Crested Auklet portrait showing its pale eye, orange bill and distinctive crest against dark rocks on Saint Paul Island in Alaska's Pribilof Islands. — **Crested Auklet Portrait — Saint Paul Island, Alaska** (*Aethia cristatella,* Starique cristatelle, Mérgulo empenachado, CRAU) from my Saint Paul Island, Alaska Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens and Sony 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200 mm. ISO 16,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

An Hour With a Crested Auklet on Saint Paul Island: Making a Bird Portrait

Christopher Dodds August 27, 2026

Sometimes wildlife photography happens in seconds. Sometimes nature gives you an hour. During my Saint Paul Island photography workshop, we spent nearly an hour with this remarkable Crested Auklet—time to look, see, learn and work toward a better bird portrait.

**Razorbill Flying Over the Gulf of St. Lawrence** (*Uria aalge*, Guillemot marmette, Arao común, COMU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens and Sony 2X **teleconverter** @ 1,200mm. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Common Murre With a Fish — Making the Most of Harsh Light

Christopher Dodds August 26, 2026

What do you do when the light gets harsh during a bird photography workshop? Keep photographing. This Common Murre carrying a fish on Île aux Perroquets is a reminder to practise tracking, study bird behaviour and always be ready for the extraordinary.

Razorbill flying low over the calm Gulf of St. Lawrence with its reflection visible below in Quebec's Mingan Archipelago. — **Razorbill Flying Over the Gulf of St. Lawrence** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/8,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Beyond the Bird: Razorbill Photography and Seeing the Whole Picture

Christopher Dodds August 25, 2026

Sometimes the bird is only part of the photograph. A Razorbill flying low over an amazingly calm Gulf of St. Lawrence becomes a lesson in space, reflection and seeing the whole photograph.

Atlantic Puffin in flight carrying fish through warm light against a dark background, photographed by Christopher Dodds in Quebec, Canada. — **Atlantic Puffin in Flight With Fish in Dramatic Light— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS Lens @ 553 mm. ISO 3,200, f/7.1 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Finding the Light: Previsualizing an Atlantic Puffin in Flight

Christopher Dodds August 24, 2026

Sometimes the photograph is waiting before the bird arrives. I found a tiny tunnel of beautiful light along an Atlantic Puffin flight path, positioned myself for the dark background — and waited.

Bald Eagle flying low over the water near Atlantic Puffins at Île aux Perroquets in Quebec's Mingan Archipelago, photographed by Christopher Dodds. — **Bald Eagle Flying Over Atlantic Puffins at Île aux Perroquets** (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus,* Pygarge a tete blanche, Pigargo americano BAEA) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark 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.

Bald Eagle Surprise While Photographing Atlantic Puffins in Quebec

Christopher Dodds August 22, 2026

We were photographing Atlantic Puffins bathing on calm water at Île aux Perroquets when every bird suddenly scattered. Seconds later, a Bald Eagle came sweeping in low — a perfect example of why wildlife photographers should always be ready for the extraordinary while photographing the ordinary.

Atlantic Puffin flying directly toward the camera with fish in its bill, photographed full frame at 1200mm by Christopher Dodds on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Atlantic Puffin in Flight with Fish at 1200mm— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens and Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

How to Photograph Atlantic Puffins in Flight — Especially When They're Flying Straight at You

Christopher Dodds August 21, 2026

Photographing an Atlantic Puffin flying directly toward the camera is one of the toughest challenges in bird photography. Christopher Dodds explains the autofocus technology, tracking technique and 1/5,000-second shutter speed behind this full-frame image made at 1200mm.

Merlin flying with the remains of a small shorebird, possibly a White-rumped Sandpiper, photographed by Christopher Dodds with a Sony a9 III and 600mm f/4 lens with 1.4X teleconverter at 840mm. — **Merlin Carrying Prey in Flight** (Falco columbarius, Faucon émerillon, Esmerejón, MERL) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens and Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840 mm. ISO 20,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Expect the Unexpected: A Merlin Flies By With Prey

Christopher Dodds August 20, 2026

We had been photographing Atlantic Puffins returning with fish since before sunrise when a different flight pattern caught my eye. Seconds later, a Merlin streaked past carrying what appears to be the back half of a White-rumped Sandpiper.

