How To Photograph Birds in Winter (Detailed Guide and Fieldfare Session)
Welcome to the first film of 2023 !! Well the start to the year in terms of weather has been a shocker to say the least. Biblical rain and poor light has lead to a veritable drought on the photography front. Luckily a break in the weather and a cold snap sees me heading to a local permission where there are healthy numbers of Fieldfare, a Winter migrant Thrush from Scandinavia.
We make use of one of Tragopans great hides, the V6 and demonstrate various methods of shooting low down. Grab yourself a brew and enjoy the film.
ETSY SHOP- Beanbags and other handmade goodies
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CAMERA GEAR
Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera. amzn.to/3J73fTG
Nikon 500mm F4 AF-S ED VR G
Ifootage TC9 Fastbowl Tripod amzn.to/3ZMDeip
Manfrotto 502 AH Video Head. amzn.to/3XIyMiI
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Simon like yourself it’s just to be there and I’m totally relaxed but we’ve all been there. When days turn into weeks without Decent shot it does start to get to you. Thanks enjoy your video so much. 👍👍👍
Thanks Thomas, we get there in the end though. The end results make it all worthwhile.
Always good to see a new vid from you, cracking shots of the Fieldfare 👌
Thanks Sue, nice to photograph something different for a change!!Thanks for watching .
So nice.beautiful.
Many thanks Ghulam 👍🏼
Un vrai plaisir à regarder .Bravo et merci pour le partage.
Brilliant, love the photos
Thanks Chris👍🏼📷
Beautiful, thank you.
Thanks Michael 👍🏼👊🏼
Quality as always Simon
Thanks mate 📷👍🏼
Many thanks for the tips.
Glad it was helpful!
Another great vlog Simon, have a great 2023.
Same to you Lee, thanks for watching 👀👊🏼
stunning images
Thanks Tog!!
Excellent Simon, as always. Love my V6, great hide
Cheers Ray, theyre a solid bit of kit arent they 👍🏼
Nice to see you back Simon cracking video and some belting shots
Thanks Andy and thanks for watching!!
Another great blog. keep up the good work 👍
Thank you! Will do Phil 👍🏼📷
Thank you Simon. Cracking quality as always. Stay well. All the best. 👍📷😎
Thanks Rob👍
another awesome teaching viewing video Simon. Thank you. great pictures
Thanks Ken, thanks for the watch 👀👍🏼
Great to see you back in 2023 Simon,another great video mate 👍
Thanks Alan and cheers for watching 👀👍🏼
Nice to see you back Simon… Happy New Year. Was beginning to worry if you were ok. Great film as always. Best wishes from Belgium 👍
All good mate just too busy with work and diy to get out and film. Thanks for watching Paul 👀📷 ATB, Si
I really enjoyed your video montage of the Fieldfares feeding - absolutely joyous - thank you!!
Glad you enjoyed it Pete 👍🏼👀
Great video Simon. I certainly feel your pain about the recent weather! It's really great to see the gear you use.
Thanks Steve, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Excellent video Simon. Very impressed with the speed of your set up of the hide, the V6 looks very versatile. Loved the footage and images of the fieldfares which are stunning birds.
Glad you enjoyed it Barry 👍🏼
Great to see you back, mate! We have huge flocks of fieldfare down our way in Wiltshire, always great to see.
Nice one Steve, cracking birds aren't they 👌👍📷
Hope you have a great year. 😊
Same to you, thanks 😀
Absolutely fantastic sign always enjoy your videos👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks Ronald and thanks for supporting the channel.👍🏼
I can certainly appreciate the disheartened feeling that you have been going through. I had over 2 weeks off from work over Christmas and the weather has been absolutely shite! It's so easy to get fed up. Today has been nice, cold and bright so my plan was to get out to a new location I'd been told about but then the guy who we have been waiting on to do some work in the house said he was available today!! Bloody typical. Praying that the weather holds for tomorrow and nothing else crops up to bugger up my plans. Best wishes and a belated happy new year.
Cheers Robert, all the best👍🏼 Cant beat a bit of cold dry weather. Long may it continue. Hope you get the shots youre after!!🤞🏼📷
Great to see you back and clicking again looking forward to your trip to Scotland ps I'm liking that jacket you had on info please 🙏
Thanks Derrick, looking forward to it myself. The jacket is a Paramo Halcon, always wanted a Paramo and all the people I know who have them swear by em. Im impressed with it so far. Lifetime guarantee as well.
