While we were working on photographing the fast and unpredictable Bank and Tree Swallows during one of my Atlantic Puffins Deluxe Workshops, I was hoping to finally get that elusive shot I've had in my head for years—an image of a Bank Swallow suspended in flight against a backdrop of vivid yellow wildflowers. As anyone who's tried will tell you, these swallows are small, fast, and downright frustrating to photograph in flight. I came close (again), but it wasn't quite the shot.
Then, in a welcome twist, a Black-bellied Plover came gliding across the island in a low, direct flight. Its steady, purposeful path made it a much more cooperative subject. I quickly swung my setup around—shooting with the Sony a9 Mark III and Sony 600mm f/4, paired with the 2x teleconverter to give me 1,200mm of reach—and managed to grab a clean sequence of frames as it crossed in front of me. Everything aligned just right, and I came away with an image I'm genuinely proud of.
I've only seen a handful of Black-bellied Plovers over the decades while hosting these workshops on L’Île aux Perroquets, which makes this encounter even more special. These plovers breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate thousands of kilometres to spend the winter along coastlines throughout the Americas and beyond. L’Île aux Perroquets isn't part of their breeding range, but it sits right along a migratory corridor—so now and then, one stops in to rest or refuel. It's a rare treat.
This moment was a great reminder that in wildlife photography, you don't always get the image you came for—but if you stay patient, observant, and ready, you might get something even better.
Black-bellied Plover over sea of yellow wildflowers (Pluvialis squatarola, Pluvier argenté, Chorlito gris, BBPL) 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 FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/6,400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.
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“I have never participated in a photography workshop before, and this turned out to be truly awesome! I am still digesting the experience and processing images....I want to thank you for a wonderful experience, all around on Ile Aux Perroquetes. It was so nice to meet you and hear your stories of how you came to be the experienced photographer you are and be privy to your experience of how to better photograph the Puffins + on the island. Thank you for the camera setting recommendations and pointers throughout our stay. I am still practicing tracking the swallows! I came home with some wonderful images and memories of the tranquility of the island while photographing. Being amidst the Puffins for three days was icing on the cake. I am enamored with them. Thank you!” - Michele Kirk New Jersey | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Aug. 2025