Savannah Sparrows in Flight – A Bonus from the Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop

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.

The Shot I Didn’t Plan For: A Black-bellied Plover on L’Île aux Perroquets

While we were working on photographing the fast and unpredictable Bank and Tree Swallows during one of my Atlantic Puffins Deluxe Workshops, I was hoping to finally get that elusive shot I've had in my head for years—an image of a Bank Swallow suspended in flight against a backdrop of vivid yellow wildflowers. As anyone who's tried will tell you, these swallows are small, fast, and downright frustrating to photograph in flight. I came close (again), but it wasn't quite the shot.

Then, in a welcome twist, a Black-bellied Plover came gliding across the island in a low, direct flight. Its steady, purposeful path made it a much more cooperative subject. I quickly swung my setup around—shooting with the Sony a9 Mark III and Sony 600mm f/4, paired with the 2x teleconverter to give me 1,200mm of reach—and managed to grab a clean sequence of frames as it crossed in front of me. Everything aligned just right, and I came away with an image I'm genuinely proud of.

I've only seen a handful of Black-bellied Plovers over the decades while hosting these workshops on L’Île aux Perroquets, which makes this encounter even more special. These plovers breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate thousands of kilometres to spend the winter along coastlines throughout the Americas and beyond. L’Île aux Perroquets isn't part of their breeding range, but it sits right along a migratory corridor—so now and then, one stops in to rest or refuel. It's a rare treat.

This moment was a great reminder that in wildlife photography, you don't always get the image you came for—but if you stay patient, observant, and ready, you might get something even better.

Black-bellied Plover over sea of yellow wildflowers (Pluvialis squatarola, Pluvier argenté, Chorlito gris, BBPL)  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 2,000, f/8 @ 1/6,400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

MORE KUDOS

“I have never participated in a photography workshop before, and this turned out to be truly awesome! I am still digesting the experience and processing images....I want to thank you for a wonderful experience, all around on Ile Aux Perroquetes. It was so nice to meet you and hear your stories of how you came to be the experienced photographer you are and be privy to your experience of how to better photograph the Puffins + on the island. Thank you for the camera setting recommendations and pointers throughout our stay. I am still practicing tracking the swallows! I came home with some wonderful images and memories of the tranquility of the island while photographing. Being amidst the Puffins for three days was icing on the cake.  I am enamored with them. Thank you!” - Michele Kirk New Jersey | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Aug. 2025

Savannah Sparrow Juvenile Portrait on Red

During a recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop, I was wandering around checking our options for last light when a juvenile Savannah Sparrow landed incredibly close—at the minimum focusing distance of my Sony 600mm lens, which also had a 2X teleconverter attached. The out-of-focus boathouse created a striking, out-of-focus red background, giving this unique portrait a warm glow as the sparrow bathed in the golden light.

More Kudos

Chris - Thank you for an amazing trip. Your knowledge, experience and willingness to share it all made this an adventure we will treasure forever. With gratitude, Don & Sharon Gabrielson, Minnesota | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Aug. 2025

Savannah Sparrow Juvenile Portrait on Red (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 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

An Unforgettable Encounter: Razorbills in the Fog

It's one thing to spot a Razorbill, but it's an entirely different experience to find yourself in a truly magical moment with a variety of seabirds. During a recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop, my group and I were in for a significant surprise. Despite my decades of experience, none of us were prepared for the incredibly rare conditions we encountered.

The scene was like something out of a dream: we were sitting on a beach, wrapped in a thick fog that created a sense of peaceful solitude. The water was perfectly still, like a sheet of glass, and a lone Razorbill floated just offshore. Before we knew it, the single bird was joined by a growing number of Puffins, more Razorbills, and even a few mother Common Eiders with their chicks. For over an hour, it was just us and a sea of beautiful birds. The excitement was absolutely palpable!

Capturing the Moment

To get the perfect shot in moments like these, it's all about perspective. I knew I had to get my camera as low as possible to capture the birds at water level. I rotated the lens foot to the top of the lens, using it as a handle to suspend the camera just above the water's surface. My lens hood got a little wet, but it was worth it. I rotated the flip-out LCD screen to view and frame the image—a tricky maneuver that I make sound easier than it may be.

More Kudos

“Looking forward to that magical puffin island? Well, Chris has found it! Eat, sleep and photograph puffins! Just a short walk from your accommodations are puffins! And more puffins! Staying on island with the puffins maximizes your time with them. The food is amazing! And Chris knows the island, and best places to be for the best shot. What a wonderful experience!”

