PHOTOGRAPHING SHORT EARED OWLS
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- Опубліковано 2 гру 2023
- 🦉 Welcome to a breathtaking journey into the world of Short-Eared Owls! Join me on an awe-inspiring adventure to RSPB Bempton Cliffs, where nature's beauty unfolds in the most spectacular way. 📸✨
In this thrilling UA-cam video, I invite you to witness a photographer's dream day as I immerse myself in the mesmerising realm of these enigmatic creatures. From the moment I set foot in the sanctuary of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, the air crackles with anticipation, promising an unforgettable experience.
As the camera starts rolling, I take you on a visual odyssey through the rugged landscapes and rolling fields where these magnificent owls call home. The golden hues of the sunrise cast a magical glow, setting the stage for an extraordinary photographic encounter.
Throughout the video, I share tips and tricks on the best camera settings, positioning, and techniques to capture these elusive birds in their natural habitat. With each frame, the Short-Eared Owls gracefully showcase their elegant flight patterns, piercing eyes, and distinctively feathered silhouettes against the canvas of the sky.
The footage captures the essence of a photographer's delight-a day filled with countless moments of wonder and enchantment. Whether they're soaring through the air or perched majestically on a fence post, these owls provide an endless array of photo opportunities, leaving me in awe of nature's splendour.
Moreover, the RSPB Bempton Cliffs serves as an idyllic backdrop, adding depth and authenticity to every shot. The serene ambiance of the reserve and its diverse ecosystem create a perfect synergy for capturing these beautiful creatures in their element.
Join me as I relive the best day of photography ever-a day where the bond between nature and lens felt unparalleled, leaving an indelible mark on my soul and my camera's memory card. Prepare to be captivated by the sheer magnificence of Short-Eared Owls and the wondrous landscapes they inhabit.
So grab your popcorn, sit back, and embark on this visual voyage of "Photographing Short-Eared Owls" at RSPB Brompton Cliffs. Trust me, this is a journey you won't want to miss! 🌿📷✨
Don't forget to like and subscribe to ensure that you don't miss out on my future adventures. If you really enjoyed the video and want to show your support, then why not pop over to my 'Buy me a Coffee' web page and donate a little of your hard earned cash in appreciation. Link is below:
www.buymeacoffee.com/dwphotgr...
Kit Used:
NIKON Z9
NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x
Gitzo Series 5 Tripod
Gitzo Fluid Gimbal Head
C80R All in one camera & lens cover
DJI Pocket 3
DJI Mic
GoPro Hero 12
One word. “WOW”
Thanks very much Tom, appreciate it 👍🏻
Great video Dan🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽
Thanks very much Aly, really appreciate it 👍🏻
Fantastic
Thanks Chris, appreciate it 👍🏻
Absolutely awesome.
Thanks very much 👍🏻
Fantastic video, some brilliant images, well done!
Thanks very much Chris 👍🏻
great video and great shots
Glad you enjoyed it, all the best 👍🏻
感謝精彩分享
My pleasure, thank you ☺️
Well Dan Bempton comes up trumps again for you, marvellous videos and images as usual, birding can be so hit and miss especially when you have travelled a good distance but that's the thrill of the chase. Myself and a couple of birding pals visited Elmley in Kent to see mainly waders back in the late 70s, what Pops up 6 Short Eared owl wheeling around together, then later a young Sea Eagle most likely one of the birds released on Rhum, sadly a few weeks later shot and killed, certainly a hobby with highs and lows. Superb footage as normal, roll on next Sunday evening 👌
Thanks very much Derek, always a pleasure to read your comments.
You are absolutely right about the thrill of the chase, it’s the possibility of failure and the lows that make the highs just amazing.
All the very best 👍🏻
I saw and photographed my first ever SEO this week - I really enjoyed watching this.
Thanks very much Keith and congratulations on the capture. SEO’s are an amazing subject to photograph aren’t they?
