Bosque Bald Eagle

Among the many raptors we see during my Best of Bosque Workshop, the Bald Eagle is always a hit. This Bald Eagle spent most of the nice light far away in the “Eagle Tree” and finally decided to put on a show by harassing a Northern Shoveller. It must have dove on it at least a dozen times before giving up and flying away.

Bald Eagle (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tête blanche, BAEA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July to all of my American friends and family. This image was made during my annual Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska every March. The predawn colours in the sky were a fantastic pallet of pastels - and the Eagles were singing their morning chorus. What could be better?

Bald Eagle Call of the Wild (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/3,200s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Nature Photography Day June 15

Happy Nature Photography Day!

This immature Bald Eagle was photographed during my Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska using the Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. Notice I carefully chose an extremely wide aperture of f/2.8 to render the frozen waterfall in the background out-of-focus.

Immature Bald Eagle in Flight against out-of-focus frozen waterfall (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 12, 2024, near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens @300mm ISO 3,200, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

I am thrilled to be one of the creators hosting a Sony Community Event today, Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 1:00-5:00 PM at Studio Notre-Dame Angus 4888 rue Molson, Montreal, QC H1Y 3J8. Click the image below to book your free ticket!

Bald Eagle Look Back Portrait

This is a fun portrait of a Bald Eagle from the second day (March 6, 2024) of my first Bald Eagles Galore and so much more Workshop in Alaska. Once the fishing action stops, the Eagles sit pretty and allow close approaches—smile.

Bald Eagles Look Back Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 6, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 800, f/16 @ 1/200s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagles LOCK ON

Here is one from our last day of the second Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I can’t say enough about the advantages of a camera (Sony A9 mark III) that captures 120 images per second! The time it takes to go through the photos is well rewarded with perfectly timed images like this one—smile!

Bald Eagles Lock On (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 14, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Slight crop. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle The Call of the Wild

This is another portrait of an Adult Bald Eagle calling from my recent Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska. The new Sony A9 Mark III proved to be an incredible tool for any action. In this case, having so many frames to choose from ensured direct eye contact with open eyes. As always, I chose manual mode and exposed for the light falling on the subject to ensure a perfect exposure for every frame.

Bald Eagles Calling Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 13, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 2,000, f/9 @ 1/800s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Blizzard Flight

An immature Bald Eagle on final approach during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I chose the newly released combination of the Sony a9 mark III and Sony 300 f/2.8 lens for the 120 fps frame rate of the a9 III and the incredible sharpness and extremely narrow depth-of-field of the 300 f/2.8 to ensure I captured direct eye contact while obliterating the background to make the subject pop. The snow was the icing on the cake :)

Immature Bald Eagle Blizzard Flight (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 12, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens @300mm ISO 4,000, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Calling Portrait

After a flurry of feeding, the Eagles settled down on perches, and many allowed us to get really close, as they usually do during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska.

The key to getting a close-up portrait of an Eagle calling is patience; wait, and they will call!

ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ker! An Eagle calling is like no other sound in nature; it always induces goosebumps and is instantly recognizable.

Bald Eagles Calling Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 13, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 2,000, f/9 @ 1/800s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagles Decisive Moment

A Bald Eagle steals a fish during a high-speed chase over Kachemak Bay. Most Eagles drop their prized fish just as they are about to get slammed by another Eagle.

120 frames per second doesn’t change everything, but it makes capturing split-second events much more effortless!

I used my Sony a9 III paired with the Sony 600 f/4 and 1.4X Tele-converter and waited for Eagles to chase each other. Imagine if their wings were spread wider and the light was still golden….. I guess I will have to return to Alaska again - smile!

Bald Eagles Decisive Moment (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 8, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Slight crop. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle About to Strike

Photographing at the maximum frame rate of the new Sony a9 III (120 frames per second) adds a whole new level to capturing that decisive moment. I have TOO MANY frames from my recently concluded Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

I chose this one for the less-than-perfectly-clean talons; some grass is stuck to its frosty left talon.

Join me next March for my Eagles Galore Workshop and five incredible days of Eagle photography. Note that others offering similar (or less) field time are charging more than USD$1,000 more for the same trip, but they are timed too early and risk their boat being stuck frozen in the harbour, as was the case for many Eagle photographers this year.

Bald Eagle about to strike (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 6, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 10,000, f/5.6 @ 1/8,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle in flight Sony a9III with Sony 300 f/2.8 and doubler

Here is another Bald Eagle from my recently concluded Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I used the new Sony a9III paired with the new Sony 300 f/2.8 and the Sony 2X tele-extender. My settings were wide open at f/5.6, ISO 6,400 and 1/5,000 of a second shutter speed.

When I picked up the Sony a9 Mark III for the first time, I noticed how fast the autofocus was. I didn’t expect much, as the Sony a1 has worked flawlessly for me since its release in January 2021. The new a9 mark III acquires autofocus quicker and reacts to unpredictable movement even better than expected; it is faster and more capable than the Sony a1.

The new Sony 300 f/2.8 lives up to my expectations. It has faster autofocus than the 400 f/2.8 and incredible edge-to-edge image sharpness. It is also light, compact, and easy to hold.

I was blown away by the autofocus and image quality when paired with the Sony 2X tele-extender. This full-frame image is a good example of how well the autofocus of the combined lens and tele-extender works; captured at the near end of the autofocus limit, this is the point where auto-focus usually fails.

