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.

Fishing Bald Eagle Exploding Head-on with Fish

A Bald Eagle explodes towards us with freshly caught fish during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I can’t think of anything as thrilling in nature photography as when you review your images and realize you got the shot!

We have two spots open for my March 10-14 Eagles Galore trip due to an unfortunate medical emergency, so join me for the Ultimate Alaskan Eagles Galore trip of a lifetime if you can get to Alaska in time.

Fishing Bald Eagle Exploding Head-on with Fish (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagles Tandem Fishing

TWO Bald Eagles on the final approach for the same fish. It is always thrilling to get the opportunity to photograph Bald Eagles fishing, much more so when two are competing for the same fish. This is one of a sequence of five frames from this moment during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

We were on the beach before sunrise, and the action didn’t wait for the sun, so I reached for my Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM lens and shot wide open at f/2.8.

Bald Eagles Tandem Fishing (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 6,400, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop every March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Slamming Salmon

We had some of the most epic bear encounters during my recently concluded ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP. This image was made from the river's edge, with my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 600mm f/4 lens on the ground and the screen tilted up. Everyone got more images of fishing bears than they imagined possible, and the weather was “Alaskan Awesome” with a mix of everything!

2023 Christopher Dodds Sony Roadshow update

I am thrilled to be making another trip across Canada to present at some of Canada’s finest Sony retailers. Sony sponsors the roadshow, and all of the presentations are free. Get your tickets here:

VISTEK Ottawa, ON - October 2, 2023

HENRY’S Toronto, ON - October 3, 2023

HENRY’S Winnipeg, MB - October 6, 2023

DON’S PHOTO Regina, SK - October 7, 2023

LONDON DRUGS Saskatoon, SK - October 8, 2023

VISTEK Edmonton, AB - October 11, 2023

VISTEK Calgary, AB - October 12, 2023

McBAIN CAMERA Red Deer, AB - October 13, 2023

McBAIN CAMERA Lethbridge, AB - October 14, 2023

HENRY’S Vancouver, BC - October 18, 2023

Keslow Camera Vancouver, BC - October 19

Tufted Puffin in flight with fish

I am about to start my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec, so I thought I would share a TUFTED PUFFIN in flight with a mouth full of fish for its baby. Image created hand-held from the boat as we commuted from ship to shore during my Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska.

Razorbill in flight with fish takeout

It’s not only Puffins: A Razorbill bringing home some fish for its baby during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more Workshop.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish at sunset

One of my favourite Atlantic Puffin images of all time; We were set up on the beach in perfect conditions with the wind blowing from our backs and the sun behind us. The storm cleared quickly, and the pastel colours in the sky were fabulous as sunset quickly approached. The tide was about to turn, but no Puffins were flying in. We waited patiently, and suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, and Puffins started bringing fish back to the babies in their burrows. This image was made with my Sony 200-600mm zoom lens @472mm.

Join me at the best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins! The included recently renovated lighthouse accommodations on a small private island are what dream adventures are made of. Learn more about my DELUXE ATLANTIC PUFFINS GALORE AND SO MUCH MORE WORKSHOP HERE.

Atlantic Puffin Headshot with beak full of fish

An Atlantic Puffin proudly displaying its bounty during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop in Quebec.

Puffins swim underwater using their semi-extended wings as paddles to "fly" through the water and their feet as a rudder. It swims fast and can reach considerable depths and stay submerged for up to a minute. It fishes by sight and can swallow small fish while submerged, but larger specimens are brought to the surface. It can catch several small fish in one dive, holding the first ones in place in its beak with its muscular, grooved tongue while it catches others. The two mandibles are hinged in such a way that they can be held parallel to hold a row of fish in place and these are also retained by inward-facing serrations on the edges of the beak.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish and Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Update

I love the painterly quality of this image captured before sunrise in light fog during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop last August 11 (2022). I processed another version with more contrast, virtually eliminating the fog, but I prefer this version. Notice that I chose to use 10,000 ISO to properly expose the image while using an action-stopping 1/5,000s shutter speed. My Sony 200-600mm has become my most used and much-loved lens :)

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.

• Timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony with the Puffins returning with fish to feed their young.

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

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

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

• Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour; 200-600mm reach is adequate for an impressive portfolio.

• Photographers of all levels are welcome, the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level.

• Owners of all camera brands are welcome; my 40 years of professional photography include the last five 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 over 39 years of experience in the great Canadian outdoors with the Puffins.

Bald Eagle in flight with prey

A Bald Eagle with its prize. The light and action was extraordinary during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska this March.

Eagles Galore Workshop update:

Blad Eagle with fresh catch in the mountains

It seemed like the beautiful light would never end during my recently concluded Eagles Galore Workshops. We had endless light, flat water and perfect winds for most of both trips, so we got to use up all of our boat time and we even squeezed in some extra! Oh, and did I mention the Eagles were off the charts?

Bald Eagle with fish birdscape

We had spectacular light for both of my Eagles Galore workshops in Alaska. This was from a very windy day which meant that the eagles would grab a fish and fly directly into the heavy gusts, which propelled them skyward while quickly gaining altitude - often banking to reveal their fresh catch against the mountains while illuminated by the golden light.

Bald Eagle Workshop update

There are still a couple of spots left for my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. Join me for the adventure, Eagles Galore and so much more!

Click HERE to learn more.

Join the adventure and bring home a portfolio full of Bald Eagle images LEARN MORE HERE

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Join the adventure and bring home a portfolio full of Bald Eagle images LEARN MORE HERE 🦅

Bad Eagle Hunting

Another Bald Eagle on the hunt photographed during my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska with the Sony FE 100-400mm G Master zoom lens @ 263mm.

Bald Eagle Fishing

There are still a few spots left for my Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska. Join me for an incredible adventure in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Did I mention the Eagles Galore? Learn more about my March Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska HERE.

Bald Eagle predawn fishing

It is always a thrill to set up on a beach in remote Alaska before dawn on a windless (and waveless) morning. This Bald Eagle made for a sudden adrenaline rush but ultimately missed the fish!

Join me in Alaska for a dream Eagle photography workshop. CLICK HERE for more information

🦅

Join me in Alaska for a dream Eagle photography workshop. CLICK HERE for more information 🦅

Bald Eagle sub-adult with fish

The first drops of morning light crested the mountains behind us in Kenai Fjords National Park at the bottom of the tide in Kachemak Bay as we lay on the wet rocks at the water's edge; then the tide turned, and a wave gently lapped up into my lens hood. I made this image just at that moment. The lens was fine after a careful cleaning - smile.

The darker markings amongst the white head and tail feathers, with the white markings on the dark wing feathers, indicate this is likely a 3.5-year-old Eagle.

Bald Eagle FOCUS

A Bald Eagle with fresh catch from my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. Adrenaline flows when the water is flat, and the Eagles are plentiful. Flat water makes for better backgrounds, but it usually means there is little to no wind since birds take off and land into the wind; this means that you have to be ready because you never know which Eagle will fish toward you :)

Happy New Year

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. May the light and wind always be at your back and your viewfinder full of incredible subjects in spectacular light. Most of all, let’s hope 2023 brings an end to Covid-19 one and for all.