All the best 👍🏻
Brilliant as always Dan
Thanks very much Ian, always appreciated 👍🏻
Wow that was truly amazing video I’ve never seen anything like this before definitely going to visit next year,the quality of your video footage and photos are outstanding, I have told my friends about you and your videos thank you for sharing it with us fantastic work well done. Martyn
Thanks Martyn I really your message and you taking the time to share my channel with others, I really appreciate it 👍🏻
Great shots, Sir! Thanks for bringing us along!
Thanks very much, I’m really appreciating your support 👍🏻
Awesome
Thanks 👍🏻
Magical Dan, thank you
Thanks Lee, appreciate it 👍🏻
Great video, got to love the shorties
Thanks very much Ray, they really are a very photogenic owl.
All the best 👍🏻
I was there while you were!!!
I’m the plonker who said I’d panicked at the lower gate🫣when I saw you at the top viewing area!
Great day!
I want a selfie next time 😂
😂😂😂 it was a pleasure to meet you, up for a selfie anytime.
All the very best 👍🏻
Another good one buddy 💯🔥
Thanks very much mate 👍🏻
Sensational video. Great footage and images. You jammy git 😂😂😂
😂😂😂 I did consider myself a jammy git 😂😂😂 Cheers mate, appreciate it 👍🏻
Cracking images and footage Dan!
Thanks Ian, appreciated 👍🏻
Great Video Dan, love the production and effort that goes into it and your enthusiasm. Most of all though, the owls were the stars.
Thanks very much Jerry, really appreciate your kind words and support.
All the very best 👍🏻
What a magic spot! I'll make a point of visiting this place in July. 👍
Thanks John, Bempton Cliffs really is a first class reserve and when you visit the the place is alive with thousands of breeding Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbills and Puffin.
There is a chance to see the owls although most will have migrated back to the continent 👍🏻
Had six were i live Trimley seem to have moved on now look forward to there return i got some great photos to great video excellent photos
Thanks very much.
It must be great to have them on your doorstep, hope they return for you 👍🏻
Your videos are so expertly done. You followed that owl so well. Enjoyed your snaps of this gorgeous Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl. I'd love to study one like this!
Thanks very much for your kind words, I really appreciate it.
All the very best 😊
Wow...what an incredible day!! Absolutely loved watching this Dan. I live near London so Bempton is a long way from me but this makes me want to fund a day to get up there in my old banger lol. Off to Bushy Park tomorrow with the camera so fingers crossed I may see something good but it won't be a patch on the birds you saw in this. Outstanding!
Thanks very much mate, really appreciate it.
I’ve not been to Bushy park but visited Richmond on my last trip to London, might try Bushy next time.
Bempton is a fantastic reserve and well worth the trip.
All the best and good luck for tomorrow 👍🏻
Amazing again Dan. I hope to get to Brampton Cliffs someday.
Thanks very much Stephen, I can definitely recommend it.
All the best 👍🏻
Great shots and videos Dan... agree with you its an amazing place, was there Saturday myself.... 2.5 hours from Skipton but Sooooooooooo worth it, 2 x Barn Owls and 2 x SEO
Thanks very much Andy, sounds like you had a fantastic day very similar to mine.
All the very best 👍🏻
Fantastic photos Dan, especially like that one of the SEO diving around the 20 min mark. We were at Bempton a couple of weeks ago - cold, windy and damp...but there were at least 4 SEOs, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel too. I got some photos too. Brilliant day.
Thanks very much Richard, sounds like you had a day very similar to mine with some great shots to boot.
All the best 👍🏻
Fantastic photography as usual Dan
Thanks very much, always appreciate it 👍🏻
That made me emotional and yet again you inspire and make folks smile with your upbeat presentation. Thank you. 👊
One of the best comments I’ve read, thank you I really appreciate it Mark.
All the very best 👍🏻
Wow outstanding photos Dan and I am pleased that you had such a wonderful time.
