Winter DreamScape and TravelCoat by LensCoat review

American Bald Eagle WINTER DREAMSAPE (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 300mm F2.8 L IS USM with Jobu L-Bracket  Hand Held ISO 2,000, f/2.8 @ 1/3,200s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

Here's another Bald Eagle fishing image from my EPIC Bald Eagle Photography Workshop/Safari in March. Yet again, the conditions were some of the very best Eagle photography on the planet. Looking at the results from everyone who joined the workshop; I'd have to say I achieved my goal of making sure everyone went home with images I would be proud to call my own. My years of experience there put us all in the right place at the right time and Mother Nature gracefully co-operated and added a sprinkle of icing sugar every now and than when it snowed. Join me in March 2014 for my Bald Eagle Photography Workshop / Safari - there's still a few spots up for grabs.

Canon 600mm f/4 L IS USM II with TravelCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap by LensCoat & replacment foot by Jobu Designs (use coupon code NATURE at the Jobu store to save 15%)©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 85mm f/1.2 L USM with Jobu L-Bracket  Hand Held ISO 1,000, f/2.8 @ 1/125s Manual mode.

TravelCoat by LensCoat

I travel an awful lot with camera gear and have seen everything while clearing airport security. Although I have never had anything broken by the airport security agents, I have seen my share of big lenses take tumbles while they have opened my camera bag in awkward positions. Once, I saw my 500 f/4 IS L USM almost hit the floor while they were swabbing my open camera bag; the agent flipped the cover closed and turned the bag over to swab the harness without zipping it closed. When I lunged forward and caught my lens ... well, you can imagine the outcome was a little over-the-top with guns out of holsters. Both my lens and I survived the ordeal when everyone realized what had happened; phew!

I have only just recently discovered the TravelCoat by LensCoat and am now comforted knowing my expensive lenses are protected so very well for so very little. The TravelCoat for my 600mm f/4 L IS USM II is only US$64.99. Well designed, custom fit and made of 3mm thick closed cell neoprene, the TravelCoat is a tiny investment to protect your ulta expensive lenses. Once in the field, the TravelCoat stows nicely in my camera bag and my LensCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap take-over the job of protecting my lens when I'm out & about.

Do consider suporting this site and purchase your TravelCoat, LensCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap by clicking on this banner:

LCDVF Digital Viewfinder / Magnifier Review & Maine Moose; it's not too late

Bull Moose Giant of the Northwoods (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/160s Manual. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Moose & Fall Colors of Maine September 27 to October 1, 2010; It's not too late

Only two spots left, so it's not too late to join Christopher Dodds in Baxter State Park and surrounding areas (near Millinocket, Maine) for a truly unique workshop. Our primary focus will be the Moose that are renowned for allowing close human approach. Our trip is also timed to coincide with the amazing fall colors that illuminate Baxter State Park every fall. Though not guaranteed (Moose are wild and free, after all), I often have Moose walking so close to us that we can feel their warm breath in the cool, fall, Maine air. We have traveled far to photograph these majestic giants of the Northern forest, so we won't be spending much time indoors at the computer (like many other photography groups); this trip is all about being out there with the Moose - seeing, being and documenting their behavior during the annual Rut. Other subjects may include White-Tailed Deer, Black Bear, fox and various birds. SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE.

See the blog entries from the 2009 Moose & Fall Colors Workshop / Safari:

The White-Tailed Deer of Baxter State Park Trip Report Part I

American Black Bears of Baxter State Park Trip Report Part II

The Many Moose of Baxter State Park Trip Report Part III

Testimonial

"I was impressed on how much Chris cared about making sure everyone was learning, engaged, and getting the most out of the trip. I look forward to my next workshop with Chris!" Michael Lyncheski Gladstone, NJ

LCDVF Digital SLR Viewfinder / Magnifier Review

The LCDVF is a 2X loupe that is designed as a LCD viewfinder for video-enabled digital SLR’s. Not only for the video enthusiast, the LCDVF is an invaluable aide to achieve more accurate and precise focus for the still photographer. The loupe also acts to block ambient light while shooting outdoors in live-view mode, or reviewing images on the LCD screen for sharpness and the histogram for exposure accuracy. The LCD ViewFinder turns your DSLR LCD screen into a huge electronic viewfinder for precise image evaluation - it’s like viewing a 42" screen from 140cm (4.6 feet).

The part I like most about the LCDVF, is it’s ingenious adhesive ultra-slim metal frame that secures the LCDVF to your camera using four small magnets (located at the camera end of the loupe frame). The LCDVF ships with two magnetic/adhesive frames; only one frame is needed, the extra one is a spare or could be used on a second camera. The magnets are strong enough to securely hold the LCDVF against your camera, but weak enough to break-away if you forget that the lanyard is around your neck and walk away from your expensive camera set-up with a long lens on a tripod; preventing a possible disaster. The company promises these four magnets aren’t strong enough to damage your camera, it’s electronics or the data on your memory card.

