OWL PHOTOGRAPHY at a new permission- OM SYSTEM OM-1 - Whats in the bag
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Getting a new permission is really exciting, when it borders an existing shoot that you have, great. When you discover that there is probably the best Barn Owl haunt I've ever seen on the land well this couldn't be better. After speaking to the landowner he confirmed the existence of a family of Barn Owls in an old derelict barn on the property. After hours of watching from a distance, the brood had been observed hunting and therefore classed as dependent from the parents. Barn Owls generally become dependent from their parents at 11-14 weeks of age so these birds wouldn't be around for long.
Barn Owls are included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 which affords them protection against disturbance whilst nesting in addition to the basic level of protection of Barn Owls afforded to most wild birds.
Specifically, under Part 1, Section 1 (5) it is an offence punishable with imprisonment for a period of up to 6 months to intentionally or recklessly:
Disturb a Barn Owl while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young.
Disturb a Barn Owl’s dependent young.
Join me as I spend a day down at the farm where I attempt to photograph Swallows in flight, show you whats in the camera bag and captured a couple of images of a rare raptor!! We finish the day in the Tragopan Monal hide attempting to photograph the owls.
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CAMERA GEAR
OM System OM-1
Olympus EM 1 Mk ii. amzn.to/3bs1W2T
OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-400MM F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO
Canon M50 vlogging kit amzn.to/3qR3lSU
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Novo Explorer T10 tripod amzn.to/2ZEssxl
Mindshift Backlight 36L Camera Backpack amzn.to/32vR6C9
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DJI Osmo Action amzn.to/2U2uN1y
Smatree Selfie Stick Tripod amzn.to/356yB8c
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Beautiful. My favourite was the owl sitting on the roof. 👏👏👏👏
Thank you Malcolm😊
You have to be so so committed to be able to produce Vlogs of this quality. My commitment is to watching, fabulous quality Simon and a real treat to watch.
I appreciate comments like this, as long as you guys keep watching i'll endeavour to keep making them 👍🏼🎥
As per Si, great Vlog, Loving the music in the footage. 👍
Cheers Paul, thanks for watching 👍👀
The amazing creation.
How lucky we are to exist.
What are the odds that our parents met and we survived to be here?.
Enjoy.
Hello Simon, I can only envy you, probably also in your immediate vicinity, for getting barn owls in front of the camera to film/take pictures. Very nice! Congratulations! I also live in a gifted area with a huge biodiversity and I am very grateful to be able to experience this. But barn owls or owls in general are still missing in my collection. I wish you continued success and good light. Best regards Herbert from the Innviertel
Nice video Simon! Owl was looking great in that light 👌
Cheers Espen, the light was perfect mate. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
Brilliant Simon always look forward to your vlogs
Thanks for subscribing John 👍🏼👊🏼
Cracking footage and pictures of the barn owl and the jay Simon.
Cheers Mark 👍🏼
Nailed the Hobby Simon ,they are so fast know iv tried with my 7d m2 well done lad .
Amazing
Every time I see someone shooting with that 150-400mm I start drooling. Great video with excellent images.
Thanks Greg, if you get chance have a go with it. You wont be disappointed!!
Great video
Thanks David
Stunningly beautiful feathers!
Great footage.
Glad you enjoyed it👍🏼
Lovely Lovely Lovely that's all I can say and thanks for sharing.😍
Glad you enjoyed it Martin 👍🏼
Very nice Simon! We don't have many (if any?) of those barned owls here in the Ottawa area (Canada). They look gorgeous!
Yeh, theyre a beautiful bird Brian
Great video, I'd of loved to of got a image in those windows at 18:25 great framing literally
Absolutely loved watching this video Simon, great to watch new and fresh permissions like this. Owls look fabulous, cant wait to see the stills too!
Thanks for watching and supporting the channel Clare. I put a few stills on at the end of the film.
Wow.. you are an excellent potographer! How nice pictures of barn owls! They are so gorgeous raptors! Thanks so much for all these great pictures!