Atlantic Puffin flying through soft green vegetation with fish in its bill at Île aux Perroquets, Quebec, photographed by Christopher Dodds. — **Atlantic Puffin in Flight — The Last Frame of the Season** **— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @ 600 mm. ISO 5,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

The Last Puffin of the Season — An Image I Had Already Made in My Mind

Christopher Dodds August 19, 2026

Sometimes a wildlife photograph begins long before you raise the camera. I preconceived this Atlantic Puffin image on the long drive to Île aux Perroquets — then made it with the very last puffin frame of my 2026 season.

Atlantic Puffin flying with a bill full of fish photographed at close range in fog on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec, by Christopher Dodds. — **Atlantic Puffin with bill full of fish at 20,000 ISO — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @ 600 mm. ISO 20,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image top to bottom; cropped left and right to 4 x 5 aspect ratio.

Atlantic Puffin at ISO 20,000: Full Frame in the Fog

Christopher Dodds August 18, 2026

A foggy morning on Île aux Perroquets produced an unforgettable close encounter with an Atlantic Puffin carrying a bill full of fish. Photographed full frame at 600mm, 1/5,000 second and ISO 20,000, it's also a perfect example of why I don't fear high ISO when photographing birds in flight.

Razorbill flying with a mouthful of fish for its chick during Christopher Dodds' Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner | Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop

Christopher Dodds August 17, 2026

A Razorbill races home with a beak packed with fish for its hungry chick on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. I photographed this fleeting moment at 1200mm during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop — composed in-camera, full frame and completely uncropped.

**Atlantic Puffin Returning With Fish — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 Mark III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Atlantic Puffins Galore: Thank You for Another Incredible Season on Île aux Perroquets

Christopher Dodds August 13, 2026

Five groups, countless puffins and another remarkable season on Île aux Perroquets. A huge thank you to everyone who joined my 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshops—and a look ahead to 2027.

A self-portrait of me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, made around 1987, shortly after purchasing Château Photo in Châteauguay, Quebec. The portrait was made with film in my Hasselblad 500CM. Looking back, I wish I'd used my Nikon FE2 instead so I could have been holding the Hasselblad in the photograph. It's a small detail—but nearly forty years later, I think it would have told the story even better.

From a Small Portrait Studio to a Life Behind the Lens

Christopher Dodds July 28, 2026

One old self-portrait. One small regret. A lifetime of memories.

While photographing a recent portrait of fellow wildlife photographer Steven Smith, I was reminded of this image from 1987—made shortly after purchasing my first portrait studio. Looking back, it sparked memories of film cameras, darkrooms, newspaper assignments and the journey that eventually led me into wildlife photography.

**Roseate Spoonbill Landing in Morning Fog with Wings Fully Extended***(Platalea ajaja,* Spatule rosée, Espátula rosada, ROSP). Image made April 3, 2026, while scouting for my Ospreys of Florida Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @550mm ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/3,200s. Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Roseate Spoonbill Through the Fog Before My Florida Osprey Workshop

Christopher Dodds July 24, 2026

A Roseate Spoonbill emerges from dense morning fog while scouting before Christopher Dodds' Florida Osprey Workshop. Discover why difficult weather often creates the best wildlife photographs, why ISO 20,000 doesn't scare experienced photographers, and how learning to adapt to changing conditions can transform your bird photography.

**Sea Otter Resting in a Kelp Bed, Antoine Larson Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska** (*Enhydra lutris*) From my Ultimate Alaska Bear Boat Trip. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS @400mm ISO 1,600, f/4.5 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image. Join me in Alaska for the Ultimate Brown Bears Galore Workshop Adventure. LEARN MORE HERE.

Photographing Sea Otters in Antoine Larson Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska

Christopher Dodds July 22, 2026

Before my annual Coastal Brown Bear workshop begins, I always try to spend a few days exploring Kodiak Island. One of my favourite stops is Antoine Larson Bay, where Sea Otters drift through lush kelp beds, offering wonderful opportunities for intimate wildlife photography before the adventure with the bears even begins.

**Storm Light Over Douglas Glacier** (*Ursus arctos*, Coastal Brown Bear, Oso pardo, Ours brun) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright © Christopher Dodds. Hasselblad X2D II 100C medium format mirrorless camera with Hasselblad XCD 35–100mm E Lens @ 75mm (59mm full-frame equivalent). ISO 50, f/20 @ 1/13 sec. Photographed handheld while field testing the remarkable image stabilization of the Hasselblad X2D II. Manual exposure.

