5 Winter days on an Island - Birds, blind and bummer Ep.1
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- I am spending 5 days on a protected island in Denmark trying to capture just one photo of badgers in snow. It shows to be quite a challenge! Behind the scenes about my experiences so far and tips for camera trapping.
For much more about camera trapping - gear, techniques and great photos:
Tom Mason's channel: / @tommasonphoto
Location: Denmark
Day: -12°C (10,4°F)
Night: -18°C (0,4°F)
For about a year or so I have been following a badger family on a protected island in Denmark. This is the second part of my mini series where I am trying to photograph the badgers in the snow.
The project overall is me together with a scientist trying to document the behaviour of these mammals when not affected by human activity. We then compare this with the behaviour of badgers in more populated woodlands.
The badgers are not hibernating in a way where they are lowering their body temperature and sleep through the entire winter. They are simply just less active and sometimes they will not leave the den for many days.
To capture these animals in mid winter is a challenge and my hopes are not too high. The best chance I have is to setup a trail camera and just cross my fingers.
In the behind the scenes section I am sharing my experiences so far and I am giving a short update on what is happening in the near future.
I hope you enjoy these moments and that you can use some of the tips in the behind the scenes section.
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A few questions:
1. Does the flash damage the eyes of the Badgers ?
This is something I am looking into at the moment, because I do not want to damage any wildlife.
If anyone has information about this I would be very interested.
2. How did it goes with the camera next the the photo blind?
I actually got a few photos of a deer getting very close to the blind. It seemed very curious. I will post one of the photos in my behind the scenes group on facebook:
/ 237097790297341
3. Will I go out again to photograph the bagers in the snow?
I wish I could, but all snow in Denmark is melted. It seems like spring is almost here.
Next week I am going back to photograph the badgers though. No snow but still amazing.
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See you out there...
Morten! Firstly, fantastic video as always, looks like such an amazing location and project!
Really kind of you to mention my channel, really appreciate it, so glad you've found a few of the videos helpful!
So looking at your trap I've had similar problems in the past so I thought I'd offer a few thoughts!
When working in the cold - even winter here in the UK, I almost always swap over from wireless to hard wired traps using cables - It just removes one of the easiest problems to solve and that's poor battery performance in cold weather. The camtraptions wireless triggers are great, but due to the smaller AAA batteries they die so fast in cold weather and so to cut the risk, grab a standard TTL cable and run it from your camera to the flash - easy with only the single flash as you wont need any modifications to allow for immediate waking etc. If using the camtraptions box, you'll need to cut a hole in it to run the cable out of, make sure you do it low down on the bottom in order to reduce weather ingress/issues.
I'd agree in running the sensor -> camera via wire, again cutting any cold weather issues and keeping things simple - wires tend to break less than extra wireless transmitters.
I'd grab some sort of housing for the flash to keep it a little warmer - your new SB-28 will run for a while, but the batteries when cold still wont work as well inside for the recharge performance, wrapping it up in an old camo waterproof material or housing it within some kind of plastic tube - spaghetti containers can work well and are cheap - will just help keep things out of the weather and help reduce the cold effect on the battery.
I'm also hoping for some local badger photography here in the UK with a few sites I've been working on the last few months, I've lost two camera traps and had others out for months without much luck, but slowly things seem to be going to right direction, I'm looking forward to some longer days where I can use my Z6 outside without flash for some silent shooting, but right now flash is pretty essential with the daylight hours!
Good Luck with everything and drop me a line whenever / with any questions you have, always happy to help!
I'm off to check my traps!
Cheers, Tom
Thank you so much for your great advices Tom. I really appreciate that. I am definitely going to make some housing for my SB-28 and then I am also going to get a ttl cable for the flash. I think I will focus primarily on the daylight photos this spring since I can shoot completely silent. My big goal is to capture the badger cubs when they first come out from the den, but that will without doubt be in the night.
Once again thank you tor taking your time to share your techniques with me and others. That is awesome.
All the best
Morten
@@MortenHilmer Good Luck Morten, my most successful badger image came from cubs early in the spring, my camera trap positioned whilst I was away in Canada, but a good friend of mine checked and replaced the batteries for me, I managed a few hundred shots and one super little cub decided he would sit the perfect spot! The camera was out for 4 months in total, but worth it for the single image. It's addictive when you get into it. Certainly daylight stuff is great and I must experiment with more daylight/remote camera traps, I'll test a few out - look forward to seeing more form you! Cheers, Tom
*JAKARTA INDONESIA COMES TO WATCH* 👍👍❤️👍❤️
Morten is more than a wildlife photographer. He is a story teller. So many skills all working together to produce another fantastic video story.
