Razorbill flying towards the camera with fish in its bill against distant golden cliffs softened by lifting fog and wildfire smoke on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Razorbill Flying Through Golden Fog and wildfire smoke with Fish** **— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop , Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. 600mm with 1.4X teleconverter @840mm. ISO 3,200, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full frame from top to bottom; cropped only on the left and right.

When Everything Aligns: A Razorbill in Golden Fog

Christopher Dodds September 14, 2026

Lifting fog, sunlight and a brief veil of wildfire smoke created a golden background as this Razorbill flew towards me with a bill full of fish. The smoke cleared within twenty minutes and never returned during the workshops. The story behind a fleeting photographic opportunity on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec.

Sandhill Crane flying head-on with wings spread and legs lowered to land against a soft, warm New Mexico landscape during Christopher Dodds' Better Than Bosque bird photography workshop. — **Sandhill Crane Landing Head-On in New Mexico** (*Antigone canadensis*, Grue du Canada, Grulla canadiense, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200mm, ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Sandhill Crane Photography in New Mexico | Better Than Bosque

Christopher Dodds September 2, 2026

A Sandhill Crane drops its legs for landing during my Better Than Bosque photography workshop in New Mexico. Look beyond the obvious photograph—and one cancellation spot has just opened for December 5–9, 2026.

Crested Auklet portrait showing its pale eye, orange bill and distinctive crest against dark rocks on Saint Paul Island in Alaska's Pribilof Islands. — **Crested Auklet Portrait — Saint Paul Island, Alaska** (*Aethia cristatella,* Starique cristatelle, Mérgulo empenachado, CRAU) from my Saint Paul Island, Alaska Workshop. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens and Sony 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200 mm. ISO 16,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

An Hour With a Crested Auklet on Saint Paul Island: Making a Bird Portrait

Christopher Dodds August 27, 2026

Sometimes wildlife photography happens in seconds. Sometimes nature gives you an hour. During my Saint Paul Island photography workshop, we spent nearly an hour with this remarkable Crested Auklet—time to look, see, learn and work toward a better bird portrait.

**Razorbill Flying Over the Gulf of St. Lawrence** (*Uria aalge*, Guillemot marmette, Arao común, COMU) 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 and Sony 2X **teleconverter** @ 1,200mm. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Common Murre With a Fish — Making the Most of Harsh Light

Christopher Dodds August 26, 2026

What do you do when the light gets harsh during a bird photography workshop? Keep photographing. This Common Murre carrying a fish on Île aux Perroquets is a reminder to practise tracking, study bird behaviour and always be ready for the extraordinary.

Razorbill flying low over the calm Gulf of St. Lawrence with its reflection visible below in Quebec's Mingan Archipelago. — **Razorbill Flying Over the Gulf of St. Lawrence** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) 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 @600mm. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/8,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Beyond the Bird: Razorbill Photography and Seeing the Whole Picture

Christopher Dodds August 25, 2026

Sometimes the bird is only part of the photograph. A Razorbill flying low over an amazingly calm Gulf of St. Lawrence becomes a lesson in space, reflection and seeing the whole photograph.

Atlantic Puffin in flight carrying fish through warm light against a dark background, photographed by Christopher Dodds in Quebec, Canada. — **Atlantic Puffin in Flight With Fish in Dramatic Light— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) 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 400–800mm F6.3–8 G OSS Lens @ 553 mm. ISO 3,200, f/7.1 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Finding the Light: Previsualizing an Atlantic Puffin in Flight

Christopher Dodds August 24, 2026

Sometimes the photograph is waiting before the bird arrives. I found a tiny tunnel of beautiful light along an Atlantic Puffin flight path, positioned myself for the dark background — and waited.

Bald Eagle flying low over the water near Atlantic Puffins at Île aux Perroquets in Quebec's Mingan Archipelago, photographed by Christopher Dodds. — **Bald Eagle Flying Over Atlantic Puffins at Île aux Perroquets** (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus,* Pygarge a tete blanche, Pigargo americano BAEA) 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 @600mm. ISO 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Bald Eagle Surprise While Photographing Atlantic Puffins in Quebec

Christopher Dodds August 22, 2026

We were photographing Atlantic Puffins bathing on calm water at Île aux Perroquets when every bird suddenly scattered. Seconds later, a Bald Eagle came sweeping in low — a perfect example of why wildlife photographers should always be ready for the extraordinary while photographing the ordinary.

