Semipalmated Plover on Seaweed in Light Fog

Although the overall number of shorebirds seen year to year during my five back-to-back Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops continues to decline, we had some fantastic encounters for those willing to pry themselves away from the puffin action. This Semipalmated plover was in a small mixed flock with a couple of white-rumped sandpipers. We lowered our cameras and enjoyed the colourful seaweed at low tide.

The Semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is a fascinating shorebird known for its unique appearance and behaviour. Its name comes from the partial webbing, or "semi-palmations," between its toes, which helps it navigate soft mud and sand. These birds are long-distance migrants, travelling thousands of miles from their Arctic breeding grounds to their wintering habitats along the coasts of North and South America. Unlike some shorebirds that probe the mud for food, semipalmated plovers are visual foragers. They employ a "run-stop-peck" hunting strategy, darting forward to snatch insects, crustaceans, and marine worms they spot on the surface.

Semipalmated Plover on seaweed in light fog (Charadrius semipalmatus, Pluvier semipalmé, Chorlitejo semipalmeado, SEPL) 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 @ 1/6,400s 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.

Western Meadowlark in Flight

Western Meadowlarks Steal the Show During Better Than Bosque Workshop

One of the unexpected highlights from last December's Better Than Bosque workshop was the surprising abundance of Western Meadowlarks. While most people come to photograph Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, and raptors, these brilliant little songbirds added a burst of colour—and challenge—to our mornings in the cornfields.

Western Meadowlarks are easy to hear but not always easy to capture. Their flute-like song is iconic across the American West, and their bright yellow chest with the bold black "V" makes them a favourite among bird lovers. But photographing one in flight? That's another story entirely.

This image is a full-frame capture of a Meadowlark changing direction mid-air, right as I tracked it through the lens. The 120fps burst rate of the Sony a9 III was a lifesaver—it ensured getting the wing position just right. Of course, the real trick was keeping this fast, erratic flyer in the viewfinder long enough to make it all count—no small feat, but a rewarding one.

That kind of magic—the unexpected moments, the birds that weren't even on the checklist, the laughter between shutter clicks—is precisely why I love leading this trip.

And here's the good news: we have just two spots left for this year's Better Than Bosque workshop. If you're looking for a winter bird photography experience packed with opportunities, surprises, and the chance to sharpen your skills alongside a small group of passionate photographers, this is it.

Come for the Cranes, stay for the Meadowlarks.

Western Meadowlark in flight (Sturnella neglecta, Sturnelle de l'Ouest, Pradero occidental, WEME) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Bernardo Wildlife Area, Bernardo, New Mexico, USA. 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 1,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure. Full frame image.

The Art of the Puffin Portrait: Shallow Depth of Field and Perfect Exposure

There's a unique satisfaction in capturing a wildlife portrait that goes beyond simply documenting a subject. It's about crafting an image and using technical skills to create an image with visual impact. I achieved this while photographing an Atlantic Puffin, focusing on the interplay of shallow depth of field and precise exposure during my Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Lighthouse Adventure Workshop.

Using my Sony a9 III and the 600mm lens with a 2X teleconverter, I worked at the lens's minimum focusing distance, wide open, creating a beautifully shallow field depth, rendering the foreground and background grass as a soft, out-of-focus frame. With its head sticking out, the Puffin became the sharp, captivating focal point.

The cloudy, bright conditions made finding an angle with the perfect foreground, background, and Puffin pose easy without being concerned about harsh shadows spoiling the image. I aimed to capture rich detail in the highlights – the intricate details of the Puffin's feathers – while minimizing noise in the shadows, so careful attention to the exposure and histogram was key. The result is an image that showcases the Puffin's beauty and demonstrates the power of technical knowledge in wildlife photography.

Atlantic Puffin Portrait (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, 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 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Barn Swallow Banking in Flight

Point Pelee National Park in Canada needs no introduction to bird photographers. Its unique location, jutting into Lake Erie, makes it a magnet for migrating birds, especially during spring and fall. While the spring migration brings a kaleidoscope of warblers and other songbirds, a resident avian acrobat provides a unique and thrilling photographic challenge throughout the breeding season: the Barn Swallow.

Recently, on the last afternoon of my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop, we spent some exhilarating hours at the Marsh Boardwalk Tower with my group practicing birds-in-flight photography. It is a fantastic vantage point overlooking the marsh, where dozens of Barn Swallows return to their nests tucked under the boardwalk tower deck. The conditions were demanding: harsh midday light and gusty winds that turned the swallows' flight paths into unpredictable ballets. It was a perfect opportunity to hone our birds-in-flight photography skills.

