Dorsal View of Razorbill in Flight with Fish

There are moments in nature that etch themselves into your memory. One such moment unfolded during my Deluxe Puffins Galore and so much more workshop last summer, with my small group of photographers perched on a beach at the base of the seabird nesting colony. The tide was changing, and with it came a spectacle of thousands of Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins circling as they returned from a successful fishing expedition; they created a dynamic scene against the backdrop of an incoming heavy fog. While presenting a photographic challenge, the fog added an element of magic to the encounter. Birds would materialize out of the mist with mouthfuls of fish, their dark silhouettes contrasting against the ethereal backdrop.

We were particularly captivated by the Razorbills with their beaks laden with fish. I captured this dorsal view as it banked in flight using my Sony 100-400mm zoom lens at 400mm and my Sony a1. The details recorded in its dark feathers are remarkable.

The scene on the beach was equally captivating. My fellow photographers, focused and determined, worked to capture the fleeting moments. The interplay of the fog, the waves crashing on the shore, and the cries of the seabirds created an atmosphere of awe-inspiring wilderness.

Razorbill in flight with Fish Close Encounter (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master OSS Lens @400mm. ISO 800, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

“Witnessing puffins is a truly magical experience that stays with you forever. My time at your workshop on Île aux Perroquets was unforgettable! Nestled on a tiny island off the stunning, rugged coast of northeastern Canada, the entire experience felt like stepping into another world. The lighthouse keeper’s house—beautifully restored and full of character—was warm, inviting, and cozy, the perfect retreat after long days in the field. The food was simply incredible—each meal lovingly prepared by the kindest women, and honestly, some of the best I’ve had in years.

The puffin photography workshop itself was deeply immersive. Being completely unplugged from the rat race allowed me to slow down, reconnect with nature, and truly live in the moment. Each outing was filled with anticipation and awe. You were incredibly hands-on, always making sure we were in the right place at the right time to get the shot. I’ll never forget the thrill of hearing you shout “FISH! FISH! FISH!” as a puffin swooped in, beak brimming with its catch—it was pure, childlike joy every single time.

This wasn’t just a photography trip—it was a soulful adventure, one that left me inspired, grounded, and endlessly grateful. A trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.”

- Lisa-Ashley Smith | Wisconsin | USA

Dancing with the Wind and a Willet: Willet in flight a la Sony a9 Mark III and the new Sony 400-800mm Zoom Lens

The stage was the wild, windswept beach at Sebastian, Florida, and the star? A stunning willet in striking plumage. If you've ever tried to lock focus on a shorebird in flight, you know they're not exactly known for their predictable flight patterns. Add gale-force wind into the mix, and you've got yourself a real avian acrobat. Tracking that kind of erratic movement, especially when aiming for tack-sharp focus, can sometimes feel impossible.

This is where the magic happened. I had the remarkable Sony a9 Mark III in my hands, paired with the brand-spanking-new Sony 400-800mm zoom, and to reach out and touch those distant subjects, I had the 1.4X teleconverter attached. This combination is a game-changer.

That incredible autofocus system on the a9 III was crucial, with its pre-capture and real-time recognition. It kept me locked onto that willet even as it twisted and turned in the wind. And the 400-800mm zoom, with the added reach of the teleconverter, gave me the flexibility I desperately needed. One moment, the bird was relatively close, buffeting in the wind; the next, it was soaring further out to sea. Instead of fumbling with prime lenses, I could smoothly and quickly adjust my focal length (the lens adjusts from minimum to maximum zoom in 1/4 turn of the zoom ring) while keeping the willet perfectly framed.

The sheer capability of this Sony setup transformed a potentially frustrating experience into an exhilarating one. It allowed me to react instantly to the bird's unpredictable movements, to frame those fleeting moments of beauty against the dramatic backdrop of the windy beach.

Walking away from Sebastian that day, my memory card filled with images that I was truly excited about, I was reminded once again of the incredible advancements in camera technology. This Sony combo isn't just about megapixels or fancy features; it's about empowering photographers to capture the wild beauty of our world, even when nature throws us a curveball – or in this case, a gale-force gust!

