Coastal Brown Bear Clamming in the fog

Here is a Coastal Brown Bear (AKA: Grizzly Bear) emerging from the three-foot deep hole it dug in about 25 seconds while hunting for a Razor Clam. We had a fabulous morning watching this giant clamming while ignoring us during my Ultimate Brown Bears Galore Adventure Workshop in Alaska. I used my Sony Alpha 1 and the 200-600mm zoom lens I love for its portability and versatility, set at only 255mm.

Black Bear Sow

This Black Bear sow was photographed during the third day of my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop in Quebec. We were hit with a massive storm, with heavy rain and wind; the resulting waves made it unsafe to land on Bonaventure Island, so the park was closed, which prevented us from going to the Island for the Northern Gannets. We made the 50-minute drive to Forillon National Park (with a stop for the best coffee at Le Café des Artistes in Gaspé), where I had found this Sow and her two cubs while hiking for a few days before the workshop started. We got lucky and had an incredible time with the mother and cubs :)

AI Artificial Intelligence

I have been reading many posts about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and photography; AI has quickly been integrated into almost all of our photography-related software. While playing around with it, I immediately thought of this image, which was made along a gravel path; I replaced the gravel with a stream using the AI-powered generative fill in Photoshop. I like the results, but I feel like I have stolen someone else’s photograph of the stream! In reality, I have stolen someone else’s image of the stream! What are your thoughts about AI?

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch

Here is a Gray-crowned Rosy finch from my Eagles Galore and so much more workshop in Alaska. We carefully placed some birdseed just over the edge of the snowbank after a foot of fresh snow fell overnight.

Did you know? A group of rosy-finches are collectively known as a "bouquet" of finches.

Sandhill Crane After the Storm

This Sandhill Crane was photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop as it landed in golden light after a storm that brought record-breaking rainfall during a drought. The dark stormy sky was the perfect backdrop as hundreds of Sandhill Cranes started to land in the fields. My December workshop is full this year, but a couple of spots are left for 2024!

Northern Gannet Branch Manager

A Northern Gannet “The branch manager” bringing a branch back to its nest over the cliffs of Bonaventure Island during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop in Quebec. While most of the Gannets returning with something to line their nests bring seaweed, grass, and sometimes sticks or feathers, I have occasionally seen them return with fishing nets and garden hoses over the decades of leading workshops at Bonaventure Island.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish

Another Atlantic Puffin from my recently concluded Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec. I used my Sony Alpha 1 with the easy-to-carry Sony 200-600mm zoom lens to make this image hand-held as the Puffin circled before landing at its burrow. Everyone enjoyed the clear blue skies after several wet and rainy days.

Northern Gannet in flight at Bonaventure Island

I don’t think it is a big secret: I love Gannets! They are magnificent and graceful creatures. I used my Sony Alpha 1 camera paired with the Sony 200-600 (my favourite lens) to capture this Northern Gannet landing against the textured pastel sky over the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence during my Gannets Galore and so much more Workshop in Quebec.

Magnolia Warbler

I am still trying to catch up with my images from my May annual Songbirds of Pelee workshop. It was great to have such an incredible group of photographers who were eager to learn. We enjoyed some pretty epic birding, as was expected from one of the planet's top ten spring migration hotspots.

This Magnolia warbler was photographed while hand-holding my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 600mm f/4 with Sony 2X @ 1,200mm. I find it much easier to leave the tripod behind while roaming the trails of Pelee.

Wood Duck in flight

A highlight for me during my Best of Bosque workshop every year is spending time with wood ducks that never disappoint. This image was made with the Sony Alpha 1 camera with a 600mm f/4 lens and 1.4X extender.

Least Sandpiper Reflection

A Least Sandpiper from my Best of Bosque workshop last December. We were at the Crane ponds for the last drops of light, and the air was so still that the reflections were fantastic. Most photographers were lying in the mud trying to get infinite out-of-focus backgrounds, but we chose to work with our tripods fully extended to maximize the reflections.

American Kestrel in flight

An American Kestrel in flight from my Better than Bosque workshop in New Mexico. Talk about heart-stopping action! This was from my last time entering Bosque del Apache NWR (AKA: The Bosque) last December.

I still have one spot left for my Dec. 5-9, 2023 Better than Bosque workshop.

Bald Eagle with fish in nice light

There are still a couple of spots left for my Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska in March. Join me for the adventure and bring home a portfolio full of Bald Eagle images.

Razorbill in flight

A Razorbill in flight from my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshops. It was a dark and rainy day at low tide when this Razorbill flew over the seaweed-covered rocks as it returned to its nest on the cliff.

Razorbills, also known as razor-billed auks or lesser auks, are a unique species of seabird known for their sharp, hatchet-shaped bills and strong swimming abilities. With their sleek black-and-white plumage and distinctive bills, razorbills are a striking sight.

Northern Gannet in flight with seaweed

A Northern Gannet returns to its nest on Bonaventure Island with seaweed during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop. This one is from a folder I found from my 2022 workshop. We had a pretty great day with some spectacular skies!

Common Murre in flight with fish

A Common Murre brings fish back to its baby. Photographed during my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshops in Quebec. While there was an abundance of Puffins bringing fish back to their nests, the Murres were in short supply this year; perhaps the result of the avian flu, as some have speculated, or maybe they were displaced by the larger and now more abundant than ever Razorbills?

Black-legged Kittiwakes

A pair of Black-legged Kittiwakes joust against the shadowed background under the cliffs of Bonaventure Island during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop. The daily four-hour Zodiac adventure under the island's cliffs makes for some pretty incredible imagery, even after the light gets harsh, as was the case here.

Common Murre (bridled form) in flight

I photographed this Common Murre (bridled form) against the shadows under the cliffs during my recent Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshop in Québec, Canada. It was a dark and cloudy morning with a distinct absence of light (to say the least). I knew I wanted to freeze the wingtips, so I chose 1/5,000 of a second shutter speed, leading me to use an ISO of 20,000 while wide open at f/6.3.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with sand lance against blue sky

An Atlantic Puffin was photographed carrying a bill full of sand lance back to its burrow to feed its baby during my recent Puffins Galore and so much more workshop. I grabbed my favourite (and super portable) Sony 200-600mm lens for this blue sky session: simply too much fun with so many Puffins returning to their nests with fish - smile!

Atlantic Puffin over wildflowers & Kudos

I just received the best text:

My friends and I are nearly full-time workshop participants. We love being guided around the world, photographing wildlife with experts and other like-minded people. Finding and travelling with Chris Dodds, however, was a special gift. He TRULY knows the areas in which his workshops are held. He knows the people, the wildlife, and their behaviour. And, of course, he knows photography and how to teach. Now when I’m shooting, I’m channelling Chris and what he’s taught me. - Linda Scher - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (Winter Snowy Owls 2023, Songbirds of Pelee 2023 & Deluxe Atlantic Puffins 2023)

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish in first drops of sweet morning light

This image was created on August 11, during the last of five back-to-back Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshops. It was a magical morning, with repeat clients Julie & Rainer (Saint Paul Island), Charlie (Ospreys) and first-time attendee & solo adventurer Janet living the dream as a full-time RVer.