Been missing you're input Simon great to see you back and with a cracker of the Fieldfares , they seem to have passed me by this year and just kept heading south.
Thanks Marella, just had a quiet spell over the new year. Back on it now, lots about still up here. Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Hi Simon, I stumbled upon your insightful videos several months ago and my iron skillet ground tripod works wonderfully 👍
Nice one Basil, welcome to the channel 👍🏼
Loving the 300 pal, fantastic lens. Sacked Sport's Photography off and doing Wildlife now. Got some corkers yesterday of a Sparrowhawk near Cockermouth with it Simon. Cheers pal
Great stuff Simon love Fieldfare and Redwings we get them in the garden each year they strip the Holly and Rohan trees
Yeh when theres a big flock it doesnt take em long to clear the bushes does it. Thanks for watching mate 👍🏼👀
Another brilliant video Simon, I can definitely recommend the z400 4.5 so light & portable and amazing with the 1.4tc!
Thanks Andy, its nice to have the problem of having so many lenses to choose from.👍🏼😆
Nice to see you back Simon, cracking shots those 👌 I've been trying to photograph birds of prey! I see them daily when driving around the northwest with work. Never when I have my camera tho 😅
Usually the case isn't it!! Glad you enjoyed it .
Thank Simon for your reply and info on the jacket I have one of there jackets a thin one can roll it up and put it in your camera backpack but will be looking at the one you have thanks again keep those videos coming I really look forward to them
Simon, my friend, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Never give up. Beautiful shots. Hang in there.
Very true Richard, thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Good stuff mate, you’re right, the 200-400 is a brut but the photos are super sharp, very pleased with what’s coming out so far. The V6 is very impressive!! I like the versatility of that one!!
Cheers Mark, I look forward to checking it out next time we meet up mate 👍🏼
cracking shots Si we have a big flock on the rugby pitches in work Fieldfare and redwing ! very skittish a couple of descent shots in the afternoon sun but with my 70-300 im in their field of view any slight movement and the hop away ! great set up ! even better that you know how to use the gear !!
Yeh it doesnt take much for them all to leg it Pat!! They'd be difficult in the middle of a field, always handy if you can find where theyre feeding on berries or an orchard. Youve more chance of finding some cover then and getting near to them.
Absolutely excellent blog Simon good to see you back great shot and footage be proud of your self 👏👏👏where are the lucky gloves?
Cheers Paul, had em in my pocket mate !!😆👍🏼
stills are fab
Cheers Peter
Great upload Simon, nice to see you back. I’ve been having the same problem with buzzards myself. Lots of hide time without birds/images. Did hit the jackpot though during the very cold snap before Christmas. Perhaps you care to take a look at what I ended up with !! Thank you for sharing as always, looking forward to the Roe Deer upload 👍 Phil /Warwickshire.
Nice one Phil, I love the cold weather for photography. Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
@@simoneardley thank you Simon, your kind words are appreciated as I look upon you as a real inspiration, not just to me but many I’m sure. I like the look of the tragapan hide but at close to 70 and having serious health issues over the last 3 years, my low level photography has really taken a backseat. I do what I can in as much comfort as possible and enjoy every minute I can. Keep uploading Simon, I always look forward to your inspirational work,”absolutely belting” I just smile every time I hear you use that word 👌😂👍. Phil.
No Waxwings Simon, Another great video ta for sticking at it, & the Roe buck. was as sharp as a tack!
I wish mate, not a bird I've ever photographed or seen for that matter. Next year maybe 🤞📷
@@simoneardley Find A good group of rowan trees, & good luck
Great video Simon - always enjoy watching. Lovely shots of the birds feeding on the frosty apples. Really tells the story of survival of these birds during the winter. As for your next lens you’ve got a big prime so like you say something more portable is probably the way to go. Zooms are convenient and useful for scouting and walkabouts. 100-400 ? 300 2.8 would also be excellent. Today I just picked up a used 600 f4 IS vi for my R5. Can’t wait for the weekend to get out. This lens is definitely not hand holdable or for scouting! Can’t justify the money for newer versions of the big whites but my test shots of this lens looked great so we will give it a go. I have an rf 100-500 which is awesome but there is no substitute for big primes. Take care and looking forward to your next adventure. P.S. haven’t seen any figs for a while….. 😉 Scott
Thanks Scooter, i'm leaning towards the 100-400. Its looks a really versatile piece of glass 📷👍🏼 Thanks for watching pal
Cracking shots of the Grey headed thrush Si! 😉Have you considered making up a calendar made from your favorite pics from each month?
