Black-throated Blue Warbler Point Pelee Workshop Opening

Here is a beautiful Black-Throated Blue Warbler from an incredible afternoon during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop last May 8, 2023.

Due to a medical emergency, I suddenly have space available for my May 7-11 Songbirds of Pelee Workshop (Get well soon, Dave) that sold out last July. Join me for this epic experience at the peak of the spring songbird migration at one of the top 10 birding destinations in the world! I am a fully licenced operator in the park.

Point Pelee National Park is one of the best inland locations to observe bird migration. Its location on major migratory flyways and the north shore of Lake Erie make it a migrant trap—a place that attracts a wide diversity of species in a tiny area. More than 390 species of birds have been recorded in the Point Pelee Birding Area.

Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens, Paruline bleue, BTBW) from mySONGBIRDS 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 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 3,200, f/14 @ 1/400s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Osprey Calling with fish in first light

After an early breakfast, we drive to Lake Blue Cypress and board the pontoon boat for what is always a magical ride through the Osprey-filled Blue Cypress trees that grow in the water as the sun begins to cast its magical first drops of light. On the last morning of the first Ospreys Galore Workshop (April 7), I heard the celebratory calling of this Osprey showing off its fresh catch to its mate, and Captain Don quickly did his part and got us in position to make a series of images before leaving the bird in peace.

Join me next April for this magical adventure: Ospreys Galore and so much more Aril 5-7 & 8-10, 2025. Learn More HERE.

OSPREY in flight with fresh catch (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop on April 7, 2024, at Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full-frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Osprey in flight with fresh catch

An Osprey with a freshly caught fish from my recently concluded Ospreys Galore workshop in Florida.

Brown and white, with nearly six-foot wingspans, ospreys are formidable birds of prey that feed exclusively on fish. Also known as fish hawks, they hover over rivers, lakes, and seacoasts as they search for prey. Once they spot a tantalizing flash, ospreys plunge feet-first into the water, often with a great splash, and seize their slippery catch in sharp talons. On the flight home, they usually hold the fish facing forward, reducing wind resistance.

OSPREY in flight with fresh catch (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop on April 9, 2024, at Sebastian Inlet, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full-frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Red-shouldered Hawk

I love exploring the hidden canals controlling Lake Blue Cypress's water level during the afternoons of my Ospreys Galore (and so much more) Workshop in Florida. This image was made during the first workshop on the afternoon of April 6 as this Red-shouldered Hawk flew a short distance between two trees.

The Sony a9 III has proven to be a remarkable action camera; the autofocus is a step beyond that of the Alpha 1, and the 120 fps Raw capture is a game changer.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus, Buse à épaulettes, RSHA) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK

Roseate Spoonbill pretty in Pink

A Roseate Spoonbill lands directly in front of me during my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop (and so much more) in Florida.

One of the most spectacularly beautiful large wading birds is the roseate spoonbill, a resident of the Gulf Coast from east Texas to southern Florida. Named for its bright pink plumage and long, flat, spoon-shaped bill, the bird feeds in a manner all its own. It swings its extremely sensitive bill from side to side in shallow water, snapping it shut on small fish, shrimp, and insects that it detects by touch.

Like other members of the ibis family, roseate spoonbills are usually found in flocks. The birds nest in colonies among shrubs and mangroves, often sharing island rookeries with herons, egrets, and other waders. Spoonbills fly in long lines at dusk, their slender necks extended as they head to their roosts.

Roseate Spoonbill landing in spectacular light (Platalea ajaja, Spatule rosée, ROSP) from my OSPREYS GALORE WORKSHOP at Stick Marsh in Fellsmere, Florida ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm. ISO 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.Full frame image.

Boat-tailed Grackle in flight

Who would have thought that a Boat-tailed Grackle would be one of my favourite images from our Stick Marsh excursion to the Roseate Spoonbills in Fellsmere, Florida?

High winds and heavy rain were predicted for the morning of April 10 at Lake Blue Cypress during my Ospreys Galore Workshop, so Captain Don and I decided it best to keep everyone safe and skip the boat. We all headed to the Roseate Spoonbill colony for an epic shoot; this Boat-tailed Grackle decided to fly in and land directly in front of me. Choosing my favourite from the nearly 250 images made with the new Sony a9 III at 120 frames per second took some time!

Boat-tailed Grackle in flight (Quiscalus major, Quiscale des marais, BTGR) April 10, 2024 from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Fellsmere, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 5,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Join me in Florida for my Ospreys Galore (and so much more) Workshop next April 5-7 or 8-10. Learn more HERE.

Peregrine Falcon in Golden Light

Peregrine Falcons don’t nest in Florida but can be seen during seasonal migrations. We often get to see them during my Ospreys Galore Workshops every April.

Fun Fact: “Peregrine” means wanderer. Northern breeders migrate from the Arctic tundra to South America.

Peregrine Falcon in golden light (Falco peregrinus, Faucon pèlerin, PEFA) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK

Snail Kite in Flight

This Snail Kite is undoubtedly one of the more bizarre raptors of the world, but it is emblematic of the Everglades, so much so that for years, it was called the Everglades Kite. We often see them hunt Apple Snails while exploring the waterways during my Ospreys Galore Workshop in Florida.

OSPREY Showing off a Fish for breakfast in golden light (Rostrhamus sociabilis, Milan des Marais, SNKI) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 2,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK

Osprey showing off Fish for Breakfast in Golden Light

Being out on the boat on Lake Blue Cypress and in position at sunrise is one of my favourite ways to start a morning. Add the melody of calling Ospreys proudly announcing their arrival with breakfast and the first drops of golden light….with an Osprey showing off its fresh fish; it doesn’t get any better!

