Songbirds of Pelee with Christopher Dodds
Spring 2025
May 7 to 11, 2025
Fully licensed commercial photo tour operator in Point Pelee National Park.
Spring migration at it’s finest! 5 days of in-the-field instruction from Christopher Dodds.
May 7 to 11 is statistically the very best time to be at Point Pelee for those epic warbler “fall outs”; when the conditions are ideal for waves of migrating songbirds to touch-down at the tip after migrating huge distances.
Group size limited to 7 photographers.
The small group size means more assistance and one-on-one guidance and coaching for every participant.
Long lenses are not mandatory for this tour, 200-400mm reach is adequate to make an impressive portfolio.
Photographers of all levels are welcome, the tour pace will suit everyone’s needs and skill level.
Owners of all camera brands are welcome, my 35 years of professional photography includes the last 3 years as a Sony ambassador, 16 years using Canon as a Canon Northern Explorer of Light and 16 years using Nikon before that. I can help anyone with any brand improve their photography.
Christopher Dodds has over 35 years of experience in the great Canadian outdoors at Point Pelee National Park.
Cape May Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Chestnut-Sided Warbler
Red-headed Woodpecker
Blackburnian Warbler
Black & White Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow-throated Vireo
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blue-headed Vireo
Black-throated Green Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Summer Tanager
Tennessee warbler
House Wren
Great Horned Owlets
Prothonotary Warbler
Join world-renowned Canadian nature photographer, blogger, photo educator, lecturer, Sony ambassador and X-rite Master Coloratti Christopher Dodds, at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario (Canada) for a 5-day outdoor photo workshop at the most renowned inland location in North America to photograph spring migrants, including colourful warblers, tanagers and orioles. Located in Southern Ontario, Pelee is a small peninsula that juts into Lake Erie and is the first landfall for waves of northbound songbirds crossing the Great Lakes. Birders regularly see more than 100 bird species in a day in the Pelee area, including 25 species of warblers! For bird photographers, Pelee can offer some legendary experiences.
Chris’ in-depth knowledge of the Park gives him an edge when it comes to tracking down those elusive species you’re dying to photograph. Get hands-on help from Chris to improve your photography and take better pics! Absolute newbie amateurs to seasoned professionals are welcome; Chris has decades of experience teaching and explaining everything from the basics to the advanced fundamentals of photography. Chris shares many of the professional tips, tricks and techniques he uses every day to capture his artistic and technically perfect images; he holds nothing back!
Statistically, the May 7 to 11 window has the highest chance of experiencing a "wave day": That's when the weather is right for huge songbird migration, and all of the migrants land at the tip of Point Pelee after fighting storm winds across Lake Erie. This is when the birds are low and slow, and photography can be EPIC! There are no guarantees when photographing migrants at a place like Pelee, but there is a good chance of getting photos of numerous warbler species (i.e. Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-White), vireos, scarlet tanager, and more. The most exciting thing about photographing migrants at a place like Pelee is that you never know what you might get! On slower days (if there are any), or to add variety, we will head over to Rondeau Provincial Park and set-up feeders to learn how to photograph birds at a set-up.
Includes five days of professional instruction and guiding and logistics management by Christopher Dodds. Not included in the price is your transportation to the park, hotels (I have a block of discounted rooms available), meals, drinks, souvenirs, park fees or other expenses of a personal nature.
Who should attend: This workshop is highly recommended for any level photographer. Whether you are completely new to nature photography, an experienced amateur, or a seasoned pro. There will be something to photograph and we will have plenty of time to tailor your instruction to your abilities. The seasoned pro can take full advantage of the logistics, my site and subject knowledge. Personal fitness level required for this workshop is minimal, but you should have no issues standing for periods while walking slowly with your camera for up to 3 or 4km during the day.
Getting there: Point Pelee National Park of Canada is located near Leamington, Ontario, Canada. The nearest train and bus stations are Windsor and Chatham stations. The nearest airports are Windsor International Airport (YQG), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Point Pelee is 65 km from Windsor, 180 km from London and 355 km from Toronto.
Details: An extremely detailed email with the precise itinerary, hotel recommendations, camera gear suggestions and tested clothing checklist will be emailed after registration is complete.
Questions: Feel free to email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call me at +1 (514) 945-6195
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Join world-renowned Canadian nature photographer, blogger, photo educator, lecturer, Sony ambassador and X-rite Master Coloratti Christopher Dodds, at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario (Canada) for a 5-day outdoor photo workshop at the most renowned inland location in North America to photograph spring migrants, including colourful warblers, tanagers and orioles. Located in Southern Ontario, Pelee is a small peninsula that juts into Lake Erie and is the first landfall for waves of northbound songbirds crossing the Great Lakes. Birders regularly see more than 100 bird species in a day in the Pelee area, including 25 species of warblers! For bird photographers, Pelee can offer some legendary experiences.
“My Niece and I went to Point Pelee with Chris Dodds Photo and it was a terrific experience. He is very knowledgeable with birds, their species, their calls and is quite witty. If you listen when he tells you to bring certain things on your trip and when he talks about camera usage etc you will gain so much from your time with him! He knows his clientele very well and try’s to cater to them. He has a good analogy on some things and makes you focus on the details. It was an enjoyable week!”
— Karen Galati Toronto, Canada
“I would encourage you to consider one of Chris’s workshops because they are fun and in such diverse locations. I have never failed to come home with better images than I had imagined prior to the experience. I have found the other participants to be interesting and nice people, and because the workshops are so excellent, there are a lot of repeat customers who have been in previous workshops. Each workshop is a highlight of my year.
Chris is a positive person who makes the experience as enjoyable as possible even with early morning and late afternoon hours to take advantage of the best light of the day. Thanks, Chris for helping me become a better photographer.”
— Dennis Stone Columbus, IN