Success in wildlife photography, especially with challenging subjects, often involves patience and keen observation. We spent a significant amount of time simply watching the Barn Swallows. We observed their typical flight patterns as they approached their nests, how they reacted to gusts of wind, and the moments when they might briefly fly more predictably.

Barn Swallow Banking in FLight with Tail Flaired (Hirundo rustica, Hirondelle rustique, Golondrina común BARS). From my Songbirds of Pelee Workshop on May 11, 2025, at Point Pelee National Park of Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a1 Mark II Mirrorless camera, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @ 1,200mm. f/8 ISO 3,200 @ 1/5,000s. Manual exposure.

Atlantic Puffin with Fresh Catch for Breakfast

Join me, Canadian Wildlife Photographer Christopher Dodds, on an exclusive Puffin photography escape. Limited to an intimate group, this is your invitation to a once-in-a-lifetime immersion. Picture this: newly renovated lighthouse accommodations a stone's throw away – less than 200 meters (220 yards)! – from the nesting birds. Indulge in gourmet meals surrounded by the symphony of seabirds, dedicating our days from dawn till dusk to capturing their captivating lives. Our focus extends beyond the stars of the show, the Atlantic Puffins. Prepare to photograph a rich tapestry of wildlife, including Razorbills, Common Murres, Savannah Sparrows, Semipalmated Plovers and Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpipers, Black Guillemots, Common Eiders, various gulls, Grey Seals, and even the possibility of Minke Whales.

These meticulously timed expeditions coincide with the peak season, ensuring we witness the heartwarming spectacle of puffins returning with precious catches to feed their young. Having grown to the size of an adult, they need a lot of nutrition to bulk up an extra 20% before they leave the warmth and safety of their burrow.

It's not just a workshop; it's an intimate and luxurious encounter at Puffin Paradise. Secure your place for an unforgettable photographic journey.

Atlantic Puffin Fresh Catch (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, Frailecillo atlántico, ATPU) 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 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 6,400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Osprey flying with a fish & Ospreys Galore Last Minute Opening

I just had a cancellation, which opened up one spot for my April 5-7, 2024, Ospreys Galore Workshop on Lake Blue Cypress near Vero Beach, Florida. This is always a fun and productive workshop in a remarkable location with an incredible density of nesting Ospreys bringing fish back to feed their babies. Learn More about my Ospreys Galore Workshops every April HERE.

OSPREY Flying with a fish (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 @600mm ISO 800, f/4 @ 1/6,400s. Manual Exposure mode. Full frame image. Join me for my Ospreys Galore workshop every April. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Amongst the many great things about leading photo safaris and teaching workshops are the people I get to meet and spend time with. Geoff sent along this great note after attending my Ospreys Galore workshop/safari a few years ago and I thought I would share it. A million thanks, Geoff!

"Osprey safari: An incredible opportunity.

I recently attended the Osprey safari offered by Chris Dodds, and I was positively thrilled with the excursion. The people in our small group were fantastic.  The environment was magical. The photographic opportunities were amazing and abundant. Every part of the physical expedition was most impressive, but what I was really taken with was the panoply of knowledge Chris demonstrated throughout the trip. Whether identifying various birds dozens of yards away simply by call, or exuding masterful control over the camera, Chris was able to display his expertise and offer assistance when needed. Chris is very amiable and approachable. No matter what skill level a photographer has, Chris always made one feel important with his one on one attention and did so without any air of condescension. It was very much like shooting with great friends with your own personal tutor to turn to if needed. I can honestly say that both my skill level and knowledge base increased from my trip with Chris. Thanks again Chris."

- Geoff Powell Vero Beach | FL | USA

Bald Eagles LOCK ON

Here is one from our last day of the second Eagles Galore Workshop in Alaska. I can’t say enough about the advantages of a camera (Sony A9 mark III) that captures 120 images per second! The time it takes to go through the photos is well rewarded with perfectly timed images like this one—smile!

Bald Eagles Lock On (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) March 14, 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 2X Tele-extender @1,200mm ISO 8,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s. Manual Exposure mode. Slight crop. Join me for my Eagles Galore workshop next March. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Bald Eagle The Call of the Wild

This is another portrait of an Adult Bald Eagle calling from my recent Eagles Galore Workshops in Alaska. The new Sony A9 Mark III proved to be an incredible tool for any action. In this case, having so many frames to choose from ensured direct eye contact with open eyes. As always, I chose manual mode and exposed for the light falling on the subject to ensure a perfect exposure for every frame.

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.