Western Meadowlark in flight head on

On our first afternoon at Bernardo Wildlife Area during my Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico, there were impressive numbers of Western Meadowlarks flying back and forth along the road over the corn fields. Most were high, with the occasional bird flying past at eye level. I watched this individual head straight at me and was thrilled with my results - but I must admit two things:

1. The auto-focus of the Sony a9 Mark III is mind-blowing. You still have to “drive” the camera, but it won’t fail you when things line up!

2. Shooting at 120fps meant having the best possible wing positions and not settling for a mistimed image.

Western Meadowlark in flight head-on(Sturnella neglecta, Sturnelle de l'Ouest, WEME) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. 95% full-frame image.

Northern Shoveler Reflection

This Northern Shoveler was photographed during my recent Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. Shovelers spend so much time “shovelling” that getting an image with their bills out of the water is challenging!

When photographing ducks in a pond, I start as low as possible to capture the sweetest low-contrast golden light. As the light becomes more contrasty, I work at higher angles to capture fuller reflections and eliminate bright distractions in the background.

Many of the dabbling ducks use their flat bills to strain food items from the water, but the big spatulate bill of the Northern Shoveler is adapted to take this habit to the extreme. Flocks of shovelers often swim along with their big bills barely submerged in front of them, straining food from the muddy soup of shallow waters.

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata, Canard souchet, NSHO) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 III 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. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Ring-necked Duck Drake in Golden Light

An ethereal fog covered the duck ponds during the coldest morning of my recent Better than Bosque Workshop. The fog thinned as the sun rose, and the warm light on the windless morning made for some great images.

Ring-necked Duck Drake in Golden Light (Aythya collaris, Fuligule à collier, RNDU) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Belted Kingfisher in flight against autumn colors

This female Belted Kingfisher put on quite a show during my recently concluded Better than Bosque Workshop. (Females are blue-gray with a chestnut belly band and flanks.) This image is courtesy of the Sony a9 III pre-capture feature. I was tracking her as she flew away from me, and she suddenly banked and landed on a sign over a garbage can.

Belted Kingfisher Flying Head On (Megaceryle alcyon, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, BEKI) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 16,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Black-crowned Night-heron Golden Light Reflection

On the last morning of my Better than Bosque Workshop (Dec. 9, 2024), our Wood Duck shoot was interrupted by a couple of Black-crowned Night Herons, a common and often overlooked species!

The light was golden, and the fog burned off quickly, so I maneuvered into the best angle and got one frame off before it flew to perch in a tree for the rest of the day.

I have just announced the Dec. 5-9, 2025, Better than Bosque workshop. Click the image or link below to learn more and sign up.

Black-crowned Night-heron Golden Light Reflection (Nycticorax nycticorax, Bihoreau gris, BCNH) from the last morning of my Better than Bosque workshop (Dec.9, 2024). Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Western Meadowlark in flight

There have been impressive numbers of Western Meadowlarks in and around the corn fields where we photograph the Cranes, Geese and Raptors during my Better than Bosque Workshop. This is a full-frame image made as this bird changed direction while I followed it through my lens. 120fps makes getting the wing position right, but I had to keep the erratic flyer in the viewfinder - smile!

Western Meadowlark in flight (Sturnella neglecta, Sturnelle de l'Ouest, WEME) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Cooper's Hawk with prey

Only moments after photographing the White-crowned Sparrow Flying (Dorsal view) from my Nov. 28, 2024 post HERE, I was surprised by this Cooper’s Hawk as it swooped down and grabbed the Sparrow as it flew away from me. Luckily, my instinct was to point the lens at the bird and follow it. I got off a few frames as it banked around and flew towards me.

Cooper’s Hawk with prey in flight (Accipiter cooperii, Épervier de Cooper, COHA) from November 28, 2024, while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Neotropic Cormorant with Rainbow Trout

Here is a Neotropic Cormorant with a Rainbow Trout from yesterday morning (November 30, 2024) while I scout the best locations and opportunities for my upcoming Best of Bosque Worksop in New Mexico.

I was working with the local ducks, and this Cormorant had the nerve to cause a commotion and catch a Rainbow Trout directly in front of me. Despite the best techniques, setting myself up with the best light angle and background, there was an ounce of luck involved in getting an eye on the fish and bird visible in the image.

Neotropic Cormorant with Rainbow Trout (Nannopterum brasilianum, Cormoran vigua, NECO) from yesterday morning (November 30, 2024) while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Wood Duck Golden Pond

I am scouting locations and subjects in New Mexico for my Best of Bosque Workshop. The conditions were perfect when I arrived at my usual Wood Duck spot long before dawn. I knew exactly where to be for sunrise to get the golden background, and the flat water from the windless morning helped make the scene memorable when this Drake Wood Duck put on a show.

Wood Duck Golden Pond (Aix sponsa, Canard branchu, WODU) from this morning (November 29, 2024) while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Near Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,250, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

White-crowned Sparrow flying (dorsal view)

I am still in Albuquerque scouting for my Better than Bosque Workshop. This morning started with another go at the Belted Kingfisher in terrible light and a beautiful Drake Bufflehead that stayed too far away for a nice image. While scanning for raptors, I spotted an enormous flock of White-crowned Sparrows and decided to walk to the other side of the field to get the right light angle. This is an immature White-crowned Sparrow that I managed to get on; call me lucky (or get yourself a Sony a9 III - smile).

