The Magic of Bokeh: Elevating Your Bird Photography

Bokeh, that dreamy blur, that soft kiss of out-of-focus foreground and background. It is not just about aesthetics; it is a powerful tool.

Take this willet I photographed during my recent Florida Workshop. If I lowered the camera far enough, I created a soft & dreamy out-of-focus foreground. Some might see that as an obstacle or something to avoid. But for me, it became an advantage. That smooth, blurred foreground acted like a natural frame, drawing your eye inexorably to the sharp detail of the bird itself. It created a sense of depth, almost like the willet was emerging from a gentle mist or sandstorm.

And that is the magic. When you intentionally let the foreground and background melt away into a creamy bokeh, you are not just making a pretty picture; you are isolating your subject, stripping away distractions, and allowing its form, posture, and essence to take center stage. That soft blur can whisper of the environment without shouting, providing context without clutter.

It is about guiding the viewer's gaze, telling a story with selective focus. It transforms a simple snapshot into something more evocative that resonates with the quiet beauty of the natural world. So the next time you're out there, don't shy away from that out-of-focus element. Embrace it. It is the secret ingredient to elevating your bird photography.

Willet Portrait (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 @71,120mm ISO 10,000, f/11 @ 1/2,500s. Manual exposure.

Osprey in flight with Black Crappie in Golden Light

That early morning mist hanging over Lake Blue Cypress, the sun just kissing the tips of the ancient, water-bound cypress trees... there's a magic to it, especially when the air fills with the triumphant cries of Ospreys. One particular moment stands out during my recent "Ospreys Galore & so much more" workshop. Clutching a fresh catch (Black Crappie. Alternate names for the species include calico bass, speck, speckled perch, speckled bass, moonfish, grass bass, strawberry bass, shiner, crawpie, oswego bass, sac-a-lait, and marigane noire). This magnificent bird called out to its mate in the soft, golden light. Our trusty Captain Don maneuvered the pontoon perfectly, allowing us to capture a series of images before letting the Osprey deliver the black crappie to its nest for its chicks to enjoy their breakfast in peace.

Moments like these demand gear that can keep up with the speed and spontaneity of nature, and let me tell you, the new Sony 400-800mm zoom lens paired with the Sony a9 mark III and the Sony 1.4x teleconverter is an absolute game-changer for wildlife photography.

Think about it: a single lens that effortlessly transitions from a generous 400mm reach to a staggering 800mm, and then, with the seamless addition of the 1.4x teleconverter, stretches all the way to 1120mm! This versatility is pure gold in dynamic environments like Blue Cypress. One moment, you're framing a wider scene of the Osprey in its watery habitat; the next, you're zoomed in tight, capturing the intricate details of its plumage or the glint in its eye. No more fumbling with lens swaps and potentially missing that crucial shot.

But reach is only half the story. What truly elevates this combination is the blazing speed and pinpoint accuracy of the a9 III's autofocus system. With its global shutter, the camera locks onto subjects instantaneously, and the Real-time Tracking keeps even erratic flyers like Ospreys locked in focus as they soar and dive. Adding the 1.4x teleconverter introduces more glass into the equation, but I was genuinely impressed by how little it impacted the autofocus performance. The lens and camera communicated flawlessly, delivering sharp, in-focus results even at those extreme focal lengths.

OSPREY in flight with a Black Crappie (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, Águila pescadora, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop at Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, 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 @1,120mm ISO 8,000, f/13 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Green Heron Calling in Flight Sony 400-800 with Sony 1.4X Tele-converter

A distinct, loud guttural "skeow" broke the silence as we waited for this Green Heron to take flight from a perch it landed on in front of us a few moments earlier. I tracked it flying directly across my frame as it took flight and called—the fleeting moment when you get the shot or don't. Thankfully, the new Sony 400-800mm with the 1.4x teleconverter attached to the Sony a9 mark III was already poised and ready.

What struck me immediately was the sheer versatility of this setup. Going from 560mm to 1,120mm with a 1/4 turn of the zoom ring while maintaining exceptional image quality is a game-changer. There was no time to swap lenses; frankly, I wouldn't have wanted to. The integrated zoom allowed me to track the heron smoothly as it flew, adjusting my composition on the fly.

And the autofocus? Absolutely tenacious. Even with the added magnification of the teleconverter, the focus locked onto the heron's eye instantly and held firm as it zipped past: crucial for capturing birds in flight, where even the slightest hesitation can mean a missed opportunity. The resulting images are tack sharp, revealing the intricate details of its plumage. The detail retention and auto-focus speed are remarkable.

This encounter perfectly illustrates the power and flexibility of the Sony 400-800mm with the 1.4x. It's a setup that allows you to react quickly, achieve incredible reach, and capture breathtaking sharpness, even in challenging situations. This lens is a serious contender for wildlife photographers who demand the best and need to be ready for anything. It's not just about getting closer; it's about capturing the moment with stunning clarity.

Be sure to take a look at my other blog posts from my trip to Florida with only a Sony a9 mark III, the new Sony 400-800 and both teleconverters (1.4X and 2X):

FE 400–800 mm F6.3–8 G OSS Mini-review. Is this the "Holy Grail" for bird photography? by Christopher Dodds

Less is More: Finding Freedom with only the Sony a9 III and 400-800mm in Florida

Red-shouldered Hawk and the freedom of the new Sony 400-800mm Zoom lens

Green Heron Calling in Flight (Butorides virescens, Héron vert, Garcilla Verde, GRHE). From my recent Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, 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 @1,036mm ISO 3,200, f/13 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Osprey showing off Fish for Breakfast in Golden Light

Being out on the boat on Lake Blue Cypress and in position at sunrise is one of my favourite ways to start a morning. Add the melody of calling Ospreys proudly announcing their arrival with breakfast and the first drops of golden light….with an Osprey showing off its fresh fish; it doesn’t get any better!

Due to a medical accident, one spot is still available from April 5-7. You can learn more or sign up for my Ospreys Galore Workshop on Lake Blue Cypress HERE.

OSPREY Showing off a Fish for breakfast in golden light (Pandion haliaetus, Balbuzard pêcheur, OSPR) from my Ospreys Galore Workshop Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida, USA. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 4,000, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Full-frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Dodds a few weeks ago in Florida when I signed up for his Osprey workshop. The sign up process and pre workshop communication was excellent and concise. I must admit that as I drove over from Tampa to the hotel I was a bit uneasy after looking at Chris’s images wondering if he was approachable, patient, and a good teacher with someone like me who didn’t have a lot of experience shooting wildlife before. We met in the hotel lobby , chatted for 30 minutes or so and thankfully Chris put my concerns to rest. I went to bed that night knowing that the next few days would be an adventure.

I can honestly say that Chris Dodd’s workshop for Ospreys far exceeded my expectations. Chris is a great guy, very happy to answer your questions and the best thing of all, fun to shoot with. I learned a lot, met a new friend and best of all was blown away at the quality of my images because of Chris’s help/techniques. I cannot wait to meet Chris somewhere else in the wild and experience another awesome outdoor shooting experience. Thank you Chris, I hope to see you again soon!”
— Mark Weaver Tampa, Florida, USA

Bald Eagle Calling Portrait

After a flurry of feeding, the Eagles settled down on perches, and many allowed us to get really close, as they usually do during my Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska.

The key to getting a close-up portrait of an Eagle calling is patience; wait, and they will call!

ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ker! An Eagle calling is like no other sound in nature; it always induces goosebumps and is instantly recognizable.

Bald Eagles Calling Portrait (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 13, 2024 near Homer, Alaska. Image copyright ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm ISO 2,000, f/9 @ 1/800s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.