Atlantic Puffin flying directly toward the camera with fish in its bill, photographed full frame at 1200mm by Christopher Dodds on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Atlantic Puffin in Flight with Fish at 1200mm— Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) 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 and Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

How to Photograph Atlantic Puffins in Flight — Especially When They're Flying Straight at You

Christopher Dodds August 21, 2026

Photographing an Atlantic Puffin flying directly toward the camera is one of the toughest challenges in bird photography. Christopher Dodds explains the autofocus technology, tracking technique and 1/5,000-second shutter speed behind this full-frame image made at 1200mm.

Merlin flying with the remains of a small shorebird, possibly a White-rumped Sandpiper, photographed by Christopher Dodds with a Sony a9 III and 600mm f/4 lens with 1.4X teleconverter at 840mm. — **Merlin Carrying Prey in Flight** (Falco columbarius, Faucon émerillon, Esmerejón, MERL) 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 and Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840 mm. ISO 20,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Expect the Unexpected: A Merlin Flies By With Prey

Christopher Dodds August 20, 2026

We had been photographing Atlantic Puffins returning with fish since before sunrise when a different flight pattern caught my eye. Seconds later, a Merlin streaked past carrying what appears to be the back half of a White-rumped Sandpiper.

Atlantic Puffin flying with a bill full of fish photographed at close range in fog on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec, by Christopher Dodds. — **Atlantic Puffin with bill full of fish at 20,000 ISO — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) 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 @ 600 mm. ISO 20,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image top to bottom; cropped left and right to 4 x 5 aspect ratio.

Atlantic Puffin at ISO 20,000: Full Frame in the Fog

Christopher Dodds August 18, 2026

A foggy morning on Île aux Perroquets produced an unforgettable close encounter with an Atlantic Puffin carrying a bill full of fish. Photographed full frame at 600mm, 1/5,000 second and ISO 20,000, it's also a perfect example of why I don't fear high ISO when photographing birds in flight.

Razorbill flying with a mouthful of fish for its chick during Christopher Dodds' Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. — **Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner** (*Alca torda*, Petit pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) 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 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s, manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Razorbill Bringing Home Dinner | Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop

Christopher Dodds August 17, 2026

A Razorbill races home with a beak packed with fish for its hungry chick on Île aux Perroquets, Quebec. I photographed this fleeting moment at 1200mm during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshop — composed in-camera, full frame and completely uncropped.

**Atlantic Puffin Returning With Fish — Île aux Perroquets, Québec** (*Fratercula arctica,* Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) 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 @600mm. ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Atlantic Puffins Galore: Thank You for Another Incredible Season on Île aux Perroquets

Christopher Dodds August 13, 2026

Five groups, countless puffins and another remarkable season on Île aux Perroquets. A huge thank you to everyone who joined my 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Photography Workshops—and a look ahead to 2027.

Christopher Dodds field testing the Sony FE 100-400mm GM lens during torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast for a real-world wildlife photography review. — The **Sony** **FE 100-400mm GM** proved itself during days of wildlife photography in torrential rain along Alaska's Katmai Coast, delivering outstanding image quality, reliable autofocus, and confidence-inspiring weather sealing.

Sony FE 100–400mm GM Review: Field Tested During Torrential Rain Along Alaska's Katmai Coast

Christopher Dodds June 27, 2026

What happens when you take Sony's new FE 100-400mm GM into days of torrential rain on Alaska's Katmai Coast? Instead of laboratory charts and specifications, this real-world review covers autofocus, image quality, weather sealing, handling, and why this versatile telephoto zoom impressed me in the demanding conditions where wildlife photographers actually work.

Golden-crowned Sparrow stretching after a shake while perched on the tip of a spruce tree in Alaska. Its wings are fully extended, revealing the bright yellow crown against a soft golden background. Photograph by Christopher Dodds. — **Golden-crowned Sparrow Landing on a Spruce Tip** (*Zonotrichia atricapilla,* Bruant à couronne dorée, Chingolo coronidorado, GCSP) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 10,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Golden-crowned Sparrow Stretching After a Shake on a Spruce Tree on Kodiak Island, AK

Christopher Dodds June 26, 2026

While exploring the backroads of Kodiak Island, Alaska, Julie and I watched a Golden-crowned Sparrow perform a quick stretch after a shake, briefly revealing the bright golden crown that gives the species its name. Moments like this last only an instant, reminding us why patience—and being ready—are so important in wildlife photography.

