BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY-FORWARD PLANNING- OM 1- BARN OWLS
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- One of the biggest buzzes I get out of wildlife photography is getting a new permission, walking around it and every time I see a shot in my mind. Whether its a Badger stood on the root of a certain tree , a Kingfisher eyeing up small fish in an eddy or in this case a Barn Owl stood on an old wooden sleeper. This particular permission involved the beautiful Barn Owl.
I love photographing these stunning owls. Before we discovered that the owls had moved into their new abode I had a certain shot in mind, it involved fitting a half door and a beam in either end of the barn openings and it was just a case of wait and see. Join me to see if all the hard work paid off.
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CAMERA GEAR
OM System OM-1
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Absolutely love you’re films 🎥 I’ve binge watched!!
Glad youre enjoying them, welcome to the channel 👀🎥👍🏼
Such a beautiful bird. Thanks Simon.
Many thanks Richard👍🏼
Great video and pictures
Great footage and many thanks for all your efforts and time in making it, Keep the good stuff coming!!! Cheers
Thanks Narin, i'll keep em coming👍🏼
Great vlog Simon OM1 a superb piece of kit keep up the good work and the conservation work with the habitat
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼
@@simoneardley
OM system is the best another couple of top wildlife photographers have them Roger Hance and Mike Lane the other in my top 3 is a gentleman called Simon Eardley 👌
Just got through watching two of your videos on Barn Owls and throughrly enjoyed them. I live in Western Canada and Barn Owls are scarce, I have never seen one. Keep the videos coming they are top notch.
Absolutely brilliant Simon, know the site well 👍
Thanks Jester👍🏼
Brillant
Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
Great footage of the barn owl and pictures Simon.
Glad you enjoyed it Mark, cheers👍🏼
Great informative video of my favourite bird
Glad you liked it David. Thanks for watching
Nice bit of video and stills Simon, also loved the wren one of my favourite little birds, top stuff, all the best Mike E...
Thanks Mike, they dont stay still for long usually but this little fella did👀👍🏼
Some good thoughts and some wonderful images
Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Top work mate, love it that you stuck at it in the heat! It was a tad emotional in my Kingfisher hide at the time we spoke, lol. The photo's were spot on mate and they coped well with the fading light, it's so nice to see a Barn Owl against a black background as it really makes them standout so much more, seeing birds and especially Barn Owls is always a treat. Also nice to see the young Wren, not always the easiest birds to photography as they don't always sit still long enough! Chuffed that the OM system is working for you, some trial and error mate but that's what it's all about! Never bother about the comments, we've spoken about it before and people are waisting their time! lol... Really good mate. All the best R 👍
Thanks Richard, I never get tired of photographing Barn Owls. Were lucky up here, there seems to be an abundance of them fortunately. Always nice to try and get something different, thats half the challenge for me. Good luck with the Kingfisher project, looks like your getting some cracking shots. All the best, Si👊🏼
Thanks for sharing the video Simon that looked like good fun. not seen a barn owls in my part of the country for some time.👍
Glad you enjoyed it Martin, the footage wasnt the best unfortunately due to the light. Just got a new Mac so can produce 4k films which should make a difference. Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Enjoyed the Barn owls and more to come a great site there Simon well done ! Love the car camo LOL
Thanks for watching, yeh hopefully get a few more sessions in before they decide to leave on their own little adventures.
Excellent Simon.
Thanks for watching 👊🏼
Again another cracking vlog Simon
Cheers Andy 👍🏼
Excellent Vlog mate. It was certainly a hot day in our neck of the woods wasn't it? Cracking photos and nice to see a Wren getting some of limelight. They can be hard to photograph with them being the UK's third smallest bird.
Looking forwards to a follow up on this when you've got more footage/snaps etc.
Keep up the fantastic work fella.
Great video once again Simon, there is another great photographer that uses Olympus/OM System called Petr Bambousek at Sulasulacom. His wildlife images are as good as any you will see.
I will check his work out Gary, thanks
Fantastic. Thank you Simon. If people carn’t appreciate the time, effort and skills it takes to produce quality films no matter what system you use. That’s their loss. Thanks again. All the very best. Cheers 🍻. 👍📷😎
Thanks Rob, totally agree. All the best mate 👊🏼👍🏼
40deg, a typical summer day quite often in Aus. Loved the video, barn owls are so beautiful 👏
Thanks Laurel but that heat was horrendous, just not used to it. Give me a cold winters day anytime!!😆Thanks for watching👍🏼
IF you can snatch a photo of a swallow in flight, you are a master bird photographer. Those buggers are too fast! LOL.
Hopefully the new camera and the Pro Capture should make it a bit easie Jamesr👀🤞🏼
Fun video! Love owls! Such cool and amazing creatures!