In these troubled times, what a wonderful way to spend 26 mins, enjoying your content which you present in such a calm and relaxing fashion. Thank you!
Morten, your disappointment was palpable and yet I think many of us would still consider this a fantastic video. I’m just happy that you still want to share your process with all of us who cannot get out in nature nor will ever be able to convey the emotional component that Nature holds in our hearts. I loved the images of the Fieldfare, Redwing, Eurasian Woodcock and European Robin. Thank you for the outstanding work you do!
The art of wildlife photography without regard for the fanboy bickering, beautiful 💖
What is this "fanboy bickering"?
@@ryandury lol just folks arguing about which camera is better
@@GeraintDafis lol
I'm a birder and I am loving these shots you got. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Morten you are a massive inspiration to me and i learn something new about wildlife and wildlife photography with every video. You truly are the most relaxing and informative channel on youtube. Thank-you so much for putting time into making these videos and sharing your experiences in such magical ways.
Stay safe and keep up the amazing work!
Nice to see the reality of wildlife photography. It can so often feel like failure. So many times I get back from a trip and when asked what I've seen I'll say "just a few birds".
It's easy to allow the disappointment of not getting that magic moment that you're looking for to ruin the whole experience.
This video is a reminder that time spent in nature is never a failure.
Well said!
Hi Morten I'm from the Czech Republic I'm your fan and you have a huge tribute from me for a beautiful video I feel like I'm there
Time to enjoy 26:47 minutes of beauty and peace🌹
"You maybe get 1 photo but see 10 photos you wish you could take"
Very true. During our winters i almost only ever see tracks. This year there have been 2 wolves occasionally using the trail between my house and my wall tent 6 miles away. I put out a game camera to try to see them but the cold always kills the batteries first. I pulled the camera once during a period of -25f cold knowing the batteries would not work. Of course the wolves walked by and one of them even walked off the trail directly at where the camera was mounted on a tree. At least it is wonderful to know these animals are out there.
Bjorn and Schmiegel the 🐈⬛ 🐈 you gotta love this gentle man!
I've never seen a video which has such a high (positive) vote , 895/1 it's well deserved and proof your followers are true wildlife photography enthusiasts. Your honest, sincere attitude is the reason so many of us are fascinated and in awe of what you do! Stay safe my friend. Cheers. Perhaps they're just coffee lovers, lol.
Hi Morten, Neil Jernigan is an excellent camera trapper and shares all his knowledge openly on his channel. He has captured many beautiful images and always gives an in depth run through on his thinking in setting up for particular shots.
Thank you Morten for sharing and giving us all a little glimpse into your beautiful country and wildlife world. I appreciate your new format for signing off as well at the Behind the Scenes segment. The three birds you saw are the Fieldfare,(speckled throat), The Eurasian Woodcock,( large bill), and the little European Robin, (orange spot on the throat). Sooo sweet! Thanks!
Humble human being,
always heart touching
see you out there... keep being the one you are and be safe.
THANKS for another emotional adventure Morten..!!
Welcome to the frustrating, yet rewarding world of camera trapping Morten. It is a method of wildlife photography that has at times given me the highest of highs with award winning images to the lowest of lows with having all my equipment stolen, but it is so addictive. I wish you better luck on your next attempt, I'm sure it wont be long before you start getting results (and getting addicted 😉 ) . Thanks for sharing, stay safe and keep up the good work. 👍
Brilliant video as usual Morten, I don't think many people will ever want to turn off notifications for Your videos. I wish I had 2 bells so I can be double sure I won't miss any of your videos 😂😂😂. Great as usual 👍🏻
Morten, I know you were disappointed about the badger shots, but you did get some excellent bird shots. That timber doodle was a real trophy find. I'm guessing that you would be out there even if you weren't doing photography. You are an outdoorsman.
Morten, you are so humble and nice. May you have all the luck and all the great pics you ever wanted to shoot. Very big inspiration to me.
Morten, I understand your frustration of the missed badgers, but having filmed the Eurasian woodcock and in such a good quality, to me is a bigger hit! Having my own trials with both species, the badgers at least I could observe and photograph a few times, but the woodcock is so mysterious, I have seen very rarely and I was always late spotting it so by that time it spooked and escaped. I think having these dramas and kind of fails in your videos, brings them even closer and credible, while still also entertaining with the atmosphere and the aesthetics and the many species which were not on the to do list :-) thank you and greetings from Hungary
you are never annoying! Lovely photos as always. Stay well.
