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.

Belted Kingfisher (male) in flight

This male Belted Kingfisher interrupted our Wood Duck shoot during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December, chasing another male Kingfisher around the ponds for a few minutes. It was a ton of fun tracking this tiny speedster as it flew as fast and erratically as it did.

Due to an unfortunate medical emergency, one spot is still available for my Dec. 5-9, 2024, Best of Bosque Workshop.

Belted Kingfisher male in flight (Megaceryle alcyon, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, BEKI) during my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, 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 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Short-eared Owl banking in flight

A Short-eared Owl banking in flight from last winter’s Owl Workshops. While I love cloudy, bright conditions for bird photography, there was no shortage of white sky days last winter. Lake Ontario never froze, which meant a lot of lake effect clouds and light snow.

Lake Effect clouds and snow occur when cold air moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes. As the cold air passes over the unfrozen and relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, warmth and moisture are transferred into the lowest portion of the atmosphere. As the air rises, clouds form and grow into a narrow band that can produce snow, which can be heavy at times.

Short-eared Owl Banking in Flight (Asio flammeus, Hibou des marais, SEOW). From my first Winter Owls Galore workshop that concluded on Friday. 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 10,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s 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.

Raven in flight with a mouse

During my Best of Bosque Workshop last December, we were set up in front of a cornfield on the North Loop, where the Cottonwood trees line the ditch. I remember everyone ignoring this Raven while we were in front of about 5,000 Sandhill Cranes. I am always looking for something different, and I initially thought this Raven might have a bird in its bill, so I rattled off a few frames and discovered it was a mouse for breakfast. The golden light and pumpkin orange out-of-focus autumn cottonwood trees in the background make it special.

Raven in flight with a mouse in Golden Light (Corvus corax, Grand corbeau, CORA) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache NWR, 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 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Sandhill Crane calling in flight in golden light

A Sandhill Crane calls as it flies past the out-of-focus autumn foliage of the cottonwood trees.

Sandhill Cranes can be heard as far as 2.5 miles (4km) away. They give loud, rattling bugle calls, each lasting a few seconds and often strung together.

Sandhill Crane calling in flight in Golden Light (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) 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 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Razorbills in love and more workshop kudos

I made this image of a pair of Razorbills during my recent Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Adventure Workshop in Quebec, Canada. Razorbills are extraordinarily beautiful. During the breeding season, they have a thin white line from the eye to the base of the bill and another white line across the otherwise black bill—striking!

Razorbills (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, RAZO) 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 1.4X teleconverter (@840mm). ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-Frame Image.

“No matter your experience with birds in flight or type of camera, you can’t help but pick up valuable knowledge and photographic skills during this wonderful excursion. Chris knows lighting. He knows (the) best camera settings from his long experience. And he knows puffins. He shares his insights and advice without being overbearing. I venture to say Chris is not exaggerating when he describes this as the best place in the world to photograph these adorable birds. . . . . I highly recommend Chris and this workshop. ”

— Belinda Prinz | Ohio, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Charging after fish

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear charging after salmon during my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure Workshop in Katmai National Park. I love the monochromatic feel to this one ;)

Join me for my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Adventure from September 17 to 24 for an incredible 8-day/7-night photographic adventure on a private charter along the Katmai Coast of Alaska. We will photograph the numerous Coastal Brown Bears congregating along streams overflowing with salmon as they fatten up for the long and harsh Alaskan winter. Unlike many other tours, our itinerary starts by flying out to the ship from Kodiak, Alaska, on day 1 (flights from Kodiak to the boat and back are included), and we remain there until we fly back to Kodiak on day 8. We photograph bears from day 1 to day 8, so eight days of epic brown bear photography! There are only two spots left!

September 17-24 is the best time to capture images with autumn colours and golden light. The sun has already started its winter journey south of the equator, so the low light angle is spectacular for photography. The bears will be about as big as they will get before winter hibernation, and all that fish oil they have been digesting makes their fur glisten in the light.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Charging after fish (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele extender @1,200mm. ISO 16,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image shot vertically and cropped slightly on top & bottom to make a 4 X 5 aspect ratio.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub showing off fresh salmon in golden light

The light was spectacular, the out-of-focus autumn background perfect, and the bear cubs played with dinner directly before us —what could be better?

This image was made during my Ultimate Fishing Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure last September.

There are still two spots left for my Sept. 17-24 Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure Workshops. All-inclusive from Kodiak, Alaska, we spend eight full days (7 nights) photographing the many Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bears of Katmai National Park.

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub showing off fresh salmon in golden light. (Ursus arctos, ours brun) From my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 800, f/4 @ 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.

Atlantic Puffin with Fish against Golden Cliffs

An Atlantic Puffin bringing home breakfast in golden light against the out-of-focus cliffs during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop in Quebec, Canada.

A couple of spots are still available for this magical newly added workshop from August 10-13, 2024. This workshop is open to photographers of any level. We live in a restored lighthouse on a small island, eat gourmet food, and only walk 200 meters (200 yards) to the prime photography location from our accommodations. We remain on the island only 200 meters (200 yards) from the Puffins (and other birds) for the duration of the workshop. Truly the very best Puffin Adventure in the world!

You can read more about the Deluxe Atlantic Puffins (and so much more) workshop HERE.