Willet in Flight Dorsal View (Tringa semipalmata, Chevalier semipalmé, Playero aliblanco, WILL). From my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress on April 9, 2025 at Sebastien, Florida, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @770mm ISO 3,200, f/11 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

American Kestrel in flight dorsal view

This American Kestrel kept distracting us while watching a Snowy Owl during my recent Snowy Owl Workshops. It had flown past us and offered a nice view against the white “cloudy bright” sky, but I stayed on the bird in case it banked around. I was treated to this full dorsal view as it banked around in front of some out-of-focus pine trees, which proved a perfect background.

American Kestrel Landing (Falco sparverius, Crécerelle d'Amérique, AMKE) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. 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 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Rough-Legged Hawk in flight dorsal view

This is one of many images made during a close encounter with this Rough-legged Hawk during my Winter Snowy Owl workshop recently. The bird circled us several times, giving everyone fantastic views; stay tuned for more.

The rough-legged hawk gets its name from the feathers that run down its legs to its talons, keeping it warm in frigid temperatures. After breeding in the Arctic tundra, rough-legged hawks travel south to open fields and grasslands.

See: Rough-legged Hawk in flight ventral view

Rough-legged Hawk in flight dorsal view (Buteo lagopus, Buse pattue, RLHA). Created during my recent Winter Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Hooded Merganser Top-side flight

It seemed like this Hooded Merganser came out of nowhere and flip-flopped to lose altitude quickly right before me. I was lucky to get a few frames, and I especially love this one with the autumn colours in the background courtesy of the cottonwood tree.

Hooded Merganser Top-side Flight (Lophodytes cucullatus, Harle couronné, HOME) from my Better than Bosque workshop . Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Red-shouldered Hawk

I love exploring the hidden canals controlling Lake Blue Cypress's water level during the afternoons of my Ospreys Galore (and so much more) Workshop in Florida. This image was made during the first workshop on the afternoon of April 6 as this Red-shouldered Hawk flew a short distance between two trees.

The Sony a9 III has proven to be a remarkable action camera; the autofocus is a step beyond that of the Alpha 1, and the 120 fps Raw capture is a game changer.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus, Buse à épaulettes, RSHA) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK

Surf Scoter in flight

We returned to town after an incredible and action-filled four-hour Eagle photography session during my Eagles Galore Workshop on March 8, 2024. We visited my favourite, The Bagel Shop, for a fabulous lunch and superb coffee. After a short break, we set up outside the hotel, and despite it being relatively quiet, there were some Long-Tailed Ducks within reach and a couple of other species of ducks appeared. I was tracking a few Common Goldeneyes that were slightly off-camera angle when this female Surf Scoter made a single pass and almost landed.

Thanks to the new Sony a9 mark III, the short encounter produced 65 images, allowing me to choose the best pose and angle.

Surf Scoter in flight (Melanitta perspicillata, Macreuse à front blanc, SUSC) March 8, 2024, Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full-frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle OUT of THE STORM

Nothing is more glorious after a dark and rainy day than the following morning sky clearing in the East with residual storm clouds in the background with golden light. I photographed this beauty during my Bald Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

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 1,600, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Photographed vertically. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Blue Goose (Dark Morph Snow Goose) Dorsal Flair

Better than Bosque workshop notes

I am finally home from an extended RV road trip to my New Mexico Better than Bosque Workshop. We had some great times with old friends before and after and spent extensive time scouting to ensure that we were in the best locations at the best time for the Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache is the draw, but the conditions for migrating birds and visiting photographers continue to decline, so we went to other nearby reserves where the birds were!

The Blue Goose

The dark colour of the blue morph Snow Goose is controlled by a single gene, with dark being partially dominant over white. If a pure dark goose mates with a white goose, the offspring will all be dark (possibly with white bellies). If two white geese mate, they have only white offspring. If two dark geese breed, they will have mostly dark offspring but might also have a few white ones.

The oldest Snow Goose on record, a blue morph, was shot in Idaho in 2020. It was 30 years and eight months old and was banded initially in Arizona in 1990.

Snow Goose (Blue morph) Banking (Chen Caerulescens, Oie des Neiges forme bleu, SNGO) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Near Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 1,250, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame image.