This is by far my favourite channel on youtube. It's absolutely fascinating and Morten is such a great story teller! Not only that....it is very inspirational to get out with own camera and finding animals. You are the best Morten!
Good job Morten Hilmer !!!
5:22 why do have nostalgia feeling of the sam kind of situation as u were in when u were chasing the arctic fox in the ellesmere series ,,, love u morten always
@Madhav Sharma I think it was the arctic wolf, wasn´t it???
You’re always be patient and courageous to wait and shoot the birds. That’s awesome with YES YES YES!
Love your videos and a great tip about tom mason
I'll do my best to get more camera trap content out!
Very interesting Morten to follow you on your adventures out in the woods and fields, and movies and photography in the highest class!! //KD
Great stuff Morten and what a pain in the arse with the failed flash unit! Still camera traps are such an essential tool in the field and is a massive time saver! Still a great video and a fieldfare is such a beautiful bird 👍. All the best R
Martin just want to let you know how much I enjoy your videos.I live in the United States in Utah and would love to go to Denmark That's where my roots are, my family is Danishes.
I love the way you have such respect for the wild animals, and the places that you go,we all need to find that kind of respect for nature thanks for sharing.
Morten,you are always my motivation and teacher.
With arachnophobia is realy hard to stay in position.
But you always give me power to push thru fear.
Thank you.
For people like me who doesn’t have the opportunity, money and time.. watching your videos really gives calmness. Having just the passion for wildlife photography and can’t do anything what i wish to do is kind a hard feeling. Your videos makes me feel better. Keep doing what you do. 🙂
I also like outdoor shooting, you always create a good on-site atmosphere, thank you for sharing!
I really don't have any problem with the fact that the expedition from this film did not result in the expected photos. I myself visit the forest once or twice a week throughout the year to film and photograph mushrooms and sometimes post an hour long video with no visible mushroom results. Thanks to you, I make sure that I am not the only one who sees sense and value in just showing nature. ;) Greetings from Poland!
Only 1 word: Relaxing
Great of all times- Mr M.Hillmer
One "L" ofcourse
Thank you for sharing your adventures Morten. Wonderful video. Really liked the behind the scenes as well.
Aloha, Morten! I love your channel. In fact, I think I am addicted to watching it. Lol. I just started nature/wildlife photography and have so much to learn. Currently, I am using 70-200 EF 2.8 Canon lens. This focal length limits me to getting up close shots (and sharpness); however, I've learned from watching your videos that there are ways to getting close without disturbing the animals. I find myself tucking away in bushes or behind trees and have been getting some special moments doing so. Thank you so much!
Hallo Morten, I have been watching all of your videos ( many times ). I realy like your attitude towards your work and nature. Mange tak.
each time i see one of your new videos i'm excited and happy. i had my finger cross from episode 1 to you will lucky to take a photo of badgers in winter. looking to your videos i'm thinking to star having some photos o wild animals in my region, i usually look at them with binoculars. mainy birds. thank you very much for your videos. may be a beginers video could be interesting for people like me. i apreciate a lot your power, kindness and generosity. thanks Morten
I was going to suggest setting up the camera trap in your yard to practice on small birds but you're one step ahead of me there. I've done that to get hummingbird photos and to help me learn the gear better. I do need to set it up again with the wireless triggers on the flashes though and test my setup.
I don't yet have enough success with camera trapping to be an expert. I've gotten a few pictures with it. One instance I will wait to share until the animals have made their seasonal move out of the area because I don't want the locals here to bother them.
I do enjoy Tom Mason's channel. He's very knowledgeable and willing to share.
I don't know if you're active on Facebook but there are several groups there for trail camera and camera trap users. I've found lots of help in those groups.
Me: Won’t change lenses unless I’m in a class 100 clean room.
Morten: Lays his 600mm lens in a snow drift.
Morten did admit he's ruined some lenses in another video ... I do appreciate his adventurous handling of his equipment as well ;-)
These documentaries are just amazing
Thanks for another great video. I have done some camera trapping in the past and I can assure you that there is quite a lot of trial and error involved. It is always necessary to fully test out your gear before going on an important assignment. But sometimes, things just happen and it is beyond our control. I once had a monitor lizard taking down my tripod with its tail because I think it did not like the light coming from my flash gun. On another occasion, I had termites chewing up some of the cords used in the setup and making their home inside my camera box. But life goes on and we learn from our experiences and become better next time. I also have your Camtraption gear but have yet to fully test it out in the field due to the pandemic. Keep up the good work. I like your enthusiasm!