There are two models available; the LCDVF for most cameras with a 3” LCD screen, and the LCDVF 3/2 which is custom fit to the Canon 550D, Rebel T2i and the Kiss X4.

The LCDVF has a removable, rotating rubber eye-cup, and was shipped with a foam/microfiber eye cushion that I found useful and comfortable, it includes are a neck strap with quick release buckle and a neoprene pouch (which is well built, but could be about 20% bigger, in my opinion).

I spend an enormous amount of time reviewing images in the field while photographing and teaching outdoor nature photography workshops. The LCDVF has already proven itself to be durable and water resistant and I already can’t imagine shooting without it. The optics are bright and crisp and the LCDVF offers a great view of the whole 3” screen without loosing sight of the corners.

Help support this site and Purches the LCDVF HERE or LCDVF 3/2 HERE

Visit the LCDVF website HERE.

Coastal Brown Bear (Ursus arctos or grizzly) wrestling. HYDROPHOBIA; the Ultimate Rain Cover & Trip Report Part III

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) Wrestling in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Bear Fight

Though struggles between two juvenile bears might seem mortal, it is in fact just playful combat, designed to hone the animals skills. In later life, however, in teritorial disputes between two males, real fights can result in serious injury to the combatants, or even have a fatal outcome. Brown bears also fight to establish hierarchy and rights to prime fishing spots.

Trip Report

We had a blast watching, and photographing, four males (boar) fighting and wrestling with each other for what seemed like hours during the second afternoon of the Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop/Safari. We carefully added out 2X tele-extenders to our 500mm Lenses for maximum reach, to fill the frame and to keep a safe distance between us and the battling giants. It rained much of the day, and we all put our Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia rain covers to good use.

Do consider joining me next year, for the ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Nature Photography Workshop / Photo Safari from July 24 to 30, 2011. MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION FORM HERE.

Think-Tank Photo HYDROPHOBIA Ultimate Camera Rain Cover

I promised a review of the Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia when I got back from Bonaventure Island in June; Turns out, there's no better way to get hot, sunny and dry weather, than bringing along the very best rain gear to protect your valuable camera gear. We had day, after day, of glorious and hot, sunny weather; In fact, I only recall breaking out the rain covers once. There are now tons of reviews out there that include all of the technical specifications and videos of people spraying garden hoses onto expensive cameras sporting these covers. What I wanted to do here is give you a short, sweet, real world review of these covers when used in the very toughest conditions.

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) Fighting in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Think-Tank Photo HYDROPHOBIA 300-600

Rain protection for everything between the 300 F2.8 and the 600 F4 (this even works perfectly with the Canon 800 F5.6, as I discovered). It's designed to be pre-mounted around the lens hood for easy deployment, has a pocket to store the eyepiece (Eyepieces sold separately) and includes an extension for use with the longer glass. Simply put; it's the very best option I've found out there - and I’ve tried dozens. I would love a lower profile pocket at the lens hood end, so my line of sight is not disrupted while photographing birds in flight with the rain cover in the "stored" position and having more material between ends (one piece) would mean I could actually remove the cover in it's stowed position with the lens hood for packing; something I found impossible with my 500mm F4 IS Canon lens, when installed with enough room for my 2X Tele-converter and the Canon off-camera shoe cord slid into the hot shoe. Other improvements that I quickly wished for were more clear window around the eyepiece and a flap over the eyepiece to protect it from filling with raindrops when I wasn't shooting - both of which have been incorporated into the design of the newer Hydrophobia 70-200 & Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash. I do hope there is a re-design of this model, with an option for a removable rain cover for a flash with the Better Beamer Flash Extender attached. I was able to use this cover with the Wimberley tripod head (Version I or II), and I figured out how to use my flash bracket, flash and Better Beamer, but I feel there is more than enough nature photographers out there to warrant a special "nature" edition. In the mean time, this is, without doubt, the very best option on the market now.

Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200

Essentially the 70-200 Flash, without the clear flash pocket - do yourself a favor and spend the extra $6.00 to get the Flash version (below)

Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash

Oh, la-la, this is the newest addition to the Hyrophobia line, and Think-Tank Photo's rapid product evolution really shines here. The clear window has been re-designed with more clear space, there's a cover over the eyepiece that flips up and out of the way when shooting, a removable front lens cover, an ingenious built-in camera strap that keeps your camera securely attached to the cover, and horizontal when slung under your shoulder - fantastic for the long days a nature photographer carries a second, shorter lens / camera. This one is evolutionary perfection and I can't think of a single thing to make it better. The clear flash pouch stows out of the way when not used, and there's even room for flash modifiers.