Thank you very much Kathryn I really appreciate it 😊
Fabulous images and footage Dan
we have similar numbers here in Kent and lovely to see and photograph👍
Thanks very much. Seems like we have had a good number from the continent this year along with other species such as the waxwings 👍🏻
Superd content Dan not been to Bempton cliffs yet but its on the to list 👌👍
Thanks very much. Definitely worth the trip, a truly fabulous reserve 👍🏻
Wow amazingly blessed day. I always love when nature gives me a day like this.
Thanks Eric, it’s amazing when you get a day like this isn’t it. All the best
Hi Dan, a fairly new subscriber so catching up on your videos, I have been to Bempton for the Gannets but knew nothing about the owls being there later in the year so that's a great heads up so I can see me and my two photography buddies booking a couple of nights stay over there next year. BTW just watched your video from the Trossachs Osprey hide and I must say I would have been gutted if I had travelled all that way and paid for that hide, as soon as I saw it I thought that looks terrible quite a distance from the water and long grasses obscuring the view. We went to Horn Mill Osprey hide last year and that setup is brilliant fantastic unobstructed view and a spotter. I know you have been there so you must have been really disappointed with the Trossachs hide. Anyway keep up the great work mate I have more of your videos to watch so cheerio for now.😁👍
Thanks very much Kevin, I can definitely recommend a winter visit to Bempton definitely worth a trip.
Thanks for the subscription it’s really appreciated.
Trossachs is very new and I hope with feedback that many have provided that they might make some alterations as it really does have potential. Horn Mill will definitely be featuring on a video in 2024 for sure.
All the very best 👍🏻
Wow what an incredible day out. Im definitely going to have to make a trip out there some time. Just wish it wasn't a 5hr drive to get there! Another fantastic video Dan 👌🏻
Thanks very much Jonathan, that is a long trip so probably worth making it a weekend 😂
I’m sure that there will be a location closer with the Shorties, they seem to be popping up all over the country. Where are you based?
@@danwillis_photography Thanks. I live in North East Somerset between Bristol and Bath. I've heard Aust is a great place although I think they have probably moved on by now.
Awesome! We've had them some years at the local wetland, but there weren't any last year and there's only been one seen passing through so far... but hopefully I'll get some this season! Can't recommend that waterproof cover enough - I've got the same one. While the camera and lenses are weather sealed, being damp for a long time is bad news, so being able to dry them more quickly has to be a good thing!
Thanks very much Geoff, always a pleasure reading your comments.
I totally agree with you about having your kit out for long periods of wet weather.
All the very best mate 👍🏻
Gorgeous video as usual, I was supposed to go yesterday but couldn't in the end. Thanks
Thanks very much Alex, hopefully you will be able to get to the reserve soon 👍🏻
What a fabulous day Dan. One we all dream of! Super video 👏👏👏👏
Thanks very much Julian, it certainly was an epic day.
All the very best 👍🏻
What a fantastic adventure! Beautiful images and great light!
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
Wow. What a day and some very nice shots too!
Thanks very much Neil 👍🏻
mazing, I need to have a ride up there soon!
Cheers mate, definitely worth the trip 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing. Great opportunity with the different species.
Thanks very much James, really appreciate it 👍🏻
Wow ,some stunning photos & video .Probably my favourite vlog from you so far
Cheers Gary that’s a fantastic comment to read, I really appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Great video and stills mate, days like this make all the effort you put in worthwhile. Theirs something magical about short eared owls, I could watch them all day.
I know what you mean, they really are a magnificent bird.
Thanks very much for your comment and continued support it really is appreciated 👍🏻
Banner day! What an adventure - my favorite shot was the two short-eared owls interacting. Great work!
Thanks very much Freeman, I always enjoy reading your comments.
All the best 👍🏻
I love owl photography
Me too 👍🏻
Wow! Just amazing! I always enjoy watching your videos. And those Barn Owl shots are jaw dropping!The Short-eared Owls are just showing up here in Ohio, USA. Can I ask what settings you use for the owls in flight? I’ve been using a small custom box and 3D but wondering if something wider would work better. Thanks so much!
