Wapusk National Park Polar Bear Queen

Ten days in Wapusk National Park meant ten days of relentless, bone-chilling rain. My solo trip quickly became a testament to perseverance, each step a squelch deeper into the infamous Manitoba mud. The relentless drizzle and deepening mud made every step with the heavy camera pack a challenge, but the goal remained: to capture the spirit of the Polar Bear in the summer.

Then, through the swirling mists and as the rain began to stop, it appeared. Not the pristine, snow-white postcard vision everyone expects, but a magnificent, mud-splashed polar bear emerged. Its fur, muddied with the very earth it walked upon, seemed to glow with a raw, powerful presence against the drab, rain-soaked landscape. It was enormous, a true queen of its domain, and utterly unfazed by its less-than-immaculate appearance.

Between me and the bear were some bearberry bushes mixed into the willows, so I quickly adjusted my settings, widening my aperture to throw them beautifully out of focus, isolating the subject and accentuating the bear's sharp, powerful presence.

Dragging myself back to camp each night after long days in challenging conditions, every muscle ached. However, the adventure is always an integral part of creating images and the stories that accompany them.

Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus, Ours Blanc) Wapusk National Park along the shores of the Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 1,000, f/8 @ 1/1,000s Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image.

Saint Paul Island, Alaska Horned Puffin Head On Portrait

There are moments in a photographer's life when everything aligns. The light, the subject, the location – it all conspires to create something truly unforgettable. For me, one such moment unfolded on the rugged cliffs during my Saint Paul Island Workshop in Alaska, on a speck of land in the vast, wild expanse of the Bering Sea. It's a place so remote and untouched that it feels like stepping onto another planet. And amidst its dramatic volcanic landscapes, I found myself face-to-face with this entertaining and charismatic Horned Puffin.

I have travelled to Saint Paul Island over the last few decades with a singular purpose: to capture the essence of its incredible seabird colonies. But nothing quite prepares you for the sheer abundance and proximity of these creatures. Sitting precariously on a cliff edge, the wind whipping around me, I was eye-level with a pristine and curious Horned Puffin; they don't see many people in this remote part of the world.

My objective was clear: to create intimate portraits that went beyond a simple record shot. I wanted to convey the magic of being so close, to feel their presence, to see the intricate details of their plumage and the spark in their intelligent eyes. For this, I relied on my trusty Sony a9 Mark II, paired with the Sony 400mm f/4 GM lens and my 2x teleconverter. This combination provided an effective focal length of 800mm, enabling me to fill the frame, even from a respectful distance. This puffin, seemingly unfazed by my presence, settled on a rock just within my minimum focusing distance. It was the perfect opportunity. As I framed the shot, this charming individual looked directly at me, offering an ideal angle for a head-on portrait. To ensure maximum sharpness on the puffin while still rendering the background into a beautiful, ethereal blur, I made a deliberate aperture choice. I stopped down to f/16. However, in this instance, with the 2x teleconverter on and at such close quarters, I wanted to maximize the depth of field on the puffin – from the tip of its bill to the back of its head. The goal was absolute sharpness on my subject. The background was composed of dark volcanic rocks, as the lingering sea foam retreated with the waves, lightening the background tonality with each wave. By stopping down to f/16, combined with the extreme magnification, these dark, textured forms melted away into a rich, out-of-focus tapestry.

Join Me on Your Own Saint Paul Island Adventure!

Imagine being eye-level with a horned puffin, the wind in your hair, and the wild beauty of the Bering Sea surrounding you. You can experience this magic firsthand! I'm leading a photography workshop on Saint Paul Island in July 2026, where you'll have the incredible opportunity to capture intimate portraits of these charismatic seabirds. While I finalize the charter flight and other complex logistics, you can add your name to the interest list today. You'll be the first to know the moment all the details are in place, ensuring you don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure.