Atlantic Puffin 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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X teleconverter (@1,200mm). ISO 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Deluxe Puffins Galore workshop in August. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Prothonotary Warbler at nest box

Peek-a-boo! This beautiful male Prothonotary Warbler looks as if it is poking its head out of a nest box; it had almost landed on my hiking boot and immediately went to work searching for insects trapped in spider webs between the decking planks and the raised edge of the wooden boardwalk. Photographed during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop in Point Pelee National Park of Canada on May 7, 2024.

Prothonotary warbler at Nest Box (Protonotaria citrea, Pauline orangée, PROW) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, 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 @1,200mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Atlantic Puffin banking in golden light with fish

This is, by far, my favourite from last summer’s Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Adventure Workshops. The sun came up quickly as the Puffins were swirling around trying to align their trajectory, the wind with the entry to their burrows; I have watched them circle as many as 23 times while trying to get everything right before landing. Sunrise was 04:59 on August 11, 2023, and this image was made just a few moments later, against the glowing out-of-focus cliffs.

Join me in Quebec for my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins (and so much more) Lighthouse Island Workshop. I just added another date to accommodate the high demand at the best time to be there to ensure there are Puffins bringing fish home for their babies.

Atlantic Puffin banking 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 6,400, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image (shot an ounce too tight, so I added a sliver of canvas to the left and bottom).

Razorbill Last Call in Golden Light

Everyone joins my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins (and so much more) workshops for the Puffins, but the Razorbills are so beautiful and elegant. Often called the Penguins of the North, Razorbills are only found in the Atlantic Ocean.

Razorbill Last Call in Golden Light (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, RAZO) 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 1.4X teleconverter (@840mm) ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame Image.

Atlantic Puffin landing with fish at first light

On the first morning of the first Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more Workshops last July 29, 2023, we were all on the beach well before the 04:43 sunrise. The Puffins were already streaming into their burrows with loads of fish for their growing Pufflings directly in front of us. It was dark, and a layer of fog threatened our golden light. The fog lifted by about 05:05, and this is one of a sequence of images made at 05:11 - our morning was a good one :)

Atlantic Puffin landing 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 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Update

I have just added another workshop from August 10-13 due to the overwhelming popularity of my Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshops.

This is a dream deluxe photography tour: Dreamlike accommodations in a newly restored lighthouse just feet away from nesting Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills on a small island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, with gourmet food.

• It is timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony when the Puffins return with fish to feed their young.

• The group size is limited to 5-8 photographers (the price is per person in single or double occupancy, as desired, with only six rooms available).

• Exclusive use of the lighthouse and accommodations means we will be the island’s only inhabitants.

• The small group size means more assistance, one-on-one guidance, and coaching for every participant.

• Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour; 200-400mm reach is adequate for an impressive portfolio.

• Photographers of all levels are welcome; the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level. Participants should be able to comfortably walk 200 meters (200 yards) at a slow pace while carrying their equipment.

• Owners of all camera brands are welcome. My 40 years of professional photography include the last six years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years using Canon as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light, and 16 years using Nikon before that. I can help anyone with any brand improve their photography.

• Christopher Dodds has 40 years of experience with the Puffins in the great Canadian outdoors.

Atlantic Puffin in flight 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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 10,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Wood Thrush

This was a heart-stopping moment during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop several years ago as this Wood thrush jumped onto the moss-covered rotting log and stopped in the open on camera angle, posing pretty.

Outstanding songsters, the thrushes produce clear, flutelike notes that carry long distances through the woodlands, their favoured habitat. Mainly brown with spotted or speckled breasts, thrushes are insect eaters that spend much of their time searching for food in the leaf litter on the forest floor, making them hard to photograph - smile.

Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina, Grive des bois, WOTH) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 2,000, f/13 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Parula with insect snack

A Northern Parula extracts an insect from its leaf cocoon during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada.

I made this image in the harsh light on the afternoon of May 11, 2023, using my Sony a1, Sony 600mm f/4 and 2X extender (doubler). The Northern Parula must have been a fresh arrival that morning because it was “low & slow,” stopping for minutes between foraging for insects to refuel.

Due to a last-minute medical emergency, there is still space for you to join one of my favourite workshops at one of the top ten birding hotspots in the world. Learn more about my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada HERE.

Northern Parula (male) with insect snack (Setophaga americana, Paruline à collier, NOPA) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/500s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Blue-headed Vireo

A Blue-headed Vireo emerges from the Carolinian forest of Point Pelee National Park to bask in the first drops of golden light during spring migration. It is no coincidence that the insects hiding in leaf litter and tree buds overnight to keep warm also start to warm and stir when the sun casts its warmth - smile.

There is still an opening available for my May 7-11 Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario, due to a last-minute medical emergency. Learn more HERE.

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius, Vireo solitarius, BHVI) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE GALORE WORKSHOP Point Pelee National Park of Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/1,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Yellow Warbler Baby eating a Mayfly

An image from 20 years ago that I just reprocessed for publication. A baby Yellow Warbler photographed just seconds after a Mayfly was delivered by its father for breakfast. Flashback 20 years, and you will find me with my first professional digital camera, the Nikon 1DX, paired with a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 doubler with a flash and a Better Beamer flash extender to add a little catchlight and fill the shadows. There have been so many advances in the digital photography world …….

Yellow warbler baby eating a Mayfly (Setophaga petechia, Pauline jaune, YEWA) From long ago on June 18, 2004. ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Nikon 1DX & Nikon 300mm f/2.8 Lens with Nikon 2X Teleconverter @600mm. ISO 400, f/7.6 @ 1/2,50s Manual exposure with fill flash and Better Beamer flash extender.