Black Guillemot with fresh fish breakfast

The cool, salty air whipped around us on the beach of the enchanting lighthouse island, and a symphony of seabird calls echoed as we listened to the distant blow of a Minke whale during the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop. Our group of delighted photographers, already buzzing from close encounters with those charismatic clowns of the sea, the Atlantic puffins, were about to witness another of nature's little dramas unfold. As the tide gently rose, the Black Guillemots, initially perched on seaweed-covered rocks, began to seek higher ground. One particular guillemot, a stunning specimen with its sleek black plumage, striking white wing patches, and vibrant red feet, decided to grace us with its presence for a full half-hour.

This Black Guillemot had a successful hunt; It proudly displayed an Arctic Shanny, the small fish appearing somewhat defeated in the bird's grasp. The guillemot, with its alert, dark eyes, seemed to exude a sense of triumph, a stark contrast to the seemingly hopeless and certainly final expression on the face of the Arctic Shanny. Interestingly, the image shows the guillemot holding the fish in a specific direction, a behaviour noted in Black Guillemots; this preference is more common among adult birds, with some individuals consistently carrying prey with the fish head on the same side of their bill. Studies have shown that many Black Guillemots exhibit this "handedness."

Investing time with our subject and studying its behaviour created a genuinely captivating photographic opportunity. It was a moment where nature, in all its beauty and drama – and the sometimes stark reality of the food chain – unfolded right before our eyes (and lenses!).

Black Guillemot Displaying (Cepphus grylle, Guillemot à miroir, Arao aliblanco, BLGU) from my DELUXE ATLANTIC PUFFIN TOUR (and so much more) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200mm. f/8 ISO 4,000 @ 1/4,000s. Full Frame image.

Beyond the Puffins: Discovering the Elegant Black Guillemot

The Deluxe Puffins Galore workshop truly lives up to its name, offering incredible opportunities to photograph the charismatic clowns of the sea that everyone adores; I dare say the best in the world. But amidst the flurry of orange feet and comical dives, another seabird nests among the rocks: the elegant Black Guillemot.

While the puffins understandably command attention with their vibrant plumage and playful antics, the Black Guillemot offers a different kind of beauty – a sleek, understated sophistication. In their breeding plumage, they are a striking study in contrasts: velvety black feathers offset by brilliant white wing patches and startlingly red-orange legs and feet.

One stormy afternoon, the Black Guillemots came into their own as the tide receded, revealing swathes of glistening seaweed draped over the flat rocks. The overcast sky diffused the light beautifully, creating a soft, even illumination that brought out the subtle textures in their feathers and the rich hues of their legs.

It was a lesson in patience and observation. While the puffins often provided instant action, photographing the Black Guillemots required a more contemplative approach. It was about waiting for the right moment, the perfect pose, the subtle shift in light that would reveal their quiet beauty. As we lay there in the seaweed, more Black Guillemots flew in, and as time passed, they ignored us and kept getting closer.

The experience underscored the richness of the seabird ecosystem. The Deluxe Puffins Galore workshop wasn't just about one star species; it is a deep dive into the interconnected lives of numerous fascinating birds. The Black Guillemots, with their understated elegance and captivating presence, were a powerful reminder of the diverse wonders that coastal habitats hold. They proved that the most rewarding photographic moments sometimes come when you slow down, lie low, and appreciate the subtle beauty surrounding you. And yes, even a bit of seaweed-induced dampness is a small price for such an intimate encounter with these magnificent birds.

Black Guillemot Displaying (Cepphus grylle, Guillemot à miroir, Arao aliblanco, BLGU) from my DELUXE ATLANTIC PUFFIN TOUR (and so much more) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200mm. f/8 ISO 6,400 @ 1/5,000s. Full Frame image.

Black Guillemots Cuddling

A pair of Black Guillemots on seaweed at low tide from my Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshops in Quebec. The Atlantic Puffins always steal the show, but there are some other great opportunities for other species during the workshop.

Black Guillemot landing with fish

If you thought it took skill to photograph the fast and erratic Atlantic Puffins in flight, then you have never tried to get a Black Guillemot in flight. We had a lot of fun with them bringing fish home to their babies during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop.