Thanks Henry, theyre a beautiful bird for sure 👍🏼
I’m so pleased you are liking your new set up, always a tense time even when you’ve done all the research as you did with your Z6. I’ve been using M43’s for 4 years now, Panasonic G9, it does have its limitations, but size and weight of the lens is a consideration for wildlife. Loving the Wren shots and footage. I’m lucky to have Barnies quartering a meadow about 20 mins drive from home, it’s such a thrill to watch them at sunrise, despite having to get up at 3.30am 😱. Still waiting to get the perfect shot, but if it was too easy it would be boring eh?😉. Always a treat to see a new Vlog from you. Looking forward to following your progress with the OM, you’ll love Pro Capture 👍
Thanks Sue, yeh I know what you mean. Maybe the depth of field issue will get the better of me but the AF is outstanding and the early use of Pro Capture is a real eye opener. So many great points. Every camera system has a compromise somewhere. Like you , i love to watch the Barn Owls. Theyre such an iconic bird. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀👊🏼
As always Simon a great watch mate! Loved it bud 👍
Thanks Paul 👊🏼
Great video Simon, glad you are getting on with the OM System, always look forward to seeing what you are getting up too takes a lot of time and effort to produce these great videos much appreciated mate
Thanks for the kind comments Chris and cheers for watching 👍🏼👀
Great vlog Simon
Thanks david 👍🏼
Great video Si. what a beautiful bird but if you saw it coming out of the dark on barn on a dull day it would frighten the bejasus out of yea Id say ! delighted the new system is working out so far for you !
Enjoyed that Simon, was lucky to have a Barn Owl quartering a meadow next to our accommodation whilst on holiday in Cornwall last week even managed a few shots 👍
Nice one Laurence, theyre so graceful when theyre hunting.
Lovely footage Simon of them owls and some nice images of the wren to. Hats off to you for being out in that heat it would of crippled me with my heart condition i couldn't even find peace in the shade.😂👍
Thanks Andy, once those youngsters start moving around, youve got to take advantage of every opportunity. I was happy of the coolbox!!👍🏼
Great stuff!
Glad you enjoyed it Graham 👍🏼
@@simoneardley - yes Sue and I have been checking to see when you would get the chance to upload a new video up after the big family do!
Hope you are getting on well with the OM1. Ironic that the Sony A1 with the 200-400 is a similar price to the OM1 with the Zuiko 150-400. Full frame vs more reach.
Another well produced film - thanks!
Glad you like the OM 1, great video, there is a Barn Owl on a local nature reserve the same as yours next to a public path , but the Facebook group for the site, its an RSPB managed site take down any posted pictures that are even near the site if it shows a sign, tree , path , basically any thing within 300yds of the site.. usually get great shots of it hunting over the fields though. The chick's can actually be seen from the path, yours are so much safer well done,
Makes it difficult to take a picture of Black-necked grebes not to show any reeds in the back ground or they are taken off also.
Again great video shame Z6ii not for you I love mine but not a you tube vlogger understand your reasons though,
Lovely footage of the owls Simon, it's always nice to see them. I do like the Wren shots, lovely and clear... 👍👍
Cheers Eddie, the Wren was certainly a nice little bonus 👀👌🏼
Another corker Simon, success with the Owl bix has paid dividends for their survival aswell, well done mate
Cheers Col, nice to give them a bit of a leg up 👍🏼🦉
Great stuff as always Simon.. I,m just trying to set up a Barn Owl source for photography at a local farmers place,, all the info will hopefully stand me in good stead..keep up the good work.
Nice one Dennis, good luck with the project 👍🏼
Another brilliant video Simon, just got back to UK for a short while and will be out soon to get some camera practice in.
Take care mate
Graham
Always good to get Barnies. I have a local site also but as of yet, only digiscoping content through a scope. Your doing well if they are out and about as early as 8:30. It takes the locals here until 9:30-10:00 to get out, though these don't have chicks this year.
Thats a shame, hopefully they'll have a nice big brood next year to make up for it
Simon loved the wren and the barn owl shots are outstanding
Cheers Mark, that little Wren sat there for ages
Always nice to see a Barn Owl,Great video Simon,I am lucky enough to see them regular in North Lancashire,loved the Wren as well
Cheers Alan, yeh were lucky up here aren't we👍🏼👍🏼
So nice to see those owls. You're a lucky man to have the option to film and photograph them. I'm still searching for some owls in my area without success, but I'll go on. Anyhow, nice film, thank you Simon. Cheers from Germany
BTW. I released a film about a kestrel family (unfortunately in German) but at least I'd a lot of fun. If you like - have a look. Cheers
I'm a wimp, I would have started the car up and ran the AC to stay cool. Great video...
Cheers David, its not often we use the A/C to be honest over here!!😆👍🏼
@@simoneardley Must be nice.
