HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH RED SQUIRRELS- BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY- NEW CAMERA BAG
After a tip off from a mate I headed North in search of one of the nations favourite mammals, the beautiful Red Squirrel. The population of these amazing little creatures have been hit hard since the introduction of the North American Grey Squirrel in the 1800's. The Greys carry SQPVD (Squirrel Pox Virus Disease) but are not susceptible to it. In certain areas the Reds have made a fantastic comeback and with the help of dedicated protection groups their numbers are growing. I'd never photographed in this location before and with only one day to grab some images it was a race against time to make the most of some lovely Winter sunshine.
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Great work with the red squirrels, cracking images. 👍🙂
Great as always Simon
Another great video Simon keep erm coming fella
Beautiful again.
Thanks Ghulam 👍🏼
Thank you.👏👍
Fabulous video. I live in Jersey we have reds, too, wonderful little creatures. Thanks for sharing.
Theyre ace aren't they Sue, thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
Great video again young man.
Glad you enjoyed Mark 👍🏼
I love the squirrel's photo and video. I really enjoyed watching it. Great shot!!! Thanks for sharing. I'm a new friend here from Singapore. Have a nice day. 👍🔔
Welcome to the channel Cheiko and thanks for watching 👍🏼
Nice
Thanks👍🏼
Cracking Simon as usual.
Great video of the red squirrels Simon 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Mark 👍🏼
Fantastic Simon , keep them coming.
Thanks Richard, will do 👍🏼📷
Cracking Vlog mate, North is the only way to go! Shame it's too far for me, lol... Great images mate and a top lens hood cover 👍
Thanks Richard 👊🏼👍🏼
Great work on the video Simon, awesome shots. From USA California
Many thanks Debbie 😀
Fantastic as always :) 👌 Simon love the Volgs
Glad you like them Eddie 👍🏼
Always love you're enthousiasme. Keep it up. Greetings from Antwerp
Thank you David. Will do!!!👍🏼🎥📷
Brilliant 👏 👏 👏
Thanks Jeffrey!!👍🏼
Great video ,great images. Good advice re making the shot. Well done .
Thanks Mark 👍
Another belter Simon. Thank you.
Nice set Simon wish I could have been with you. Rodders 👍
Cheers Rod 👍🏼
Brilliant video mate, as usual, Stunning captures of the red squirrels, Nice one Simon !
great video
Great as always Simon 👍
Glad you enjoyed it Paul, thanks 👍🏼
@@simoneardley always do… it’s my connection to Lancashire. And you really do make watching them fun… your passion and patience come through and your sense of humour is just the best 👍
A lot of effort for some squirrels. I usually find them on my balcony 😉
Reds are somewhat of a rarity in these parts!!
As always, great stuff. Keep em coming.
Thanks Andy, will do 👍🏼
something about the red squirrels ! so much more pleasing to the eye than the grey. another great video Si and your right no harm in changing out the props if the target allows !!
Cheers Pat 👍🏼
Brilliant Simon, well done another cracking video, beautiful animals
Cheers Andy👍🏼
absolutely brilliant Simon the images are stunning
Cheers Andy👍🏼
Awesome photos. Love it.
Thanks Damien 👍🏼
Another great video Simon, some fabulous shots too
Many thanks Derek 👊🏼
Another fantastic video
Glad you enjoyed it Chris 👍
Excellent video Simon, I've been getting some reasonable results myself using some of the expert advice you give on your videos.
Another great vlog Simon, thanks for continuing to inspire 😁👍🏻
Thanks Lee 👍🏼
super as always mate love watching your videos as all based for the working man keep it up
Thanks, will do Alan 👍🏼
Great video as always! Cheers Si
Cheers Dom 👍🏼
Cracking stuff Simon, thank you!
Youre welcome Niall 👍🏼
Beautiful
Cheers James
Another great video Simon… and the pics at the end…stunning mate, absolutely love your vlogs.
Many thanks Chris 👊🏼
Great video. Some fantastic shots of a beautiful creature.
Thanks for visiting
Simon, your videos always put a smile on my face. Great work and another fantastic video, very inspiring! Greetings from Austria
Thankyou Viktor, glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼
Nice video, looks a lot like the gill at Shap Wells, just down the road from me.