Cheers Harmoni, gotta love a Barn Owl . Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
Fantastic. Thank you. Stay well. All the very best. 👍📷😎
Many thanks Rob, all the best 👊🏼👍🏼
Great results, Simon.
Thanks Eigil👍
Hi Simon, whata wonderful video! You are very lucky to film and photograph these gorgeous owls. The images are stunning! Greetings from The Netherlands.
Thanks Gladys, good to hear from you again. I'm over in the Netherlands in September on a cycling holiday. Its a beautiful country, no room for the camera though!!😩👍🏼😆
Brilliant video Si. The barn alone would make a good subject ! Fantastic creatures I love the footage of the chap playing with the stone my 16month old is at thesame stage where everything he finds goes into the mouth 😁 take care.
Cheers Pat, aye its a great spot. I had a closer look at the footage and I think it was a snail that it was messing with. Inquisitive youthfulness!!👀🐌
Great fun, thank you for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it Keith 👍🏼
Fantastic Simon,cracking location.
Glad you enjoyed it Colin 👍🏼
Really pleased to see a British wildlife photographer taking the time to mention the legal protection afforded to some of these birds, it's infuriating when local photographers attempt to imitate photo's they've seen online with doing the proper research and end up photographing schedule 1 birds irresponsibility during the breeding/nesting season. Great video too, nice to see m4/3 getting more use! I'm considering switching from a d500 + 200-400 f4 myself
Thanks Joshua, always good to remind folk of the legals. Theres always new people coming into the hobby who may know nothing about their legal responsibilities and the laws surrounding wildlife. Worth having a look at the M4/3, the OM1 has some great features and I'm getting some nice results with it at the moment. 👍🏼
No wonder you was buzzing to get back that was a joy to watch Simon
Cheers Andy👍🏼
As always, beautiful footage.
Many thanks Zoran 👍🏼
Hi, re tripod you can unscrew the spike and remove the rubber section then screw spike back on giving you a nice length of spike result. As I use mine tripod outside mostly so no need for the rubber items.
Cheers Mark, done what you suggested. I never use the rubber feet myself to be honest so jobs a good un.👍🏼
Cracking video Simon, barn owls are a stunning bird. Looks like a fab location 👍
Thanks Adam, yeh plenty more to come from here in the future 📷
Hi Simon Im new to ur chnl what lovely video u sound fairly local to me here in grtr manchester
Thanks Michael, welcome on board. Only down the road near Preston👍
Brilliant Simon 👌great footage absolutely excellent well done 👏👏👏ps still didn't get reply from last blog🤔but understand your a busy guy🤜
Cheers Paul, thanks for following the channel. 👍🏼
Thanks Simon was hoping for a mention in one of your blogs be an honour!
Brilliant video mate and great photos…. Can’t wait to see your vlog on how to capture them pesky swallows….I’ve been trying for ages, I fire off about 500 photos only to get about 6 only just useable ones, so I’m waiting for the master to show us how.
Cheers Chris, thats about my success rate!!🤣 I dont know about master!!. A lot comes down to the equipment, the OM-1 AF is superb, hopefully I can get a film done before they migrate back 🤞🏼🎥
Hi after a go to visit family in South Africa i a been so interested in photographing wildlife.
After watching your channel its given me more of boost to go out thank you. How and what is the process to find the sites where you would find birds. Like the owls, buzzard etc. is there a video of how you discover the bird sight.
Thank for you inspiration Mike
Brilliant film as always Simon. And looks a lovely location mate 👍
Thanks Neil, welcome to the channel 😉👍
Super video Simon, I enjoyed it very much. The location looks ideal as you say so I wish you all the best of luck. For BIF, I am sure you are probably aware CAF/ Bird ID is recommended over CAF/Tracking/Bird ID. No one has been able to provide a good reason why but nevertheless this is recognised as the ideal set up. From why I have understood so far, the tracking comes more into play when the subject is moving fore and aft as opposed to laterally. I am looking forward to the next video.
Thanks Jonathan, yeh Ive had no reason to use the tracking at the moment but when i get chance I'll have a play with it. The bird AF is doing everything I need to do at the moment.👍🏼
Totally inspiring as always Simon, fantastic footage 🙂👍
Glad you enjoyed it Owen 👍🏼
😍Wow what a great spot you have there Simon keep them shots coming !
