Snowy Owl on Snow

It was a cold and dark start to the day when we came upon this Snowy Owl sitting on the snowbank on the side of the road after a significant snowfall during my Winter Owl Workshop. It let everyone get a few images before heading to its perch on a nearby telephone pole. I can’t help but think back to my film (slide) days when the goto slide film was only 25 ISO: I chose to use ISO 12,800 here to ensure enough shutter speed in case it took off to hunt.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 12,800, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial

“If you are interested in owl or other bird photography, I can't recommend the Chris Dodds' workshops highly enough. Not only is he a great photographer and teacher, Chris is one of the most knowledgeable individuals about birds and their behavior, I've ever met. Make an effort to attend one of his many workshops soon. You'll be glad you did”

- D.C. Offutt | West Virginia | USA

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial from Roger Trentham

A Snowy Owl hunting on February 12, 2025 (during my 6th week of eight) of Snowy Owl Workshops. This beauty gave us quite a show, and it quickly caught three wild and free meadow voles after the freezing rain and snow stopped. The action was close, and she flew towards us, thrilling the whole group. I love the different background and composition.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II 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.

Kudos and an image from Roger Trentham Nature Photography

I have recently returned from a visit to Southern Canada seeking snowy owls. We were fortunate to be lead by Christopher Dodds Nature Photographer, who knows snowy owls, their behaviors and locations intimately. We encountered owls in snow, rain and clear sunny skies. Photographing snowy owls in a snow covered landscape has been on my bucket list for some time. Thanks to Chris this item has come true but once was not enough and I hope to visit the owls again.

p.s. That small black spot in the owl's talons is a vole that it just snatched from the ground and quickly made it lunch. - Roger Trentham | Tenessee | USA

Image courtesy and copyright Roger Trentham - Thanks, Roger!

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial from Wink Gaines

This is a beautiful female Snowy Owl on the hunt from February 12, 2025, during week 6 of 8 Winter Owl Workshops. It started as a miserable day with snow and freezing rain, the perfect recipe for Snowy Owl hunting after the storm. We had some great opportunities, as this female hunted directly in front of my group several times. Be sure to see the fabulous image that Wink Gaines made below!

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II 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.

Testimonial and image from Wink Gaines:

“ I couldn’t have asked for a better experience while participating in one of Chris Dodds’ Snowy Owl workshop in February 2025. Chris is a photographer’s photographer! His meticulous field preparation and expert understanding of owl behavior and natural habitats are unmatched. While in the field, Chris is always on hand, offering tailored advice on camera settings, lens choices, and technical matters —no matter what gear you’re using. His approachable nature and years of guiding photographers to hidden, exceptional wildlife hotspots make his workshops stand out, ensuring an unforgettable experience that goes above and beyond what most photographers have encountered.”
— Wink Gaines | North Carolina | USA | www.winkgainesphoto.com

Snowy Owl photograph courtesy and copyright Wink Gaines www.WinkGainesPhoto.com

Snowy Owl Workshop Update

Last week was another great week of Snowy Owl photography during week 5 of 7 Winter Snowy Owl Workshops. It was an awesome group and everyone’s patience in the cold was rewarded by many hunting missions by this beautiful Snowy Owl.

Join me in Canada 🇨🇦 for an Ethical and Responsible Snowy Owl Photography Workshop. We will not feed, bait, lure, call or disturb the owls we photograph. Some spots are still available for my February 24-28, 2025 Winter Snowy Owl Workshops & 2026 trips are filling quickly!

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @400mm ISO 1,000, f/8 @ 1/6,400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Snowy Owl Flying in Golden Light

Here is an image of a Snowy Owl in flight from my recent Winter Snowy Owl Workshops. Everyone’s patience was rewarded when this beautiful Snowy Owl launched to chase after another Snowy Owl that was intruding on its winter hunting grounds.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II 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.

Snowy Owl Flying Pink Sky

We have been having a blast during my Snowy Owl Workshops this winter. This image was made at first light as the Snowy Owl took flight. I carefully removed the top of the telephone pole and a wire from the lower portion of the image.