Thanks Richard, I'm thinking of doing one next year mate 👍
Great video,I have the 200-400 f4,great lens ,bit heavy but its worth it.
Thanks Mark, im leaning towards the 100-400 z lens due to the size 👍🏼👀
My dad as did but you my me happy went I look at your video thanks you for your video
Thanks for watching Sandra and supporting the channel.
👍👍👌👌😊😊
I am salivating over the V6 Simon 🤤 looking forward to the review. I know your pain I only got my camera out yesterday with the snow as the light was fantastic then realised I had no bird food left and the feeders were empty. By time I got back from getting some light was gone 😒 fingers cross for weekend feels like I have not taken a photo in months! The Z9 looks a beast mate, love my D850 but yeah I have to concede mirrorless is starting to look appealing. Have you looked at the tamron 100-400mm its not Z mount but its sharp and light to carry about. I got it for doing landscape? Hope those Buzzards start playing nice again for you soon. Cheers for the video and look forward to the next one
Thanks mate, yeh things dont always go to plan do they!!. I'll check out the Tamron, they do make some great lenses 👍🏼📷
Good to see you back,Wheres your mits lol
Haha, it was chilly but no breeze and surprisingly warmer in the hide so no need Dale.
Would be nice if you could email me some settings for d500 please as iv just recieved today@ heads battered🤣🤣🤣😎
Afternoon Simon brilliant video mate it was nice seeing them brilliant hide whot make is it ware thay from I am interested in one myself mate,, its a shame about the buzzards, take care of yourself stay safe mate
Thanks John, its a Tragopan V6. Theres a link in the film description with a code for a 5% discount. Really well made and practical hides.👍🏼
Thanks mate I look into byeing one
Simon you’re back then ? Some beautiful shots of the fieldfares brilliant. I’m just back from a week on Mull and if you think it was wet and windy down here in Lancashire you should have seen it on Mull- atrocious! Still I managed to get a few good shots of the Deer but the water was just too wild to even think about otters. Actually I had a much better (more productive) day today at Brockholes 😂!
Nice one David, thats how it goes sometimes mate. 4 seasons in one day on the west coast of Scotland sometimes. Shame you didnt see any Otters. 👍🏼👊🏼
Get the 100-400mm it's fantastic, so sharp! Can't recommend it enough even with a teleconverter. Great Video & photos
Thanks Hilary, jujst need a remortgage for the teleconvertor!!😆
@@simoneardley Does work so beautifully, with no sharpness or detail loss, but yes very expensive!
Good to be outside, isn't it, Simon? We had several weeks with hardly any sunshine at all. Yesterday was cold but the sun was out so I took my camera to The Pond. Didn't get much, but I was outside and I enjoyed it. Today it was raining again so I set up my Hollywood Bird Set on the back porch, put out some peanuts and shot birds for a couple of hours. I just change the background props every few days and put in some different dead limbs and perches and it keeps my images looking fresh. I have a 500mm F4G lens like yours but I find myself using the 80-400 4.5 - 5.6 more and more. The versatility is great. I'm often shooting at 200 or 300mm, depending on the size of the birds I get. I'm only shooting at about ten feet so I have to back off for bluejays and cardinals. Anyway, I enjoyed your video. Those fieldfares are surprisingly similar to our American robin in size and shape but a good bit more colorful. If I got down on the ground to shoot like you do I'd never get back up. 😂
Always great to be out Clifton, yes the zoom lenses are really versatile. I do love the images I get from the big prime though.Sounds like you have a great setup there. ATB, Si 👍🏼📷
Sorry to hear about your buzzard problem Simon. I use the v6 and they seem to accept it. It may be luck. Rodders 👍
Haha, yeh luck is a definite factor sometimes Rod!! ATB, Si 👀📷
Another great video Simon. Fieldfare are very photogenic. Random question: what boots are you wearing? They look very snug. Loving my bean bag which my daughter bought me last year.
