Wonderful video and pictures, thank you for your hard work it is very interesting and very much appreciated. I enjoyed seeing the beautiful ducks and birds up close. How much I would love to be there myself. Again thank you for making and sharing these videos.
Thanks so much for the kind comment! I love putting these videos together and sharing them with you, I'm glad you enjoyed! Have a great week, thanks again!
Really nice closing sequence with the landing Northern Shovelers, the Gadwall (lovely), Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal. Stay warm and dry. I know the feeling of going in over the top of your waders (panic followed by the shock of freezing cold water) after stepping into a deeper hole once.Nothing gets the heart pumping faster!
Thanks so much for watching and the kind feedback! They're such beautiful birds, I'm so happy I found that spot! I had water come into the waders once or twice, not the most pleasant experience 😆 sounds like you know more than well how it is! Have a wonderful week!
As usual another great educational video Jimmy, you are becoming one of the better wildlife educators on RUclips. I didn't miss your last weeks video, it was also very well done but because I am a Nikon shooter there wasn't much there for me but I forwarded your video to one of my buddies that shoots Canon. He has also become a subscriber. Have a great week and thanks for all your efforts to help all of us!!
I meant to tell you about another RUclipsr that I ran across yesterday, he is fairly new at RUclips but his video was outstanding, I will include a link to his video, his name is Gerrit Vyn. ruclips.net/video/9kSr0XGOcfk/видео.html
Thanks so much Keith! I hope I didn't bore you too much with all the Canon talk 😆 I appreciate you sharing the video, it helps me out so much! You know, I've shot Olympus, Nikon, Sony and Canon and what it all comes down to is that they're cameras and they all do pretty much the same thing. I know some have advantages in certain areas compared to others, but I think how the photographer uses it is the most important part. Thanks again!
It's amazing we are an ocean apart but still have exactly the same species (well, minus the pelicans :D). Thanks for the very informative video. I've been dancing around the subject of building a floating hide for a while now. Worst part for me is the safety. The lake (only lake nearby, in fact, which is rich in birds) I inted to use it it is not exactly the safest - probably 2 m deep on average (so I probably could not be simply walking on the bottom) and the floor has some give to it, it's probably the gytia (or whatever they call it in EN, this smelly, peat-like layer of sediment that gets stirred when you walk in strongly eutrophicated lakes, which my lake is one of them) so I imagine it would be really easy to stumble, especially since there is plenty of waterweed and what not, you can hardly see any patches of clear surface. So not only does this endanger my precious gear, but possibly also puts my very life in jeopardy :D I gotta think this through, maybe try and find some shallower section.
It really is amazing, pretty much the same birds, just the occasional different name. You really do have to be careful when using the floating blinds. It's a wonderful way to get amazing images. It's also a wonderful way of ruining all your gear with one wrong step. I'd recommend sticking to shallower water. I use chest waders and I don't get into water at this point that even comes close to flooding them. Things just get to unstable in deeper water and it's so much more difficult to keep your balance and not put unnecessary weight on your blind. As far as getting into the water without a protective layer, I don't recommend that at all. Even in the summer, when the water temperatures are better, you can get cold after extended periods. On average I'm usually in my floating blind for 4-5 hours, that's a long time to be naked in the water, haha. I worry about leeches in some areas, I've had fish, beavers and muskrats all brush against me and if you have any pollution or nasty algae in your area, you could go home with some nasty rashes or hives. Better to use waders or a wetsuit or something.
At last someone giving out serious advice, well done. I work as a ranger and I am a photographer as well so get to see both sides. Unfortunately my experience is that a lot of wildlife photographers do not do their research and do not follow the local rules, at least in wales where i am from. Thank you for an excellent and well crafted video with lovely images and thank you for pointing out the practicalities of getting your shots.
Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed! It's sad to see how often people just do whatever they want without regarding laws/regulations or even without just considering what's best for the wildlife. I hope that through education more people can start going about things the right way. Thanks for the nice comment!
Always enjoy the floating hide videos Jimmy. I build one myself last September but here in Ireland there hasn't been a calm enough here since October to to get out in it.