- Anita Wooldridge Colorado | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop August 2025


Razorbill Wing Stretch (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 2,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic Puffin in Flight with Fish at Last Light & The Artistic Power of a Black Background

During my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop, a puffin broke out of the shadows at last light. It was a beautiful, adrenaline-inducing sight for everyone. The setting sun cast a radiant, golden spotlight on the bird as it flew, illuminating its distinctive white chest and vibrant beak. In that rich, warm light, its bill full of freshly caught fish gleamed—a powerful testament to a successful hunt.

More than just a meal, that bountiful catch is nourishment for a puffling waiting safely in the burrow. The little one needs to gain weight and fat stores before following its instincts to learn to swim, fish, and fly on its own after its parents leave.

The Artistic Merit of a Black Background

The high-contrast black background is the secret to what makes this image so compelling. It's a key technique in bird photography that elevates the subject by making it stand out from the distractions of the environment. By simplifying the image, this method focuses the viewer's attention solely on the bird's shape, texture, and details. The result is a more dramatic and elegant scene that highlights the bird as the star of the show.

More Kudos

Thank you so much for the images and for sharing your time and knowledge with us! To single out a single favourite thing would be impossible, as the entire Workshop was truly wonderful. Everything from the setting, and being amongst so many puffins in their natural habitat, to the freedom to wander and explore with each other or on our own, to the excitement of forever searching the skies for a puffin with a mouth full of fish...  it was truly an incredible and unforgettable experience. I will never forget the wondrous feeling of standing on the beach, as countless puffins flew overhead (in arms reach!) into their burrows on the cliffs, knowing that this is all part of their annual journey and that most of the time they will be out at the sea, on their own... How lucky are we?!! Technically, my biggest takeaway is the focus (no pun intended) on getting everything right "in-camera" the first time, and getting to feel more comfortable trusting my histogram without stressing about ISO numbers. Clearly, from the feedback on my images, it was a very valuable lesson. 

I will forever have cherished memories of these whimsical and adorable seabirds, as well as new friendships with others I never would have had the opportunity to have met. 

I highly recommend this Workshop for anyone interested in a magical experience and opportunity to photograph puffins with an incredible, professional photographer and guide. Thank you again! It would be wonderful to be able to take part in another workshop, as all of them sound beyond extraordinary and you, as a guide and mentor along the way, make all the difference! - Randi Najac Arizona | USA Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop August 2025

Atlantic Puffin Golden Light 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 a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Lens @644mm ISO 3,200, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Birds in Flight: Bank Swallow

For a photographer, few things are more challenging—or humbling—than trying to capture birds in flight. And if you really want a lesson in humility, I suggest you try your hand at photographing swallows in flight.

Tree and Bank Swallows were constantly showing off their aerobatics and flight skills during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops earlier this month. They are some of the most challenging birds to get a good photograph of. Their flight is erratic, with constant and sudden changes in direction and speed as they bank to change angle in an instant, as they dart through the sky hunting insects. It's a true test of a photographer's patience and skill.

Admittedly, this isn't a challenge for the faint of heart. I was lucky enough to be tracking a Bank Swallow when it suddenly stopped and hovered for a moment before diving out of sight. That brief, perfect pause was all it took—though having the latest auto-focus technology and 120 frames per second of the Sony a9 Mark III certainly didn't hurt!

So, what's the secret to photographing a bird in flight successfully? There's no magical trick or shortcut. The biggest secret is simple: practice.

Learning to aim a 1,200mm lens, align it with a fast-moving subject, and get your eye and the viewfinder all working together takes, you guessed it, practice, practice, practice!

So next time you're out and about, take a moment to appreciate the incredible aerial acrobatics of these tiny birds. And if you're feeling brave, maybe grab your camera and see if you can get the shot! It's a humbling pursuit, but when you finally get that perfect shot, it's worth every bit of the effort.

More Kudos:

“To say the puffin experience was enjoyable would be an understatement!  It was amazing!  Being on a small island, living in a lighthouse keeper’s house, with a puffin colony close in our midst gave us a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the plentiful puffins combined with many other sea and song birds!    Seeing the puffins bringing capelin to feed their “pufflings” was a highlight!   Being on site offered us different lighting conditions, including the warm morning and evening hues, with Chris offering us great guidance on camera settings for optimum results!   I knew puffins flew fast, often flying over our heads where you could feel the wind of their wings!  How cool is that!?   Photographing them to freeze the action with crisp, in focus images was truly fun, especially when puffins arrived with “fish on”!   Chris’ extensive photographic expertise was greatly appreciated, and it paid off as we all came back with wonderful images!    I highly recommend this excursion!”