Thanks for watching Peter 👊
Hi Simon ! Great video !!! Beautiful photos !!!
Thankyou Evgeny 👊🏼
Amazing shots. I love watching the little critters. Thanks for sharing.
Theyre great arent they Richard 👍🏼🐿🐿
Yet again ! Another amazing video and fantastic photography , Top marks Simon 👍
Many thanks Chris 👍🏼
Always happy to see a new notification from your channel. Very nice video again Simon! Thank you for sharing!
Thankyou Iris 👊
Another great video Simon beautiful photos mate 🍪🍪
Thanks Alan👍🏼
Brilliant as per Simon 👍 🇨🇦
Thanks Tony 👍🏼
Amazing shots as ever Simon and those lens hoods look really smart.
Thanks, yeh theyre proving to be quite popular 👍🏼
Evening Simon mate brilliant video it was really good to see them all take care of yourself stay safe mate
You too John, thanks for watching mate 👍
hi Simon what a nice video and beautiful pictures you show us again. the settings were very good. I think you felt like the happiest man on earth with your squirrels ❤👍😇
Glad you enjoyed it and yes its great when you get the shots youre after. Thanks for watching 👍🏼📷
Thank you Simon. Throughly enjoyable as always. Cracking images and footage. Cheers 🍻. All the best. 👍📷😎
Glad you enjoyed it Rob, thanks for the visit👍🏼
Top work there. Some lovely video and superb stills! 👌
Many thanks Phil 😊
Another great watch..... Red Squirrels are my favourite, love um.... Look forward to your next video. 👍
Thanks Ant👍
What a fantastic video Simon you got some great shots I don't comment much but really enjoyed this I'm heading off to watch your Northumberland film thanks for sharing mate atvb Jimmy 😎😎👍👍
Thanks Jimmy, youre in a grand spot up there mate. Glad you enjoyed it pal 👍🏼📷👀
Amazing video and the photographs are tremendous! I came across your video as I am heading up to Scotland in a couple of months myself and this would be a dream of mine ❤
Thanks Luke, good luck on your trip pal 👍🏼👊🏼
Greetings from Scotland. Great captures great work!
Thanks Andy👍🏼👊🏼🏴
I dunno, Simon. I liked the background in all of the shots. The thing is, your f/stop was wide enough to drop the background out and the squirrel showed up well in all of them. Always enjoy your videos and looking forward to the next one.
Cheers Clifton 👍🏼
superb pics with the Z9 Simon
Cheers Philip 👍
Well done Simon an absolute belter we have grey squirrels in the back garden always amuse us keep them coming.
Cheers Laurence, not a big fan of the greys myself but theyre here now i suppose. Good to see the Reds making a good comeback in parts of the UK. 👍🏼
Great stuff Simon the green back ground worked well.
Cheers Steve👀👍🏼
What a wonderful video Simon, the squirrels are adorable! You are the perch man 😂. So view people realize that a beautiful perch is have of the image. I'm always happy when I see a new video has come out. Your videos are so diverse, always something different and new places. Thanks and greetings from Amsterdam!
Glad you enjoyed it Gladys, love a good perch 🤣 ATB, Si 👍🏼
What a superb video Simon. Personally I don't shoot video but watching those beautiful little creatures scampering about was truly amazing. I particularly liked the selection of stills at the end of the video.
Thanks Roger, video is taking a bit of learning but i think a bit of slow-mo really gives a different dynamic to the films. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👀
Brilliant shoot and the figs are back. Great shots, glad to see your happy with the Z9.