@@JimmyBreitenstein i have been out a few times so far, the best so far was when the Kingfisher landed on top of it. There may be a calm day coming up this week that coincides with a day off work.
A really enjoyable video Jimmy. I could almost feel your chill and certainly could hear it in your voice! The low perspective, snow covered landscape and that diffuse light really make the birds stand out. Excellent photography, well done! I would really like to make my own floating blind so wonder if it is possible for you to post the design of yours, to include the choice of materials, size and the anchor base for your gear. Finally at 18.26 you have a lovely image of a male scaup!
Thanks so much, Ron! This was a really fun video to make and I'm so glad I found this new spot, it's been such a fun location the past week, so many wonderful birds! I don't have exact dimensions worked up anywhere, I'll email you some info regarding design and materials. Thanks so much for the comment and feedback!
Another stellar video, I was wondering at the beginning how you would get out of the water, then the ending. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. did you use one camera for both video and stills? Keep them coming .
Thank you! Oh my goodness, it was a real struggle getting out there 🤣 I used the R5 for everything on this one, I needed a completely silent shutter this time around.
Thanks for looking! I have them linked on my gear page on my website, there's a link to the page in the video description. Please let me know if you have other questions 😊
Simply beautiful my friend! thanks for these informations! yes it is a lot of preparation! I have the same hat as you 🤪 I hope it makes the difference with the covered head! your video made my day 🎥 up here I can't wait to see the ice on the ponds disappear! what do you put under your boots to insulate yourself? Merci beaucoup!
Thanks so much Denis! Yes, I'm so glad I remembered my hat this time, it helped so much to keep me warm! Shouldn't be too long now before things start thawing out a bit! My waders are pretty thick and insulate fairly well. I also had 4 layers underneath and some thick wool socks 😁
Great video and images again Jimmy. Have you considered getting a dry suit instead of the waders. That would help to alleviate the danger of hitting a deep spot and water going over the top of the waders. Also you could get a divers thermal all in one to put on under the dry suit to help with the cold. I can see that finding the right place for me to be able to use such a blind would be difficult. With my dodgy knees and general lack of flexibility I would need to be in a pretty specific depth of water. Anyways, great viewing. Wishing you well.
Thanks so much, Robert! I've been considering getting a dry suit for a bit now, it's just one more item on the list of gear to invest in at this point 😆 I'll need to look into the thermal option you're talking about, that sounds like it'd be very helpful during my winter outings. I think the optimal water depth is around 2-4 feet in my opinion. If you find a spot that you won't really need to move around a lot in, shallower water is nice so you can sit down. The deeper water is great if you're moving around a bunch. It's a great experience, I hope you can find a spot that works for you!
Loved the harrier pun! What gloves are those? I checked the gear section of your site but didn't see them listed. Also, do you throw hand warmers in your gloves/boots to keep them warm in those temperatures?
They're the Black Diamond Mercury mittens. Probably my favorite mittens I've ever had. I've never used hand warmers before, but I've been looking at them lately, more to keep in my pockets and around my chest while I'm out there, that's where I get the coldest.
This is great! You’ve inspired me to make one. I may attempt to use a Rogers dog blind as the top. Do you think 22 inches is high enough off the floating portion?
Thanks! It's a great investment of your time if you can make a good blind, I highly recommend it! I think 22" should be fine, I guess it really depends on how deep the water is that you plan to use it in.
Thanks for the nice video and the tipps & tricks, appreciate it a lot! Can't wait to try using a floating blind one day, this just looks like soooo much fun! Seems like you have to add another piece of advice there... find a good spot to get out again! ;) XD Cheers L
@@JimmyBreitenstein Hahahaha, thanks a ton, you're the best! I don't even know what to say, didn't think you re-added the funny endings just for me! Just wow! Looking forward to seeing your next adventure :)
Also, do you happen to know if there are any serious risks of getting in the water butt-naked (or just in boxers as if I wanted to swim, you know) in the summer? Can leaches e.g. transmit any serious diseases? Or maybe there are even more dangerous, microscopic critters in such a eutrophicated lake?
