Snowy Owl & Workshop Update

This is the second Snowy Owl in the same area that I found my first of the year (see my Nov. 13 & Nov. 14 posts). I was almost as surprised as the owl as I wandered through the heavy frost in the misty fog as the rain started to fall. It's still too early to decide if this winter will be great for owls, but the early indicators are all good. Fingers crossed that they establish the area as their winter hunting grounds.

Two spots remain available for my recently added Winter Owl Workshop, February 10-14, 2025.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a9 III mirrorless camera body & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm F/6.3 ISO 6,400 @ 1/5,000s.

Gret Gray Owl on a Birch Perch

The first whispers of Great Gray Owl arrivals have started to circulate a little later than usual this year. Here is one from my winter owl workshops in 2014 that I love because of its simplicity.

Another Snowy Owl was just seen along the beach near where I host my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops.

Great Gray Owl on a birch perch (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW, Dark Wood Owl, Lapland Owl, Striped Owl, Lapp Striped Owl) ©Christopher Dodds From my Winter Owl Workshops in February, 2014 500mm X 1.4 @700mm ISO 3,200, F5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my winter owl workshops in January and February

Snowy Owl Workshop New Dates Just Announced!

Here is another image of what I believe to be the same Snowy Owl that I posted yesterday. It was so nice to find it in time for the nice light—smile. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it hangs around.

I have announced an additional Owl Workshop from February 10 to 14, 2025. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR SIGN UP.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm F/6.3 ISO 10,000 @ 1/5,000s.

Snowy Owl Workshop Update - They are back!

I have been predicting a good winter for Snowy Owls, and although it is too early to know for sure, it looks more and more like it will be. I had my first Snowy Owl on the drive back to Montreal from Toronto after my Sony Presentations at ProFusion Expo! It was perched beside the highway at a truck scale, making it an easy choice to stop and grab my 100-400 for a portrait - and it never flew away - smile.

Since the February 3-7 trip sold out in record time, I have added another workshop from Feb. 10-14, 2024. Click the image to learn more or sign up.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Quebec, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 100-400mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @400mm F/5.6 ISO 5,000 @ 1/5,000s.

Snowy Owl ICE TALON

Light freezing rain caused a thin layer of ice over the freshly fallen snow. I love how the talons grip the ice as this young female Snowy Owl takes flight.

Owl toes and talons

Owls have four toes on each foot. Two toes point forward, one toe points backward, and each foot's ‘reversible’ outer toe can point forward or backward, as the owl wishes. Sometimes, three of the owl’s toes point forward, and sometimes only two. With two toes pointing forward and two back, known as a zygodactyl, the owl can perch securely on a branch. When the owl clutches its prey, its toes spread so the owl can get a firm grip. It is known as anisodactyl when it has three toes facing forward and one backward.

A long, sharp claw called a talon is at the end of each toe. The owl uses its talons to snatch, squeeze, and kill prey animals. It also uses talons to defend itself against predators, such as hawks, other owls, badgers, and raccoons.

Many owls have feathered legs and feet for warmth. Snowy Owls, for example, who live in the cold Arctic, have heavily feathered legs and feet. Elf Owls live in warm, southern climates and have lightly feathered legs.

Snowy Owl ICE TALON (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Sony a9 II Camera body, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @ 840mm F/5.6 ISO 1,600 1/3,200s.

Snow Owl Landing in Predawn Light

This Snowy Owl was photographed before sunrise during my Winter Snowy Owl workshop a couple of years ago on a bitterly cold morning. I love the natural gradient the ice fog added to the background, and I took the liberty of removing the top of the telephone post it landed on to make a better image.

Snowy Owl landing in predawn light (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Sony a1 Camera body Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens & Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm F/5.6 ISO 16,000 1/4,000s.

“I have just been fortunate enough to participate in a Winter Owl workshop run by Chris. The experience was outstanding. Chris had thoroughly researched our excursions beforehand and knew exactly where the Owls were wintering - he also spared no effort to maximise our photo opportunities - both in terms of weather conditions, lighting, angles, backdrop etc - but also in terms of helping us each personally during the week with technical tips towards achieving better results.

Logistically the trip was also a pleasure with spacious transport, good accommodations and food, and an enjoyable group camaraderie. Altogether a great trip, and I would thoroughly recommend Chris as a guide for future trips.”

— Jonathan Mercer, UK

Atlantic Puffin in Flight with Fish in Golden Light and more Kudos

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish in Golden Light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 4,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

“Puffins galore! This was an amazing workshop on so many levels! The puffins were plenty and provided us with boundless opportunities for BIF (Birds in flight) and portraits alike. Chris is a great teacher and has an in-depth knowledge of his subject and the environment. He always guided us to the best locations at the right time for optimal lighting. On top of it all the island setting was wonderful. Living in the original light-keeper’s house was very special and the food was delicious!

Chris listens to your needs and adapts to your level. His time is entirely dedicated to making your trip a great one while helping you bring home amazing images and great souvenirs. Thank you Chris for making this an unforgettable experience !”