Will do, thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Superb mate 👌
Thank you! Cheers!
Epic location for sure. You will want to keep this location under you hat. Nice review of your kit - got to save room for the figs!👍
Always room for a few figs Scooter 😆👀👍🏼Thanks for watching
Great video as always Simon excilent job 👍🏻
Great video once again Simon and your new permission is giving you great results. I had a similar experience to a location I go to last week. It amazes me how the Owls still seem to look right at the hide which is what I have found. They are curious creatures and will investigate anything that looks new. It’s great to see you putting information re their protection and the law in order to educate viewers who may be unaware, unlike a Facebook post I saw a couple of years ago where an artist posted photos of a family of Barn Owls in a barn (after flushing the adults away) and didn’t discourage people who commented and wanted to find a Barn Owl nest in order to get some photos.
Cheers Gary, yeh its surprising how many people dont know about the legal issues that surround photographing schedule 1 species through the breeding season. Thanks for watching👍🏼
Awesome Simon, you have chosen amazing backgrounds, the old rustic wood is very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it Ray, its a great location 👍🏼
Wow! Wonderful shot of my favorite raptor, the Hobby. Scarcer than rocking horse dung round 'ere lad. Thanks Simon, will be looking out for that Swallow session in case you capture a Hobby taking a Swallow in flight. Wouldn't that be something!
Cheers Richard, yeh like i said its the first one I've seen round my neck of the woods. Now that would be something wouldn't it to capture one napping a Swallow👀📷👌🏼
What a cracking location such great potential good luck with the swallows they are fast little buggers
Cheers Steve, yeh I need a few more sessions with them before they head back to Africa 👍🏼
Just fantastic loved it I’am going to watch it again 😊
Cheers Chris, glad you enjoyed it mate 👍🏼
Another great video Simon,beautiful images of the Barn Owls,and Swallows, thanks for sharing 🦅
Youre welcome Alan, thanks for supporting the channel 👊🏼👀
Another excellent video and great shots Simon
Thanks Adrian 👍🏼
Great Vlog Simon, lots of info about sites to look for to find Barn Owls, thanks Simon, inspired again
Cheers Andy, thats what its all about mate. 'Getting out there and making it happen!!'
Excellent as usual.,...you keep filming, I'll keep watching. And hopefully I'll get a barn owl myself one day 👍
Cheers Ant, I'll stick at it mate 👍🏼📷🎥
Great work as always Simon great new gear is working for what the under story blanket you mentioned
Thanks Derrick, the blanket is the Tragopan Autumn Understorey net .
tragopan-shop.com/gb/camo-net-blanket/29-filet-de-camouflage-sous-bois-automne-3-x-3-metres--0745125248066.html
Theres a 5% discount code in the description mate.
Cracking footage mate, nice blog, jealous, I will need to get out and about and try and get a shot of a Barn Owl..👍😁
Thanks Keith, yeh were really lucky down this way. We have great habitat for them. Those Pine Martens and Squirrels will keep you busy up there mate!!
Hi Simon really lovely spot it's nice to see them out and about you have a brilliant site take care mate
Thanks John, yeh its a cracker. Usually barns like this get developed around here so its a hidden gem and long may it stay that way 🤞🏼👌🏼🦉
Really enjoyed watching this Simon, a great spot for owls
Thanks for watching James and glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼
For photos of swallows a good thing to have is a overhead wire for them to land on where they can rest & sunbath. You may be able to get a good picture of them coming into land. Great video with amazing footage & photos.
Cheers Ian, yeh I've seen a few people photographing them that way. Its a good way of capturing them, theyre a tough ask when theyre in full flight!!
What incredible images
Thanks John 👀🦉👍🏼
Looks like the most perfect site to photograph this stunning owl. I’m really glad your giving micro4/3 a go. I use a LUMIX G9, and I love it. Like you say, everything is condensed, and the weight saving is something else! Another great video . 🙂👍
Thanks Chris, yeh the system is working out for me. Every system has its compromises be it weight, cost, DOF, price , resolution, lens choice ,etc, etc. No such thing as the perfect set up!!
