Immature Merlin in Flight — Backlit Birds in Flight at a Puffin Workshop

The first of five back-to-back Deluxe Puffin trips last summer started exactly how you’d hope.

Birds moving well, puffins coming in with capelin, and it didn’t take long before everyone settled into it. You could feel the group starting to lock in—picking up flight lines, timing things a bit better with each pass.

We were right in the middle of that when Hugh Smith called it out.

“Merlin!”

I remember pulling off a puffin mid-track and just trying to find it. By the time I did, it was already on us. Fast, low, and coming straight in.

Bright sky behind it, backlit, no time to think. If you start messing with exposure at that point, it’s over.

I didn’t touch anything.

Exposure was already set for the light falling on the subject. I had checked the histogram earlier and knew where I was. So when it came through, it was just track and shoot.

One quick moment—wings up, feet down—and then it was gone.

That was it.

We all kind of reset, picked the puffins back up, and carried on as if nothing happened. Another bird came in with a bill full of capelin a few seconds later, and the rhythm was right back.

But that one sticks with you a bit.

Not because it was a Merlin—but because there was no time to fix anything if it wasn’t right already.

There’s one room left for this year’s Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop. We’ll be based on a remote lighthouse island, with hundreds of puffins flying right over us and landing just 200 metres from where we’re staying.

If that kind of experience has been on your list, this is your chance.

“To say the puffin experience was enjoyable would be an understatement!  It was amazing!  Being on a small island, living in a lighthouse keeper’s house, with a puffin colony close in our midst gave us a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the plentiful puffins combined with many other sea and song birds!    Seeing the puffins bringing capelin to feed their “pufflings” was a highlight!   Being on site offered us different lighting conditions, including the warm morning and evening hues, with Chris offering us great guidance on camera settings for optimum results!   I knew puffins flew fast, often flying over our heads where you could feel the wind of their wings!  How cool is that!?   Photographing them to freeze the action with crisp, in focus images was truly fun, especially when puffins arrived with “fish on”!   Chris’ extensive photographic expertise was greatly appreciated, and it paid off as we all came back with wonderful images!    I highly recommend this excursion!”

 - France Boutilier Nova Scotia | Canada Aug. 2025 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop

Coastal Brown Bear Cubs Playfighting in Golden Light | Katmai Alaska Wildlife Photography

When the Fog Lifted — Katmai Spring Cubs at Play

There are moments in wildlife photography that stay with you long after the shutter stops.

After breakfast, we slipped quietly into the skiff and moved through thick coastal fog, the kind that muffles sound and softens everything around you. A short walk brought us onto the meadow just as the first warm light began to push through.

Then it happened.

As the fog slowly lifted, two spring cubs emerged right in front of us — already engaged, already full of energy. Wrestling. Testing each other. Completely unaware of us.

It was one of those emotional moments in the field where everything aligns — light, behaviour, proximity.

We sat with them for nearly an hour, photographing as they playfought in that beautiful, diffused golden light. No chaos. No rush. Just pure, natural behaviour unfolding in front of us.

This is early June on the Katmai coast.

When the grass is still low, the cubs are visible, and moments like this are possible — but never guaranteed. That’s the reality of working with truly wild bears, and exactly what makes it so rewarding when it comes together.

If experiencing moments like this is why you photograph wildlife, you’ll understand why this place is so special.

👉 Join me this June 12-19, 2026.

Experience Katmai’s Coastal Brown Bears — Where Wild Moments Like This Happen

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Experience Katmai’s Coastal Brown Bears — Where Wild Moments Like This Happen 🐻

Coastal Brown Bears Fighting in Katmai Alaska | Ultimate Brown Bear Photography Workshop

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline of being close to two coastal brown bears when they start to get rowdy.

We had been observing their behaviour from a safe distance and weren’t taking many photos at first because they were pointed away from us. Then everything changed. As they shifted and moved closer, their energy escalated — bringing the action right into range.

What looked intense never became dangerous. No injuries — just natural play fighting and strength testing. They stayed mostly within a small ditch, which helped contain the interaction but also hid much of it from view. We were ecstatic when everything lined up, and they engaged parallel to us, giving everyone the images they had been hoping for.