 - France Boutilier Nova Scotia | Canada Aug. 2025 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshop

Bank Swallow in Flight (Riparia riparia, Hirondelle de rivage, Avión zapador, BAHS) 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.

Razorbill Wing Stretch and more Kudos

For five incredible Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore Workshops, the weather for photographing Atlantic Puffins was nothing short of spectacular. We were treated to a variety of conditions, from cool, windy days that created a thrilling spectacle of puffins swirling effortlessly through the air, to serene, foggy mornings where the water was so still it created a perfect mirror for magical reflections.

Overall, the weather was wonderfully cool and crisp, but we were fortunate enough to avoid the smoke from the devastating wildfires that have plagued so many other areas. One unforgettable moment was watching a magnificent Razorbill preen and stretch, seemingly putting on a show for our cameras. As the fog lifted, a glassy sea was revealed, providing a stunning backdrop to the scene.

More Kudos:

I recently attended Christopher’s Deluxe Puffin Workshop and it exceeded all of my expectations.  Christopher;’s instruction was knowledgeable, patient, insightful and tailored to all skill levels.  The location was superb with made the learning experience both engaging and enjoyable.  The balance between technical instruction and hands-on practice was perfect, allowing me to immediately apply what I learned.  I walked away not only with new skills and techniques, but also with a renewed sense of inspiration and confidence in my photography.  I highly recommend any of Christopher’s workshops to anyone looking to grow as a photographer or elevate their craft.  This is my second workshop with Christopher Dodds, but it will not be my last!
 - Monica Slack San Diego | CA |USA

Razorbill Wing Stretch (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, Alca común, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop, Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 12,500, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Bonus: Tennessee Warbler in Flight & more kudos

Our Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops this season on L’Île aux Perroquets were nothing short of extraordinary. While the charismatic Atlantic Puffins—with their clownish faces and endearing waddles—were unquestionably the stars of the show, nature surprised us with a truly rare and remarkable sighting on August 12th: a Tennessee Warbler.

These dainty, high-energy migrants are typically forest dwellers, preferring to pass quietly through dense, mature woodlands during their journey south. To see one perched amidst the windswept, treeless beauty of this tiny Gulf of St. Lawrence island was a thrilling anomaly—one that underscored just how dynamic and unpredictable birding can be during the early, late summer migration.

Of course, the puffins gave us plenty of heart-stirring moments as well. Late summer offers a unique chance to photograph these seabirds in soft golden light, with fewer crowds and a richer palette of coastal hues. Paired with gourmet meals, cozy lighthouse accommodations, and world-class instruction, it's no wonder our 2025 workshops are already filling quickly.

If you've been dreaming of capturing puffins up close—or the chance of witnessing surprising migration moments like this warbler—we invite you to join us next year. Spots are limited, and with sightings like these, they won't last long.

👉 Reserve your place now for the 2026 Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops—and let nature astonish you.

 Tennessee Warbler in Flight (Leiothlypis peregrina, Paruline obscure, Leiothlypis peregrina, TEWA) 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 3,200, f/8 @ 1/6,400s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

My Deluxe Puffin workshop with Christopher Dodds;  Aug 1-4 2025

Chris Dodds is an excellent photographic guide for his annual Puffin photographic workshops.  The experience he provides is enjoyable, productive and highly instructive.  The travel details, meals and accommodations are extremely well managed.  The location is ideal for photographing these adorable birds, providing hundreds of puffins for both still and inflight photos. 

After this trip I would have complete confidence joining any of Chris’s expeditions, anywhere in the world.

Photography is of course the critical element of the trip and with Chris’s help I learned a lot  about how to be a more effective wildlife photographer.  Chris held well-explained overviews group discussions on setting up for best results.  Once shooting, he spends time with each participant one-on-one.  This was especially helpful for my wife, who has been transformed into an enthusiastic photographer after this short excursion. 

An important aspect of a trip success is that Chris is clearly well-respected and well-liked by the local community supporting us on this trip.  That really helps everything go smoothly.  This was my first photographic workshop.  There WILL be more, we are already looking into future Chris Dodds workshops.

Bill MacMillan Cary | NC | USA

Brown (Grizzly) Spring Bear Cub or COY (Cub of the year)

This spring cub or C.O.Y. (Cub of the Year) looked lonely and sad as it seemed to want to join our group and play with us.

In Katmai National Park, brown bear cubs stay with their mothers for 2.5 years. During a cub's first year of life, they are considered cubs-of-the-year (COYs) or spring cubs. In their second year, they are generally called yearlings and will den with their mother for at least one more winter.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Spring Cub (Ursus arctos, Ours Brun) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska. From my Ultimate Alaska Bear Boat Trip. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Join me in Alaska for the Ultimate Brown Bears Galore Workshop Adventure. LEARN MORE HERE.