Cracking vlog mate, I so wish our Owls came out that early but sadly they never do! Still watching the young Owls do there thing with that inquisitive nature of all things around them was a joy to see! What a great location, be looking forward to seeing the seasonal change in weather at this site and the shots you get! Well done mate, Top work. 👍
Thanks Richard, its a bit of a wild spot up there in Winter so like you said should be interesting. Cant wait to put a few nice posts in the back fields to encourage them to perch on, I feel its going to be a really productive site. All the best, Si
Great shots of the swallows. Any in focus shot of a swallow in flight is a great shot. Right?
Cheers Brian, theyre a test for the best of outfits!! Amazing how the AF tracks and holds focus 👍🏼
@@simoneardley I’m a Nikon guy but decided at 65 I need to go to a lightweight kit. I have the OM-1, waiting on the 150-400 4.5. I’m only slightly envious. Cheers, Simon, and keep up the great work.
As usual top notch Simon
Cheers Col👊🏼
Nice footage , cracking location … My local Barn Owls have had a tough year with losing two nesting sites so not seeing them much , sad really
Sorry to hear that Dave, always a great shame to see habitat loss. Hopefully they'll find a new site for next year 🤞🏼
Top class results, very impressive !
Cheers Claus 👍🏼
Bloody brilliant well done!!
Cheers Andy 👍🏼
impressive footage and stills Simon, great work, great location and wonderful barn owls....enjoyed the video
Thanks Cliff, thanks for supporting the channel 👀👍🏼
Fantastic as always simon 👏
Glad you enjoyed it Gary and thanks for watching
Fantastic footage of the owl playing with whatever it had in its foot! You are so privileged to be able to photograph them there. And that hobby - wow! Great footage and images of everything. Nice to see what the OM-1 can do, too.
Many thanks! After looking closer at the footage I discovered it was a snail that it was playing with. Thanks for watching👍🏼👀
@@simoneardley Whatever next!?! Brilliant to have caught it on film. Thank you for letting me know what it was. 👍
Fantastic! Love it! 👍
Thank you! Cheers Michael 👍🏼
Great vlog as always Simon, with some crackin images.
Cheers Lee
@@simoneardley no worries
Beautiful footage, lovely pictures, I wish I could stay one day for shooting with you those owls.
Great video , thanks Simon. Cheers from Germany
Thanks for watching the channel 👍🏼👊🏼
Another excellent video. You are SO lucky to have such wonderful opportunities and great locations. Really glad the OM system is working well. Thanks for all the effort you put in to produce these videos!
No worries Graham, we are blessed with some great spots up this way. I'll keep banging the films out as long as people keep watching em!!😀👍🏼🎥
Lovely video Simon. Some fabulous footage and stills at the end. You ust be blown away by the success you've had from this site👌
Thanks Trevor, its a great site. Run down barns like this are a bit of a rarity unfortunately. Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Looks a great site. It's nice to have a diverse range of perches viewable from a single location. Lovely footage and images.
All the best.
Thanks Lawrence, once all the vegitation dies back I'll hopefully put some nice posts up but for now theres a great range of perches to go at. 👍🏼
Rubbish?!?! Nothing I'd be ashamed of. I'm not sure, but I think you might have caught a Peregrin in there at 12:08. (I'm not a bird expert by a longshot.) Regardless, top shelf work, and good on you for reminding those who might not know (as opposed to being thoughtless/callous) that the comfort of the owls should be taken into account when enjoying the hobby.
Cheers for watching Knorris, definitely a Hobby that one. Check out the reddy brown patch just above the base of the tail. Glad you enjoyed the film 👍🏼
Hey Simon. The Om/m43 system seem to be a great fit for your workflow. Very portable and versatile kit. Great footage of the owl too.