Thanks Mike, theyre Skee-Tek Field Boots. Really warm, fur lined. Great in drier weather. I got mine from Angling Direct . Thanks for watching and supporting the shop👍🏼
Hi Simon you're right the 200-400mm is a brut. What about the 70-200mm s lens, works well with the 2x and 1.4x.It gives you a lot of options and you can get 300mm f2.8 by using the DX Crop it's a lot lighter. I have had the 200-400mm VR11 not recommended.Finally got the 800mm it's a cracker!
Thanks Malcolm, leaning towards the z100-400. So many to choose from!!
If it were me I'd wait to see what the next lens releases are, I have the 400mm 4.5 and 800mm PF and both are superb. I'm waiting on the 200-600mm to provide a flexible zoom option. The Z lenses for me are the way forward, I used to love my 300mm 2.8 but having used the z lenses the older tech feels much more unbalanced and noisy compared to the new stuff. But appreciate cost, using a tripod, fast galss etc can be a factor. The z9 with 3.01 is superb, Nikon have really stepped up, the lens innovation is very exciting for nikon users.
Yeh youre right Spencer, Nikon are chucking some great lenses out at the moment and a lot aimed at the wildlife sector. Exciting times, could just do with a lottery win mate!!😆📷👊🏼
Lovely birds...only seen a few on my area. Is the 500mm f4 hand holdable?. I'm considering getting one.
It is to a degree for short periods. If you want a hand holdable 500 then consider the 500pf. I know its f5.6 buy its so small, light and super sharp. I always endeavour to use the 500, f4 on a tripod or beanbag.
Hi Simon. Thanks for a video in the sun for a change🤣 It's been pretty horrendous hasn't it! Frankly, I'd stay away from the 200-400. Although it produces fantastic results at close distances as from a hide, they are known to have autofocus accuracy issues for anything over about 20-30m. I had the mk1 version. It was so bad for distance shots, it was literally useless!! Auto focus fine tune wouldn't correct it. May be I just had a particularly bad copy, who knows? The z100-400 sounds like a much better option. It is very light, easy to hand hold and carry about. It's ultra sharp and has the right mount. It can focus very close 2.5-3ft depending on the focal length, so great for butterflies, dragonflies etc. It's design has been optimised for use with the z mount. It'll fit easily in your gear bag with all your other stuff, so great versatility. Looking forward to the next video Simon👌👍
Thanks Graham, yes Im leaning towards the 100-400 to be honest. More portable for long distance treks and bigger focal range. Thanks for watching 👀👊🏼
Thanks for the video. What's the brand of the portable camouflage hide?
Thanks , i use Tragopan hides. Theres a discount link in the description. 5% (TragoSimon5)
Hi! When is the V6 review coming Simon? the reason I ask is I am waiting to buy one very soon, I have seen other guys reviews on them but I am interested to see your what honest review is. Love your videos Simon keep them coming mate!....
Working on it now, should be out within the next 2 weeks, thanks for watching !!👍🏼😀
I'm not really in to bird photography but thoroughly enjoyed this video. Digging the jacket man, what is it please?
Thanks Joe, nice to try something different. Its a Paramo Halcon, I've not had it long but im well impressed so far.👌🏼
@@simoneardley thank. I'm gonna subscribe!
Hi Simon. Great vid again. What have you filled the bean bags with. I made a couple of bags from your previous video and filled it with millet, but it is heavy. It looks like you have something else in there now ???
Thanks Steve, ive used Buckwheat husks. I prefer heavier fillings if theyre being used in the car but if I'm lugging them around the buckwheat is a great alternative.
Great video as always. I shoot with the OM-1 and 150-400. I am curious why you switched to the Z9 and what benefits are you noticing after switching? I was considering switching brands to a full frame Sony, Canon or Nikon and interested in your experience after switching. Thanks.
Hi Chad, the OM1 was amazing especially coupled with that lens but it was the depth of field that did it for me and lens choice. Any full frame dslr or mirrorless will give you much more favourable results in terms of bokeh with a fast prime lens. Also the extra resolution is a bonus for cropping. Im missing the size of the OM1 though and reach but i knew that when I changed back. Theres a compromise with every system.
Hi how and with what do you edit the photos. they are very beautiful, and almost without noise. d4 bird pictures are very beautiful.
