront, islands, and inland mountains" within "excellent parks and reserves," along with "authentic Francophone" villages. A big part of the area's appeal is "tourism development largely on a human scale." READ MORE HERE

Click HERE for more information on the Gannets of Bonaventure Island Photo Safari at The Parc National de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé and my very favorite bird photography location on planet Earth!

Testimonial

"I just returned from attending my first workshop, my first time in “the Gaspé” and my first experience with shooting birds in flight and I thought I’d share a bit about the experience…

The workshop was given by Christopher Dodds who is often referred to as one of the very best nature photographers in Canada. We were going to spend three days shooting Gannets on L’Ile Bonaventure, Québec (about 30 minutes off the Percé harbour and close to the famous Percé Rock). The Island is a protected habitat for Gannets and access to the Island is only allowed when the Parks Canada staff are there from about 9am to 5pm.

It’s a long uphill climb from the wharf to the top where the birds are, and Park staff say most people take about 45 minutes to an hour. Chris and I made it in about 30 minutes the first day (and got it down to about 25 minutes the following days but if he wanted to, I’m sure Chris could do it in 15!). We could hear the Gannets long before we got to the top and the first view of them – literally thousands and thousands of them – was breathtaking. The unofficial current estimate is at over 500,000 Gannets, now making this the largest colony in the world!

I can't speak highly enough about the experience of shooting with Chris Dodds. Chris is absolutely amazing. He's got tremendous experience and a great eye. The whole experience was way better than my expectations. He’s a far better photographer and workshop leader than I expected. Not only does he produce incredible work, he has the technical knowledge and experience to make this a really worthwhile learning experience. And he gives what is truly a “workshop”, in that he gives constant tips and coaching to make sure all participants are learning (no matter what their experience is or how stubborn and set in their ways they might be – like myself). He doesn’t just lead you to a subject (as many other workshops do), but he gives all the technical support and training you could wish for; he makes sure you are learning the photo techniques needed to improve. Chris and I knocked heads quite a bit those first days (he was right – I was wrong) as he stuck with trying to get me to improve and get out of my comfortable rut.

I liked those three days (and the one pre-workshop day) so much that I decided to stay for a second three-day workshop and luckily Chris still had a spot available. Not only that, but I’m certainly going to return to shoot those Gannets again, hopefully with Chris. In fact I’d love to take any workshop Chris was leading.

We were shooting ALL day... from the time we got to the top until we had to leave. There was absolutely no shortage of birds or birds in flight and that's unlike any other avian photography venue in the world from what everyone was saying. Elsewhere you only have a few hours to shoot and then the birds are gone. We were always the first ones on the Island (with the Park staff) and the last ones to leave (again with the staff).

Chris is so well known there (and so highly regarded) that he and his group were certainly given privileges and access that someone on their own wouldn't get. If (I should say when) I do this again, I'm going to do it with Chris on one of his workshops.

And with Chris, everything was organized for us including lunches; access and transportation to the island, accommodations and of course the great training. I wouldn't do it any other way.

Believe me, if you took such a workshop with Chris you wouldn't regret it! And his repeat clients (of which there were many in both the 3-day workshops I attended) had nothing but raves for him.

An absolutely fabulous time!"

Eldor Gemst | Montreal | QC | Canada

Comments welcome & appreciated.

The Many Moose of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part III

Bull Moose Vertical (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 1.4XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 500, F5.6 1/200s Manual.

As mentioned in earlier posts, this years trip to Baxter State Park in Maine was one of my most productive. Here's just a few of the 13 Moose we spent time photographing. It's always a thrill to get close, and close we got on a few occasions; It's best to let Moose come to you, rather than go off chasing them around the forest & remember that Bull Moose that are about two and a half years old (like the Moose in the photo above) are the most unpredictable and therefore the most dangerous; If you find yourself feeling a little uncomfortable, then slowly move away. Moose of this age are starting to "feel their oats" for the first time, and unsure of how to behave during this time of hormonal change.

Bull Moose Giant of the Northwoods (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/160s Manual.

Named from the Algonquin term meaning "twig-eater", Moose rely most on their strongest senses: Hearing and smell. Their vision isn't the best, but with the placement of their eyes they can see almost 360°. Inhabiting dense forests throughout Canada, Maine and Alaska, Moose (Alces alces) are the giants of the deer family. They may lack the grace of other deer, but they are among North America's most magnificent mammals. A bull moose crashing through the underbrush in a northern bog is a sight not soon forgotten.
Alaska boasts the largest males: they weigh some 1,800 pounds, stand seven feet tall at the shoulder, and have antlers with a spread of over six feet. In addition to a massive body and a big, overhanging muzzle, the moose is characterized by a fold of skin on the throat (its function unknown) called the "bell" or "Dewlap". You may be able to distinguish particular moose by their distinctive dewlaps. Though long and spindly-looking, its legs are well suited for moving swiftly across snow, wading in water, and swimming.
During the fall rutting season, when their low, mooing calls echo through the forest, bulls battle over cows in savage antler-to-antler confrontations. By December the contests end and the bulls shed their hefty headgear.
In summer, moose wade into ponds and streams to eat aquatic plants, and in winter they browse on twigs and bark. Once exterminated in parts of their range- they were used as food by native peoples and early settlers, and their antlers have always been prized as trophies- moose have lately made quite a comeback.

Bull Moose Vertical Portrait (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/125s Manual.

Do consider joining me for the Moose and fall colors of Maine Workshop next year.

Comments welcome & appreciated.