Homeward Bound

Ladder-Backed Woodpecker, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/100s Aperture priority +1/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Once called the Cactus Woodpecker, the Ladder-Backed Woodpecker was first described in 1829 by German herpetologist Johann Georg Wagler. It is found in desert and arid environments in the United States, and in the pinelands of Central America.

Artie dropped me off at the airport in McAllen, Texas at 04:00 this morning (thank-you, Artie) and I am now in Houston waiting for my connection to Cleveland, en route home to Montreal. It's been an amazing trip, at a furious pace, for the last 19 days of photography and travel. We've had a blast, got many keepers and added many stories to tell. I have so much to be thankful for, but most important is the friends and people I meet along my path in life. I need to say Thank-You to Arthur “Artie” Morris for far too many things to mention here, but most important is his friendship. Artie will continue driving north, until I meet him at Point Pelee, Ontario (in only 6 days), where Artie will be co-leading my Pelee Songbirds Workshop with me. Travel safely, Artie. As great a trip as it has been, I look forward, very much, to getting home to Julie and T-Bone.
I have a massive amount of work to get done before heading off to my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop on May 7th, but I’ll make sure to post more images from this trip during the days ahead.

Did you know that a group of woodpeckers has many collective nouns, including "a descent", "a drumming" and "a gatling" of woodpeckers.

Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

Pyrrhuloxia, Cozad Ranch, Linn, Texas

©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/640s Aperture priority +1/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Named from Greek terms describing its coloration and the shape of its bill, the Pyrrhuloxia is often called the "Desert Cardinal".

After an unforgettable morning on Tuesday, April 28 at the Ramirez Family Ranch, we drove the 50 odd miles to the Cozad Ranch in Linn, Texas. The 5,000 acre Cozad Ranch seems even hotter and drier than it felt while in Roma. The birding has been great, with many more keepers to edit and optimize (where will I find the time - smile). I have this afternoon, tomorrow morning and afternoon here, before flying home on Friday, May, 1. It's been an amazing trip with many images and stories to tell. I will be continuing to post images from the trip as I start to edit & optimize them.

Ramirez Ranch, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

Bronzed Cowbird Displaying, Ramirez Family Ranch, Roma, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 800, F6.3, 1/250s Aperture priority +2/3, Flash ETTL II -2+2/3

Aperture priority is the way to go when the light is constantly changing.

On Friday, April 24, we had planned on one last morning session photographing at Los Madrones Ranch before driving the nearly 575 miles to Roma, Texas. Our hopes of golden light faded into light rain and a very dark sky. Those who know me know that I'm not afraid of photographing in the rain, but it was simply too dark to photograph tiny little warblers on speed that twitch, jump, shake or fly away every time you press the shutter release button (or 1/1000 of a second before you press the shutter button). As Artie took up his favorite position behind his laptop in the back seat, he endured yet another "Driving Miss Artie" from me; he's a great sport and we've been getting along famously for the more than two weeks we've been on the road trip. You can read Artie's version here
That afternoon, we arrived at the Ramirez Family Ranch where Artie introduced me to Roel and his son, Michael Ramirez. We got the grand tour of the ranch that we have had to ourselves, and made ourselves at home on the 1,000 acre ranch. Roel, along with Artie's help and guidance, have set-up a network of pretty elaborate morning and afternoon blinds over the years. We've enjoyed bright, cloudy skies most mornings and some phenomenal photography of many varied species.
Special thanks to the Ramirez Family, Roel and Michael, who have treated us like kings.

More from Los Madrones Ranch

Black-Crested Titmouse, Los Madrones Ranch, Dripping Springs, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F8, 1/500s Manual.

Carolina Chickadee Los Madrones Ranch, Dripping Springs, Texas

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 2X II Tele-converter

ISO 400, F9, 1/800s Manual

Another Great day at Los Madrones Ranch in Texas Hill Country. We are off to another ranch in Roma, Texas after our last morning session here in Dripping Springs tomorrow. Thanks again to Michael and Julie Murphy www.losmadrones.com

Los Madrones Ranch - Texas Hill Country

Golden-cheeked Warbler (male) Dendroica chrysoparia (Paruline à dos noir) Los Madrones Ranch (Texas Hill Country), Dripping Springs, Texas. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 640, F8 1/800s Aperture Priority mode (-1/3 stop).

