Coastal Brown Bears Fighting in Katmai Alaska | Ultimate Brown Bear Photography Workshop

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline of being close to two coastal brown bears when they start to get rowdy.

We had been observing their behaviour from a safe distance and weren’t taking many photos at first because they were pointed away from us. Then everything changed. As they shifted and moved closer, their energy escalated — bringing the action right into range.

What looked intense never became dangerous. No injuries — just natural play fighting and strength testing. They stayed mostly within a small ditch, which helped contain the interaction but also hid much of it from view. We were ecstatic when everything lined up, and they engaged parallel to us, giving everyone the images they had been hoping for.

Moments like this aren’t rare in early June on the Katmai coast — but they’re never guaranteed. That’s the reality of working with truly wild animals, and part of what makes experiences like this so rewarding when it all comes together.

If this is the kind of behaviour you’ve been hoping to photograph, my June Ultimate Brown Bear workshop is timed specifically for it — before the sedge grass grows tall, when visibility is still excellent and interactions like this are at their peak.

👉 Details and availability:
https://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com/bear-boat-coastal-brown-bears-of-alaska

Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Peak Behaviour — Join My June Katmai Workshop

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Photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Peak Behaviour — Join My June Katmai Workshop 🐻

Point Pelee Spring Migration Photography Workshop Returns May 5–6 | Sony Canada x Christopher Dodds

Back by Popular Demand: Sony Canada x Christopher Dodds Photo Walk Returns to Point Pelee – May 5–6

I’m excited to share that last year’s Sony Canada x Christopher Dodds Point Pelee Photo Walk was such a huge success that we’re doing it again on May 5–6. Timed for peak spring migration, this is when Point Pelee can truly shine — with colourful warblers, tanagers and orioles arriving in waves, sometimes in spectacular “fallouts.” I’ll be there providing in-the-field guidance, with Sony Canada’s Patrick Chan and Daniel Gutierrez on hand for technical support and loaner gear. It’s a fantastic opportunity for photographers of all levels to experience one of North America’s top bird photography destinations.

Point Pelee Spring Migration Photography Workshop (May 7–11) – Limited Availability

If you’re looking for a deeper experience, I have just a couple of spots remaining on my five-day Point Pelee Spring Migration workshop (May 7–11). This extended workshop gives you the time to fully immerse yourself in the rhythm of migration, refine your technique, and take advantage of changing conditions — from potential “wave days” to quieter moments that allow for more thoughtful compositions. With a small group and plenty of time in the field, it’s the best way to truly elevate your songbird photography.