Orange-crowned Warbler

I always make it a point to arrive early for my photography workshops. It’s not just about possible travel and baggage delays; it’s also about giving myself a chance to settle in and explore the area before the official program kicks off. That proved to be a great decision during my recent "Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska" workshop.

On the first morning in Kodiak, before the hustle and bustle began, I met up with my friend and participant, Dave Evans. We decided to take an early stroll around the local boat launch, harbour and walk the trails on Near Island; often a goldmine for wildlife photographers, frequently offering fantastic opportunities to capture a diverse range of bird species, seals, and even the majestic Stellar's sea lions.

We were hoping to catch some exciting action, and I was patiently trying to frame a good shot of a Black-billed Magpie when a flash of movement diverted my attention. Perched for just a fleeting moment was an Orange-crowned Warbler. It was a quick, unexpected distraction, but one I was absolutely thrilled with! While the Magpie decided to play hard to get, I was more than pleased with the warbler's unexpected portrait.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata, Paruline verdâtre, Reinita coroninaranja, OCWA) Kodiak, Alaska, before my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @700mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Spring Cubs Playing during my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop

Playtime Perfection: The Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop

There's something truly magical about witnessing wildlife in its natural habitat, and my recent Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop delivered that magic in spades. Among the many incredible moments, a particular highlight was spending time with two of a trio of adorable brown bear triplets.

We made sure to get low to the ground—a key technique for a more intimate and less intrusive view—and settled in to watch the show. And what a show it was! These two energetic youngsters played with a contagious exuberance. They wrestled, chased each other, and tumbled in the grass, seemingly oblivious to our presence. Time melted away as we watched their playful antics, captivated for what felt like hours.

Moments like these truly define the Alaskan wilderness experience. Observing such pure, uninhibited joy in these magnificent creatures is a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of preserving these wild spaces. Every growl, playful swat, and curious glance was a testament to their trust in us.

Being able to share this incredible experience with the workshop participants, all equally enthralled, made it even more special. We left with full hearts, incredible photos, and a renewed appreciation for the ultimate brown bears of Alaska.

Ready to capture your own unforgettable moments? Join me next year for the Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop and experience this magic firsthand!

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Spring Cubs Playing (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @400mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub with Salmon in Golden Light

Here, we see a Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear cub captured in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, enjoying a salmon during my Ultimate Brown Bear Photography Workshop in Alaska. Notice the detail – the cub's bloody lips, a testament to the raw, natural moment we were privileged to witness.

Many of you might immediately point to the low angle of view as the defining element of this shot. And you'd be right; it creates a sense of strength and immediacy, placing us in the moment with the cub. However, I want to draw your attention to something more subtle yet equally crucial: the background. Observe how it's rendered soft and out of focus. This wasn't accidental. To achieve this, we needed to position ourselves strategically, ensuring the background was far enough away from our subject. But that's not all. Look at the light illuminating that background. It's the same golden light bathing the cub, creating a harmonious and cohesive image. This golden light on the background is as important as the cub itself.

The key takeaway is that capturing a compelling wildlife shot isn't just about the subject. It's about understanding and controlling your entire frame. Knowing where to position yourself to achieve that desired background – both in terms of distance and lighting – is absolutely essential.

So, while the low angle adds drama, the careful consideration of the background and the golden light truly elevates this image, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Remember, thoughtful composition and light management are your allies in crafting truly impactful photographs.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub with Salmon 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 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Pouncing

The adrenaline was off the charts as we watched this magnificent sow as she ran directly towards us. Imagine the view through the viewfinder!

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Pouncing (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 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Kissing Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cubs

The ethereal dawn breaks over the rugged Alaskan coastline, a veil of mist clinging to the emerald shores of Katmai National Park's legendary Hallo Bay. We awaken to the rhythmic drumming of rain, a symphony of the wild. After a hearty, soul-warming breakfast, we embarked on a skiff, a vessel carrying us into the heart of ursine majesty.