Moments like this aren’t rare in early June on the Katmai coast — but they’re never guaranteed. That’s the reality of working with truly wild animals, and part of what makes experiences like this so rewarding when it all comes together.

If this is the kind of behaviour you’ve been hoping to photograph, my June Ultimate Brown Bear workshop is timed specifically for it — before the sedge grass grows tall, when visibility is still excellent and interactions like this are at their peak.

👉 Details and availability:
https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Peak Behaviour — Join My June Katmai Workshop

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Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Peak Behaviour — Join My June Katmai Workshop 🐻

Old Man of the Sea — Grizzled Sea Otter Portrait | Katmai Coast Alaska Wildlife Photography

There’s no mistaking an older sea otter when you see one.

This individual caught my attention immediately — that pale, weathered face rising out of calm water, front paws tucked in, completely at ease.

This isn’t albinism. What you’re seeing is age.

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) often develop what’s known as “grizzling” — a gradual lightening of the fur as pigment fades over time. It typically starts on the head and can spread into the neck and chest. Some individuals, like this one, become almost entirely pale through the face, giving them a very distinctive look.

We photographed this otter along the Katmai Coast during my June Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska workshop. While most people come for the bears, the strength of this trip is really the ecosystem as a whole. On any given day, you can move from photographing coastal brown bears to moments like this — quiet water, soft light, and a subject that simply lets you in.

Life for a sea otter here isn’t easy. Predation by killer whales has impacted some populations, and in rare cases, coastal brown bears have been known to take otters. Even in a place that feels calm, survival is never guaranteed.

From a photographic standpoint, this is exactly what I look for. Clean, uncluttered, and intimate. Shooting at water level removes everything but the subject.

Coastal Brown Bear Cubs Play Fighting in Katmai | Alaska Bear Photography Workshop

There’s always a moment after the action.

After a morning of torrential rain along the Katmai coast, the weather finally eased, and the bears began to emerge. These two spring cub siblings didn’t waste any time — tumbling, sparring, and chasing each other through the fresh green growth.

Full of energy.
Relentless.
Exactly what you hope to witness.

And then… it stopped.

Just as quickly as it began, the intensity faded. The bursts of energy gave way to fatigue, and within minutes, both cubs settled down side by side and face to face.

This moment.

Not the chaos — but the quiet after.

You could see it in their posture. Heads lowering. Eyes softening. The last flickers of play giving way to rest. Completely at ease in each other’s presence.

It’s easy to focus on the action, but these quieter moments often tell the deeper story — trust, comfort, and the bond between siblings learning the world together.

From a photographic standpoint, this is where everything comes together:
Soft post-storm light, clean green tones, low shooting angle, and behaviour that feels real.

No drama. No force. Just authenticity.

An Immersion in Bears — Not Just a Sighting

This image was created during my eight-day Coastal Brown Bear Workshop in Alaska — built around time, access, and real behaviour.

We begin with a scenic floatplane flight from Kodiak along the Katmai coast, landing to meet our vessel. After lunch, we’re out photographing bears that very first afternoon.

From there:

Days 2–7 — full days with bears.

No long drives.
No crowds.
No pressure.

Just time to let moments like this unfold naturally.

On Day 8, we photograph bears once more after breakfast before boarding our return floatplane flight back to Kodiak.

Why Early June Matters

These are spring cubs, and timing is everything.

Early June offers:

• Cubs that are still small, curious, and highly interactive

• Frequent bursts of play followed by moments like this

• Open visibility before the sedge grass grows too tall

It’s one of the few times you can consistently photograph both behaviour and emotion in the same sequence.

Join Me in Alaska

If you want more than just action shots — if you want to capture the full story of wildlife behaviour, from intensity to quiet — this is where it happens.

👉 Full details:
https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

Small group.
Eight days.
Real moments like this.

Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Alaska — Eight Days of Unmatched Wildlife Access

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Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Alaska — Eight Days of Unmatched Wildlife Access 〰️

Coastal Brown Bear Cub in the Rain — Katmai Alaska Bear Photography Workshop

Standing in the Rain with a Bear Cub — Katmai, Alaska

It had been raining hard all morning.

