Chasing Salmon in Katmai: Up Close with Coastal Brown Bears

One of the most unforgettable moments from my recently concluded Ultimate Brown Bears of Katmai workshop came when a massive Coastal Brown Bear charged through the water in hot pursuit of a salmon. The power, speed, and sheer determination on display were nothing short of awe-inspiring.

We were treated to countless close encounters like this throughout our time in Katmai National Park — and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Overcast skies, soft light, and active bears made for a photographer’s dream.

This image was captured using the Sony A1 II paired with the Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens. The settings were: ISO 4000, f/2.8, 1/5000s. Shooting wide open with a fast shutter speed was key to freezing the action and creating a sense of intensity and motion — while still isolating the bear beautifully from the background.

Getting low, staying patient, and being ready made all the difference. It’s these split-second movements — the spray of water, the focus in the bear’s eyes — that turn a photo into a story with high visual impact.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined me on this wild adventure. Can’t wait to share more images and memories from the trip soon!

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Charging Salmon (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens. ISO 4,000, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Off the Trail: Meet William from Kodiak

Sometimes, the most memorable parts of a trip have nothing to do with itineraries or camera gear — they’re the people you meet along the way.

While wandering the harbour in Kodiak, Alaska (something I love to do whenever I visit a new place), I met William — a seasoned fisherman and the personality behind Happy Hookers Fishing Charters (or, perhaps, William was a deckhand for the season after a few similar gigs in Florida). With decades of stories etched into his expression, he welcomed me into a conversation like we’d known each other for years.

William has been running charters out of Kodiak for some time, taking folks out on the water to experience the incredible fishing this part of Alaska has to offer. But now, he’s gearing up for a new kind of journey — setting his sights on Central America for his next chapter.

We talked about travel, life on the ocean, and the kind of freedom that comes with following your own tide. It was one of those unexpected encounters that stays with you.

Thanks for the conversation and the friendship, William. Wishing you smooth sailing and great stories ahead — wherever the next harbour may be.

Orange-crowned Warbler

I always make it a point to arrive early for my photography workshops. It’s not just about possible travel and baggage delays; it’s also about giving myself a chance to settle in and explore the area before the official program kicks off. That proved to be a great decision during my recent "Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska" workshop.

On the first morning in Kodiak, before the hustle and bustle began, I met up with my friend and participant, Dave Evans. We decided to take an early stroll around the local boat launch, harbour and walk the trails on Near Island; often a goldmine for wildlife photographers, frequently offering fantastic opportunities to capture a diverse range of bird species, seals, and even the majestic Stellar's sea lions.

We were hoping to catch some exciting action, and I was patiently trying to frame a good shot of a Black-billed Magpie when a flash of movement diverted my attention. Perched for just a fleeting moment was an Orange-crowned Warbler. It was a quick, unexpected distraction, but one I was absolutely thrilled with! While the Magpie decided to play hard to get, I was more than pleased with the warbler's unexpected portrait.

Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata, Paruline verdâtre, Reinita coroninaranja, OCWA) Kodiak, Alaska, before 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 @700mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Is it sharp enough - LensAlign MKII

Kodiak Red Fox Kit Vulpes, vulpes, Renard Kodiak Island, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS, Tripod & Wimberley Head II.  ISO 1600, F4 @ 1/250s Manual Mode. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Is it sharp enough?

I've got to say it; an image is either sharp or soft, there is no in-between, no compromise and no faking it. If you know it's not razor sharp, you are only kidding yourself by trying to fake it. While it is true that an "almost sharp" image can be tweaked in Photoshop to look good at web size, the truth is always revealed when someone wants a big print. There may be more to it than simply good technique; have you calibrated your camera?

LensAlign MKII

I first told you about the LensAlign focus calibration tool in Nature Photography Blog back in August, 2010. Michael Tapes is at it again, he recently sent me the LensAlign MKII. The new and improved knock-down design, lower price and proven consistency from the True Parallel Alignment Sighting System™ are well worth the upgrade, but the most compelling reason for my excitement is the new ruler patterns; it is now much easier to decide where the sharpest part of the ruler is. Truly a must have for any serious photographer, The LensAlign MKII is the key to making consistently sharp images.

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