On Tuesday, April 21 at 03:30 we got an early start and drove the 675 miles to Los Madrones Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. After avoiding a collision with a rogue wheel early on, the drive was relatively uneventful. Micheal Murphy greeted us around four o'clock, and showed us around the gorgeous Casita that we will call home until Friday, April 24. We spent the last hours of light photographing Black-Crested Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee and House Finch in prime breeding plumage. We also had some great looks at five great Sparrows (more to follow in another post).

The highlight of the trip so far was when Greg W. Lasley www.greglasley.com (Texas' premier birder) arrived and took us to photograph the endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler. It was an amazingly productive and satisfying morning.

Special thanks to Greg W. Lasley and to Michael & Julie Murphy @ Los Madrones Ranch. If you are planning a trip to Texas, be sure to look them up www.losmadrones.com (512) 264-1741 

The Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia Paruline à dos noir is an endangered species of bird that breeds in Central Texas, from Palo Pinto County southwestward along the eastern and southern edge of the Edwards Plateau to Kinney County. The Golden-cheeked Warbler is the only bird species with a breeding range confined to Texas. Golden-cheeked warblers nest in ashe juniper and live oak trees in ravines and canyons. They use bark and spider webs to build their nests. Females lay three to four eggs. Warblers eat insects and spiders and the adult warbler can reach a length of 4.5 inches. They winter in southern Mexico (Chiapas), Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The warbler is endangered as many juniper and oak woodlands have been cleared to build houses, roads, and stores or to grow crops or grass for livestock. Other woodlands were flooded when large lakes were constructed.

Dauphin Island, Alabama - made it!

American Oystercatcher Fort DeSoto, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F8, 1/1000s Manual

On Tuesday April 14, after seeing the closest thing to a tornado (that wasn't) at Fort DeSoto, we drove to St. Petersburg to pick up Artie's Sequoia. After only a few short minutes, we realized that we would be spending the rest of the afternoon waiting for the work to be finished. Our plans to start driving to Alabama would have to change, so we called our friend, James Shadle, who agreed to take us aboard his boat, the Hoopty Deux the next morning.

Roseate Spoonbill Tampa Bay, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F5.6, 1/1250s Manual

After returning the rental car the night before, we met James and ventured out into Tampa Bay to a Roseate Spoonbill rookery where we spent the morning photographing Spoonbills, White and Glossy Ibis, Brown Pelicans, Great Blue and Tri-Colored Herons, Willets, etc. Like all good things, our morning with James ended, and we started our drive to the hotel to pick-up our luggage. Shortly after we took a wrong turn (no, I wasn't driving), all of the dashboard warning lights started to flash and the engine stalled right in front of a Honda dealer, and about 200 yards from a different Toyota dealer than had done the work. I don't think there could have been a better place to realize that the first Toyota dealer hadn't put the radiator's bottom hose clamp back in place, next to the thermostat. The hose had come off, and we had lost all of the coolant. Another afternoon was wasted as we waited for a tow and arranged a rental car. After realizing that our plans to start heading to Alabama must change again, we started heading back to Fort DeSoto and called another friend, Jim Neiger, who agreed to take us out on his boat on Lake Taho the next morning to photograph Snail Kites. Conditions at DeSoto were great, and we photographed Marbled Godwit, American Oystercatcher, Dowitcher, Willet, and Semipalmated Plover until sunset.

After an early wake-up call, we hit the road and drove to Kissimmee where we met Jim and had an amazing day photographing Snail Kites, Limpkin, Least Bittern, Purple Gallinule, and Barred Owls. The afternoon proved to be a challenge, as we endured the second (out of three) afternoon with winds from the East. We drove back to the hotel in Brandon, and were pleasantly surprised to find our vehicle had been delivered there as promised.