Not on and off… just steady, soaking rain. The kind that usually keeps people inside.

But not bears.

As the rain eased slightly, they began to emerge — and then this little cub walked out onto the shoreline, completely at ease.

Curious. Relaxed. Unbothered.

And then he stood up.

Not because of us — just to see the world a little better.

Close… but on Their Terms

One of the most remarkable things about photographing bears along the Katmai coast is just how comfortable they are.

We don’t approach.
We don’t pressure.

We let the bears decide.

And when you do that properly, you can be surprisingly close — not just physically, but connected to the moment in a way that’s hard to describe.

Cubs, Mothers, and the Landscape

Cubs face real risk from large adult males, so mothers are constantly making decisions about where to spend their time.

In places like Katmai, where bears are used to respectful human presence, you’ll sometimes notice mothers with cubs more comfortable in those same areas — while big males tend to keep their distance.

It’s not something dramatic or obvious… just part of how bears quietly navigate risk on the landscape.

And when you understand that — and respect it — you start to witness moments like this.

Why This Matters

Standing there, in the rain, with a young bear completely at ease…

You feel it.

This isn’t a zoo.
This isn’t luck.

It’s earned — through patience, respect, and being in the right place at the right time.

Join Me for the trip of a lifetime!

If you’ve ever wanted to experience this for yourself — not just see bears, but truly photograph them in the wild — this is it.

Eight days along the Katmai coast.
A scenic floatplane flight (included) carries us along the stunning coastline to our vessel, where a welcoming lunch awaits before we head straight out to photograph bears that very afternoon.
From that first shoot through to our final morning shoot after breakfast on day eight, it’s complete immersion in bears — living, breathing, and photographing alongside them — before we return to Kodiak.

👉 https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

These are the moments you don’t forget.

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You have helped me become a better photographer

Last week I finished editing my photos from the Alaska Bear Boat Trip, and I have lots of photos that I consider good. After what I have learned in your workshops, I am very conservative to call a photo “good” but can report that I have many more good photos from the trip than I expected to get.

The photo opportunities in Katmai National Park were numerous, the weather was cooperative, and trips to shore resulted in excellent light. You work hard to make your trips productive, informational, and an opportunity to improve one’s photography, and this trip was no exception.

The other participants were courteous and positive individuals with whom it was fun to share travel and photographic experiences. As you know I have been on more than a dozen trips with you and often there are other repeat customers/photographers on the trips. My experience is that the photographers who make multiple trips with you are always individuals with whom it is a pleasure to spend 3-7 days. Many of these people are as interested in my photography as they are in their own, and frequently it is possible to learn from one another. These folks are friends by the end of the trip, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future. The crew of the boat is helpful, the cook is experienced, the bear guide is knowledgeable, and the food is elegant. It was amazing to eat so much good food on the boat considering the limited facilities and space in which to prepare the meals.

This trip is the most memorial trip which you offer. The success of my photography from this trip is a result of the specific organization of this trip but also from the invaluable photographic expertise that I have gotten from your trips in this past. I have and do recommend your trips to other photographers as a fun way to spend time and improve their photography. You have helped me become a better photographer and I am happy to call you “friend”. Best wishes to you and your wife, Julie.

Dennis Stone, Indiana | USA

Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop — Photographing Playfighting Cubs in Katmai Alaska

That morning, the rain was almost torrential.

For much of the morning, it felt like the kind of weather that might keep everything quiet. Sheets of rain, low cloud, and very little movement.

And then it began to ease.

As it slowed, the bears started coming out.

One after another.

Before long, there were 21 bears within view, which is not uncommon in Katmai in June. That’s one of the things that makes this place so special. The density of bears here, combined with the open landscape, gives us the chance to watch all kinds of natural behaviour unfold at once.

These two were young males and likely siblings. My best guess would be somewhere around 2.5 to 3.5 years old — old enough to be independent, but still very much at that age where play is an important part of learning.

And that’s exactly what this was.

Not real fighting.

Playfighting.