Thanks very much. Settings wise I personally always shoot wide open to whatever your lenses widest aperture is. Then shutter speed is always above 1/1000s but the highest I can get away with before pushing ISO above 5000.
Hope that helps and all the best 👍🏻
Another stunning video Dan some of the images are outstanding . A real red letter day for you . Bempton is a stunning place but I’ve never been at this time of year , but that might change soon . Thanks for your hard work showing us these delightful birds 🦉🦉👏👏
Thanks very much Stephen, I really appreciate your kind words. I can definitely recommend a winter visit and hope you get a similar experience if you do 👍🏻
Enjoyed this. Myself and my partner were standing next to you this day at Bempton. Having seen your photos, karen now wants a 400mm f2.8 to replace her 300mm f4. Thanks. Just cost me £3000 or a divorce. Or both! Lol
Oh this comment made me chuckle. Absolute pleasure to meet you both and Karen certainly does have a great taste in quality lens choices. Sorry mate £3K it is 👍🏻
All the very best to you both 😁
Great captures Dan, looks like you had better luck than when I went🙄🙈 I see new lens is doing a sterling job!Was this a recent visit to Bempton?
Thanks very much. I’m really impressed with the results from the new lens.
The trip was recent, I went on 25/11/2023.
All the best mate 👍🏻
Fantastic video and stills, Dan. Great pitch, flow and audio. Brilliant and loved it
😊
Glad you enjoyed it, really appreciate your comment 👍🏻
Outstanding images!
Thanks very much 👍🏻
Yet another fantastic vlog. Just spectacular images dan it a shame that pops wasn’t with you
Thanks very much John 👍🏻
Just brilliant Dan … I was one of those in the warden walk who came up and saw these lovely birds. My little camera was out of its depth with the distances involved, so it’s fabulous to see your shots!
I’m glad you enjoyed the video and the photos. It really was a magical experience 😊
Absolutely superb in every respect . Knowledgeable in both camera and subject and a voice that is so relaxing and pleasure to listen to .
You are very skilled in production too .
Always a pleasure and look forward to many more because you never disappoint .
Wow that is a fantastic comment to read I really appreciate your kind words.
All the very best 👍🏻
Great video Dan, you really did have a great day. Never seen a short eared owl but going up to Whitby over Xmas so might just pop down to Bempton.
Thanks very much Ian, I would definitely consider dropping into Bempton from what I’ve heard they are showing really well most days. If it’s heavy rain probably not worth it.
All the best mate 👍🏻
@@danwillis_photography yes it looks to only be an hour away but will bear there weather in mind. 👍😃
Absolutely wonderful, you have the appropriate gear to make these awesome videos and pictures. I love it.
Thank you very much, really appreciate it 👍🏻
A fantastic video,Dan,some amazing captures.
Thanks very much I appreciate it 👍🏻
Another super video Dan, fabulous photos too, I hope you did the Lottery because your luck was definitely in
Thanks very much Derek, I keep playing the lottery and if there was a prize for consecutively picking 6 numbers not to be drawn I’d be a rich man 😂
wow mate, what an incredible day you had! Some absolutely stunning photos & footage - well in pal
Cheers Marc, looking forward to our session with the Hares 👍🏻
Loved this video! Thank you for all the info about the short eared owls, really interesting. Wonderful footage and great photos. Good to see the barn owl too. Hope to see Pops back with you again soon.
Thanks very much Debbie I really appreciate your kind words 👍🏻
Would have been my best day ever for sure as l still trying to get my first owl in wild shot.
Get yourself to Bempton Cliffs, really good chance of seeing multiple owls 👍🏻
@@danwillis_photography Unfortunately too long a trip from here in Australia.