“The trip with Chris on the ship along the Katmai coast was fantastic. Without a doubt, it was one of the top photo trips I have taken over the last several years due to the amazing variety and density of wildlife in such completely unspoiled and uninhabited wilderness. Unlike land-based lodges, with the ship, you have the opportunity to photograph in several of Katmai's secluded bays versus being limited to an area adjacent to a land-based lodge. What helped make the trip so successful was Chris's work ethic where he is always ready to shoot in any weather conditions and will stay in the field as long as there is any possibility for high-quality photography. This is essential in a place like coastal Alaska where it can go from direct sunny conditions to heavy overcast to rain in the blink of an eye and where the sun doesn't set until the late evening. If the best time to photograph Brown Bears chasing down salmon was after 10:00 PM, you bet we'd be on the river bank waiting on the massive Brown Bear boars to make their spectacular runs--photography is the top priority, after the safety of course. The daily great fresh seafood didn't exactly hurt the trip either.
As I write this I've only a little over two weeks removed from returning from Katmai and I'm still having serious withdrawals--right now I really want to be on the ship's skiff heading to shore to photograph more bears, eagles, and wolves.”

— Steve Metildi | Southern California | USA (June 2010 Workshop)

Snowy Owl on Snow

It was a cold and dark start to the day when we came upon this Snowy Owl sitting on the snowbank on the side of the road after a significant snowfall during my Winter Owl Workshop. It let everyone get a few images before heading to its perch on a nearby telephone pole. I can’t help but think back to my film (slide) days when the goto slide film was only 25 ISO: I chose to use ISO 12,800 here to ensure enough shutter speed in case it took off to hunt.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm ISO 12,800, f/5.6 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial

“If you are interested in owl or other bird photography, I can't recommend the Chris Dodds' workshops highly enough. Not only is he a great photographer and teacher, Chris is one of the most knowledgeable individuals about birds and their behavior, I've ever met. Make an effort to attend one of his many workshops soon. You'll be glad you did”

- D.C. Offutt | West Virginia | USA

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial from Roger Trentham

A Snowy Owl hunting on February 12, 2025 (during my 6th week of eight) of Snowy Owl Workshops. This beauty gave us quite a show, and it quickly caught three wild and free meadow voles after the freezing rain and snow stopped. The action was close, and she flew towards us, thrilling the whole group. I love the different background and composition.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 4,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Kudos and an image from Roger Trentham Nature Photography

I have recently returned from a visit to Southern Canada seeking snowy owls. We were fortunate to be lead by Christopher Dodds Nature Photographer, who knows snowy owls, their behaviors and locations intimately. We encountered owls in snow, rain and clear sunny skies. Photographing snowy owls in a snow covered landscape has been on my bucket list for some time. Thanks to Chris this item has come true but once was not enough and I hope to visit the owls again.

p.s. That small black spot in the owl's talons is a vole that it just snatched from the ground and quickly made it lunch. - Roger Trentham | Tenessee | USA

Image courtesy and copyright Roger Trentham - Thanks, Roger!

Snowy Owl Workshop Kudos

On the morning of February 6, everyone in my fifth (of eight) Winter Owl Workshop spent almost five hours in the freezing rain with this beautiful Snowy Owl. This image was made after the freezing rain switched to snow, as it sat on a snow-covered frozen pile of manure (who said this job didn’t have perks?). A great group of dedicated and diehard photographers, they were rewarded by their patience - smile.

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. 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 4,000, f/9 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

“I recently participated in my second trip with Christopher Dodds to find and photograph the beautiful snowy owls. It was an amazing experience. Not only was Christopher able to find these owls due to his extensive experience and knowledge of the owl’s behavior but I expanded my skills in capturing stunning birds in flight photography. Not only did we see and photograph snowy owls but also short-eared owls, harriers, a screech owl and some absolutely stunning early morning photos of a barred owl hunting along the snow-covered ground. Christophers’ knowledge of how to photograph these magnificent birds honed over decades of wildlife photography was well worth the cost for my second trip. Chris was able to assist me in the optimal settings for my Canon gear. Very worthwhile!”
— Wayne Ferch | Oregon |USA

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonial from Wink Gaines

This is a beautiful female Snowy Owl on the hunt from February 12, 2025, during week 6 of 8 Winter Owl Workshops. It started as a miserable day with snow and freezing rain, the perfect recipe for Snowy Owl hunting after the storm. We had some great opportunities, as this female hunted directly in front of my group several times. Be sure to see the fabulous image that Wink Gaines made below!