This is how young bears test each other, build strength, work on balance and timing, and learn boundaries. There can be open mouths, swipes, pushing, biting and wrestling, but when you watch closely, there’s a rhythm to it. It’s controlled. Back and forth. More practice than conflict.

After that kind of rain, when the weather finally lets up, it can feel as though the whole landscape wakes up at once. That’s what happened here. The bears started moving, interacting, and these two quickly turned that burst of energy into a sparring match.

Moments like this are a big part of what makes June on the Katmai coast so extraordinary.

There can be bears everywhere you look. Cubs, subadults, big adults, families, and young bears are constantly interacting. It’s one of the best times to photograph not just bears, but behaviour.

This is exactly the kind of experience we look for during my Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop.

Eight days. All-inclusive from Kodiak, Alaska. We begin with a spectacular floatplane flight along the majestic Katmai coast from Kodiak, AK, land in bear country, have lunch, and are out photographing bears that same afternoon. From there, it’s full days in the field until our final morning shoot before flying out on day eight.

If you’ve ever wanted to photograph wild brown bears in a place where moments like this are part of daily life, I’d love to have you join me.

📅 June 12–19
📍 Katmai Coast, Alaska (All-inclusive from Kodiak, Alaska; excludes gratuities and personal expenses)

👉 Join me here:
https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

👉 Photograph Brown Bear Cubs & Behaviour — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → Learn More

🐻 Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop — Few Spots Left → Learn More

👉 Photograph Brown Bear Cubs & Behaviour — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → Learn More 🐻 Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop — Few Spots Left → Learn More

Why Bears Stand — Brown Bear Cub Photography Workshop in Katmai Alaska

Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop — Photographing Cubs in Golden Light, Katmai Alaska

There’s a moment most evenings in Katmai when everything just lines up.

The wind drops. The light turns gold. And the bears settle into a rhythm that feels almost calm.

This second-year cub stood up right at that moment.

No stress. No tension. Just curiosity — trying to see, trying to smell, trying to understand what’s around it.

That’s why bears stand.

It’s not aggression. It’s not a warning. It’s simply how they get a better view of the world — especially younger bears that are still learning. Spend enough time around them, and you start to recognize the difference right away.

And more importantly… they start to recognize you.

That’s where these moments come from.

Not luck.
Not luck at all.

They come from time in the field, understanding behaviour, and positioning yourself in a way that allows the bear to remain completely natural. You’re not forcing anything. You’re being allowed into it.

Early June is, without question, the best window for this.

The sedge grass hasn’t grown tall yet, so the cubs are still fully visible as they move through the landscape. Families are active. Interactions are constant. And when that evening light hits… it’s as good as it gets anywhere.

This is exactly what we focus on during my Ultimate Brown Bear Workshop.

Eight days of it.

We start with a scenic floatplane flight from Kodiak, following the rugged, mountainous Katmai coastline — one of the most spectacular flights you’ll ever take. We land directly in bear country, have lunch, and we’re out photographing that same afternoon.

From there, it’s full days with the bears.

No rushing. No quick encounters. Just time — to learn, to observe, and to consistently put yourself in the right position for light and behaviour to come together.

We photograph right through to our final morning before flying back out on day eight.

If you’ve ever wanted to experience this properly — not just see bears, but truly work with them photographically — this is it.

📅 June 12–19
📍 Katmai Coast, Alaska (All-inclusive from Kodiak, Alaska; excludes gratuities and personal expenses)

There are still a couple of spots available.

And this is one of those trips that people talk about for years after.

👉 Join me here:
https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

Very best,
Chris

Photograph Brown Bears in Golden Light — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → Learn More

🐻 Photograph Brown Bears in Golden Light — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → BOOK NOW

Photograph Brown Bears in Golden Light — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → Learn More 🐻 Photograph Brown Bears in Golden Light — Katmai Alaska • June 12–19 → BOOK NOW

Sandhill Crane

This Sandhill Crane was photographed during my Best of Bosque Workshop last December. When I checked the weather forecast the night before, it threatened some nastiness, but it amounted to only a light sprinkle of rain during the night. The saturated colours of the desert the next morning were a treat! Knowing exactly where the birds are is only part of the formula for a successful shoot; knowing where the best backgrounds are makes all the difference!

