Snow Goose flying in nice light

A Snow Goose takes flight in the morning light from my recently concluded Best of Bosque workshop. Most of the cranes and Snow Geese had left the safety of the pond before the best light. Having a lot fewer birds made it easier to isolate single birds as they took off to head to the corn fields to eat.

Atlantic puffin in flight in golden light

A Puffin changes direction while on final approach in the last drops of golden light.

The pose with diagonal wings and the head position with the bill clear of the body/wings align with the golden light and catchlight in the eye to make this a keeper :)

Atlantic puffin flying with fish at first light

We were all down on the beach and ready before the sun rose at 04:48 and there really weren’t any birds flying around. The air was warm and still. As the intensity of the sun rose, a gentle breeze turned gusty and Puffins started to appear with bills full of fish. The first dozen flew away from us as they landed, but then the wind shifted and we had dozens of amazing opportunities as they brought home loads of fish for their babies - smile.

Wood Duck FIREWOOD

Wood Duck FIREWOOD (Aix sponsa, Canard branchu, WODU) Quebec, Canada. Image. Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens  with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 400, f/8 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure. Full Frame.

Here's a Wood Duck with brilliant fall foliage reflecting in the water. Mother Nature put on a spectacular foliage show and the weather was spectacular. Just before the light hit the foliage and the show began, the only other photographer there packed-up and left because there was only one Drake Wood Duck. I'm glad I stayed :)

KUDOS

I found Chris via the strong images on his web site.
 
Having now taken two of his photo workshops, I have seen a significant improvement in my images due to improved capture and post processing techniques.  Having taken many other wildlife photo workshops, Chris stands out for his top notch instruction. His workshops provide many excellent photo opportunities.
 
If you are serious about your photography and want to get better, Chris can help you in many ways.  He is willing and able to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it.  He emphasizes not only the vision but also the execution in the field and the post processing.  
 
It was fun shooting with and learning from Chris.  I give a hearty recommendation to anyone considering a photo workshop with Chris, a recommendation I plan to follow.

Carl Zanoni Connecticut, USA

Thanks, Carl! To learn more about my workshops CLICK HERE.

Fall Fawn Portrait a la Sony a9

Eastern White-tailed Deer Fall Fawn Portrait (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Verginie) Alt Island, Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS and Sony 1.4X 560mm. Full frame image. ISO 2,000 f/8 @ 1/160s Manual exposure mode. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Another image from my recent outings testing my Sony a9. This time, I was ready with my 100-400 G master lens and the Sony 1.4X Tele-extender while wandering around looking for fall birds when I noticed a pair of White-tailed Deer fawns. I am still blown away by the Sony a9 phase detect auto focus system! 

Here's wha't left of the massive Canon gear sale:

I’m cleaning out the gear closet, and looking for new homes for some great gear. Everything is in new to near new condition:

SOLD: Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x

SOLD: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Telephoto Lens

SOLD: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Zoom Lens (Version I)

SOLD: Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM Lens

SOLD: Canon Speedlight 580EX II Flash

Feel free to email me for information, or to make an offer!

chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com

SOLD: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens

SOLD: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM Lens

SOLD: Canon EOS 1DX Mark II Body 36,000 actuations

SOLD: Canon EOS 1DX Mark II Body 56,000 actuations

SOLD: Canon Speedlight 600EX II-RT Flash

SOLD:Canon EF 600mm f/4.0L IS II USM Telephoto Lens

SOLD: Canon EOS 7D Mark II Body

SOLD:Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II USM Lens

SOLD: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

SOLD: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4.0L Fisheye Lens

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Workshop / Photo Safari July 24-30, 2011 Announced

Coastal Brown Bear Female (Sow) Fishing in Last Light Vertical (Ursus arctos) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 1.4 Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 1600, F5.6 @1/2000s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

2011 Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Workshop/Safari Announced

Join me, Christopher Dodds, and some of the more than 2,000 Coastal Brown Bears at the best place in the world to photograph Coastal Brown Bears. Claiming the world’s highest concentration of Coastal Brown Bears, Katmai National Park in Alaska also has to be the most beautiful setting on the planet to photograph them. Truly the adventure of a lifetime, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see, study and photograph Coastal Brown Bears in their undisturbed, natural environment without the influence or pressure that large groups and camps often cause. I have secured the much coveted dates of July 24-30, 2011; timed to coincide with the annual Salmon run. With a limit of only six participants, there will be plenty of time for instruction and personal attention from Chris. MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION FORM HERE.

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT & CANON RAIN COVER BONUS

Register for the 2011 Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Nature Photography Workshop/Safari early and you save $380.00 per person AND receive a limited edition (rare) Canon rain cover for your camera. Choose between the large (400/2.8, 500/f,600/4 or 800/5.6) or medium (200/2, 300/2.8 or 400/4) versions. Supplies are limited; offer valid only while supplies last. Special thanks to Canon Canada Professional Services for the rain covers. REGISTER HERE.

N-Rain Cover E2-M (medium) or E2-L (Large): Keeps your professional camera clean and dry when shooting in a wet environment. Compatible with current profesional Canon EOS Cameras. Transparent window enables clear visibility of the top and rear LCD panels and LC monitor. Front fastener enables easy attachment and removal of all lenses. Displays a large printed "Canon" logo and includes a soft case for compact packing.

CANON EOS 7D and CANON EOS-1D Mark IV firmware updates
Find out more about the latest firmware updates for the EOS 7D (Version 1.2.2) and EOS-1D Mark IV (Version 1.0.8) DSLRs that include a fix to ensure set apertures stay in place when shooting EOS Movies in manual. 

Updates available for download HERE