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada, during my recent Winter Owl Workshops. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony a1 II 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.

Testimonial and image from Wink Gaines:

“ I couldn’t have asked for a better experience while participating in one of Chris Dodds’ Snowy Owl workshop in February 2025. Chris is a photographer’s photographer! His meticulous field preparation and expert understanding of owl behavior and natural habitats are unmatched. While in the field, Chris is always on hand, offering tailored advice on camera settings, lens choices, and technical matters —no matter what gear you’re using. His approachable nature and years of guiding photographers to hidden, exceptional wildlife hotspots make his workshops stand out, ensuring an unforgettable experience that goes above and beyond what most photographers have encountered.”
— Wink Gaines | North Carolina | USA | www.winkgainesphoto.com

Snowy Owl photograph courtesy and copyright Wink Gaines www.WinkGainesPhoto.com

Sandhill Crane landing in a dust storm

The last day of my Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico last December was overcast and extremely windy. Thousands of Sandhill Cranes landed before us as the afternoon progressed, making an incredible chorus of their rolling, trumpeting calls. As they foraged for freshly cut corn and preened, they disturbed quite a lot of dust, which acted as an ethereal diffuser at ground level. During the last few minutes of light, the sun tried to appear through the clearing cloud cover in the west; much like smoke, dust filters out part of the light spectrum and changes the colour temperature of the light. I love the resulting warm light and painterly quality of this image.

Sandhill Crane landing in duststorm (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Ladd S. Gordon Wildlife Management Area, 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 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

“Your workshop (Best of Bosque) was wonderful - you chose a beautiful setting, and I sincerely appreciate your time and effort in putting together a great photographic experience. I learned so much from you over the course of the week, including an understanding of histograms, exposure, shutter speed and how various settings interact to achieve the effects we are trying to create. I appreciated your kindness and patience, and regular checking of my histograms, feedback, and answering any and all of my questions! I have some unexpectedly great photos, including sharp ones of the cranes in silhouette against the setting sun!!!”
— Marsha Lomis Ontario, Canada

Atlantic Puffin Flying with Fish at Sunrise

Special thanks to all my clients (friends) who made my five back-to-back Deluxe Puffins Galore workshops successful. We had fantastic weather, exceptional photography, and more Puffins with fish than usual, all mixed with lots of learning and good times. Did I mention the food? Smile!

“I had a spectacular time! It is a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful adventure with Chris on Ile Aux Peroquets, a tiny island paradise! I was able to get up-close shots of Puffins as well as many in-flight shots of these comical birds. I also learned about proper exposure! Fields of wildflowers, gourmet food and comfy accommodations were the finishing touches on this unique, cool workshop!

Thank you so much!”
— Kara Mason | New York, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

On the morning of August 9, 2024, we all waited patiently. The fog magically lifted as the sun projected its magical golden rays at sunrise. This is the first frame from that morning session:

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at sunrise (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. 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 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Joe Norton Eagles Galore Testimonial

“I have finally been able to make time to sit down to thank Christopher Dodds for a wonderful Bald Eagle Photography Trek on Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska this past March, 2023! What a glorious, wonderful trip this was. I can highly recommend this if you are a fan of Bald Eagles and Photography. I have been fortunate to capture images of Bald Eagles across the “lower 48”, but never have I had an experience with eagles like this! One again, Chris’s experience and knowledge about wildlife and bird photography, as well as about our target subject, the majestic Bald Eagle, made this an experience I will never forget. He is a highly professional photography trek leader, with a constant aim of not stressing our target wildlife as well as a focus on the safety and well being of his trek participants. As this trek involved travelling twice a day across Kachemak Bay to various shore landings via “water taxi” (think miniature landing craft with bow ramps) on sometimes steep rocky shores, this was paramount to ensure neither participant nor photography equipment went swimming. As a no longer young photographer with what might be considered some mobility limitations, I remain highly appreciative of the support and assistance of Chris, our boat captain and his mate in this regard. The weather gods smiled on us this trip and gave us fantastic dawns, sunrises and afternoons with wonderful light. In addition, we never found ourselves without Eagles to photograph. I came home with a more than large portfolio of outstanding images of Eagles flying, diving, chasing, striking fish, twisting, turning, flipping and even “posing for portraits”! It is only recently that I have trekked with Christopher Dodds, this being my second trip with him. My highest recommendation is that I will be looking forward to trekking with Chis again.”
— Joe Norton Illinois, USA