A magical two mornings watching and photographing a wild Barn Owl.
Is there anything more stunning in the British countryside than a Barn Owl hunting ?
After a rare chance sighting the evening before, I head out before sunrise in perfect conditions to try and photograph him !.
I hope it conveys a "typical" wildlife photography session where frustration is the norm and a need for patience is the key. The difference this time is that both the conditions were perfect and the beautiful Barn Owl was there (eventually !).
Initially I was going to make it one video but to keep it at a sensible length I've split into two episodes. In Part One I bring you with me on the first two mornings. The first where I have planned some backlit shots and the second where I place myself in a temporary hide.
In Part Two, I'l show you an amazing short encounter after hours of frustration and discuss some thoughts on techniques.
I support the Barn Owl Trust in Devon and their website is an amazing source of useful information if you want to know more.
www.barnowltrust.org.uk
Please subscribe to this channel if you'd like to and I always appreciate constructive comments and questions as it really helps to know people are watching !!
You can follow me on my Instagram account as I put my latest images up on there: / nigelpmorley
My website: www.nigelmorley.co.uk
CAMERA SETTINGS: Individual image settings are shown at the end of the video against each image. But in addition I used Auto-ISO as maintaining a minimum shutter speed of c1/1000th was vital. As you can see though, the light was amazingly good for late winter.
FILMING: I have used footage both from my DSLR's and my Canon G7Xii but I'm sure you'll appreciate it's a very different proposition vlogging wildlife than landscapes with the randomness of the subject but I hope you'll forgive it not being up to "Planet Earth" standard but my aim was to get across the atmosphere of the day with all the associated roller coaster of emotions.
EQUIPMENT USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Nikon D4 and D810
Nikon 500mm f/4 VR II telephoto
Gitzo 3542XL Tripod
Wimberley Gimbal head
FOR THE VLOGGING:
Canon G7x Mark II on a cheap but very effective K & F tripod
Separate audio via Zoom H1 Audio recorder and a Rode lav mic.
MUSIC: All supplied by Epidemic Sound
ABOUT ME: A long time passionate wildlife/landscape photographer and conservationist, I have always shot different genres of photography but now my subjects are largely driven by love of countryside and wildlife/landscapes especially in the UK. I have a long term conservation project ongoing involving restoring land that was previously arable farmland back to wildlife friendly set aside with wildflower meadows and zero spraying etc.