Only a couple of spots remain for my December 5-9, 2024 Best-of-Bosque Workshop!

Sandhill Crane in flight (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 4,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub in golden light

This Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub was the star performer during my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop last September. Join me for an incredible all-inclusive eight days of Brown Bear photography along the Katmai coast with departure from Kodiak, Alaska, September 17-24.

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub in golden light. (Ursus arctos, ours brun) From my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens. ISO 800, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame Image (cropped slightly top & bottom to 4 X 5 aspect ratio).

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish

An Atlantic Puffin returns to its nest with a beak full of fish during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop in Quebec, Canada.

Join me for a fairytale adventure. We will live in a restored lighthouse, eat gourmet food, and photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills (and more) that bring fish to feed their babies only 200 meters (200 yards) away. This is the best location in the world to photograph both species and is perfectly timed for them, bringing the most fish back to their babies.

The tiny island, only 1km (.6 Miles) in circumference, means no long pre-dawn drives or long hikes to access the best locations; it is right outside the door! Since we live on the island, there is no rough boat commute to endure either.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 8,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish and Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Update

I love the painterly quality of this image captured before sunrise in light fog during my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop last August 11 (2022). I processed another version with more contrast, virtually eliminating the fog, but I prefer this version. Notice that I chose to use 10,000 ISO to properly expose the image while using an action-stopping 1/5,000s shutter speed. My Sony 200-600mm has become my most used and much-loved lens :)

This is a dream deluxe photography tour: Dreamlike accommodations in a newly restored lighthouse just feet away from nesting Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills on a small island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec, Canada, with gourmet food.

• Timed to coincide with the very best time to be at the colony with the Puffins returning with fish to feed their young.

• Group size limited to 5-8 photographers (price is per person in single or double occupancy as desired, with only five rooms available).

• Exclusive use of the lighthouse and accommodations mean that we will be the island’s only inhabitants.

• The small group size means more assistance and one-on-one guidance and coaching for every participant.

• Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour; 200-600mm reach is adequate for an impressive portfolio.

• Photographers of all levels are welcome, the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level.

• Owners of all camera brands are welcome; my 40 years of professional photography include the last five years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years using Canon as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light and 16 years using Nikon before that. I can help anyone with any brand improve their photography.

• Christopher Dodds has over 39 years of experience in the great Canadian outdoors with the Puffins.

Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop in dream lighthouse accommodations

It’s not too late! Join me in Quebec, Canada, at the best location on the planet to photograph Atlantic Puffins while enjoying gourmet food and dreamlike accommodations in a newly restored lighthouse.

Loads of Puffins will frantically return to their nests with loads of fish to feed their growing babies.

Northern Gannet Calling

Keywords are important

Here is an image of a Northern Gannet from my workshop on Bonaventure Island. I named the image “Northern Gannet Calling” despite the fact that it was yawning to make the image more visible to photo buyers who are more likely to search for “calling” than “yawning” - smile.

Make portraits more intimate

I always strive to get down to my subject’s eye level or lower to make a more intimate portrait. Waiting for the perfect pose, catchlight and behaviour from a low vantage point always makes for a more successful image.

Gannets Galore on Bonaventure Island Last minute openings

June 8-10, 2022 Gannets Galore and so much more

I have just had a couple of spots open up on my June 8-10, 2022 Gannets Galore (and so much more) workshop in Percé, Quebec, Canada.

It is easy to see why National Geographic Traveler Magazine rates Gaspé number 3 destination in the world: Jay Walljasper writes on page 50 of the November / December 2009 edition of National Geographic Traveler Magazine, Gaspé ranks # 3 in the world - Congratulations Gaspé!

jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the colorful Gaspé Peninsula offers "oceanfront, islands, and inland mountains" within "excellent parks and reserves," along with "authentic Francophone" villages. A big part of the area's appeal is "tourism development largely on a human scale."

Click HERE for more information on the Gannets of Bonaventure Island Photo Safari at The Parc National de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé and my very favourite bird photography location on planet Earth!