Question: how do you find making RUclips videos in the field? Does it affect your experience of nature? Do you ever miss shots? How do you find editing your videos and your shots? If there is any negative impact to your experience, how do you mitigate that? Again, another great video Jimmy!
Thanks for the comment and questions, Alex! Wow, those are some great questions, I'll do my best to give you a non-jumbled answer 😆 First off, I absolutely love making these videos to share on RUclips. I find it very motivating and enjoyable to be able to share these experiences. I have found at times it can get in the way of truly enjoying the outdoor experience. If I'm too concerned about getting a video done, I can lose my focus on just truly enjoying nature. It's usually not an issue, just occasionally when I try to cram too much into a trip. I do miss the occasional shot, but I have a "priority list" when I go out that helps me stay focused on getting images and video content over vlogging, etc. Seems to help a lot. If I'm ever on a trip or outing and I start to feel like working on a video for RUclips is getting in the way or detracting from the experience, I put the camera away and take a break or drop the video altogether. I never want the process to feel like a chore, so I'm very quick to put a pause on things or hold off on a video altogether. It's been a great learning experience and I can honestly say I love the process and journey 😊
@@JimmyBreitenstein that’s great Jimmy! Thanks so much for answering so quickly. I’ve tried to get some videos up together but it seems really difficult to find that balance. It sounds like you’ve got a good checks and balances system in place. You’ve quickly become one of my favourite wildlife RUclips creators. I actually hold off watching your episodes now to try to enjoy them on the TV with a hot drink 🙂
@@alexsams4174 Thanks so much, that makes me very happy to hear 😁 It really is a hard balance to figure out, I hope you can find a system that works best for you. Honestly, if I wasn't able to make it out as much as I'm able to, it would be a lot harder. Best of luck!
@@JimmyBreitenstein In a bold move after one too many whiskeys...Jimmy decides to get some macro Alligator shots. Poor Jimmy...but the shots came out great!
Gorgeous images and video. I know this may be a pain for addItional video editing but would love to see the names of the birds as they’re shown (from an Australian bird photographer not familiar with these species)
In California I need a floating hide like I need a 30 round standard capacity magazine. But you can’t really use either, if I went to our local watering holes…I’d be arrested or at least have the cops called. Almost all of our best birding spots around me are protected wildlife areas and we have strict Fish and Wildlife law enforcement and laws. Buying one of these would be like buying an airplane without a pilots license. Cool, but can’t use it.
Yeah, some areas are easier than others to use them in. I've done a decent amount of photography in California and I've found getting out with my kayak (if it's allowed of course) has been a great method for photographing a lot of species.
Thanks for the tips and the nice shooting.
I always appreciate you watching 😊
Great video (as always)! Nice to see that you were keeping your “computer” warm this time! 😉
Hahaha, the ol computer had a hard time restarting after that last time out 🤣🤣
Very interesting! Nice videos and photos! Thank you!
Many thanks, have a good week!
Wonderful video and pictures, thank you for your hard work it is very interesting and very much appreciated. I enjoyed seeing the beautiful ducks and birds up close. How much I would love to be there myself. Again thank you for making and sharing these videos.
Thanks so much for the kind comment! I love putting these videos together and sharing them with you, I'm glad you enjoyed! Have a great week, thanks again!
Really nice closing sequence with the landing Northern Shovelers, the Gadwall (lovely), Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal. Stay warm and dry. I know the feeling of going in over the top of your waders (panic followed by the shock of freezing cold water) after stepping into a deeper hole once.Nothing gets the heart pumping faster!
Thanks so much for watching and the kind feedback! They're such beautiful birds, I'm so happy I found that spot! I had water come into the waders once or twice, not the most pleasant experience 😆 sounds like you know more than well how it is! Have a wonderful week!