Horned Puffin Head On Portrait (Fratercula corniculata, Macareux cornu, Frailecillo corniculado, HOPU) Saint Paul Island, AK ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mark II Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm. ISO 1,600, f/16 @ 1/800s Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my workshop in Saint Paul Island, AK, next July. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Unblinking Majesty: Overcast Bald Eagle Portrait

After what felt like an endless journey to my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop—from Montreal to Vancouver, then on to Anchorage, and finally touching down in Kodiak, Alaska—I was more than ready to settle into my hotel room. The travel day had been long, but the crisp Alaskan air beckoned. A brisk 45-minute walk to the grocery store seemed like a good way to stretch my legs and grab some essentials.

Bags in hand, I made the 45-minute trek back, eager to unwind. As I closed the curtains, a fresh cup of hot ginger tea in hand, I spotted a magnificent bald eagle perched regally on a garbage dumpster behind the hotel. What struck me immediately was its pristine condition; most city eagles look dirty and ratty.

My fatigue instantly vanished, replaced by a surge of excitement. I quickly grabbed my camera, knowing this was a moment I couldn't miss with the soft, overcast evening light. I spent a few minutes patiently waiting, hoping for that perfect shot with the Eagle staring directly at me. I made sure to stop down to f/22 to ensure both its piercing eyes and powerful beak were tack sharp. It was an incredible welcome to Kodiak, a truly unforgettable start to my Alaskan adventure.

American Bald Eagle UNBLINKING MAJESTY (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, Pigargo americano BAEA) 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 @800mm ISO 6,400, f/22 @ 1/640s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Western Meadowlark in flight head on

On our first afternoon at Bernardo Wildlife Area during my Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico, there were impressive numbers of Western Meadowlarks flying back and forth along the road over the corn fields. Most were high, with the occasional bird flying past at eye level. I watched this individual head straight at me and was thrilled with my results - but I must admit two things:

  1. The auto-focus of the Sony a9 Mark III is mind-blowing. You still have to “drive” the camera, but it won’t fail you when things line up!

  2. Shooting at 120fps meant having the best possible wing positions and not settling for a mistimed image.

Western Meadowlark in flight head-on(Sturnella neglecta, Sturnelle de l'Ouest, WEME) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, 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. 95% full-frame image.

Belted Kingfisher flying head on.

A Belted Kingfisher in flight from earlier today while scouting for my Better than Bosque Workshop around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although there were moments of epic light between clouds, the birds didn’t seem to understand that it was showtime, and I had to settle for this image made while it was cloudy - smile.

It was great to stretch after an uneventful drive in my RV from my home near Montreal to Albuquerque, New Mexico (3,500km or 2,200 miles). I will be on the move and actively scouting until my workshop starts on December 5.

Belted Kingfisher Flying Head On (Megaceryle alcyon, Martin-pêcheur d'Amérique, BEKI) from this morning while scouting for my Better than Bosque workshop. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha Alpha 9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Sandhill Crane Landing HEAD-ON

The excitement was off the charts when a Sandhill Crane landed directly in front of us during my Best of Bosque Workshop in New Mexico. When the wind is right, you know where to go to get the best backgrounds in New Mexico (The out-of-focus autumn Cottonwood leaves), and you are set up and ready for action……

Sandhill Crane Landing HEAD-ON (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, 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 5,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for Best of Bosque Workshop Dec. 5-9

🪿

CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for Best of Bosque Workshop Dec. 5-9 🪿

Bald Eagle The Strike

A Bald Eagle making a head-on final approach poised to strike from my Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska.

Once prey is located, Bald Eagles dive at a gradual incline and catch prey with their powerful talons, inflicting a vice-like killing grip. They fly off carrying their prey, often weighing half as much as the eagle. 

I just sold the last spot for this year, which opened due to a medical emergency, and next year’s workshops are filling already. Don’t miss out! Learn more or sign up for Eagles Galore HERE.

Bald Eagle The Strike (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 1,250, f/4 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame left to right; cropped top & bottom to 16:9 aspect ratio. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop in March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.