Thanks Steve, yeh love it mate. Its a great camera 👍🏼📷
The figs are back in town 😀😀😀. Great stuff again Simon and fantastic footage and stills. Beautiful wee animals. Always love seeing the red squirrels. Absolutely loved the wind blowing through their fur. Mint footage Atb Rick n Billydog
Cheers Rick, thanks for supporting the channel. We'll have a run up there one day if you fancy it pal. All the best, Si
Another wonderful video Simon,they are beautiful animals. I have just come back to Uk from living in Spain and have missed the UK forests and countryside so much. There is a great place about an hour and a half from where I live which has Red Squirrels and is very accessible ( I use a wheelchair to get around ) so I am looking forward to get out and get some shots, I just need to put Spanish clothes in loft and get some warmer clothing, boots,heated insoles etc for the uk at this time of the year. Keep them vids coming mate and I might be getting one of your beanbags for birthday pressie. Take care. Graham
Nice one Graham, always nice to come home i bet. I love the seasons over here, not sure if I could cope with the Spanish heat!! Anyway get thee long johns on and get out there pal!!!😆 Good luck with the squirrels and heres hoping you get some great shots👍🏼📷🤞🏼ATB, Si
Wow for the images some beauties. Great watch again. Can't wait to see what the Z 30 is like
Cheers pal, yeh looking forward to seeing it myself. ATB, Si 👍🏼
Lovely footage Simon. I swapped my Canon 600mm f4 and R5 for an OM-1 and a 150-400TC at about the same time as you swapped your Nikon gear. I get your point about separation etc but for me, the weight penalty won't see me going back to a big ff and a prime anytime soon. One thing you've proved is that with commitment and knowledge a good image can be produced on a wide range of kit regardless of format. Keep up the good work!
Similar story here. Sold D850 and 500 f4 and gone with fuji XH2 and 150 600 and 200 f2 . Weight reduction as ime getting old was a must.
Awesome shots beautiful I really enjoyed your video. Thank you so much for doing what you do I love your videos and you really captured everything going on just so beautifully. ATB. Rob.
Cheers Rob 👍🏼
Simon I have to say that I absolutely loved this and as a Morton Hilmer fan your right up there mate!!! This is in my opinion for what it’s worth one of your very best, inspired me to go in search of the Red Squirrel 🐿️ as like you I really haven’t done a lot with these delightful native mammals. Keep up the good work my friend and who knows I may see you out there sometime 👌👍
Simon indeed is doing well with his channel!
Thankyou Paul and thanks for supporting the channel. Good luck with the squirrel search. 👍🏼
My thoughts exactly
I really enjoyed that shoot. I just love Red Squirrels, amazingly clever little beauties. I’m off to the eastern Cairngorms for a few days shortly & hoping i’ll get lucky with a few of them & eagles would be the icing on the cake. Great idea with the lens hood 👍👌
Thanks Roy, good luck in the Cairngorms. Beautiful part of the world 👌🏼👌🏼📷
Lovely video, have you been Snaizeholme for the Red Squirels, it was one of the highlights of my life. And not as far as Scotland!
I'll stick it on my list mate, its a fair old trek up Scotland for sure!!🙄👍🏼
I like your video it was good
Thanks Sandra 😀
Wow- those squirrels are super photogenic. Great pictures Simon. I absolutely love this style of photography. I have a canon 600 f4 and nearly fell over when I saw how much the lens hoods are to replace ($1100 cad. ). Would be nice to save a bit of weight as the lens is the first generation with IS and is an absolute tank. The big primes are highly addictive though I must say. Keep the videos coming- I enjoy your films just as much as Mr Hilmers. Take care.
Hi praise indeed Scooter, yeh theyre a ridiculous price arent they. Yes I agree, the big primes give the images a special look. Thanks for the visit, all the best Si 👍🏼👀📷
What a Saturday morning treat 👍. Some lovely still shots, but I loved the slo-mo showing the breeze in the ear tufts, so cute 😊. I hadn’t thought about the term “subscribe” before, but it would be better and more accurate if they used “follow”.
Thanks Sue, yes it was one of my favourite bits too. Thanks for supporting the channel. All the best, Si 👍🏼📷🎥
Super pics simon where was this or would you rather not say look forward to your next video
Thanks Alan, prefer to keep it quiet mate if you know what i mean. Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
Can recommend the lens hood I got one way back when it was just in the works and its very useful, if anyone is thinking of getting one. Do it! Great film as always take it easy mate
Thanks Mark and cheers for supporting the shop 👍🏼👊🏼
Stunning work as always,That looks a great place for the reds 😀 I am going to try North Yorkshire soon to see if I can find any now my zoom lens has arrived, Scotland costs a bomb in fuel nowadays so Yorkshire will have to do 🤣
Nice one Dave, i know what you mean about the fuel 😩 Still theres a few good places this side of the border. Good luck with your new lens and the hunt for the reds🤞🏼📷👍🏼
Excellent as always Simon, glad to see the fig rolls make an appearance . The green rock did make a great background and set the squirrel off perfectly.What the make of the lens ghillie, is it the same as your ghillie suit ?. Keep the videos coming mate.
