A Rare Treat: White-winged Crossbill on L’île aux Perroquets

After our lobster supper on August 9th (the last night of the fourth of five Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops), we had an absolute blast photographing a remarkably cooperative White-winged Crossbill that stayed low and slow—perfect conditions for a dream shoot. I was ready, armed with my Sony a1 Mark II and the stellar Sony 400–800mm zoom lens. Earlier in the day, we had already seen a few fleeting glimpses of a Bay-breasted and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, but the crossbill was the clear highlight.

What made this encounter so special wasn't just the bird's behaviour—it was where it happened. White-winged Crossbills are nomadic finches typically associated with boreal coniferous forests, where they feed almost exclusively on the seeds of spruce and pine cones. So to find one on L’île aux Perroquets, a small treeless island off Quebec's North Shore with no coniferous trees in sight, was truly unexpected. During my decades of leading the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop here, I've heard their calls in the distance but never witnessed one landing—let alone offering such a perfect photographic opportunity with such a colourful background. Moments like this are a reminder of nature's unpredictability and the rewards of always being prepared.

White-winged Crossbill (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.

Atlantic Puffin Flying with Fish at Sunrise

Last-Minute Opening: Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop in Quebec!

Dreaming of capturing stunning images of Atlantic Puffins? Due to a couple of last-minute cancellations, two exclusive rooms have opened up for our highly sought-after Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop in Quebec. Join us from August 10-13, 2025, for an unforgettable photography experience.

Your Island Retreat

Imagine spending four incredible days "nesting" in a beautifully restored lighthouse keeper's home on a tiny island. You'll be right in the heart of a bustling wildlife haven, surrounded by thousands of Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Murres, and Guillemots. Keep an eye out for majestic Grey Seals and even various species of whales that frequent these waters.

Unlike typical crowded photography trips, convenience is key here. Your comfortable accommodations, featuring delicious gourmet meals, are just 200 meters from where we'll be photographing the puffins. That means more valuable time behind your lens and less time commuting!

Capture Puffins at Their Peak

This workshop is perfectly timed for prime puffin action. The first two weeks of August are when these charming birds are most active, diligently bringing back impressive catches of fish to their growing pufflings. This is your chance to build a stunning portfolio of unique and intimate images, showcasing these charismatic birds during a crucial stage of their breeding cycle.

Master Your Bird Photography Skills

Beyond just incredible photo opportunities, this workshop is designed to significantly enhance your photography skills. You'll delve into every aspect of bird photography, from understanding avian behaviour and mastering exposure and composition to conquering the challenging art of birds-in-flight photography. Our expert guidance and masterful hands-on instruction will ensure you return home not only with breathtaking images but also with a deeper understanding and improved techniques that will benefit all your future photography adventures.

Don't miss this rare chance to immerse yourself in Atlantic Puffin country and refine your skills. These last two spots will go quickly!

Ready to seize this incredible adventure? Contact us today to secure your place!

Atlantic Puffin Golden Light and background with fish (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 with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Razorbill in flight with beak full of fish

Last-Minute Opening: Your Chance to Photograph Atlantic Puffins in Quebec!

Sometimes, the stars align just right! If you've been dreaming of capturing the charm of Atlantic Puffins with your camera, this is your moment.

Due to a last-minute cancellation, a couple of highly sought-after spots have opened up for my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Workshops! These workshops, which are otherwise completely sold out, offer an unparalleled opportunity to photograph these incredible birds on Quebec's picturesque Lighthouse Island (Île aux Perroquets).

Imagine spending four days, from August 10 to 13, 2025, immersed in the stunning natural beauty of the island. This timing is absolutely perfect, as the puffin babies have grown and are demanding more and more food until they fledge, which means you'll have the absolute best chance to capture those iconic shots of puffins with their mouths full of fish!

While puffins are the stars, Île aux Perroquets is also home to a vibrant array of other seabirds. You'll also have the chance to photograph Razorbills, Black Guillemots, Common Murres, and various shorebirds, passerines and gulls. It's truly a bird photographer's paradise!

Don't miss out on this unexpected opportunity to join an exclusive group and create lasting memories and incredible photographs while staying in a renovated lighthouse and eating gourmet food!

CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up

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CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up 〰️

Razorbill in flight with Fish (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 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.

Atlantic Puffin Out of the Fog

In my previous post (Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish & Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Update), I shared our initial disappointment when a thick blanket of clouds and fog obscured the glorious morning light we'd hoped for during one of last summer's Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops. However, as often happens on foggy mornings when the temperature climbs above the dew point, things began to change, and they did change quickly!

Shortly after capturing those first foggy images, the fog started to lift. The sun's golden light broke through, while hundreds of Puffins began returning to their burrows, their beaks laden with fish for their hungry young. It was a moment that gifted us with an abundance of unforgettable images to complete our already bursting portfolios.