Testimonial

"I just returned from attending my first workshop, my first time in “the Gaspé” and my first experience with shooting birds in flight and I thought I’d share a bit about the experience…

The workshop was given by Christopher Dodds who is often referred to as one of the very best nature photographers in Canada. We were going to spend three days shooting Gannets on L’Ile Bonaventure, Québec (about 30 minutes off the Percé harbour and close to the famous Percé Rock). The Island is a protected habitat for Gannets and access to the Island is only allowed when the Parks Canada staff are there from about 9am to 5pm.

It’s a long uphill climb from the wharf to the top where the birds are, and Park staff say most people take about 45 minutes to an hour. Chris and I made it in about 30 minutes the first day (and got it down to about 25 minutes the following days but if he wanted to, I’m sure Chris could do it in 15!). We could hear the Gannets long before we got to the top and the first view of them – literally thousands and thousands of them – was breathtaking. The unofficial current estimate is at over 500,000 Gannets, now making this the largest colony in the world!

I can't speak highly enough about the experience of shooting with Chris Dodds. Chris is absolutely amazing. He's got tremendous experience and a great eye. The whole experience was way better than my expectations. He’s a far better photographer and workshop leader than I expected. Not only does he produce incredible work, he has the technical knowledge and experience to make this a really worthwhile learning experience. And he gives what is truly a “workshop”, in that he gives constant tips and coaching to make sure all participants are learning (no matter what their experience is or how stubborn and set in their ways they might be – like myself). He doesn’t just lead you to a subject (as many other workshops do), but he gives all the technical support and training you could wish for; he makes sure you are learning the photo techniques needed to improve. Chris and I knocked heads quite a bit those first days (he was right – I was wrong) as he stuck with trying to get me to improve and get out of my comfortable rut.

I liked those three days (and the one pre-workshop day) so much that I decided to stay for a second three-day workshop and luckily Chris still had a spot available. Not only that, but I’m certainly going to return to shoot those Gannets again, hopefully with Chris. In fact I’d love to take any workshop Chris was leading.

We were shooting ALL day... from the time we got to the top until we had to leave. There was absolutely no shortage of birds or birds in flight and that's unlike any other avian photography venue in the world from what everyone was saying. Elsewhere you only have a few hours to shoot and then the birds are gone. We were always the first ones on the Island (with the Park staff) and the last ones to leave (again with the staff).

Chris is so well known there (and so highly regarded) that he and his group were certainly given privileges and access that someone on their own wouldn't get. If (I should say when) I do this again, I'm going to do it with Chris on one of his workshops.

And with Chris, everything was organized for us including lunches; access and transportation to the island, accommodations and of course the great training. I wouldn't do it any other way.

Believe me, if you took such a workshop with Chris you wouldn't regret it! And his repeat clients (of which there were many in both the 3-day workshops I attended) had nothing but raves for him.

An absolutely fabulous time!"

Eldor Gemst | Montreal, QC, Canada

Ospreys Galore Workshop

LIMITED SPACE STILL AVAILABLE April 5-7. Join me at the Crown Jewel of Florida, Lake Blue Cypress: The perfect habitat for the hundreds of Osprey nests that cover the ancient Cypress Trees which pierce the pristine water and surround the lake. We will have tons of opportunities to photograph Ospreys on their nests at (or below) eye level, diving for fish or gathering nesting material. Our trip is timed perfectly to see the parents bring fish to their babies. We will photograph other species of Florida birds and will have constant urges to capture the true beauty, spectacular sunrises and all it illuminates in landscape images of the unspoiled, wild and spectacular setting of Lake Blue Cypress. The included pontoon boat cruises are a photographer’s dream with too many Ospreys and Osprey nests to count!

I recently attended the Osprey safari offered by Chris Dodds, and I was positively thrilled with the excursion. The people in our small group were fantastic.  The environment was magical. The photographic opportunities were amazing and abundant. Every part of the physical expedition was most impressive, but what I was really taken with was the panoply of knowledge Chris demonstrated throughout the trip. Whether identifying various birds dozens of yards away simply by call, or exuding masterful control over the camera, Chris was able to display his expertise and offer assistance when needed. Chris is very amiable and approachable. No matter what skill level a photographer has, Chris always made one feel important with his one on one attention and did so without any air of condescension. It was very much like shooting with great friends with your own personal tutor to turn to if needed. I can honestly say that both my skill level and knowledge base increased from my trip with Chris. Thanks again Chris."