Beyond the Bears: Seeing the Bigger Picture at Hallo Bay

Christopher Dodds July 20, 2026

When the bears remained distant at Hallo Bay, I looked beyond the obvious. Instead of reaching for a longer lens, I photographed the landscape with the Hasselblad X2D II, creating an environmental portrait of a lone coastal brown bear beneath Douglas Glacier while putting the camera's remarkable handheld image stabilization to the test.

Black and white portrait of New Brunswick artist Steven Smith holding one of his intricate crow artworks inside Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea, photographed using available light with a Leica Q3 43. — **Artist Steven Smith with his Crow Artwork at Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea.** Image ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Leica Q3 43 @ 43mm ISO 800 F/2.8 @ 1/125s. Full-frame image composed in camera with available light.

Photographing Artist Steven Smith at Crocker Hill in St. Andrews by-the-Sea

Christopher Dodds July 14, 2026

Every now and then I point my camera at something other than wildlife. During a visit to St. Andrews by-the-Sea, I spent an afternoon photographing my friend Steven Smith—an extraordinary Canadian artist whose craftsmanship, creativity and passion made for an unforgettable portrait session.

Orange-crowned Warbler in flight photographed in warm evening light on Kodiak Island, Alaska. The tiny songbird is captured with wings fully raised against a soft golden background, showcasing its agile flight and delicate plumage. — **Orange-crowned Warbler in Flight** (*Leiothlypis celata,* Paruline verdâtre, Reinita coroninaranja, OCWA) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera with the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 5,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Orange-crowned Warbler in Flight on Kodiak Island, Alaska

Christopher Dodds June 29, 2026

While exploring Kodiak Island, Alaska, an Orange-crowned Warbler suddenly took flight, providing a perfect opportunity to test the new Sony FE 100–400mm GM, Sony a9 III, and 2X Teleconverter. Fast autofocus, incredible frame rates, and a little luck came together to capture this fleeting moment.

Christopher Dodds field testing the Sony FE 100-400mm GM lens during torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast for a real-world wildlife photography review. — The **Sony** **FE 100-400mm GM** proved itself during days of wildlife photography in torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast, delivering outstanding image quality, reliable autofocus, and confidence-inspiring weather sealing.

Sony FE 100–400mm GM Review: Field Tested During Torrential Rain Along Alaska's Katmai Coast

Christopher Dodds June 27, 2026

What happens when you take Sony's new FE 100-400mm GM into days of torrential rain on Alaska's Katmai Coast? Instead of laboratory charts and specifications, this real-world review covers autofocus, image quality, weather sealing, handling, and why this versatile telephoto zoom impressed me in the demanding conditions where wildlife photographers actually work.

Golden-crowned Sparrow stretching after a shake while perched on the tip of a spruce tree in Alaska. Its wings are fully extended, revealing the bright yellow crown against a soft golden background. Photograph by Christopher Dodds. — **Golden-crowned Sparrow Landing on a Spruce Tip** (*Zonotrichia atricapilla,* Bruant à couronne dorée, Chingolo coronidorado, GCSP) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 10,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Golden-crowned Sparrow Stretching After a Shake on a Spruce Tree on Kodiak Island, AK

Christopher Dodds June 26, 2026

While exploring the backroads of Kodiak Island, Alaska, Julie and I watched a Golden-crowned Sparrow perform a quick stretch after a shake, briefly revealing the bright golden crown that gives the species its name. Moments like this last only an instant, reminding us why patience—and being ready—are so important in wildlife photography.

**Townsend's Warbler in Fresh Spring Foliage** (*Setophaga townsendi,* Paruline de Townsend, Reinita de Townsend, TOWA) Near Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony α1 II Mirrorless Camera Body & the new Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5 GM OSS & Sony 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 20,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Townsend's Warbler Near Anchorage, Alaska in Early June

Christopher Dodds June 25, 2026

A colourful Townsend's Warbler greeted Julie and me shortly after arriving in Anchorage, Alaska. Early June is a wonderful time for spring migration, and this handsome bird provided the perfect reminder that sometimes the best wildlife photographs are waiting just beyond the parking lot.