Thanks Ray, yes it worked out ok 👌🏼 The ghillie cover and tripod legs are from Tragopan. Theres a link in the description. 5% off using TragoSimon5 👍🏼📷
Excellent camera work. But I also like the grey ones. Natural selection is a force that can't be dammed, just as the call of nature is a call that cannot be denied.
Thanks for watching 👍🏼
Cracking video as usual Simon 👏love the perch great coloured photos and video footage 👌ps what feed did you use?
Cheers Paul, just peanuts and sunflower hearts. 👍
@@simoneardley Thanks brilliant 👌
So ein Menge an Ausrüstung, schon sehr aufwändig jedoch gute Aufnahmen. Gratullation👌🙋🇦🇹
Thankyou Erich 👍🏼
❤ fantastic video again, ive sat for hours with these creatures around me, in the north I agree with making it happen, the reds i photo are very obliging, where i live. Though i tend to use hazelnuts, both shelled and unshelled, wallnuts and seeds dont use too many peanuts. I have a video of a red arguing with my tripod. I hope people who watch this can see the importance of protecting this amazing animal. I am lucky to live in a red area, and see them often ❤❤
Cheers Andi, ive tried Hazelnuts but they tend to run off with them to bury em!!😆 Lovely animals to photograph 👌🏼📷👀
@@simoneardley Ah! Thats why you use shelled ones as well, I dont know how effective this is but I have liquidised hazelnuts to a chunky hazelnutbutter and spread it on branches, I need to try it on its own, the smell is really strong. Sadly I have seen three road kill reds recently near where I photograph mine, one last year was pregnant, I was fuming, hope not the ones I photograph. I have a video of a red taking my hazelnuts running off and pretending to bury them, before disappearing to bury it. Though I put food out now, I go back and theres always split shells laying about, I cant think what else would do that, Its feeding reds I found that jays love monkey nuts, and so clever working out how to carry three off at once
Looked at the video again, as I've been out all day with red squirrels, and it breaks my heart that people don’t realise how threatened these gorgeous creatures are, by the American Eastern Grey. I also watched a couple walking their dog actively encourage the dog to chase a red through the woods. Got some good pics today not close to yours of reds, not to far from where I think you were
Blimey! I didnt think you would be able to easily beat the Mountain Hares but the Red Squirrels come very very close. You really are setting a high standard. Thanks again. What next ??
Nothing can beat watching and photographing red squirrels. But we have to realise if we dont control the American Grey and black ones then reds will disappear and that would be criminal
Thanks Andrew, always try to make the next film the best one. Not always possilble. Not sure whats coming next to be honest. They just tend to happen!!😆👊🏼📷 All the best, Si 👍🏼
Fantastic little creature. Hopefully one day we will see mostly reds and not the dreaded greys. Anyway great video and content as always.
Totally agree with that Gregory, one day mate🤞cheers, Si 👍
Great video Simon - just joined your channel. New to video, and shoot with the R5 and 500mm. What technique do you use for AF, and your video settings. Post processing tips? Much appreciated for some expert tips, thanks!
Thanks Mike , Ive still a lot to learn in video but I shoot 10 bit, manual and use the 3D tracking setup. Still experimenting!!👍🏼
Superb as always, sat down with a brew and enjoyed 😊 can I ask what gloves are you using Simon?
Thanks Michael. These are the glove inner from the Vallarett Skaadi mitt.👍🏼
Great video as usual. Just trying to get back into photography after a long time away. Your videos inspire me to get out and start getting more into photographing what's available on your doorstep. What was the bag make you just bought. Looks a cracker.