The world is hushed, a canvas of grey, as the mighty brown bears, denizens of this untamed realm, slumber in the mist-laden rain-filled air. Then, a stirring. Two young titans, their coats glistening with raindrops, emerge from their slumber. These are not mere animals; they are the embodiment of raw power and playful grace, a pair of two-year-old cubs igniting the dawn with a spectacle of nature's raw beauty.

They approached, not aggressively, but with tender curiosity, their eyes reflecting the soft, grey light. There was a moment of quiet interaction, a silent exchange. Then, they touched, a gentle nuzzle, a brief contact.

This interaction seemed to spark a burst of energy. The bears, now invigorated, began a playful joust, a spectacle of untamed beauty.

Kissing Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cubs (Coastal brown bear, Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos, ours brun) Hallo Bay along the Katmai Coast from my June Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony 200-600mm Lens (@560mm) ISO 10,000, f/6.3 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear with Salmon for breakfast

A Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear sow (female) with freshly caught salmon for breakfast from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Alaska Adventure in Katmai National Park.

ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT!

September 17 to 24, 2024 (8 Days / 7 Nights) BEARS FISHING: This is the very best time to photograph the many fishing bears of Katmai National Park. The gorgeous light from the lower sun illuminates the glowing, rich fur of the Brown Bears as they pounce and gorge on Salmon to prepare for winter hibernation.

Embark on a truly exclusive adventure with our specialized Brown Bear photography tour. This unique experience includes photography on all eight days, a return float-plane flight to and from our private yacht, meals, instruction, guiding, and accommodations.

• Tour groups are strictly limited to only seven photographers + leader, expert bear guide, Coast Guard-certified vessel, Captain, and crew (Buyer beware: Other workshopspert bear guides; instead, the photographer tries to play host, instructor, don’t employ expert bear guide/safety officer…).

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

• Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour. 100-400mm, 100-500 mm, and 200-600mm zoom lenses are adequate to make an impressive portfolio.

• Photographers of all levels are welcome and catered to on this tour. The pace is designed to suit everyone’s needs and skill level, ensuring a rewarding experience for all.

Bald Eagle Into The Light

This image was made during the last drops of golden light as this Eagle aggressively chased another Eagle to steal its fish. I felt disappointed when they banked off the light angle and ducked into the shadows; I thought I didn’t get anything. Suddenly, this Eagle emerged from the darkness and was illuminated by the sweetest light - smile.

Bald Eagle Into the Light (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens @600mm ISO 1,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Portrait of a Brown Bear Yearling

A simple portrait of my favourite yearling from last year’s Ultimate Brown Bear Adventure. This guy was an entertaining showman and sure did show off for us!

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear Yearling PORTRAIT (Coastal brown bear, Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my June Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 10,000, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image top to bottom.

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear female yearling cub in fog

Here is another image from my Ultimate Brown Bear Photo Adventure last June. We had countless hours with this curious Coastal Brown Bear Yearling (1-year-old cub). I chose my Sony Alpha a1 camera body paired with the ultra-portable Sony 200 to 600mm zoom lens set at 378mm.

Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear female yearling cub in fog (Coastal brown bear, Grizzly bear, Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my June Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony 200-600mm Lens (@378mm) ISO 5,000, f/6.3 @ 1/1,250s Manual exposure. Full frame image top to bottom; cropped a little off the sides to make a 4x5 aspect ratio.

Join me in Alaska for the Ultimate Brown Bear adventure of a lifetime

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Join me in Alaska for the Ultimate Brown Bear adventure of a lifetime 🐻

Unlikely Friends in Alaska: The Brown Bear and the Wolf

This is an image from my June 2010 Ultimate Brown Bear Photo Tour in Katmai National Park, Alaska. This wolf spent the day foraging the bear’s leftovers. As the tide rose over the open flats, the bear and wolf slowly moved away from the rising water towards each other. This image was made at 10:34 PM after the sun had set. I remember this like it happened yesterday!

In Katmai, the documented encounters between the species include wolves stealing fish from bears, wolves harassing courting bears, wolves displacing bears from a moose carcass, bears briefly chasing wolves, wolves travelling with bears, and wolves fishing alongside bears.