Join me in Canada 🇨🇦 for an Ethical and Responsible Snowy Owl Photography Workshop. We will not feed, bait, lure, call or disturb the owls we photograph. Some spots are still available for my February 17-20 & February 24-28, 2025 Winter Snowy Owl Workshops. Click the link below to learn more or sign up.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. 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 16,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Snowy Owl In Flight Glance

I was photographing this Snowy Owl out the window of my car while scouting for my Winter Owl Workshops last week when a snowplow scared it off the fence post it was perched on. Although I followed it as it took flight, I hadn’t pressed the trigger because it wasn’t looking at me. I would have missed this, as it glanced back for a fraction of a second, but the pre-capture function in my camera saved me.

Snowy Owl In Flight Glance (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, 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 3,200, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

High-key Snowy Owl

Here is a simple, high-key image of a Snowy Owl after being harassed by a raven while scouting for my upcoming owl workshops. I hadn’t noticed the owl because I was on the other side of the snow mound (a snow-covered pile of manure) that hid the owl. The constant dive-bombing alerted me to the concealed owl, as is often the case.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, while scouting for my Winter Owl Workshops. 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 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Happy New Year Dancing Snowy Owl

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year filled with peace, hope, love and light.

This Dancing Snowy Owl was photographed from my car window a few days ago while scouting for my upcoming Winter Snowy Owl Workshops. A few spots remain for the February 17-21 Winter Snowy Owls Workshop. Click the image to learn more.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, 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 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

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.

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 Out of the Woods

This snowy owl was photographed during my Winter Snowy Owl Workshop. A warm front caused a light fog, lowering the contrast and softening the background. This Snowy Owl seemed to love perching on the edge of the forest, unlike most, who prefer the wide open spaces of farm fields during the winter, much like at their nesting grounds on the tundra much further North in the summer.

Snowy Owl Out of the Woods (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm F/6.3 ISO 3,200 @ 1/5,000s. Full frame image.

Snowy Owl Hoar Frost Heaven

A Snowy Owl on a very cold and windless morning before sunrise during my winter owl workshop. The owl was so well hidden with its camouflage that it took several minutes for my group to see it after I pointed it out. This may be one of my favourites :)

I announced an additional winter owl workshop from February 3 to 7, 2025.

Snowy Owl Hoar Frost Heaven (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, 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 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.

Snowy Owl High Key Abstract

Love it, or hate it? This Snowy Owl image breaks all the rules. It is from my annual Winter Snowy Owl Workshops a few years ago. I usually don’t post anything this different, but since I just reprocessed this one before printing it 40” X 60” for a large order heading to The Netherlands, I decided to share.

Please feel free to comment with your thoughts: Do you love or hate it, and why?

Snowy Owl High Key Abstract (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Sony a1 mirrorless camera body Sony & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @401mm F/6.3 ISO 2,000 @ 1/5,000s.

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

Dutch adventure travel company Askja Reizen features Snowy Owl by Christopher Dodds on their catalog cover

Excited to see my Snowy Owl image featured on the cover of the Dutch adventure travel company Askja Reizen catalogue cover.

There are still a couple of spots open for my January 2025 Winter Owl workshops. Learn more about the winter owl adventure HERE.

Snowy Owl SNOW SQUALL (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des Neiges, SNOW) from my Winter Snowy Owl Photo Tour in Canada. Image Copyright 2022 ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 10,000 @ 1/5,000s f/4. Full frame image top to bottom.

iPhone image of Snowy Owl image by Christopher Dodds graces the cover of the 2024/2025 Askja Reizen catalogue.

Snowy Owl

Here is a Snowy Owl from a recent private Snowy Owl Photo Tour. Snowy Owls and snow have been in short supply this winter in southeast Canada, and this beauty showed up more than two months late!

I used the new Sony a9 III paired with my Sony 200-600mm zoom lens. Although we were close and using the van as a blind, I never got to photograph it blasting off as planned because it sat there until dark. It looks somewhat alert after being dive-bombed by a raven.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des Neiges, SNOW) from a recent private Winter Snowy Owl Photo Tour in Canada. Image Copyright 2024 ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @200mm. ISO 400 @ 1/2,000s f/5.6. Full frame image.