Wonderful brother 💕 ur awesome photographer 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Thank you, that's very kind of you 😊
As usual another great educational video Jimmy, you are becoming one of the better wildlife educators on RUclips. I didn't miss your last weeks video, it was also very well done but because I am a Nikon shooter there wasn't much there for me but I forwarded your video to one of my buddies that shoots Canon. He has also become a subscriber. Have a great week and thanks for all your efforts to help all of us!!
I meant to tell you about another RUclipsr that I ran across yesterday, he is fairly new at RUclips but his video was outstanding, I will include a link to his video, his name is Gerrit Vyn. ruclips.net/video/9kSr0XGOcfk/видео.html
Thanks so much Keith! I hope I didn't bore you too much with all the Canon talk 😆 I appreciate you sharing the video, it helps me out so much! You know, I've shot Olympus, Nikon, Sony and Canon and what it all comes down to is that they're cameras and they all do pretty much the same thing. I know some have advantages in certain areas compared to others, but I think how the photographer uses it is the most important part. Thanks again!
Thanks so much, I'll check it out! The name sounds familiar, I may have watched a video of his recently.
GREAT FOOTAGE...love duck photos 👍
I appreciate you watching!
Wonderful images as always, the blind certainly paid off
Thanks Stephen! Always appreciate your kind words 😊
Wow!!! This definitely my kind of photography!
Thanks for following along!
Great video. Excellent info. And, dude, I could feel that cold while you were in the blind. Clearly you were, too.
Thanks so much! Yeah, it was a tad chilly, but always worth the effort 😁🥶
It's amazing we are an ocean apart but still have exactly the same species (well, minus the pelicans :D). Thanks for the very informative video. I've been dancing around the subject of building a floating hide for a while now. Worst part for me is the safety. The lake (only lake nearby, in fact, which is rich in birds) I inted to use it it is not exactly the safest - probably 2 m deep on average (so I probably could not be simply walking on the bottom) and the floor has some give to it, it's probably the gytia (or whatever they call it in EN, this smelly, peat-like layer of sediment that gets stirred when you walk in strongly eutrophicated lakes, which my lake is one of them) so I imagine it would be really easy to stumble, especially since there is plenty of waterweed and what not, you can hardly see any patches of clear surface. So not only does this endanger my precious gear, but possibly also puts my very life in jeopardy :D I gotta think this through, maybe try and find some shallower section.
It really is amazing, pretty much the same birds, just the occasional different name. You really do have to be careful when using the floating blinds. It's a wonderful way to get amazing images. It's also a wonderful way of ruining all your gear with one wrong step. I'd recommend sticking to shallower water. I use chest waders and I don't get into water at this point that even comes close to flooding them. Things just get to unstable in deeper water and it's so much more difficult to keep your balance and not put unnecessary weight on your blind. As far as getting into the water without a protective layer, I don't recommend that at all. Even in the summer, when the water temperatures are better, you can get cold after extended periods. On average I'm usually in my floating blind for 4-5 hours, that's a long time to be naked in the water, haha. I worry about leeches in some areas, I've had fish, beavers and muskrats all brush against me and if you have any pollution or nasty algae in your area, you could go home with some nasty rashes or hives. Better to use waders or a wetsuit or something.
Wow, thanks a lot for taking the time to write this exhaustive reply, Jimmy, I really appreciate! @@JimmyBreitenstein
At last someone giving out serious advice, well done. I work as a ranger and I am a photographer as well so get to see both sides. Unfortunately my experience is that a lot of wildlife photographers do not do their research and do not follow the local rules, at least in wales where i am from. Thank you for an excellent and well crafted video with lovely images and thank you for pointing out the practicalities of getting your shots.
Thanks so much, I'm glad you enjoyed! It's sad to see how often people just do whatever they want without regarding laws/regulations or even without just considering what's best for the wildlife. I hope that through education more people can start going about things the right way. Thanks for the nice comment!
Always enjoy the floating hide videos Jimmy. I build one myself last September but here in Ireland there hasn't been a calm enough here since October to to get out in it.
That's awesome that you made one! I hope you can get out in it soon, really a great method to take pictures!