Join me in Alaska for the ULTIMATE Brown Bear Photo Tour

🐻

Join me in Alaska for the ULTIMATE Brown Bear Photo Tour 🐻

Coastal Brown Bear and Wolf (Ursus arctos or Grizzly Bear and Canis lupus) from June 2010. Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska, from my Ultimate Brown Bear Photo Tour. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. 500mm with 2X Telextender @1,000mm ISO 800, f/8 @ 1/125s. Manual exposure.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear with Pink Salmon at last light

A Coastal Brown Bear (Grizzly Bear) with its trophy: a pink Salmon. The fish-eye auto-focus works remarkably well on the Sony Alpha1 - Imagine if the bear had looked up at me - smile.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear with Pink Salmon at last light (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my recent 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 with Sony 2X teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 4,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Coastal Brown Bear Cub with Salmon Dinner

A Coastal Brown Bear Cub with freshly caught salmon during my Ultimate Brown Bear Photography Workshop Photo Tour in September. We had some pretty epic opportunities with this bear cub throughout the trip, but the afternoon I made this image stands out as one of my favourite times in Katmai National Park; we were the very last group in the park, just us and the bears - smile!

Join me next year for my Ultimate Brown Bear photography workshop. Learn more HERE.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub with Salmon dinner (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my recent 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 1,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

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

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.

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.

Tufted Puffin in flight with fish

I am about to start my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop in Quebec, so I thought I would share a TUFTED PUFFIN in flight with a mouth full of fish for its baby. Image created hand-held from the boat as we commuted from ship to shore during my Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska.

Harbor (or harbour) seal

Although the primary “focus” of my ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS OF ALASKA WORKSHOP is the bears, we get distracted occasionally. This Harbour seal lounged on the rocks at low tide while we cruised Kukak Bay for bears clamming from our boat.

Grizzly bear mother and cub running

We had a fabulous time with this mother and cub during my recently concluded ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS OF KATMAI WORKSHOP. Contrary to most assumptions about how aggressive a mother is when protecting her cubs, the mother bears of the Katmai coast seek us out as protection from the big boars (the male bears). We sat with his mother and cub for hours as they slept on the ground pointed away from us with their noses pointed into the wind and us as protection downwind. The moment she caught the scent of a big male, she ran for cover, and they ran past us, spraying mud as they escaped.

Tree swallow in flight

Here is a Tree swallow in flight from my recently concluded Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai workshop in Alaska. Yes, there will be loads of bear images to follow, but I thought that I would start with something different - smile.

Joe Norton Eagles Galore Testimonial

“I have finally been able to make time to sit down to thank Christopher Dodds for a wonderful Bald Eagle Photography Trek on Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska this past March, 2023! What a glorious, wonderful trip this was. I can highly recommend this if you are a fan of Bald Eagles and Photography. I have been fortunate to capture images of Bald Eagles across the “lower 48”, but never have I had an experience with eagles like this! One again, Chris’s experience and knowledge about wildlife and bird photography, as well as about our target subject, the majestic Bald Eagle, made this an experience I will never forget. He is a highly professional photography trek leader, with a constant aim of not stressing our target wildlife as well as a focus on the safety and well being of his trek participants. As this trek involved travelling twice a day across Kachemak Bay to various shore landings via “water taxi” (think miniature landing craft with bow ramps) on sometimes steep rocky shores, this was paramount to ensure neither participant nor photography equipment went swimming. As a no longer young photographer with what might be considered some mobility limitations, I remain highly appreciative of the support and assistance of Chris, our boat captain and his mate in this regard. The weather gods smiled on us this trip and gave us fantastic dawns, sunrises and afternoons with wonderful light. In addition, we never found ourselves without Eagles to photograph. I came home with a more than large portfolio of outstanding images of Eagles flying, diving, chasing, striking fish, twisting, turning, flipping and even “posing for portraits”! It is only recently that I have trekked with Christopher Dodds, this being my second trip with him. My highest recommendation is that I will be looking forward to trekking with Chis again.”

— Joe Norton Illinois, USA