Snowy Owls: They're back!

One of three frames I made during my brief encounter with this beauty while cruising the backroads looking for ….. owls :) Only two spots are left for my winter Snowy Owl Workshops in January.

Snowy Owl in flight (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des Neiges, SNOW) from my Winter Snowy Owl Photo Tour in Canada. Image Copyright 2022 ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 5,000 @ 1/5,000s f/4. Full frame image.

Snowy Owl SNOW SQUALL

This might be my favourite from my winter owl workshops last winter. We waited almost five hours in the cold for this blast-off, which coincided with a brief snow squall. There are only a few spots left for January; Learn more HERE.

Snowy Owl SNOW SQUALL (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des Neiges, SNOW) from my Winter Snowy Owl Photo Tour in Canada. Image Copyright 2022 ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 10,000 @ 1/5,000s f/4. Full frame image top to bottom.

I am excited to be presenting twice daily on November 8 & 9, 2023 at the largest camera show in Canada; ProFusion Expo. Click my picture to learn more and see the schedule.

Bald Eagle Old Man Winter

Eagles Galore workshop in Alaska update

There are only two spots left for my Eagles Galore workshop from March 10 to 14, 2024. Click HERE to learn more if you would like to produce a portfolio full of amazing Bald Eagle images.

Sony Roadshow update

The 2023 Sony Roadshow was a huge success! We drove almost 11,000km across Canada and back in mixed conditions: It was beautiful to leave during the peak of Autumn colour in Quebec and Ontario and then drive all the way back across Canada in the snow!

Special shout-out to the team at Sony Canada, Vistek, Don’s Camera, McBain Camera, Henry’s and London Drugs for sponsoring the events!

Our campsite near Kenora, Ontario. iPhone image edited with Snapseed.

Canadian Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at Vistek Calgary during the 2023 Sony Cross-Canada Roadshow. Image copyright and courtesy Anthony Jones (Thank you Anthony).

Canadian Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at McBain Camera Red Deer, Alberta, during the 2023 Sony Cross-Canada Roadshow. Image copyright and courtesy Collin Örthner (Thank you Collin).

Canadian Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds presenting at Vistek Ottawa during the 2023 Sony Cross-Canada Roadshow. Image copyright and courtesy Roger Goguen (Thank you Roger).

Coastal Brown Bear Cub Showing Off Fresh Salmon

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear shows off a fresh pink salmon in gorgeous light against out-of-focus Alaskan autumn colours. My group was treated to some incredible moments during my ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP.

Join Christopher Dodds at ProFusion Expo in Toronto for my Sony Keynote presentations

Join me in Toronto for the largest camera show in Canada. I am super excited and proud to be making presentations on the main stage and in the Sony booth - come and say HI!

Main Stage

November 08 02:00 – 02:45 pm

November 09 02:00 – 02:45 pm

In the SONY Booth

November 08 12:00 - 12:40 pm

November 09 12:00 – 12:40pm

Coastal Brown Bear (Grizzly) Chasing Salmon in Alaska

A Coastal Brown Bear (Grizzly Bear) chasing a salmon during the salmon run in Katmai National Park, Alaska. This image was made on a dark and cloudy morning during my ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS of KATMAI SALMON FISHING WORKSHOP with my Sony Alpha 1 camera, Sony 600mm f/4 and the Sony 1.4X teleconverter. I held the camera slightly off the ground while using the rear screen as the viewfinder to get a low-perspective view. I chose 20,000 ISO, knowing that the Sony Alpha 1 has an incredibly capable sensor that can record the finest details at that “high” ISO if the image is exposed correctly.

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 JUST ADDED!

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

Cutest Bear Cub with Lipstick & Announcing Christopher Dodds Cross-Canada SONY Roadshow

Have you ever caught a bear cub playing with lipstick? LOL. This Coastal Brown Bear cub has just finished eating a freshly caught salmon. I used the tilting rear screen and placed the camera on the ground to get a low and intimate view in beautiful Alaskan autumn light. Loads of fishing bear images to follow after an amazing Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Alaska Adventure Workshop.

Announcing the 2023 Christopher Dodds Sony Roadshow

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 SOLD OUT!

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

Katmai Brown Bear Mother and Cubs

Another image from my Ultimate Brown Bears Galore of Alaska Bear Boat Adventure Workshop on the Katmai Coast in June. This image was made with my Sony Alpha 1 and Sony 200-600mm zoom lens set to 478mm. Spending so much quality time with the bears is always such a thrill and a privilege!

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.