@@JimmyBreitenstein i have been out a few times so far, the best so far was when the Kingfisher landed on top of it. There may be a calm day coming up this week that coincides with a day off work.
@@philipblair7307 Dang, that's awesome! I hope you can make it work 🤞
A really enjoyable video Jimmy. I could almost feel your chill and certainly could hear it in your voice! The low perspective, snow covered landscape and that diffuse light really make the birds stand out. Excellent photography, well done! I would really like to make my own floating blind so wonder if it is possible for you to post the design of yours, to include the choice of materials, size and the anchor base for your gear. Finally at 18.26 you have a lovely image of a male scaup!
Thanks so much, Ron! This was a really fun video to make and I'm so glad I found this new spot, it's been such a fun location the past week, so many wonderful birds! I don't have exact dimensions worked up anywhere, I'll email you some info regarding design and materials. Thanks so much for the comment and feedback!
Great video! Keep it up!👍 Be safe!
Thanks so much, really appreciate it!
Another stellar video, I was wondering at the beginning how you would get out of the water, then the ending. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. did you use one camera for both video and stills? Keep them coming .
Thank you! Oh my goodness, it was a real struggle getting out there 🤣 I used the R5 for everything on this one, I needed a completely silent shutter this time around.
Great video Jimmy!
I wonder, can you share a link to the waders you are using?
Cheers
Thanks for looking! I have them linked on my gear page on my website, there's a link to the page in the video description. Please let me know if you have other questions 😊
Where did you get your ghille net/ Thank you for another great video and inspiring me to get in the water with my blind!
Thanks so much! I actually made the ghillie net as well. I just used some old burlap, some dye and an old fishing net 😁
Simply beautiful my friend! thanks for these informations! yes it is a lot of preparation! I have the same hat as you 🤪 I hope it makes the difference with the covered head! your video made my day 🎥 up here I can't wait to see the ice on the ponds disappear! what do you put under your boots to insulate yourself? Merci beaucoup!
Thanks so much Denis! Yes, I'm so glad I remembered my hat this time, it helped so much to keep me warm! Shouldn't be too long now before things start thawing out a bit! My waders are pretty thick and insulate fairly well. I also had 4 layers underneath and some thick wool socks 😁
Great video and images again Jimmy. Have you considered getting a dry suit instead of the waders. That would help to alleviate the danger of hitting a deep spot and water going over the top of the waders. Also you could get a divers thermal all in one to put on under the dry suit to help with the cold.
I can see that finding the right place for me to be able to use such a blind would be difficult. With my dodgy knees and general lack of flexibility I would need to be in a pretty specific depth of water.
Anyways, great viewing.
Wishing you well.
Thanks so much, Robert! I've been considering getting a dry suit for a bit now, it's just one more item on the list of gear to invest in at this point 😆 I'll need to look into the thermal option you're talking about, that sounds like it'd be very helpful during my winter outings. I think the optimal water depth is around 2-4 feet in my opinion. If you find a spot that you won't really need to move around a lot in, shallower water is nice so you can sit down. The deeper water is great if you're moving around a bunch. It's a great experience, I hope you can find a spot that works for you!
Loved the harrier pun! What gloves are those? I checked the gear section of your site but didn't see them listed. Also, do you throw hand warmers in your gloves/boots to keep them warm in those temperatures?
They're the Black Diamond Mercury mittens. Probably my favorite mittens I've ever had. I've never used hand warmers before, but I've been looking at them lately, more to keep in my pockets and around my chest while I'm out there, that's where I get the coldest.
This is great! You’ve inspired me to make one. I may attempt to use a Rogers dog blind as the top. Do you think 22 inches is high enough off the floating portion?
Thanks! It's a great investment of your time if you can make a good blind, I highly recommend it! I think 22" should be fine, I guess it really depends on how deep the water is that you plan to use it in.
Thanks for the nice video and the tipps & tricks, appreciate it a lot! Can't wait to try using a floating blind one day, this just looks like soooo much fun!