Nice one Michael, go for it mate. Its a Savotta Jakkari XL 👍🏼
Hello Simon, can you please tell me where I can buy the foldable lens hood. That would be great. Thank you. By the way, your videos are great and I really like them. Top
Thanks for watching Herbert. Here is the link to my Etsy store . www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1250917141/fabric-lens-hood-vari-hood?click_key=19e879a334f648660c3360df03a234acfd835840%3A1250917141&click_sum=4aab0d77&ref=shop_home_active_3&frs=1
Do you have a link to the camo you have over your lens and camera body? Nice video btw👌😎
Thanks Terje, its a Tragopan product. Link to the shop in the description. 5% discount using TragoSimon 5 👍🏼
Hi Simon. A great video asn always. Youur personality comes across sow ell on your videos. Could you let me have the name of the new bag please. I have played the video a number of times and I cant quite get it. Much appreciated. Steven
Cheers Brownie, its a Savotta Jakarri XL. Great bag 👌🏼
Great video, what is the new bag please ! ?
Thanks, its a Savotta Jaakari XL
I watched that same video. Not sure if we can get that bag here in the USA. I'm really shocked there isn't more gear geared to wildlife photography as far as bags that actually hold the camera and lens.
Yes I agree John, maybe one of the big companies needs to approach the situation. I feel a few e-mails coming on!!! I'm really happy with the Savotta though, its a great bag thats so well built. Should last a lifetime🤞🏼. Thanks for watching John 👍🏼👀
Quality mate, what’s going on with the vlogging camera, is it due the the low light?
Cheers Mark, not sure mate. Just traded it in and got the Nikon Z30. It's got eye AF so should make a big difference 🤞👍🎥
Nice one!👍🏻
Well done Simon. How do you find the time to pump out some many videos? I am working on a badger episode for my youtube channel, but it takes ages next to my daytime job. Keep it up!
Try working in the modern Fire Service, 70+ hrs a week !!! love the job though. Youve just got to make the most of every available hour., I try to get a film done in one session if I can and also if doing review films try and get a few done in a day and store them. Thanks for watching and good luck with the Bagers. 🤞🏼 My nemesis !!🤣🦡🦡🦡
@SIMON EARDLEY wow, impressive Simon. 👏 You're doing good work. Yeah badgers are tricky. They even evade my trail cam 😀.
Actually you can easily fit a 500 in a fstop cineXL ICU . I fit an RF 600 and 400 in not with body on. You need the Shinn bag but that bag you have is probably the same size. 500 is easy in fstop
Cheers Vince, like I said i like to transport with the body on so its quick to react if you need to. Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼
@@simoneardley yeah I might not have been clear, I have the 600 with body on and a 400 2.8 as well with no body. So your needs would easily be met with fstop
👍💯💯💯❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Hi Simon. Just ordered a a Woodcock bean bag from you. Whats the best option for filling it. Nigel.
Thanks Nigel, the best filling in my opinion is bird seed or rice but it can be heavy. Great if you're using it in the car but if you're using it for walkaround stuff I'd use Buckwheat husks. You can get em on Amazon. Thanks for your custom.👌
@@simoneardley Hi Simon, thanks for the info. Ime looking forward to using it as I work on my quest for March hares. Your channel is go to place for all things connected with wildlife photography.
Simon. What do you record your video on?
I use a Nikon z30 and a dji action 2.
Done a bit exploring near where I live (up north cumbria) found a amazing woodland (thats actually for sale) its a natural woodland not a commercial and is a mix of trees, several small streams and surrounded by fields really good buzzard and BoP. I have to find out who owns it, theres no private property signs, I will be stealing your ideas soon just need some decent weather Need to see what wildlife is there chance to use the trail cameras. Its a secret at moment but not that far away from this location if I think its where it is
Get it bought Andi!!! 😆 Always great to get some new locations and youre not stealing ideas mate, its great to share tips and tricks with the viewers. All the best, Si 👊🏼
Brilliant video and images yet again Simon and some of the images were your best yet IMO. You made a very valid point about choosing an interesting branch against a good background. It’s amazing how a light coloured tree trunk in the background can end up looking like a wide vertical line even if the background is blurred. Talking of interesting branches in wildlife photography, I entered an image of a male Blackcap on a mossy branch in a cross camera club comp and the judge gave it 20 / 20. The same image a month later was entered into another competition and the judge scored it 16 / 20 and the critique mentioned the branch was too detailed and was competing with the subject. The judge did go on to say they didn’t photograph wildlife 🫣.
Nice one Gazza, thanks. Your scores seem pretty good to me mate just goes to show not everyone sees the same things!!👀📷