White-crowned Sparrow Flying (Dorsal view). (Zonotrichia leucophrys, Bruant à couronne blanche, WCSP) From this morning (Nov. 28, 2024) while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 9 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Belted Kingfisher flying head on.

A Belted Kingfisher in flight from earlier today while scouting for my Better than Bosque Workshop around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although there were moments of epic light between clouds, the birds didn’t seem to understand that it was showtime, and I had to settle for this image made while it was cloudy - smile.

It was great to stretch after an uneventful drive in my RV from my home near Montreal to Albuquerque, New Mexico (3,500km or 2,200 miles). I will be on the move and actively scouting until my workshop starts on December 5.

Belted Kingfisher Flying Head On (Megaceryle alcyon, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, BEKI) from this morning while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

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.

Mule Deer Portrait

Here is a portrait of a mule deer made while driving the north loop during last year’s Best of Bosque Workshop. He ran as soon as a carload of photographers showed up, jumped out of their car and slammed the car doors, proving the best strategy is to stay in your vehicle and use it as a blind.

Although I sold one of the cancelled spots for the Dec. 5-9 Best of Bosque workshop, one spot remains after a couple was forced to cancel due to a medical emergency. My terms are 100% non-refundable, but I return all money paid if I can sell the spot, and I would love to return all of their money. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP.

Mule Deer Portrait (Odocoileus hemionus) 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 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

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I enjoyed my presentations at the largest camera show in Canada. Here are some images of me presenting in the Sony booth at the Profusion Expo in Toronto last week. I made a presentation in the Sony booth and on the main stage both days, and the shows were packed with eager photographers. Special thanks to Sony Canada and Vistek! This was my 10th year presenting at ProFusion and the 8th year for Sony!

Canadian Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at ProFusion Expo Nov. 7, 2024. Images courtesy Julio Vazquez (thanks, Julio).

American Kestrel in flight

An American Kestrel from my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. One spot is still available for my December 5-9 Best of Bosque Workshop due to a medical emergency cancellation.

Why join me? I have the most experience leading workshops in and around Bosque del Apache. I spend at least 10 days scouting the best opportunities before the workshop starts, so you get all my years of experience there and the knowledge gained from recent scouting. This is a five-day workshop, so we are out photographing all five mornings and afternoons (with a mid-day break for lunch). We will visit sites outside the NWR to maximize opportunity and increase our species count. I have 40 years of experience and share all of that with you!

American Kestrel in flight (Falco sparverius, Crécerelle d'Amérique, AMKE) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Loggerhead Shrike

It was a stroke of luck that the Loggerhead Shrike landed directly before us, especially as I was tracking a Sharp-shinned Hawk circling above. The encounter was brief, but it allowed me to back up and capture the whole bird in the image without clipping anything off, a rare opportunity indeed.

Equipped with strong, slightly hooked beaks, shrikes are songbirds that hunt for a living. They survey their surroundings from exposed perches and then chase down insects, small birds, rodents, and reptiles. Shrikes have been nicknamed butcherbirds since they often hang their prey on thorns or barbed wire fences.

Two species are native to North America: the northern shrike of boreal Canada and Alaska, which wanders south in winters when food is scarce, and the more southerly loggerhead shrike (shown here), a widespread but increasingly scarce bird of fields and fencerows.

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus, Pie-grièche migratrice, LOHS) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, 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 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Sandhill Crane Flying in Epic Light & Bosque Workshop Update

A Sandhill Crane in flight during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December. The cottonwood trees were glowing in the epic high desert light!

A medical emergency cancellation has opened up the otherwise sold-out workshop. Join me in New Mexico for five full days of epic photography. Learn more about the December 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop HERE.

Sandhill Crane Flying in Epic Light. (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 6,400, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Harrier in flight

A Northern Harrier from my Best of Bosque workshop at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. A regular hunter over the corn and alfalfa fields, Northern Harriers are a pretty reliable raptor during my Best of Bosque workshop every December.

Northern Harrier in flightt (Circus hudsonius, busard Saint-Martin, NOHA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Sandhill Crane Landing in Golden Light

A Sandhill Crane banks as it lands during my Best of Bosque workshop in New Mexico.

The wind was completely wrong when we set up, but it started to shift as the sun started to set and the high desert light started to warm, and we had a pretty epic session.

Sandhill Crane Landing in Golden Light (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) 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 4,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Wood Duck emerging from shadow

A beautiful Drake (male) Wood Duck emerges from the shadow of a tree to bask in the golden rays of first light during my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico.

Wood Duck emerging from the shadows (Aix sponsa, Canard branchu, WODU) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,250, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image. Manual exposure.

Coyote Bosque del Apache

A lone Coyote photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. We have had some pretty amazing encounters with Coyotes over the years. Once I realized that this Coyote was headed down a dirt road our way, we slowly crouched and waited for its close approach; we were lucky that it chose the edge of a clearing to pause for photos.

A couple of spots remain for my Dec. 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop. Join me and my small group of six photographers for five full days of photography in and around Bosque del Apache.

Coyote (Canis latrans) from my Best of Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/500s Manual exposure. Sony animal eye auto-focus. Full Frame image.