Brilliant video and it is great to see that sometimes you have the same luck as I do when looking for that killer shot. I always look forward to your stories. Keep up the good work.
Watching your older videos in 2024 to get inspiration 😊 hope to see new video soon
I like your confidence that the hide will be there in the spring for you to use :-)) I hope it is.
Hej Morten, you are an extraordinary story teller. Very good!
Super video! Where did you get that seat pad? You are a good soul as demonstrated by your love and respect for nature and by your honest approach to sharing your adventures with us. You are, quite literally, the best on YT.
Morten...Failures makes you perfect. It shows what kind of a person you are to show something that did not work. It makes you a better teacher too. Looking forward to the spring video with you inside the hide. All the way from India!!
Another fantastic video Morten. Thanks for showing the fact that you missed the shot and even someone with your talents is still learning. That in its self is inspiring. I also agree that @TomMason is an amazing photographer and gets some amazing shots with his camera trapping. Take care and thanks again.
Wow Morten, -12 degrees that is pure dedication and commitment. Thank you for sharing your adventure
Another great video Morten. Thanks for being the way you are
Hello, I am glad to see your new video again, and like your video of outdoor adventures!
Hope sustains.
Wildlife photography requires patience ♥️.
Namaste from India 🇮🇳
Gr8 content
You are an inspiration for us birding enthusiasts
Keep up the good work 👌
Hi Morten, I live in Winslow, Arizona USA You are such an inspiration!
There’s no gain without pain in this most challenging type of photography. More importantly, you have shown great character and commitment, with a positive spin on the lessons you have learned, so I look forward to your successes in the future with badgers and whatever wildlife you choose to photo.
Hi Morten,-I love your wildlife videos.I am addicted to them!
Man, that‘s bad luck! Anyway, a very nice video! Thank you for your effort.
Nature Photography can be frustrating at times Morten.
You did take some beautiful still images though. Great series as always.
I've been watching your videos for many years now and they are as inspiring and educational as back then.
The nice thing about snow is you can see all the tracks, the frustrating thing about snow is you can see all the tracks 😉 Looking forward to the next video!
I love seeing the Fieldfares close to my garden 😊 The woodcock is a lovely bird also! I'm hoping to photograph a really interesting male pheasant, which has a predominantly white back and tail and its natural coloured body... Got my fingers crossed I can find it tomorrow! 🤞
Very beautiful winter show
Hello Morten, I use the Camtraptions equipment for my camera trapping and it workes quiete well for me, even in the cold. I use the 6xAA-Battery extensions so the recivers last for weeks and there is no need for cables. Alternatevly you can also use d-cell extenders (but I dislike them because they need special chargers) or 2xAA extenders but they dont have a huge benefit for me. The batterys I use are Eneloop pro 2500 btw, in flashes and receivers - they are amazing. And I have build Flash housings, either from HT-Pipes or out of waterproof food boxes to protect the flashes from cold,moisture and physical dammage. Best regards and good luck the next time!
Great video Morten! I felt your pain the moment you checked your photo. What I love about you is that you turn this into a learning opportunity. Not only does it help you, but it helps all of us. You will get your photo, I'm confident. Don't forget Ellsemere Island when you got your White Wolf shot after months away from home. You got this!
Another beautiful piece of video and photography. Too many people find every which way possible to blame others for their own mistakes and shelve responsibility for their errors; one of the greatest things about this wonderful vlog is how you showcase your faults yet it is still full of beautiful images and moments! Admirable - the sign of a truly great person, not just a great wildlife photographer.
This is beautiful. Thank you. You are absolutely right, I'm by no means a professional like yourself but I go out for long hikes all the time carrying my equipment expecting to get that spectacular photo of that hawk or coyote only to be disappointed. At the end of day i realize for me it's that relaxing experience of being in nature away from stresses of life and keeping happy is all that matters.
Great work Morten never used camera traps but I can see it is essential in your world. Better luck next time 👍
Missed photos or not, always look forward to your videos and never let down! ❄️
I love your videos so much Morten ! they are so calm and inspiring... You know absolutly how to magnifying nature by filming details like flowers, spider web etc, all details that are just here around us, but we can't see them, maybe because we don't give importance to them. But they are so precious and beautiful. Thanks for your amazing work. Cheers from france
Morten, thanx for the video! It would be fantastic if you would activate the english subtitles again. Thanx!