- Geoff Powell Vero Beach | FL | USA

Eagles Galore in Alaska with Christopher Dodds

Adult American Bald Eagle REGAL (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D mark III, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM (version 1) @ 210mm  Hand Held ISO 250, f/7.1 @ 1/250s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

It's not too late to join me, Canon Canada Northern Explorer of Light and X-rite Photo coloratti, Christopher Dodds, for the premier Bald Eagle photography photo tour:

March 7-11, 2016 (5 full Days)

ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!

March 12-16, 2016 (5 full Days)

ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!

March 17-21, 2016 (5 full Days) 

ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!

Based in Kachemak Bay, near Homer, AK, this is where all of my famous Eagle images were made. This is your chance to make a truly awesome portfolio of Eagle images; dramatic flight shots, dynamic portraits and there is truly no prettier place than this for Eagles in their environment with mountains as the background. Get more information about my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop HERE.

Kudos:

I’ve long been wary about joining a workshop with a “big name” pro.  I’ve heard (and witnessed) a litany of workshop horrors, ranging from egomaniac leaders to unwieldy, unhappy groups.  Plus, as a professional photographer, I did not think that I would learn much from a workshop.  Indeed, I teach photography and postproduction.

Chris Dodds’ Eagles Galore workshop changed my mind.   Although he is a supremely talented photographer, Chris is approachable and friendly, and he works tirelessly to make sure that everyone in the group has a fantastic experience.  He limits the workshops to a small, manageable size.  And, in spite of my I’m-a-professional-and-don’t-need-help attitude, I am a better photographer for having joined the workshop. After spending a week with Chris, my flight photography is materially improved. (Chris is an expert on the nuances of servo autofocus, for example.)  Chris also taught several useful post-production techniques that I now use routinely in my workflow.

The true measure of any photo trip, however, is the photos.  Chris’ stated goal is for every workshop participant to go home with images that Chris would be proud to call his own. He means it.  The eagle photography was fantastic.  I came home with several dozen “portfolio grade” images, plus thousands of strong shots. Indeed, the single biggest complaint from my fellow workshop participants is the number of eagle shots that they had to sort through when they got home.

I’ve already registered for another workshop with Chris.

Andrew Kelley Denver, Colorado USA

Snowy Owl Photo Tour Update

Snowy Owl Wings-up (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontrario. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Canon EOS Canon EOS 1DX, 600mm F4 L IS II ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual mode. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Here's one from one of many memorable moments during my Snowy Winter Owl Workshops last season. The outlook for this winter season is simply superb! I currently know where there are more Snowy Owls than I did this time last year. Remarkably, I have had three cancellations due to illness. Each of the three folks have asked me to try to find someone to fill their spot and have agreed to a discount. Be sure to have a look at the workshop and take advantage of $500.00 savings if you book a 2015 owl trip before midnight Dec. 24, 2014. Space is limited, so don't wait too long!

January 12-16, 2015 Snowy Winter Owl Workshop - NOW SOLD OUT

January 26-30, 2015 Snowy Winter Owl Workshop - NOW SOLD OUT

February 2-6, 2015 Snowy Winter Owl Workshop - NOW SOLD OUT

2014 Ultimate Puffins Galore Photo Tour Announced

Atlantic Puffin CLOWN OF THE SEA (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada, Réserve de parc national du Canada de l'Archipel-de-Mingan, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Canon EOS Canon EOS 1DX, 600mm F4 L IS II, 2X Extender III, Canon 25mm Extension Tube II, Canon 12mm Extension Tube II, Canon 1.4X Extender III. Tripod & Jobu Jr. 3 ISO 3,200s, f/16 @ 1/200s Manual mode & manual focus. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Atlantic Puffin & Razorbill Heaven

Puffins Galore

Photo Safari & Expedition

July 26-28, 2014 (3 Days/4 Nights)

SOLD OUT in less than 9 hours!