@@isotechimages.9130 very fair comment, I’m sure you can trump me on the amazing wildlife you get though 👍🏻
Hello Dan, fantastic images of the two owls with a very nice light, you didn't waste your time, me for the swamp owls I compensate at -0.3 for the clarity of the underwings but your pictures are great
Thanks very much for your response and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on exposure utilising exposure compensation for the underwings 👍🏻
Great stuff, Dan - hope to see you up there at some point - it certainly is an amazing place for Owls 😊
Cheers Steve, please do come and say hello if we cross paths it’s always great to speak to likeminded people.
All the best mate 👍🏻
Great video with some superb images , where exactly is the owl viewing platform ?
Thanks for your comment. The owl viewing platform is, as you drive out of the car park it’s just on the left as you start to climb the hill 👍🏻
Great video Dan 👍🏼
Cheers Sam, appreciate it mate 👍🏻
Absolutely brilliant Dan.
Cheers Craig, always appreciated 👍🏻
Lovely film Dan. Must try harder with these. Rain was the killer today.
Thanks very much Dave, might just give a more local location a try for my next SEO trip 👍🏻
A fantastic video of a wonderful birding day Dan. Those stills are amongst the best, if not the best, I have seeen of the Bempton SEOs, and there have been many posted this year. The owls visit every year, but this year they seem to be greater in nos, and more active in the area you covered. I was in the same spot as you a few weeks ago, there were a pair that day plus the barn owl. Very enjoyable just to watch them hunting, plus getting photos of them of course.
Thanks very much Rob, that’s a fantastic compliment to read and I really appreciate you taking the time to say so.
All the very best mate 👍🏻
Sensational, Dan! Well worth the journey and the rain breaks. I am really lucky to have shorties about five minutes from me, although I have yet to see a barn owl, sparrowhawk and kestrel all at the same time. No wonder you were buzzing. Subbed , 👍🏻 Steve.
Thanks very much Steve and thanks for the sub, really appreciate it. I wish I had Shorties a bit closer, they are a fantastic subject 👍🏻
Amazing .....
Thanks very much Alan 👍🏻
AGAIN another video where there's not enough superlatives to describe the "footage"or "stills" that's you have captured, the best 25 minutes or so of my week and I can't wait to see what you photograph next. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into your videos they never fail to inspire me to get out with my camera. Cheers Dan 👍👍
P.S, hope "pops" is well 😉😉
Thanks so much Allan, it’s comments such as yours which are my motivation to get out and make these videos. Really appreciate it 👍🏻
Dan, you're very fortunate to get these beauties during the day! I've only seen two, the last last Aprils, at the same refuge in northeastern Massachusetts. They began hunting at sundown. Great colors in the sky but high noise, but I was still able to get some great banking shots, and the first one perched for me for a bit. Your shot of the two of them was awesome! And a barn owl to boot!
Is your area experiencing a boom in raptor activity in general? We're definitely experiencing it. Many Northern Harrier and Red-tailed hawks around all of a sudden. A barn owl showed up a few weeks ago, outside its normal range, and every photographer I know was there pretty much. Fortunately it was in a tree far from the beach boardwalk, so it was undisturbed but with enough focal length you could get a decent picture. I was surprised how caramel-colored the barn owl's body was. Yours was more white like I would have expected.
Thanks very much for your comment and for sharing your experiences from the other side of the pond.
Yes we are experiencing a huge influx of migratory birds from Europe, which usually indicates a bad winter. The Short Eared Owls have certainly gone up in numbers and are being spotted up and down the country.
You do get variations on colouration of Barn Owls and indeed other birds, sometimes linked to diet and feeding area. I photographed a pair of Peregrine’s earlier this year, the female had an almost orange chest due to the area she was catching prey from.