I have an A/C unit on one of my bird blinds right now. It has been 103-105 degrees the past two weeks over here. Good luck Simon
Another great vlog Simon a big up to you for standing up to your opinion regards equipment. Each to their own I say, if it works for you and your happy with it why does anyone else have to have an opinion 🤪
Couldn't agree more Lee 👊🏼
Wonderful shots Simon. Those Barn owls are so pretty. Try not to let the the negativity get to you. People become so emotional over brands. Just use what works and enjoy the process.
Yeh its daft aint it Kevin. At the end of the day its just a tool. Just great to be out there doing what we do 📷👀👊🏼
Excellent blog Simon 👍love your honesty 🤣some great photos and footage 👏👏did ask a couple of time if I could get a mention in one of your videos be an honour but never had a reply yet🤔
Nice to see you using the car, I have a white Qashqai and have used that, not with camo netting have always thought about it. But might get some now. Not quite your standard but improving, nicking some your ideas. Not managed barn owls seen a few at Ennerdale, always hear before see them and never quick enough, Ive had loads of smaller birds, woodpeckers and red squirrels just using car as a hide. Your right its great to be out, just wish the dog walkers stop using the area it as a dog toilet, but dont start me. Really have got good ideas from you and amended to suit me. One thing I do to get really natural woodpeckers pics is put food in the gnarly bark and crevices of trees and the birds look really natural, nuthatches, tree creepers an greater spotted woodpeckers
Trying to get ideas of a good camera to use, currently on a basic level Lumix G7, and 100 to 300 lens
Nice one Andi, thats what its all about. Sharing tips and hints is a great way to help each other improve your results. Always a good idea to improve your fieldcraft and methods before you step up the camera gear, when I first started I invested in good camo gear, binoculars etc and did a lot of observation and learning my subjects habits and movements.
Afternoon Simon mate brilliant video as all ways it was lovely to see them,, we don't have eny around ware I live so haven't seen eny this year up to yet,, take care of yourself stay safe mate
Thanks for watching John, were lucky round this neck of the woods. We seem to have a really healthy population of Barnies. All the best, Si 👍🏼👊🏼
Yeah, we has spots last week that were 120 degrees F. I think that is around 49 C. Miserable conditions. Here, we call that little wren the Carolina Wren. I was curious what it is called there?
Wow thats brutal heat!! Its a plain and simple Wren. Latin name (Troglodytes troglodytes) is a bit more interesting.
Absolutely fantastic Simon top content , music , video and stills 🙌👏👏👏👌 👍and one of these to your hecklers 🖕
Hope it’s cooled down for you by now. Nicely executed plan with the barn owls. I don’t suppose these brats that have a go at you have a UA-cam channel or do anything productive and positive. Just a bunch of negativity that no one especially people like yourself that provide a service needs. It’s hard but don’t waste any time on them. You have plenty of viewers such as myself that appreciate what you do.
Cheers.
Thanks Scooter, wise words mate. Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Simon I’m after a special design Bean Bag mate for use on the car similar to the one that Lenscoat do in Realtree Camo but the link to your shop isn’t working for some reason mate ?
Thanks for highlighting that Paul. The link should be working now. 👍🏼
Thank you for not using flash!
Always the best option 👍🏼
Great video as always Simon, the car looked lovely dressed up in the camo lol. What ISO did you go to in the end. I go to 10000 iso with the same setup. Lovely to see the owls they are quite special to see.
Thanks Ray, got to 12800 and called it a day. Once its run through Topaz i was getting perfectly acceptable images.
@@simoneardley topaz is a life saver, I shoot to the right and also use topaz, also found that capture one worked better for me than light room.
You’re so right, the Z6II is crap for wildlife photography, I had a D500 traded that in and now I’ve bought another, as you know that’s a great camera for stills, not so good for video but I don’t do that so I’m happy again. The Z6II is a great landscape camera though. The OM system looks good but 6 grand for the lens, hell bells
enjoyed the vlog Simon, was the ISO too much of a challenge in the end,? I know even with my Sony FF set up trying to shoot Barn owls late evening can be challenging, I've not had the opportunity to try with the OM1 yet, but I'm hoping to get out soon to see for myself
There comes a point with any camera eventually Cliff, I gave up at 12800 iso. The images still cleaned up ok on Topaz. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
@@simoneardley 12800 is pretty amazing , the last set of barn owl images I took were at roughly 5000 on the A9ii and they looked noisy - can't wait to get out this week with the OM1
Beautiful stuff, Simon! As for the “keyboard warrior” who accused you of selling out, I usually find they are the type who don’t have a channel, or if they do they haven’t got any content. ‘Nuff said…
Well said Steve, couldn't agree more. Thanks for watching
Quality off the d500 looked much better.
Early days yet Steve
Bosch crop German military haircut all cut off kept the chances of lice in the trenches. WW1
Every days a school day, cheers David👍🏼
Only know this sort of stuff 22 years in the Royal Marines. Lol