A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear shows off a fresh pink salmon in gorgeous light against out-of-focus Alaskan autumn colours. My group was treated to some incredible moments during my ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP.
Coastal Brown Bear (Grizzly) Chasing Salmon in Alaska
A Coastal Brown Bear (Grizzly Bear) chasing a salmon during the salmon run in Katmai National Park, Alaska. This image was made on a dark and cloudy morning during my ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP with my Sony Alpha 1 camera, Sony 600mm f/4 and the Sony 1.4X teleconverter. I held the camera slightly off the ground while using the rear screen as the viewfinder to get a low-perspective view. I chose 20,000 ISO, knowing that the Sony Alpha 1 has an incredibly capable sensor that can record the finest details at that “high” ISO if the image is exposed correctly.
2023 Christopher Dodds Sony Roadshow update
I am thrilled to be making another trip across Canada to present at some of Canada’s finest Sony retailers. Sony sponsors the roadshow, and all of the presentations are free. Get your tickets here:
VISTEK Ottawa, ON - October 2, 2023
HENRY’S Toronto, ON - October 3, 2023
HENRY’S Winnipeg, MB - October 6, 2023
DON’S PHOTO Regina, SK - October 7, 2023
LONDON DRUGS Saskatoon, SK - October 8, 2023
VISTEK Edmonton, AB - October 11, 2023
VISTEK Calgary, AB - October 12, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Red Deer, AB - October 13, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Lethbridge, AB - October 14, 2023
HENRY’S Vancouver, BC - October 18, 2023
Keslow Camera Vancouver, BC - October 19 JUST ADDED!
Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Slamming Salmon
We had some of the most epic bear encounters during my recently concluded ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP. This image was made from the river's edge, with my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 600mm f/4 lens on the ground and the screen tilted up. Everyone got more images of fishing bears than they imagined possible, and the weather was “Alaskan Awesome” with a mix of everything!
2023 Christopher Dodds Sony Roadshow update
I am thrilled to be making another trip across Canada to present at some of Canada’s finest Sony retailers. Sony sponsors the roadshow, and all of the presentations are free. Get your tickets here:
VISTEK Ottawa, ON - October 2, 2023
HENRY’S Toronto, ON - October 3, 2023
HENRY’S Winnipeg, MB - October 6, 2023
DON’S PHOTO Regina, SK - October 7, 2023
LONDON DRUGS Saskatoon, SK - October 8, 2023
VISTEK Edmonton, AB - October 11, 2023
VISTEK Calgary, AB - October 12, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Red Deer, AB - October 13, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Lethbridge, AB - October 14, 2023
Cutest Bear Cub with Lipstick & Announcing Christopher Dodds Cross-Canada SONY Roadshow
Have you ever caught a bear cub playing with lipstick? LOL. This Coastal Brown Bear cub has just finished eating a freshly caught salmon. I used the tilting rear screen and placed the camera on the ground to get a low and intimate view in beautiful Alaskan autumn light. Loads of fishing bear images to follow after an amazing Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Alaska Adventure Workshop.
Announcing the 2023 Christopher Dodds Sony Roadshow
I am thrilled to be making another trip across Canada to present at some of Canada’s finest Sony retailers. Sony sponsors the roadshow, and all of the presentations are free. Get your tickets here:
VISTEK Ottawa, ON - October 2, 2023 SOLD OUT!
HENRY’S Toronto, ON - October 3, 2023
HENRY’S Winnipeg, MB - October 6, 2023
DON’S PHOTO Regina, SK - October 7, 2023
LONDON DRUGS Saskatoon, SK - October 8, 2023
VISTEK Edmonton, AB - October 11, 2023
VISTEK Calgary, AB - October 12, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Red Deer, AB - October 13, 2023
McBAIN CAMERA Lethbridge, AB - October 14, 2023
Katmai Brown Bear Mother and Cubs
Another image from my Ultimate Brown Bears Galore of Alaska Bear Boat Adventure Workshop on the Katmai Coast in June. This image was made with my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 200-600mm zoom lens set to 478mm. Spending so much quality time with the bears is always such a thrill and a privilege!
Coastal Brown Bear Clamming in the fog
Here is a Coastal Brown Bear (AKA: Grizzly Bear) emerging from the three-foot deep hole it dug in about 25 seconds while hunting for a Razor Clam. We had a fabulous morning watching this giant clamming while ignoring us during my Ultimate Brown Bears Galore Adventure Workshop in Alaska. I used my Sony Alpha 1 and the 200-600mm zoom lens I love for its portability and versatility, set at only 255mm.