Black Guillemot with Baby Food

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille, Guillemot à miroir, BLGU) with Arctic Shanny (Stichaeus punctatus). 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, 200-400mm F4 L IS II USM (with internal 1.4X extender engaged) and an external 1.4X Extender III with Canon 25mm Extension Tube II. Jobu Designs Algonquin Tripod & Jobu Jr. 3 ISO 1,600s, f/8 @ 1/2,000s Manual exposure. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Here's a portrait of an Artic Shanny in the bill of a Black Guillemot from my recent Puffins Galore workshop. The rediculously close minimum focusing distance of the new Canon 200-400mm f/4L lens makes it a great choic to get close to your subjects. I started working on images that included the whole bird, I quickly engaged the built-in tele-converter and added anothe external 1.4X tele-converter to make this close-up portrait.

The Artic Shanny (Stichaeus punctatus) is the preffered baby food of the Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille).

2015 Luxury Live on the Island Puffins Galore

Be sure to email me to join the wait list for my 2015 luxury trip! The lighthouse and the keeper's home have been totally restored and we will be sleeping on the island within feet of the Puffins, Razorbills and Guillemots. A gourmet chef will prepare our meals and we will have the island all to ourselves during the golden hours. Be sure to be among the first to know all of the details as soon as they are released by emailing me your co-ordinates to chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com

LensCoat RainCoat Pro2 mini-review & Black Guillemot with meal

Black Guillemot with dinner (Cepphus grille, Guillemot à miroir, BLGU) 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, Tripod & Jobu Jr. 3 ISO 3,200s, f/9 @ 1/2,000s Manual mode. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Getting close enough for head shots of Black Guillemots was a ton of fun each morning during my Atlantic Puffins & more workshop. We had a few hick-ups with wind and waves which forced us to evacuate the island early on the first two days, but we all came away with some great images. I would be eternally grateful if anyone can help identify this fish or eel.

LensCoat® RainCoat 2 Pro

Canadian Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds using LensCoat RainCoat Pro 2 in South Texas. Image Copyright & courtesy Jory Griesman (thanks, Jory!) Canon S-95 in Program mode.

Mini Review: I have been using my new LensCoat RainCoat Pro 2 since I first started to test it in April. I was using a very complex raincoat that required a dedicated eyepiece for each camera body and became quite a nuance to use; it was bulky and the clear window often fogged-up after placing my wet hand inside the cover. Changing tele-converters or adding extension tubes was nearly impossible with the rain cover physically attached to the camera via the dedicated eyepiece. It did the job and was the best I used until discovering the LensCoat RainCoat Pro2.

Installation of the LensCoat RainCoat Pro2 is a breeze and being able to quickly flip the cover out of the way when adding, or changing, extension tubes or tele-converters (Extenders) is a huge selling point. The whole deal takes just about 10 seconds for me to install, folds into a small pouch and makes the whole process much simpler and appealing to use - even when I would skip the complex set-up of my old cover during light drizzle. I must admit that I am also thrilled with the design with the added foldaway left sleeve which makes it easier to keep your left hand on the lens and focus manually; both "sleeves" are long enough to slide over your rain jacket's arms to keep water out of your elbow when standing in the rain all day.

Finally a rain cover for my camera that is easy to use, keeps my gear dry and doesn't interfere with camera function or operator dexterity!

Description from the LensCoat site: LensCoat® RainCoat 2 provides protection for your camera and lens from the elements like rain, snow, salt spray, dirt, sand and dust while allowing you easy access to the camera and lens controls. It has all same great features as the original RainCoat but adds an additional integrated pocket with foldaway arm sleeve on the left side for easier access to zoom and focus. The RainCoat 2 comes in two sizes Pro (for DSLRs with lenses from 200-400/300mm 2.8 - 800mm) and Standard (for DSLRs with small lenses up to 100-400/400mm f5.6). The RainCoat 2 is constructed from a lightweight waterproof, breathable poly tricot material. Available in Black, Green, Navy, Realtree® Max4, Realtree AP Snow, Digital Camo, and Forest Green camouflage pattern. The seams are tape sealed for maximum protection. NO dedicated eyepiece required. The RainCoat 2 goes on quickly and easily. Its versatility through the use of the cinch straps allows you to adjust the length of the cover and to keep it snug around your lens. It has 2 fold out arm sleeves from its integrated pockets for access to the camera and lens controls. You can also access the camera through the rear opening and the lens through the hook & loop bottom closure.

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