Snail Kite Kissimmee, Florida

©Christopher Doddswww.chrisdoddsphoto.com

Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 500mm F4 Lens with 1.4X II Tele-converter

ISO 250, F5.6, 1/1000s Manual

On Friday, April 17, we again got an early wake-up call, and drove the 570 miles to Dauphin Island, Alabama, and are now enjoying some great birding and wonderful southern hospitality. Special thanks to all who showed us around, fed us and were just plain lovely people. There are far too many to thank, but you all know who you are; Thank-you!

Photography at Dauphin Island has been good, with a small fallout of warblers this morning. We'll be up before the birds to make the 12 hour drive to Texas early tomorrow morning.

The hardest part of the trip is editing, optimizing images, and staying awake long enough to make blog entries.

The great spring warbler chase road trip

On Monday, April 13, I escaped the lingering cold weather and fluffy snow that fell during my walk with Julie and T-Bone (our best friend) the day before. We were up at 3:30 and Julie dropped me off at the Airport for my flight to Tampa, Florida. I arrived in Tampa, rented a car and picked up my great friend, Arthur Morris at the Toyota dealer where he left his Sequoia for the 90,000 mile tune-up (more on that in my next entry), to be ready for the great spring warbler chase road trip. We are spending the next two weeks driving from Tampa to Dauphin Island, Alabama, then on to Texas. We went straight to Fort DeSoto Beach, realized all of the other photographers were photographing the wind-surfers and that the strong wind was from the East. Not only do birds reliably takeoff and land into the wind, they also sit facing the wind. Not the best conditions for bird photography. We both agreed that the best place to go was a sheltered little mud flat to the right of the footbridge. Photography was fun with co-operative birds and still water until the clouds obscured what would surely have been a great sunset.

Tuesday morning, despite hearing the tornado warnings, we ventured back out and photographed until the dark clouds that had been on the horizon moved-in and the wind kicked-up to some of the strongest I've ever felt. The temperature must have dropped about 30 degrees and we both looked out onto the near horizon to see the most amazing storm clouds, a dark featureless sky on the right, with a diagonal, layered formation that was the closest thing to a tornado shape that I've ever seen. There we were, two seasoned professional nature photographers without a wide angle lens between us. We ran back to the car and grabbed short zoom lenses, ran back to the beach only to find a really dark, featureless sky. I'm leaving out the hail that Artie remembers, simply because I can't for the life of me remember feeling or seeing hail (It might have been the adrenaline that affected my memory). Regardless, we both agree that no photograph could do justice to the image of that sky that will always be imprinted in my memory.

Lens Envy

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) Vertical PuffinScape latrabjarg, Iceland. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 17-40 F4 @21mm. 550EX Flash manual mode. ISO 250, F10 @1/250s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

I hear it all the time: "I could make some great bird images, if only I had a 500mm Lens" or "wow, look at that lens, I bet you get some great shots with that".

There's nothing better than the resulting dramatic storm clouds from bad weather to add drama to a wide-angle image of a bird in it's environment, and I love being out in the rain or snow to increase my chances of creating  artistic images. The problem during a recent trip to Latrabjarg in Iceland was that the better part of the first half of the trip was plagued with very heavy rain and a featureless, dark and less than pleasing sky. I first visualized this image shortly after arriving, so I was ready the moment the clouds started to lift, and become more appealing. Pre-visualization and planning is key when conditions are likely to change.

TIP:

Think wide, think different and think environment. The lens of choice among bird photographers is the 500mm F4, but don't limit yourself to close-up "bird on a stick" images. The lens you choose is probably the single most important decision you make while trying to create unique images. While out in the field, I strive to capture compelling, artistic images of birds, often including the environment that my subject lives in and the weather they often endure. Try to step back and visualize unique, wide images that give a sense of place to your subject. I love being out in foul weather, and stormy clouds certainly add emotion to wide-angle captures. Some of my favorite bird images were made with the Canon 17-40mm F4 and the 16-35mm F2.8 Lenses.

To learn about my Deluxe Puffins Galore Photo Tour, CLICK HERE.