The Murres of Bonaventure Island

Here are a few Common Murre images from my recently concluded Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island. The daily Zodiac boat rides(weather permitting) around the cliffs full of seabirds in the early mornings are a highlight of the trip for me. The Sony Alpha 1 paired with the Sony 200-600 proved to be an absolutely perfect combination for the close and fast-moving seabirds like these Common Murres. All of these images were made within a few minutes of each other on the second morning of the first workshop on June 7.

Common Murre in Flight Dorsal View (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 6,400, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Common Murre in Flight Ventral View (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 5,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

The Common Murre is found in the seas of the Northern Hemisphere, but unlike the Thick-billed Murre, it prefers ice-free waters. On some islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it nests in dense colonies on narrow cliff ledges, in semi-enclosed rock cavities and in deep fissures, occasionally sharing its quarters with the Razorbill. The Common Murre can fly up to 200 kilometres from the nest to find food for their chicks, and, like the Northern Gannet, they can dive as deep as 100 meters, and depths of 180meters have been recorded. Courtship displays include bowing, billing and preening. The male points its head vertically and makes croaking and growling noises to attract a female. The eggs vary in colour and pattern to help the parents recognize them, each egg is unique. They make no nest and their single egg is incubated on bare rock. The average fledging age is about 21 days, during which the male and female feed the chick with Capelin and sand lance, carrying them one at a time. Both male and female Common Murres moult after breeding and become flightless for 1-2 months. After the breeding season, the Gulf populations move toward the Atlantic and winter off the coasts of Newfoundland. In southern populations, they occasionally return to the nest site throughout the winter. Northern populations spend the winter farther from their colonies. A group of murres are collectively known as a "bazaar" and a "fragrance" of murres (and you should get a whiff of the fragrance under the colony on Bonaventure Island).

In Québec, the Common Murre breeds only in the Gulf of St Lawrence. It is especially abundant on Bonaventure Island, with over 27 000 pairs, and on the Sainte-Marie Islands, where nearly 20 000 pairs nest alongside several other alcid species, including Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins. The Common Murre populations in the Gulf have recovered a great deal during the 70s and 80s but currently, the numbers on the Lower North Shore are still distinctly smaller than those reported by 19th-century naturalists. According to their accounts, an estimated 350 000 pairs of Common Murres bred there at the turn of the century, whereas today there are a mere 20 000. Poaching and human disturbance are the main causes of this decline.

Common Murre(Bridled) in Flight (Uria aalge, Guillemot Marmette - from bridée, COMU) from my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©2022 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony 200-600mm @600mm ISO 6,400, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

The Common Murre (Bridled) is a race or sub-species of the Common Murre, which is seen in North America. Although the Common Murre is seen in the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans, this race is only seen in the Atlantic waters. It can be easily recognized by its bold white facial markings. It also has different coloured eggs than the Common Murre. Both races live among each other.

TOP TEN REASONS TO JOIN ME ON BONAVENTURE ISLAND:

I received this in an email from Stan Buman from Carroll, IA way back in 2009:

I joined Chris for the 2009 Gannets Galore Workshop. It was a great learning experience and a wonderful three days. Here are the top ten reasons why I would recommend attending a workshop with Chris.

1. Chris knows the workshop locations and subjects. He has been to the Northern Gannet colony over 375 times, giving him intimate knowledge of the island and bird behavior. All professional wildlife photographers will tell you that knowledge of the subject is crucial for obtaining quality images.

2. With this knowledge, he works hard to put you in the right place by constantly monitoring weather conditions (such as wind direction) and bird activity.

3. Chris is respectful of, and well respected by, the Park Service employees. He treats them well and they treat him well.

4. The Gannets Galore Workshop is more than just photographing on the island. Photography from the Zodiac boat adds a whole new dimension to the diversity of images and bird species.

5. While birds are his primary focus, he is willing to photograph other subjects; Gray Seals come to mind.

6. He is a good birder. It isn’t just all about Gannets.

7. Being a top-notch photographer, Chris knows what it takes to get great images. He is willing to share his knowledge with his participants.

8. I am a better bird photographer because of Chris. Leading by example, he challenged me to work harder on my skills and work outside my comfort zone.

9. For those of you who live to eat, Chris will make sure you are well fed (quality and quantity). I eat to live but think I gained weight on this trip.

10. His ability to speak French comes in handy for us ignorant Americans who never learned to speak anything but English.