Seems like you have to add another piece of advice there... find a good spot to get out again! ;) XD
Cheers L
Thanks for watching! They're so fun to use, I hope you get to use one sooner than later! 🤣🤣 I kept that last part in the video just for you! 😆
@@JimmyBreitenstein Hahahaha, thanks a ton, you're the best! I don't even know what to say, didn't think you re-added the funny endings just for me! Just wow! Looking forward to seeing your next adventure :)
@@laku4412 The weirdness comes out working by myself all day, I'm glad someone enjoys it 😂
@@JimmyBreitenstein It's so relatable! When I'm out by myself, I start doing all kinds of weird stuff, too XD
Also, do you happen to know if there are any serious risks of getting in the water butt-naked (or just in boxers as if I wanted to swim, you know) in the summer? Can leaches e.g. transmit any serious diseases? Or maybe there are even more dangerous, microscopic critters in such a eutrophicated lake?
Question: how do you find making RUclips videos in the field? Does it affect your experience of nature? Do you ever miss shots? How do you find editing your videos and your shots? If there is any negative impact to your experience, how do you mitigate that? Again, another great video Jimmy!
Thanks for the comment and questions, Alex! Wow, those are some great questions, I'll do my best to give you a non-jumbled answer 😆 First off, I absolutely love making these videos to share on RUclips. I find it very motivating and enjoyable to be able to share these experiences. I have found at times it can get in the way of truly enjoying the outdoor experience. If I'm too concerned about getting a video done, I can lose my focus on just truly enjoying nature. It's usually not an issue, just occasionally when I try to cram too much into a trip. I do miss the occasional shot, but I have a "priority list" when I go out that helps me stay focused on getting images and video content over vlogging, etc. Seems to help a lot. If I'm ever on a trip or outing and I start to feel like working on a video for RUclips is getting in the way or detracting from the experience, I put the camera away and take a break or drop the video altogether. I never want the process to feel like a chore, so I'm very quick to put a pause on things or hold off on a video altogether. It's been a great learning experience and I can honestly say I love the process and journey 😊
@@JimmyBreitenstein that’s great Jimmy! Thanks so much for answering so quickly. I’ve tried to get some videos up together but it seems really difficult to find that balance. It sounds like you’ve got a good checks and balances system in place. You’ve quickly become one of my favourite wildlife RUclips creators. I actually hold off watching your episodes now to try to enjoy them on the TV with a hot drink 🙂
@@alexsams4174 Thanks so much, that makes me very happy to hear 😁 It really is a hard balance to figure out, I hope you can find a system that works best for you. Honestly, if I wasn't able to make it out as much as I'm able to, it would be a lot harder. Best of luck!
Great effort! Love to do this myself, but not sure it would be healthy in Florida.
I'm sure the Alligators and Crocodiles wouldn't mind at all 🤣🤣
@@JimmyBreitenstein In a bold move after one too many whiskeys...Jimmy decides to get some macro Alligator shots. Poor Jimmy...but the shots came out great!
@@JACKnJESUS 🤣🤣🤣 I'm going to use that as the description of my next Florida video!
Gorgeous images and video. I know this may be a pain for addItional video editing but would love to see the names of the birds as they’re shown (from an Australian bird photographer not familiar with these species)
Thanks so much for the comment and feedback! I can't guarantee names on every video, but I'll do the best I can. Again, I really appreciate it!
Very nice video and pictures! I hope you got out of the water, and didn't have to edit the video floating in the water ;)
🤣🤣🤣 I almost didn't get out! I'll have to bring a floating blind for my laptop next time in case I don't get out!
@@JimmyBreitenstein :D
In California I need a floating hide like I need a 30 round standard capacity magazine. But you can’t really use either, if I went to our local watering holes…I’d be arrested or at least have the cops called. Almost all of our best birding spots around me are protected wildlife areas and we have strict Fish and Wildlife law enforcement and laws. Buying one of these would be like buying an airplane without a pilots license. Cool, but can’t use it.
Yeah, some areas are easier than others to use them in. I've done a decent amount of photography in California and I've found getting out with my kayak (if it's allowed of course) has been a great method for photographing a lot of species.