I am so impressed that I am considering selling off my Sony a1 inventory!

Bald Eagle in flight (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 11, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X @600mm ISO 6,400, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle in a Snow Storm a la Sony a9III and 300 f/2.8 & KUDOS

I am home from hosting two epic back-to-back Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska. The weather was excellent, with both groups using all of their boat time (we loved the daily four-hour trips). Both groups got a fair mix of weather, including the prized SNOW!

There is so much to say about the incredible new Sony a9 III and the new Sony 300 f/2.8; perhaps I should keep it all to myself to keep an edge and stay one step ahead of the competition - smile.

Bald Eagle in a Snow Storm (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 12, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens @300mm ISO 2,500, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

“This is the second time I have attended this eagle workshop. I came back as the imaging that Chris helped me obtain was stunning in 2017 and now in 2024.

The weather is always challenging, but Chris’s over 40 years of experience with photo opportunities here in Alaska help produce stunning eagle images, from in-flight to charming head portraits.

Chris is a host that you will enjoy – he knows how to tease out the birds for that special photo opportunity, irrespective of local weather challenges. His ability to assist both the casual amateur and full-fledged pro-level individuals is amazing, and with all brands of mirrorless cameras. He knows lenses, bodies and settings to assist all users.

Chris’s special gift is the immense bird knowledge that he possesses – once you come on one of his trips and experience this reality, you will realize how special his skill set is.

Over the years, I have attended numerous workshops with Chris. I have never been disappointed, and I always look forward to the next time with him.”

— Wynne Powell - British Columbia, Canada

Bald Eagle Portrait a la Sony a9III

What a nightmare! The new Sony a9III, at 120 frames per second, offers incredible choice, but the subtle differences between images are an absolute nightmare to edit after each of the four-hour action-filled sessions that we have had with the Eagles so far. The autofocus is even more impressive than the Sony a1, so there is no easy way to rule out anything that is not tack-sharp. A great problem to have - smile!

Since it is a lot easier to choose a portrait, here is one of the last images I made yesterday using the new Sony a9III dialled down to only 30 FPS (I like some choice to get the best head and eye position - smile. I used my Sony 600mm f/4 lens paired with the Sony 2X tele-extender and stopped down to f/20 while the camera easily focused on the eye.

Bald Eagle Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 1,000, f/20 @ 1/160s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle The Strike

A Bald Eagle making a head-on final approach poised to strike from my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

Once prey is located, Bald Eagles dive at a gradual incline and catch prey with their powerful talons, inflicting a vice-like killing grip. They fly off carrying their prey, often weighing half as much as the eagle. 

I just sold the last spot for this year, which opened due to a medical emergency, and next year’s workshops are filling already. Don’t miss out! Learn more or sign up for Eagles Galore HERE.

Bald Eagle The Strike (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 1,250, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame left to right; cropped top & bottom to 16:9 aspect ratio. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle OUT of THE STORM

Nothing is more glorious after a dark and rainy day than the following morning sky clearing in the East with residual storm clouds in the background with golden light. I photographed this beauty during my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

Bald Eagle Into the Light (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Photographed vertically. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Into The Light

This image was made during the last drops of golden light as this Eagle aggressively chased another Eagle to steal its fish. I felt disappointed when they banked off the light angle and ducked into the shadows; I thought I didn’t get anything. Suddenly, this Eagle emerged from the darkness and was illuminated by the sweetest light - smile.

Bald Eagle Into the Light (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 1,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Portrait in Black and White

Here is an image of a juvenile Bald Eagle from my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I knew this image would be a black-and-white conversion the moment I saw it. Something about the mixed plumage and out-of-focus dark, wet beach background draws me into the Eagle’s eye.

Juvenile Bald Eagle Portrait in Black and White (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 3,200, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Full Frame Image. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle Talons Clutching Fresh Caught Fish in Flight

Do Bald eagles have talons or claws?

A common question is whether bald eagles have talons or claws. A quick literature review suggests that claws and talons are similar in composition, form, and function. Technically, mammals, reptiles, and birds have claws that have very similar appearances. But the claws of a bald eagle and other birds of prey are called talons. This is to say that only birds of prey have talons, while other animals, including non-birds of prey, have claws. For instance, we say the claws of a duck or a dove, never the talons of a duck or a dove.

Bald Eagle Talons Clutching Fresh Caught Fish In Flight (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 3,200, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Fishing Bald Eagle Exploding Head-on with Fish

A Bald Eagle explodes towards us with freshly caught fish during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I can’t think of anything as thrilling in nature photography as when you review your images and realize you got the shot!

We have two spots open for my March 10-14 Eagles Galore trip due to an unfortunate medical emergency, so join me for the Ultimate Alaskan Eagles Galore trip of a lifetime if you can get to Alaska in time.

Fishing Bald Eagle Exploding Head-on with Fish (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagles Tandem Fishing

TWO Bald Eagles on the final approach for the same fish. It is always thrilling to get the opportunity to photograph Bald Eagles fishing, much more so when two are competing for the same fish. This is one of a sequence of five frames from this moment during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

We were on the beach before sunrise, and the action didn’t wait for the sun, so I reached for my Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and shot wide open at f/2.8.

Bald Eagles Tandem Fishing (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 6,400, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.