I am thrilled to finally announce my Puffins Galore Photo Tour at Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada.

I have been in search of the ultimate destination for an Atlantic Puffin workshop / safari for a very long time.  The mandate was simple; find a location that is within reach, safe and easy to get to without a dangerous boat landing on slippery rocks and a place where we can get close to these comical little seabirds without hauling our gear up, and over, huge distances or having to hang over towering cliffs; a place where anyone can comfortably reach, regardless of age or physical ability; a place with reliable , safe and easy boat landings. I have photographed Atlantic Puffins in Iceland, Maine, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Quebec; All of these "known" places have their drawbacks., and I simply can't imagine subjecting my clients to the abuse.  Mission accomplished; I have found Puffin Paradise. This is the very best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills fishing, with fish in their bills, in flight and in golden light.

Beyond the 50th parallel, along the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, lies a remarkably beautiful scattering of some thirty limestone islands and more than 1000 granitic islets and reefs. The territory, the "Mingan Archipelago", became Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada 1984.
This necklace of land carved out of the limestone bedrock is the site of spectacular natural monuments which bear witness to the never-ending wear of the sea and of the centuries. And there is an abundance of life in this strange half-world: plants of variegated hues and shapes, seabirds gathered in colonies, seals, dolphins and whales, swarming the blue vastness in which the islands bathe.

Join me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, for a Puffin photography workshop / safari. This trip will be limited to five participants and will surely be the trip of a lifetime for anyone seeking to get close and personal (safely) to Atlantic Puffins and Razorbills. We will spend a few hours photographing fishing Puffins each morning from a boat, before landing on an island where we spend the rest of the day until sunset for three full days. I have secured special access, so we will be the only people on the island during the first, and last, few hours each day.

Price is $2,995.00 (plus sales tax) including four nights single occupancy accommodation (with full kitchenette), three days private boat tour with highly experienced captain (weather permitting), three days park access fees and three days expert instruction. Other subjects might include Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Great Cormorants, Savannah Sparrow (there are many) Common Eider, Grey Seals and whales. Meals, beverages, transportation to Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec and souvenirs are not included.

Getting there:

Our base of operations, accommodations and starting point are in the town of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.

Havre St. Pierre Airport or YGV (serviced by Labrador Air) is 46km or 28.5 miles

Sept-iles Airport or YZV (serviced by Air Canada) is 152km or 94.5 miles

Quebec City Jean Lesage Airport or TQB (Serviced by most carriers) is 831km or 516 miles

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport or YUL (Derviced by most carriers) is 1,086km or 675 miles

Sign-up for my Ultimate Puffins Galore Photo Tour HERE

Update on 2014-05-22 12:34 by Christopher Dodds

WOW! This workshop sold-out in under 9 hours! Thank you all for you continued and loyal support.

Spring Migration Special Event with Canon Canada Northern Explorers of Light and Henry's School of imaging

Black-and-White Warbler (Mniotilta vary, Paruline noir et blanc, BAWW) Point Pelee National Park, Leamington, Ontrario. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Canon EOS Canon EOS 1DS II, 500mm F4 L IS, 2X Extender. ISO 640, f/8 @ 1/160s Manual mode. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

I am thrilled to announce that Canon Canada's Northern Explorers of Light program and Henry's have teamed-up to offer you some extraordinary events during spring migration at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. The cold spring and late arrival of the warmer weather is likely to make this spring's migration epic! These events are timed to coincide with the very best birding Pelee has to offer photographers; the highest possibility of a fallout (high number of birds), before the leaves obscure our view.

Events include an hour long slideshow, portfolio reviews, half day walking tours and full day walking tours. Not only will I help you improve your bird photography technique, I will share my strategy to maximize your opportunities during spring migration at Pelee. I can help beginners leap forward on the technical side and offer site guidance to advanced amateurs and pros.

The events are open to everyone and Canon equipment is not mandatory - I will be teaching bird photography that will improve your images regardless of the brand camera you own. Henry's will have both Canon and Nikon gear on site for rent.

Check it out and register at Henry's School of Imaging HERE