**Pacific Wren Singing on a Cold Morning at Sunrise on Kodiak Island** (*Troglodytes pacificus,* Troglodyte de Baird, Chochín del Pacífico, PAWR) Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & the new Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5 GM OSS Lens & Sony 2X teleconverter @800mm ISO 10,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Pacific Wren Singing in the Cold Morning Air on Kodiak Island

Christopher Dodds June 24, 2026

On a cool Kodiak Island morning, a Pacific Wren perched atop a spruce tree and filled the air with its surprisingly powerful song. Backlit by the rising sun, each note briefly revealed wisps of visible breath, creating a fleeting photographic moment that combined behaviour, light, and a little bit of Alaskan magic.

Juvenile White-winged Crossbill perched on a stinging nettle plant against a soft yellow-green background. The bird's distinctive crossed bill and white wing bars are visible as it feeds among the seed heads in natural habitat. — **Juvenile White-winged Crossbill on Stinging Nettle** (*Loxia leucoptera,* Bec-croisé bifascié, Piquituerto aliblanco, WWCR) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @705mm ISO 40,000, f/8 @ 1/2,500s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Juvenile White-winged Crossbill on L’île aux Perroquets During the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop

Christopher Dodds June 6, 2026

A Juvenile White-winged Crossbill continued to surprise participants on my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop by remaining on L’île aux Perroquets for a second day. Far from its typical boreal forest habitat, this nomadic finch provided rare photography opportunities on a small treeless island off Quebec's North Shore.

Blue-headed Vireo perched on a bare branch during spring migration at Point Pelee National Park, showing its blue-grey head, bold white spectacles, yellow flanks, and soft creamy background. — **Blue-headed Vireo** (Vireo solitarius, Viréo à tête bleue, BHVI) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Blue-headed Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds June 5, 2026

Some migration mornings at Point Pelee start quietly. Then one cooperative Blue-headed Vireo appears down low, and suddenly, fifty birders and photographers are gathered around a single bird, enjoying the moment.

Yellow-throated Vireo perched on a branch at Point Pelee National Park during spring migration. Bird photograph captured during Christopher Dodds' Songbirds of Pelee wildlife photography workshop. — **Yellow-throated Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration** (*Vireo flavifrons*, Viréo à gorge jaune, Vireo gorjiamarillo, YTVI) from my SONGBIRDS OF PELEE GALORE WORKSHOP Point Pelee National Park of Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 2,500, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full-frame image.

Photographing a Yellow-throated Vireo at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds June 4, 2026

Yellow-throated Vireos are often heard long before they're seen, and even more rarely photographed well. During my Songbirds of Pelee workshop, this bird spent time feeding at eye level in Tilden Woods, giving us outstanding views and excellent photography opportunities during spring migration at Point Pelee.

American Bittern swimming low in calm water near the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, creating a reflection and wake as it crosses open water. — **American Bittern Swimming Through the Marsh at Point Pelee** (*Botaurus lentiginosus,* Butor d'Amérique, Avetoro lentiginoso, AMBI) Image created while scouting for my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

American Bittern Swimming at Point Pelee: A Rare Marsh Photography Moment

Christopher Dodds June 3, 2026

Most photographers are thrilled just to see an American Bittern. Watching one swim across open water is even rarer. This unusual behaviour photographed from the Marsh Boardwalk at Point Pelee offered a glimpse into a secretive marsh bird that spends most of its life hidden among reeds and cattails.

Brown Thrasher perched on a lichen-covered branch during spring migration at Point Pelee, Ontario, surrounded by soft green forest background. — **Brown Thrasher on Lichen-Covered Perch at Point Pelee** (*Toxostoma rufum,* Moqueur roux, Cuitlacoche rojizo, BRTH) Image created during my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4 X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Brown Thrasher at Point Pelee During Spring Migration

Christopher Dodds May 28, 2026

This Brown Thrasher briefly stepped onto a beautifully lichen-covered perch beside the trail at Point Pelee National Park while feeding young hidden deep inside a nearby brush pile. The moment lasted only seconds, but having my manual exposure already locked in made it possible to react instantly before the bird disappeared back into the cover.