Thanks for the compliments, I use LightRoom Classic for basic editing and if theres excessive noise I run them through Topax denoise to clean them up a bit.
Great video once again Simon. I know where you’re coming from with your Buzzard frustration but that’s wildlife photography. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, the subject does something unexpected. It makes it more pleasing when you eventually get the shot however. When the Fieldfare turned up and you lay down low to look through your viewfinder, is it possible to stay seated and track the subject with the rear screen tilted using Live View?
Cheers Gary, yes I use the rear screen a lot. Its super useful when you shooting low down!!👍🏼📷
@@simoneardley That's one thing I miss on the D500 for photographing wildfowl etc.. It works okay on slow moving subjects but it's a bit of a challenge when the subject is moving across your frame, i.e., Wildfowl. I have managed to get decent shots using that technique and the the blurred water always gives much better looking images so next time I try it, I will use my small robust tripod so I'm not struggling to keep the AF point on the subject.
Re the 300 2.8, go for the lightest version if it’s affordable would be my recommendation.
Thanks Mark
Found your videos the other day Got into photography a couple of years ago , I've managed to get some Great shots as ivd learnt abd hopefully improved over time , but uour videos have given me the urge to go to another level Cheers 👍🏻 Would you be able to tell me the model abd brand of the hide you use too please Thank you Simon
Thanks for watching the channel and great that its encouraged you to get cracking again with the camera. The hide is a Tragopan V6. Link in the film description.
@@simoneardley Cheers Simon 👍🏻
Hi Simon Why do you not use the handle on your manfrotto video head. Also have you not considered attaching a monitor to the camera to make viewing your subject easier to see and follow.
Yeh, its a fair point. Sometimes they get in the way and a monitor can get in the way. I have considered it though.👍🏼👀
bro-how you doinng?- top upload, 💥
All good thanks, thanks for the visit!!
Was going to order the two bean bags but apparently you do not ship to the US? Or is there a hitch somewhere?
Hi Karina, we do ship to the US. PM me and I'll send you the postage cost. Also theres a delay sending parcels at the moment with Royal Mail due to a cyber attack.
Hi Simon, my Dad is in a phase of buying hats like there’s no tomorrow, and he is an admirer of that green one to say the least. Could you let me know where it’s from? Great videos by the way, keep it up.
Thanks Joseph, they're called Buffy hats. I'll attach the link. They sell on Ben Orfords knifemaking website. They sell out quick so check every day!! Atb, Si👍benandloisorford.com/store/#!/Buffy-Hats
Can you use the panning mechanism of the 502AH instead of panning the whole system on the beanbag, while it is bolted on your panpod ?
Yes you can Jeet, I used the beanbag for a little more height.
@@simoneardley Thank you
What's the tripod camo you've got mate? Are they universal aswell
Cheers Lewis, the tripod camo is by Tragopan. Yes i believe theyre universal, the sizes are on the website.
Are they a pain in the arse when extending the legs etc or alright? great videos aswell mate👍
Im another who was getting depressed with the weather, but finally a whole week, but now back to wet, wet, wet, and I never liked them, got some great landscapes and tree shots. But ive got a bit disheartened
Stick with it Andi, Springs only round the corner!!🤞🏼👍🏼
@@simoneardley oh I will but Im off work and crap weather, thankfully the small birds can be relied on, and got my first common buzzard totally by accident just noticed it land in a tree, not quite close enough, but I know where it perches now
Hi. make and model of the mini tripod you use?
amzn.to/3uYVxFR Here is the amazon link. Its an Ifootage Cobra 3
What memory cards are you using in your z9
I use an Integral Ultima Pro X 128GB and a Pergear 1TB
what made u get rid of olympus set up what made u choose z9 did u not enjoy om1 and 150-400 i have z7 mark 1 version for macro landscape seascape lomg exposure eyc and om1 for wildlife but prefer a sydtem for all maybe setup like fuji xh2 and xh2s and set of various lenses z9 too pricey for me good luck
Cheers Alex, theres many aspects of the OM that were fantastic but ultimately it comes down to the final image. I prefer the image separation and bokeh of the Full frame Z9 when paired with the big primes.
@@simoneardley ok no worries was just askinh as i use om1 for wildlife and nikon z7 for other styles was just asking but thanks for reply im thinking of switching both bodies and lenses etc for fuji xh2 and xh2s