Songbirds of Pelee May 8-12, 2010 Workshop Announced

Image #1: Black-and-White Warbler

Due to the overwhelming popularity of my May, 2009 Pelee Songbird workshop (thanks to all who registered: We sold-out quickly!), I'm announcing my 2010 dates now. Join noted Canadian Wildlife photographer Christopher Dodds at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario (Canada); the most renowned inland location in North America to photograph spring migrants, including colourful warblers, tanagers and orioles. Located in Southern Ontario, Pelee is a small peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, and is first landfall for waves of northbound songbirds crossing the great lakes. Birders regularly see more than 100 bird species in a day in the Pelee area, including 25 species of warblers!

Image #2: Re-Headed Woodpecker

For bird photographers, Pelee can offer some legendary experiences. Each day is different, so we begin our morning at the tip, to see what new migrants have arrived overnight. If we're lucky, there may be a wave or fallout of birds, with weary warblers feeding low in warm morning light. Although days like that are rare, we'll find birds to photograph - there is always something around Pelee! I am well connected to the birders and photographers in the park, and get current tips about cooperative or rare birds! I also have some great feeder set-ups (for Orioles, Grosbeaks, Sparrows and Red-Headed Woodpeckers) outside the park, to keep us busy on slow days ... while all the other bird photographers stand around and only talk about photography.

There are no guarantees when photographing migrants at a place like Pelee, but we stand a good chance of getting photos of numerous warbler species (ie. Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white), vireos, scarlet tanager, and more. The most exciting thing about photographing migrants at a place like Pelee, is that you just never know what you might get!

 

Image #3: Chestnut-Sided Warbler

What's included? ... Five full days of in-the-field photographic instruction and introductory slideshow on the evening before the workshop (May 7, 2010). Hotel, transportation, meals, drinks, park access fees, etc. are not included. I do have a block of rooms reserved (at a favorable rate) at the Leamington Howard Johnston (formerly the Ramada Hotel).

Price: CAD$1,695.00 per person (tax included). Non-refundable deposit of CAD$695.00 due to secure your spot, with the remaining non-refundable balance of CAD$1,000.00 due 120 days prior to the workshop (January 7, 2010). Please note that your reservation is not guaranteed until the non-refundable deposit is received. We strongly suggest you purchase trip cancellation insurance.

How to book: Please email me your contact information (chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com), and mail the required non-refundable deposit to:

Christopher Dodds

(450) 827-1007

Dodds Visuals Inc.

Box 112

Franklin Centre, QC

Canada

J0S 1E0

Welcome to NaturePhotographyBlog.com

Canadian Wildlife / Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds Katmai National Park, Alaska, | June 2010 Image courtesey Darren Charles Holloway (thanks, Darren).

Welcome to NaturePhotographyBlog.com. A nature photography blog and  on-line resource for nature photographers, created by one.

I am a full-time nature photographer, adventurer, teacher and lecturer specializing in birds. Many of my images have been published in world-class publications including National Geographic, Outdoor Photographer Canada and Bird Conservation (American Bird Conservancy) to name just a few. If you are from Quebec, you've probably seen some of my images locally in Quebec Oiseaux magazine, or on information panels at  your local nature park.

I first discovered my love of the great Canadian outdoors during family and Boy Scout camping, and canoe and backpacking trips, after moving to Canada from England when I was eight. By the time I was fourteen, I thrilled at freezing fleeting glimpses of birds and the resulting ability to study every detail of their intricate beauty. My passion for photography has taken several paths through the years; photojournalism, studio portraiture, commercial and wedding photography to name just a few. I apprenticed in colour and black and white darkrooms, but today embrace the computerized, digital workflow, and all it has to offer. I am passionate about capturing images of nature in an artistic, yet technically perfect, manner.

Today I travel to some of the best locations in the world photographing, teaching nature photography workshops, and lecturing. My images are collected and published regularly.

I've created this blog for several reasons: First to share recent images, trip reports, tips & techniques and workshop announcements. The second reason I have created this blog is to give the reader an inside peek into the life of a professional Nature Photographer. Is it as glamourous as we all think? I will let you be an armchair adventurer, and judge for yourself.

I'm "kicking-the-tires" so to speak, so expect changes in layout, content and direction of this blog. Please SPREAD THE WORD, bookmark this blog, or check back once in a while to share the journey with me.

Christopher Dodds

www.chrisdoddsphoto.com