The dew point is a crucial atmospheric measurement, representing the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapour and condensation begins. When the air temperature cools down to meet the dew point, the invisible water vapour in the air transforms into tiny liquid water droplets. If this condensation happens at ground level, we experience it as fog. As the sun rises and warms the air, the temperature often climbs above the dew point, causing these tiny water droplets to evaporate back into vapour, and the fog dissipates, revealing clearer skies and, as in our case, incredible photographic opportunities.

Atlantic Puffin Out of the Fog with fish (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 3,200, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin in flight with fish & Atlantic Puffin Photography Workshop Update

The air was thick with anticipation during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop, but a hush fell over the group as we realized our much-hoped-for golden sunrise was a no-show, replaced by a soft blanket of fog and an overcast sky. For many, a "perfect" sunrise is the holy grail of wildlife photography.

But here's a little secret: sometimes, imperfect conditions lead to the most perfect moments.

As the fog rolled in, something magical happened. Hundreds of Atlantic Puffins, undeterred by the muted light, began their graceful descent, wings beating steadily, beaks laden with silvery fish. They weren't waiting for the sun; they were focused on their mission: feeding their hungry pufflings nestled deep in their burrows.

And that's when the true beauty of the scene unfolded. The monochromatic backdrop, with its soft, diffused light, made their vibrant, almost neon-orange beaks truly pop. Every feather, every subtle movement, became incredibly defined against the muted tones. It was a masterclass in how different light can reveal different dimensions of a subject.

This is the essence of the Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Workshop: learning to see beyond the obvious and capture the unique beauty in every moment, no matter the weather. It's about understanding puffin behaviour, anticipating their movements, and mastering your camera to create stunning images in a variety of conditions.

Your Chance to Experience the Magic

Due to a recent cancellation, a couple of rare spots have become available for the otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Workshop, August 10-13, 2025. If you're ready to embrace all that a puffin morning can offer – sun-drenched or wonderfully foggy – and create images that truly stand out, this is your chance.

Ready to see how a little fog can lead to incredible photographs? Click the image to learn more or sign up.

Atlantic Puffin Foggy Flight with fish (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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 1,250, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin Pink Sky at Night

Last-Minute Opening: Your Chance to Photograph Atlantic Puffins in Quebec!

Sometimes, things align perfectly! I'm thrilled to announce that, due to a last-minute cancellation, a few coveted spots have opened up for my otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Workshops on Quebec's picturesque Lighthouse Island from August 10 to 13, 2025.

Not just any puffin workshop; it's an opportunity to visit what I believe is the best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins. Imagine spending your days on a charming island, surrounded by breathtaking coastal scenery, all while capturing stunning images of Atlantic Puffins in their natural habitat. And when I say "just outside the door," I mean it! There are hundreds of puffins right there, with only about a 200-meter walk to our prime photography spots. It doesn't get any easier or more spectacular. Accommodations are truly special in a fully restored lighthouse keeper's house, and the gourmet food is off the charts!

On the last night of last year's workshops, after an incredible dinner and dessert, we set up our gear in anticipation of a spectacular sunset. And let me tell you, we were not disappointed! The colours that painted the sky were simply magical, providing a perfect backdrop as a grand finale.

If you've been dreaming of photographing Atlantic Puffins, this is your chance. These spots won't last long!

Atlantic Puffin Pink Sky Delight (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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 8,000, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin Portrait & Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Update

Puffin Perfection: A Dream Shoot in Quebec, Canada!

My Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop in Quebec, Canada, always delivers unforgettable magic; This time, an Atlantic Puffin striking a pose against a beautifully blurred backdrop of seaweed. This region is widely considered the best place in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins, and it's easy to see why!

The conditions were nothing short of ideal. We were blessed with bright, overcast light, a photographer's dream for crafting dramatic portraits. And thanks to the low tide, an extensive bed of seaweed was revealed, providing that fantastic, soft, out-of-focus background.

The night before had been quite stormy, and the puffins were out in full force! They emerged from their burrows, dotting the rocks in a bustling scene before heading off to fish for their hungry pufflings. It was an unforgettable experience, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Don't Miss Your Chance; August 10-13, 2025 OPENINGS!

There have been a couple of cancellations for my otherwise sold-out Deluxe Atlantic Puffin workshop. This incredible experience includes dreamy lighthouse accommodations and gourmet food. Did I mention the puffins are only a short 200-meter walk from your bedroom and dining room? The New York Times even declared this a top travel destination!

If you've ever dreamed of photographing these incredible birds in an idyllic setting, now's your chance!

Atlantic Puffin Portrait (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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 800, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.