While the main attraction of my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshops on Île aux Perroquets in Quebec earlier this month was, of course, the puffins, there's always something more to enjoy—and this year, the Savannah Sparrows delivered again.
These small, energetic songbirds are always present in the grassy areas of the island, but this time their numbers were spectacularly high, making them hard to ignore. That abundance gave us a fantastic opportunity to try photographing them in flight—their erratic, fast-moving behaviour making it a real test of patience and timing.
I created this image with my Sony 600mm lens and a 2× teleconverter on the Sony a9 Mark III. We had positioned ourselves with the light behind us, but what made the shot truly shine was a dash of serendipity—this sparrow just happened to fly in precisely the right direction. Sometimes everything aligns—smile!
Fun, little-known highlight: Savannah Sparrows in this area may even have their own distinctive regional song dialects, with subtle variations in trills and call patterns that differ between populations—even those as close as Île aux Perroquets.
The 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore (and So Much More!) Workshops are already filling quickly. Don't miss your chance to live the dream adventure on a tiny lighthouse island, surrounded by puffins, razorbills, murres—and so many more birds, including our ever-charming Savannah Sparrows
Yet another testimonial:
"Christopher Dodds’ Atlantic Puffin photography workshop is a truly exceptional experience for any wildlife or nature photographer. The setting is amazing, providing endless opportunities to capture Puffins both in flight and up close in varying scenery and lighting, resulting in an incredible portfolio of images. Chris’s deep knowledge of Puffin behavior and photography, combined with his patient, individualized instruction, helps photographers of all skill levels achieve their best work. The workshop is thoughtfully organized, and Chris always ensures participants are in the perfect spot at the right time for optimal lighting and action. Accommodations are very comfortable, the meals are amazing, and the venue lends itself to fun camaraderie among participants. I left the workshop with not only a drive full of images that exceeded my expectations, but also new skills and unforgettable memories. Highly recommended to anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography and experience these wonderful birds up close." - Joe Pizzuto New York| NY Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Aug. 2025
Savannah Sparrow in flight (Passerculus sandwichensis, Bruant des prés, Chingolo sabanero, SASP) 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 4,000, f/8 @ 1/6,400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.