PRO TIPS:

Real world shooting in the rain required me to frequently remove my hands from the cover, and I found that  my hands got wet and I transferred water inside the cover; this caused the clear windows to fog up. I simply wrapped a small towel around the barrel, where the lens meets the camera body, to dry my hands and absorb any excess moisture, preventing the condensation from forming.
Don’t just use it in the rain. I found the covers to be really useful to prevent saltwater from splashing my gear while photographing from a boat, they kept my gear free of sand while getting low on a beach and I even used them as sun protection for my hands during lengthy shoots in strong sunlight.
Maintenance: For a long life, be sure to rinse after use and hang to dry; I found it practical to leave my Hydrophobia covers hanging in my car to ensure they dried thoroughly before packing into the nylon mesh pouch for storage.

BE SURE TO ORDER YOUR THINK-TANK PHOTO HYDROPHOBIA BY CLICKING THIS LINK AND RECEIVE A FREE BAG WITH EVERY ORDER OVER $50.00

Coastal Brown Bear males (boars) BEAR HUG in rain (Ursus arctos) Kukak Bay, Katmai National Park, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS with 2X Teleconverter II, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600. ISO 1250, F8 @1/800s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Free Site Guide: Photographing the Snow Geese of Victoriaville, Quebec

Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens, Oie des neiges) Réservoir Beaudet, Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 320, 1/1250s F8 Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Réservoir Beaudet is immediately adjacent to the city of Victoriaville, in the Eastern Townships of southern Québec. During migration, this site harbours significant numbers of gulls and geese. Since 1996, high numbers of Greater Snow Geese have been recorded here. So far, 224 species of birds have been recorded at this site. The high concentration of waterbirds using the reservoir is probably linked to the absence of hunters. At peak times in October, ducks, geese, and gulls numbers exceed 1000,000 individuals. Several species of land birds also use the reservoir in high numbers for roosting in the fall. The following are some of the peak counts for certain species: 4,000 American Crows (1989), 17,251 European Starlings (1989), 2,500 Red-winged Blackbirds (1988), 1,000 Common Grackles (1988) and 700 Brown-headed Cowbirds (1988).

Photography is relatively easy here; only a short walk from the parking lot is a boat ramp (GPS co-ordinates: 46° 4'6.37"N , 71°58'35.94"W) that is about the best place to be when the wind is from the west in the afternoon. April-May and October-November are the best times of year for photography.

View Larger Map The green arrow indicates the exact location that I like to be in the afternoon when the wind is from the west. GPS co-ordinates are: 46° 4'6.37"N , 71°58'35.94"W

Vested Interest Photo Vests

John Storrie of The Vested Interest (a division of Storrie Parachute Works Inc.) sent me a Khumbu Photography vest and I am thrilled. True to his solid background in building safe, strong and rugged parachutes, John's The Vested Interest produces top quality photo vests. I wanted a vest, but had very specific needs that only John could address. I wanted a way to transport my camera equipment like a backpack, but allow access to camera bodies and lenses while I hiked without removing a backpack, having to lay it down and unzip it, etc.. I chose the Kumbu model because of the large padded pocket on the back that holds either my 500mm F4 IS or my 300 F2.8 IS Canon lenses. I spend a lot of time photographing from a Zodiac, and that large rear "drop-in" lens pouch on the back is perfect even if I were to take the whole kit off; I simply wrap the whole vest around the mast of the flying bridge and secure with the zipper. Unlike a photo-backpack, where the whole contents are at risk of a spill when open, this vest protects all of my gear and still allows access to each component while protecting the rest. I recently took the vest to photograph Snow Geese in Quebec where there are simply too many people to lay equipment down and not worry about it. The vest held everything I needed and still had plenty of room to spare. It's simply a study in astounding build quality, and design genius; there are even brilliantly designed padded shoulders which not only cushion the weight of your shouldered camera, lens and tripod, but they also disperse it. Built of military grade (just about bomb-proof) parachute nylon, this vest will easily outlast me; it's easy to see why the military buy these for their photographers. Be sure to visit The Vested Interest and check out the various vest designs - most of which can be customized to your specific needs.

That's me, Christopher Dodds, with my Vested Interest Khumbu Photo Vest. Notice just how many pockets there are and that it fits over my down winter jacket. Image copyright & courtesy of Bruce Lapointe.

Pro Tip: GET A GRIP!

I often have many thousands of dollars of equipment set-up on my tripod and carry it around on my shoulder while following my subjects around the wilds. From the moment I leave my car, I risk slipping on packed snow or ice. I keep a pair of MICROspikes with me at all times in the winter. It's like having the very best winter tires with studs and chains and is a relatively small investment to protect both myself and my gear. Wether I'm looking for owls in Owl Woods where it is often icy, or just walking my dog, T-Bone; MICROspikes is the product I use. A less expensive product is offered by Yak-Trax, which I used to use until I discovered MICROspikes - both are good, but MICROspikes are more aggressive, robust, long lasting and less likely to get stuck on something and lost.

Comments welcome & appreciated.