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch
Here is a Gray-crowned Rosy finch from my Eagles Galore and so much more workshop in Alaska. We carefully placed some birdseed just over the edge of the snowbank after a foot of fresh snow fell overnight.
Did you know? A group of rosy-finches are collectively known as a "bouquet" of finches.
Sandhill Crane After the Storm
This Sandhill Crane was photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop as it landed in golden light after a storm that brought record-breaking rainfall during a drought. The dark stormy sky was the perfect backdrop as hundreds of Sandhill Cranes started to land in the fields. My December workshop is full this year, but a couple of spots are left for 2024!
Northern Gannet Branch Manager
A Northern Gannet “The branch manager” bringing a branch back to its nest over the cliffs of Bonaventure Island during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop in Quebec. While most of the Gannets returning with something to line their nests bring seaweed, grass, and sometimes sticks or feathers, I have occasionally seen them return with fishing nets and garden hoses over the decades of leading workshops at Bonaventure Island.
Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish
Another Atlantic Puffin from my recently concluded Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec. I used my Sony Alpha 1 with the easy-to-carry Sony 200-600mm zoom lens to make this image hand-held as the Puffin circled before landing at its burrow. Everyone enjoyed the clear blue skies after several wet and rainy days.
Northern Gannet in flight at Bonaventure Island
I don’t think it is a big secret: I love Gannets! They are magnificent and graceful creatures. I used my Sony Alpha 1 camera paired with the Sony 200-600 (my favourite lens) to capture this Northern Gannet landing against the textured pastel sky over the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence during my Gannets Galore and so much more Workshop in Quebec.
Magnolia Warbler
I am still trying to catch up with my images from my May annual Songbirds of Pelee workshop. It was great to have such an incredible group of photographers who were eager to learn. We enjoyed some pretty epic birding, as was expected from one of the planet's top ten spring migration hotspots.
This Magnolia warbler was photographed while hand-holding my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 600mm f/4 with Sony 2X @ 1,200mm. I find it much easier to leave the tripod behind while roaming the trails of Pelee.
Wood Duck in flight
A highlight for me during my Best of Bosque workshop every year is spending time with wood ducks that never disappoint. This image was made with the Sony Alpha 1 camera with a 600mm f/4 lens and 1.4X extender.
Least Sandpiper Reflection
A Least Sandpiper from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. We were at the Crane ponds for the last drops of light, and the air was so still that the reflections were fantastic. Most photographers were lying in the mud trying to get infinite out-of-focus backgrounds, but we chose to work with our tripods fully extended to maximize the reflections.
American Kestrel in flight
An American Kestrel in flight from my Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico. Talk about heart-stopping action! This was from my last time entering Bosque del Apache NWR (AKA: The Bosque) last December.
I still have one spot left for my Dec. 5-9, 2023 Better than Bosque workshop.
Bald Eagle with fish in nice light
There are still a couple of spots left for my Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska in March. Join me for the adventure and bring home a portfolio full of Bald Eagle images.
Razorbill in flight
A Razorbill in flight from my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshops. It was a dark and rainy day at low tide when this Razorbill flew over the seaweed-covered rocks as it returned to its nest on the cliff.
Razorbills, also known as razor-billed auks or lesser auks, are a unique species of seabird known for their sharp, hatchet-shaped bills and strong swimming abilities. With their sleek black-and-white plumage and distinctive bills, razorbills are a striking sight.
Northern Gannet in flight with seaweed
A Northern Gannet returns to its nest on Bonaventure Island with seaweed during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop. This one is from a folder I found from my 2022 workshop. We had a pretty great day with some spectacular skies!
Common Murre in flight with fish
A Common Murre brings fish back to its baby. Photographed during my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshops in Quebec. While there was an abundance of Puffins bringing fish back to their nests, the Murres were in short supply this year; perhaps the result of the avian flu, as some have speculated, or maybe they were displaced by the larger and now more abundant than ever Razorbills?
Black-legged Kittiwakes
A pair of Black-legged Kittiwakes joust against the shadowed background under the cliffs of Bonaventure Island during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop. The daily four-hour Zodiac adventure under the island's cliffs makes for some pretty incredible imagery, even after the light gets harsh, as was the case here.