— Louise Bertrand | Québec, Canada | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop August 2024

Atlantic Puffin in flight portrait with fish

The light was magical as the fog started to lift on the morning of August 3 during my second (of five) Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Lighthouse Island Adventure Workshop in Quebec. I have previsualized this image for a very long time: a portrait of a Puffin with a load of fish made in flight with its wings back in magical light. This image is a true testament to the abilities of today’s modern cameras (precisely the Sony a9 mark III), as this bird was flying at 88km/h (55MPH) and is at the minimum focusing distance of the lens and extender combination.

“A fabulous workshop with an artistic and accomplished photographer!

This workshop exceeded all of my expectations: the technical and artistic training in photographing the puffins offered by Chris, the personalized monitoring and attention to detail while photographing the birds, the numerous puffins floating on the water, perched on the cliffs and passing a few inches over your head, the exceptional beauty of the island, the welcoming staff, the lodgings and the food and the perfect group size. Chris is a great communicator and a passionate photographer who will explain with great patience the important notions of bird photography or the settings of your camera to take the best possible shots, rephrasing his explanations in different ways if necessary, until you understand them fully. All of it with a great sense of humor! I loved my experience and would strongly recommend it to others. In addition, Chris is a very good story teller and knows how to create a very friendly group atmosphere. ”

— André Beauchesne | Québec, Canada

Atlantic Puffin in flight portrait with fish (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image top[ to bottom (cropped sides to 4x5 aspect ratio).

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish against golden cliffs

It takes a minute for the dust to settle before we can fully appreciate everything we witness and experience. Looking back through the memories of my recently completed five sold-out, back-to-back Deluxe Atlantic Puffin workshops, I can’t help but feel somewhat overwhelmed by them. There are those moments frozen in time by my camera, but there are also the moments standing on the beach before sunrise, waiting for the imagess to emerge from the scene. It’s not only about the images! I keep thinking about new friendships and when a client starts to understand a new technique or theory or, perhaps, realizes that exposure theory may be simpler than they thought. That’s what makes me happy!

“The Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Photo Tour was fantastic! The island is remote, and Chris helped me with some complex travel arrangements. The location is beautiful, away from other people getting in your shots. There are many photo ops on the island, many razerbills, gulls, and my favorite, 1,000s of puffins. We were able to shoot them on land, taking off, flying, and bringing back fish. Not only is Chris an internationally renowned wildlife photographer, he is an incredible teacher. He assessed each of our photography skills and worked with us at our level, answering questions and making suggestions. We were able to shoot several times each day. He would walk around the island and let us know if there were spots that were especially good, helping us find the best opportunities. We stayed in the lightkeepers inn, which was very nice. Our French chef was fantastic, and prepared meals with several options. I especially liked the eggs Benedict and salmon. I would strongly recommend this tour to photographers at any level, beginner to advanced. Thank you Chris! ”

— Victoria Steelman | Iowa, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish against golden cliffs (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. 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 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin flying with a mouth full of fish and more Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Kudos

“The “Puffins Galore” workshop is an amazing experience that I highly recommend without hesitation. To observe and photograph Puffins from first thing in the morning to the end of the day is truly a gift. Chis is a wonderful teacher, giving easy to understand instruction with visible results—my photographic skills improved each day. The location in the Mingan Archipelago is breathtaking and the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Our chef Jenny was incredible! DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE!!”

— Suzanne Kavic | New York, USA Deluxe Puffins Galore 2024

Here are group photos of the five happy and wonderful groups. The last-minute cancellations are missing from the pictures: Delwyn booked two back-to-back trips (Entry visa delays), David and Wipada (hurricane Debbie flight cancellations), and David and Deborah (illness).

Peter, Susan, Caleb, Ursula, Me, Marion, Tina, and Laurie.

Randy, Me, Carl, Leigh and Belinda.

Victoria, Kara, Elizabeth, John, Gary, Suzanne, Me and Laura.

Me, Pablo, Suize, Dennis and Raymond.

Chuck, Louise, Connie, Me, André, John and René.

Common Eider Female and Saint Cuthbert's Legend

I photographed this female Common Eider on the morning of August 9 during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Adventure Workshop in Quebec. I couldn’t help but think about the close association with Northumberland (North East England) that the bird and I share (Why aye, man, I am a Geordie originally from Whitley Bay).

Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne was an Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop, and hermit widely regarded as Northumbria's patron saint. While his life and legacy are associated with many miracles and religious practices, one of his most notable contributions was the creation of one of the first bird protection laws in history.

The common eider, a large sea duck found along the northern coasts of Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia, has interested humans for centuries. A famous colony of eiders lives on the Farne Islands in Northumberland, England, where Saint Cuthbert established a law protecting the birds in 676.

Legend has it that Saint Cuthbert was captivated by the eiders’ beauty and the value of their down feathers. He recognized the need to protect them from overhunting and established a law forbidding the taking of the birds and their eggs from the Farne Islands. This law is considered one of the earliest recorded instances of bird protection in history.

Common Eider Female (Somateria mollissima, Eider à duvet, COEI) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. 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.