All the best 👍🏻
Another quality video Dan. Some great images. My local reserve has 7-8 shorties and I was lucky to photograph them before I fractured my wrist. Hoping my cast comes off tomorrow so I can get out with my z9 and z800 and take some more images of them. If mine turn out half as good as yours I’d be happy. Keep up the good work Dan, I look forward to your videos every Sunday. Top work mate
Thanks very much David, sorry to read that you have fractured your wrist and I’m wishing you a speedy recovery so you can get back out with your camera. All the very best 👍🏻
Cracking video, Cracking images and a credit to you Dan. Always enjoy watching your videos they are brilliant and informative. I always struggle locking on to birds in flight and what combination of focal points to use on my DSLR Canon 5D MKIII. Any advice appreciated.
Thanks very much Colin really appreciate your response and ongoing support.
For focal points when using a DSLR I almost exclusively used single point on my D500 with reasonable success. I would however switch to group points for erratic fast moving subjects.
The next thing I did and this made a huge difference (don’t mean teach a grandma to suck eggs with this comment so apologies in advance) was practice in my back garden. I would use a target such as a small soft toy and position it against difficult backgrounds and then repeatedly draw my camera to my eye and practice focusing on it. I think that this is one of the hardest elements to get right and something often overlooked by photographers. Before doing this when I brought my camera to my eye with a long telephoto lens I would struggle to find the subject leading to many missed shots.
Hope this helps, all the best 👍🏻
@@danwillis_photography Thanks for taking the time to respond Dan. The guidance you have provided is appreciated.
Great video and fantastic photos, I'm finding it very hard to focus on short eared owls as they move faster than people think.
Can I ask what focus points you use and do you go into case settings and adjust the sensitivity of the focus tracking as half my photos are blurred.
Thanks IAV
Thanks very much Sean and a great question.
I think you are absolutely right and people genuinely underestimate SEO’s speed, they look graceful yet they cover ground really quickly.
If you are getting blurred images (apologies if I am teaching grandma to suck eggs) then the first thing to consider is shutter speed. Most of the flight images at Bempton were 1/2000 of a second.
If shutter speed is not an issue then the next thing to consider is autofocus. For most of my photography I use 3D tracking with animal eye recognition and bird subject. However on this day that would not lock onto the subject no matter how hard I tried. Most shots were achieved using wide area small which I have setup to the shutter button with 3D on the back button. On the odd occasion this failed I have the top front programmable button set to single point, the method I was so use to with my D500. I use this as my get of jail card.
I don’t change the sensitivity of the focus tracking unless I know the subject is likely to pass in front of obstructions such as hares in a field.
Hope this helps and all the very best 👍🏻
@@danwillis_photography thanks very much for replying, I don't have animal focusing yet as I have the canon 7D but if it's a game changer then I'll probably buy a new camera.
Keep up the good work.
A great video, Dan. I'm hoping to photograph shorties local to me in the next week or so.
Cheers Lee, good luck and I hope you get some fantastic shots 👍🏻
Where did you set up… as you walk down the path from the cafe and get to the T junction did you turn left or right
I don’t enter the main reserve, from the main car park if you were to drive out the owl viewing platform is on your left just before you leave the car park 👍🏻
@@danwillis_photography thank you very much
My wife saw your video from bempton and has booked me a cottage for 3 days in May for my birthday today. Any advice would be helpful. Are there any other spots along that coast you would recommend. Like you it's a 3 hour drive so want to get the most.
That sounds absolutely fantastic and it will be at a great time, showing Bempton at its best.
I have copied a video I made from a much earlier visit where I travelled further north to Filey and a place called Brighouses which is well worth a visit and I managed to photograph a purple sandpiper.
Bempton Cliffs Photographic Adventure
ua-cam.com/video/qAnfpfzfWMY/v-deo.html
Bridlington is also always worth a visit at low tide for waders and if you wanted a drive out Hornsea is fantastic, the beach for waders and the mere for Hobby chasing dragonflies and Marsh Harrier.
Hope that helps and you have a fantastic trip 👍🏻
Thanks Dan for the tips sounds a great spot.
Do you mean to upload these videos in a live chat?? I've not seen anyone else do this before
Wasn’t aware that I had, purely accidental 😂😂😂