Thanks Kevin, the portability is great for sure. Getting some decent results mate 👍🏼
Hey Simon, just wondering whether you have any good tips on locating, tracking and shooting (taking pictures of) barn owls. I have just managed to locate one in my area near an abandoned barn but am unsure how to set up so I disturb them the least. If you have already done a video on this or have some useful tips to share that would be lovely. Really enjoy all of your videos and hope you have much luck in the future.
Henry
Keep your distance Henry and spend lots of time just watching. Take notes on where they hunt, times and weather patterns. Theres no substitution for time spent in the field and also speak to locals , farmers, landowner etc. Hope this helps 👍🏼🤞🏼📷
Another classic Simon, a great watch, still not upto speed with doing videos myself yet and it’s something I really need to get my head around! I’ve having a fabulous year behind the lens so far this year and I’ve got loads and loads of really nice video clips, just need to get round to doing something with it. Like I said another great watch from you, that’s providing me with lots of inspiration to get more done with video and just for the record I think your one of the best out there pal! For me anyway.
Cheers
Paul 👍
You'll do for me Paul, I'll take that!!😆👊🏼 Shooting film can be really rewarding but also pretty frustrating. I never know when to swap from stills to video and visa versa. If I'm filming I think I'm missing out on some great stills. The UA-cam filmmakers curse!! Thanks for supporting the channel mate👍🏼👊🏼
Really interesting to see how you progress with M4/3, Simon. Some wonderful shots here and the IQ looks to be decent. Not quite ready myself to take the leap of faith from Canon full frame mirrorless and cast-iron lenses but the more I see, the more I like. 🦉🦉
A++++. Recommended by YT. Fabulous images and video. Sub'd straightaway.
Thank you very much Alex, welcome to the channel 👍🏼👊🏼
Another great vlog and gets better each time. Pity i cant loan you my z9
Thanks for that, I'm still curious about the Z9. Never say never!!
@@simoneardley ok
Excellent video. I'm considering switching to the Olympus OM1 with the 300mm f4 lens. i can't push to the 150-400 zoom though I know it's a brilliant lens. Have you tried the 300 f4 with the OM1?
Thanks for watching the channel, unfortunately I haven't tried the 300mm f4. Hopefully I'll get chance in the near future, from the results I've seen from other people it looks a great lens.
In case nobody has let you know, there is a release ring on the 40-150 for retracting the lens hood - don't force it like I just saw in the video - the mechanics of it can be fragile. I hope you're having as good a time as we see on your vids ....... the "Olympus Maitani System" doesn't work for so many of the so-called "full framers" , but for those who understand basic photography, it's plenty !
Cracking stuff
Cheers Shaun 👍🏼
Thanks for kit review, always helpful to see what others use, what do you use for audio recording? Great shots.
Thankyou Roger, I use the Hollyland Lark system for vlogging. I need to look at a good mic system for recording the subjects. 👍🏼
Fantastic location perfect setting for owl photography simon,hit the jackpot there,that's going to be epic later on in January on those nice bright afternoons when owls quite often can be seen out hunting brilliant setting.Just as a bit of general information for you regarding sexing barn owls,easiest way to identify a female,she will have dark spots coming down the flanks of her breast normally in line with the edge of her closed wings,you could see on some of your stills quite obvious when you look.Males won't have any spots they will just have a bare white breast,so just a couple of pointers for you just incase you didn't know,apologies in advance if you did .Anyway keep up with the wonderful footage I enjoy watching all your videos,well done simon😉👏
Thanks Aneurin, cheers for the info and thanks for supporting the channel. Looking forward to many further sessions here 🤞🏼🎥📷
Curious about how intently they looked in your exact direction. Do you think they knew you were there?
Can't be sure Edward, though on a number of occasions they look right at you and then fly even closer so I didn't feel at any point they were affected by the hide.
Superb setting and equally superb photographs and video. That OM 1 is a great camera and the lens is even better. I use older Olympus cameras and an Olympus 100-400mm lens and love my setup -- and yours is even better. I really enjoy your videos and commentary -- thank you for taking the time to make and post them.👍
Youre welcome Woody, glad youre enjoying the channel content mate 👍🏼👀🎥
Belting Sir
Thanks Brent