Atlantic Puffin Flying with Fish at Sunrise

Special thanks to all my clients (friends) who made my five back-to-back Deluxe Puffins Galore workshops successful. We had fantastic weather, exceptional photography, and more Puffins with fish than usual, all mixed with lots of learning and good times. Did I mention the food? Smile!

“I had a spectacular time! It is a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful adventure with Chris on Ile Aux Peroquets, a tiny island paradise! I was able to get up-close shots of Puffins as well as many in-flight shots of these comical birds. I also learned about proper exposure! Fields of wildflowers, gourmet food and comfy accommodations were the finishing touches on this unique, cool workshop!

Thank you so much!”

— Kara Mason | New York, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

On the morning of August 9, 2024, we all waited patiently. The fog magically lifted as the sun projected its magical golden rays at sunrise. This is the first frame from that morning session:

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at sunrise (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. 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 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Grey Ghost (Male Northern Harrier) in flight

A backlit Grey Ghost (male Northern Harrier) from a recent private workshop with a couple of wonderful clients (new friends, Dave & Christine) at the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area in Dundee, Quebec. The light got harsh quickly, and this Grey Ghost put on quite a show on the wrong side of the light, but I did pull off this keeper from the day :)

Northern Harrier GRAY GHOST (Circus hudsonius, busard Saint-Martin, NOHA) from a PRIVATE WORKSHOP at the Lake Saint-François National Wildlife Area (Réserve nationale de faune du Lac-Saint-François) in Dundee, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200 mm. ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Cropped from Vertical.

Northern Gannet Landing with Seaweed in a foggy Gannetry

A Northern Gannet lands directly in front of me with a fresh load of seaweed on a windy and foggy morning during my Gannets Galore Workshop in Quebec. Because it is so easy for the huge Gannets to lift off in high winds, the sky fills with circling birds calling their mates (they recognize their mates by sound); The sky full of tens of thousands of Northern Gannets swirling around you is one of the greatest wonders to witness!

Northern Gannet Landing with Seaweed in a foggy Gannetry (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) from my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens & Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm. ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Last minute cancellation for Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec

An Atlantic Puffin photographed in flight with fish at first light during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Lighthouse Island adventure workshop in Quebec.

I just had a last-minute cancellation for my otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Lighthouse Island Adventure Workshop in Quebec. Click below to find out more or to reserve your spot.

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at first light (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. 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 8,000, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Gannet returning to mate with seaweed

Another Gannet image from my recent Gannets Galore and so much more workshops in Quebec. I photographed this frame of a special seaweed delivery by a Northern Gannet to its waiting partner with the Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera and Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @268mm.

Northern Gannet returning to mate with seaweed (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA). Image made on the afternoon of June 7, 2024 during my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @268mm. ISO 500, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Gannet Landing with Seaweed

This is one of the last images that I made on the last day of the second Gannets Galore and so much more workshops (June 7, 2024) as I was saying goodbye to the colony for another year. It is a great image to demonstrate just how perfect the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens is, especially when paired with the Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera. I was capturing 120 images per second at 318mm as I zoomed out while the Gannet flew towards me.

Northern Gannet landing with seaweed (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA). Image made on the afternoon of June 7, 2024 during my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @318mm. ISO 800, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Grey Seal Headshot

The Grey Seals are always curious and amazingly cooperative subjects on our daily boat excursions during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshops. With their varied colourations and expressive faces, they are always a delight to observe and photograph.

Grey Seal Headshot (Halichoerus grypus, Phoque gris) from my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens & Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm. ISO 8,000, f/5.6 @ 1/6,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Double-crested Cormorant Flying with Nesting Material at Bonaventure Island

My Gannets Galore and so much more workshop group had fantastic fun at sunrise in the Zodiac: A handful of Double-crested Cormorants were banking into sun angle with nesting material as we tried to keep the boat as steady as possible in the wind.

My June 5-7, 2025 Gannets Galore and so much more workshop is live and filling quickly.

Learn more and sign up for June 5-7, 2025 Gannets Galore and so much more Workshop HERE

🪶

Learn more and sign up for June 5-7, 2025 Gannets Galore and so much more Workshop HERE 🪶

Double-crested Cormorant in flight with a branch (Phalacrocorax auritus, Cormoran à aigrettes, DCCO) from my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X teleconverter (@840mm). ISO 1,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-Frame Image.

Northern Gannet with Seaweed and Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island Announced

A Northern Gannet flying over the Northern Gannet Colony on Bonaventure Island with seaweed during my Gannets Galore Workshop in Quebec, Canada.

I am on my way home from hosting two back-to-back awesome groups of photographers during my Gannets Galore Workshops on Bonaventure Island in Quebec. We had a fair mix of weather and enjoyed incredible photographic experiences during the early morning Zodiac adventures underneath the bird-filled cliffs and while at the gannetry. Everyone was amazed by the sheer volume of birds circling and swirling around the Zodiac: Common Murres, Razorbills, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Black Guillemots, Harlequin Ducks, Common Eiders and, of course, the most beautiful Northern Gannets!

June 5-7, 2025 Gannets Galore and so much more workshop is now live HERE: https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/gannets-galore-photo-tour-workshop

Northern Gannet in flight with seaweed (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) from my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @374mm. ISO 640, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.