Due to a medical accident, one spot is still available from April 5-7. You can learn more or sign up for my Ospreys Galore Workshop on Lake Blue Cypress HERE.

OSPREY Showing off a Fish for breakfast in golden light (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 4,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full-frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Dodds a few weeks ago in Florida when I signed up for his Osprey workshop. The sign up process and pre workshop communication was excellent and concise. I must admit that as I drove over from Tampa to the hotel I was a bit uneasy after looking at Chris’s images wondering if he was approachable, patient, and a good teacher with someone like me who didn’t have a lot of experience shooting wildlife before. We met in the hotel lobby , chatted for 30 minutes or so and thankfully Chris put my concerns to rest. I went to bed that night knowing that the next few days would be an adventure.

I can honestly say that Chris Dodd’s workshop for Ospreys far exceeded my expectations. Chris is a great guy, very happy to answer your questions and the best thing of all, fun to shoot with. I learned a lot, met a new friend and best of all was blown away at the quality of my images because of Chris’s help/techniques. I cannot wait to meet Chris somewhere else in the wild and experience another awesome outdoor shooting experience. Thank you Chris, I hope to see you again soon!”

— Mark Weaver Tampa, Florida, USA

Another Crappie Osprey Picture - Osprey in flight in golden light with a Black Crappie

An Osprey in golden light with a freshly caught Black Crappie to feed its babies during my Ospreys Galore Workshop at Lake Blue Cypress in Florida.

One spot is still available for my April 5-7 Ospreys Galore Workshop after a last-minute medical cancellation.

The common English names of the black crappie are: calico bass, crappie, crawpie, grass bass, moonfish, oswego bass, shiner, speck, speckled bass, and strawberry bass. Other common names are kalikoabborre (Swedish), marigane noire (French Canadian), mustapilkkuahven (Finnish), perca-prateada (Portuguese), sort crappie (Danish), svart solabbor (Norwegian), and svart solabborre (Swedish).

Another Crappie Osprey Picture - Osprey in flight in golden light with a Black Crappie (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR & Pomoxis nigromaculatus, marigane noire) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony 200-600mm Lens (@560mm) ISO 2,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Osprey Showing off a Fish

This Osprey announcing its arrival with fresh fish for its new babies was made during my Ospreys Galore Workshop on Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach in Florida. The is still one spot left due to last-minute medical cancellation (a fractured femur that led to three days in hospital, rods, plates and screws and a whole lot of physio. Get back on your feet soon, Joe!).

Learn more & Sign up for Ospreys Galore HERE

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Learn more & Sign up for Ospreys Galore HERE /

OSPREY Showing off a Fish (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 640, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

“Hi Chris, Thank you for the magical photography experience on Lake Blue Cypress. The opportunity to witness and capture images of this annual ritual of the osprey life cycle was truly a privilege. The setting and expertise of you and the captain were perfection, with the weather and wind in remarkable compliance for the ideal opportunities for memories of a lifetime. Thank you again for putting together this wonderful experience. Honestly, I am in awe of the photos that came out of my camera— you set me up for success! Thank you so much for this!”

— Marsha Lomis (Ontario, Canada)

Osprey flying with a fish & Ospreys Galore Last Minute Opening

I just had a cancellation, which opened up one spot for my April 5-7, 2024, Ospreys Galore Workshop on Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida. This is always a fun and productive workshop in a remarkable location with an incredible density of nesting Ospreys bringing fish back to feed their babies. Learn More about my Ospreys Galore Workshops every April HERE.

OSPREY Flying with a fish (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 800, f/4 @ 1/6,400s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Amongst the many great things about leading photo safaris and teaching workshops are the people I get to meet and spend time with. Geoff sent along this great note after attending my Ospreys Galore workshop/safari a few years ago and I thought I would share it. A million thanks, Geoff!

"Osprey safari: An incredible opportunity.

I recently attended the Osprey safari offered by Chris Dodds, and I was positively thrilled with the excursion. The people in our small group were fantastic.  The environment was magical. The photographic opportunities were amazing and abundant. Every part of the physical expedition was most impressive, but what I was really taken with was the panoply of knowledge Chris demonstrated throughout the trip. Whether identifying various birds dozens of yards away simply by call, or exuding masterful control over the camera, Chris was able to display his expertise and offer assistance when needed. Chris is very amiable and approachable. No matter what skill level a photographer has, Chris always made one feel important with his one on one attention and did so without any air of condescension. It was very much like shooting with great friends with your own personal tutor to turn to if needed. I can honestly say that both my skill level and knowledge base increased from my trip with Chris. Thanks again Chris."

- Geoff Powell Vero Beach | FL | USA

American Crow in Flight

Formerly known as a Northwestern Crow, this American Crow added to the Eagle fun during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska. I love the frost on its feet.

American Crow in Flight (Corvus brachyrhynchos, Corneille d'Amérique, AMCR) March 7, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 10,000, 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 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.

Surf Scoter in flight

We returned to town after an incredible and action-filled four-hour Eagle photography session during my Eagles Galore Workshop on March 8, 2024. We visited my favourite, The Bagel Shop, for a fabulous lunch and superb coffee. After a short break, we set up outside the hotel, and despite it being relatively quiet, there were some Long-Tailed Ducks within reach and a couple of other species of ducks appeared. I was tracking a few Common Goldeneyes that were slightly off-camera angle when this female Surf Scoter made a single pass and almost landed.

Thanks to the new Sony a9 mark III, the short encounter produced 65 images, allowing me to choose the best pose and angle.

Surf Scoter in flight (Melanitta perspicillata, Macreuse à front blanc, SUSC) March 8, 2024, 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 1,600, f/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 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.