You were recommended to me by RUclips.
In the first few moments of that video, I was completely with you! Sitting in a little tent, with hot coffee, enjoy nature and waiting for a good shot.
Great video! Can't wait to see more!
most Hardworking blogger & wildlife photographer 🔥🔥🖤🕉️🙏🙏😊😊😊
Sorry you couldn't get the badgers, but for me it was as beautiful as always, thank you Morten.
Desde Costa Rica 🇨🇷 veo todos sus videos Morten. Qué trabajo! 😍😍😍😍
Saludos😍🇨🇷
Hey Morten
Love the woodcock footage!
As far as your flashes, they won't fire in sync with your camers without a transmitter in the hot shoe of the camera and sending to receivers in the flashes.. Thats why your flashes didn't fire..
The V3 sensor sends a signal to a receiver which is hooked up to your camera.. but you need a transmitter in your hot shoe to send signals to your flashes..
I have a nikon dslr camera trap set-up with 3 SB-28 strobes. Made my own housings for the camera and flash housings... I feel a dslr works better than the mirrorless for trapping because the mirrorless have a wake up time before firing. A dslr just fires right away.
You and I are friends on Facebook so if you have questions about the camtraption system, send me a message and I'll help with anything I can.
Vengo de un poco de todo y avisarte que vendran muchísimos mas porque admiramos realmente tu trabajo con la fotografía y te mereces mas apoyo en todo, eres grande y admirable de verdad, un saludo aquí vamos a formar una nueva y mejorada comunidad de subs para ti =)
It's great to watch you work. Teaches you a lot. Hello from Russia!
Zdravstvuj 😀
@@MM-zd6wf ахахаххах
A friendly suggestion, I'm not sure if works for you in your situation, but try an army net at spring tension among the trees 3-5 meters up. Maybe, maybe you can stay there if wind is right. and get photos of badgers in and out of den. waiting to se the future.
Btw tums up for this video as always. Thx
Great video again, its not easy to get incredible wildlife every time.
Before you move on to canon, check out the Z6ii/Z7ii with the new 1.10 update. extremely happy with the Eye AF
Bro i just love your focus and style 😍🌟
Hi Morten, Thank you for your vlogs. You are one of the most generous photographers out there. All the best with your badgers, wildlife photography and projects. Always enjoy your contents 😊
It's incredible what you do, congratulations, greetings from Spain
Hi Morten! Love your videos!
A quick question for the Q and A: What happend to the series on how you make a living from wildlife photography?
I thought it was such a good concept for a series and something that I'm sure would provide alot of valueble information for aspiring wildlife photagraphers!
Hi Morten. Great video, as always. I'm sorry it didn't work out with the camera trap. As you know, Tom Mason is great. I've also been watching Neil Jernigan's channel. He's here in the US and has a lot of videos on camera trapping. You should check him out. If I remember right, he's got some equipment, tutorials, etc all related to camera traps, in addition to the vlogs themselves. Best of luck. Cheers from Maine. :) Paula
Hi Morten: Sorry you were disappointed about the camera failure on such an opportune time. However, I loved the birds, the fieldfares, the redwing and the woodcock.
Hi Morton. Thanks for sharing all your hard work. Thanks for your honesty and humility, and or course your wonderful videos. I have watched a few of Tom's videos and he is very helpful. I am in Suffolk England and I am out tomorrow to try to photograph any Roe Deer or foxes that might be about. I have also set my trail cam and hope I might have found a fox hole!!! Robin
Thanks Robin!
Its nice that your thermos has a built-in bird call when opening or closing. Not sure what kind of bird, though. Maybe a turkey call. Hah!
Very nice videos Morten. Very inspiring ! I wish i will be able to come in your country once, it looks very nice !!!
Thank you very much for making these high quality videos! You have a cool demeanor that relaxes the viewer and makes learning much more effective and fun. Your honesty about your photographic work is refreshing! Keep the videos coming!
I have experimented wireless remote photography of hummingbirds with a Cognisys Sabre camera trigger but gave up after several unsuccessful attempts. The setup is quite complex but after watching your videos I am going to try again. Hummingbird season is coming back soon.
Morten, you scallywag, nice see the green one! back in use ; ) shame about the badger photos. What a beautiful video all of my stresses seem to subside watching these videos you produce. Take care,🖖
Another wonderful video! Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your success's swell as your failings. I think sometimes it's so easy to think that professionals get the shots every time as many seem to show great images almost every time they go out. I hoopoe you get better luck next time, and Im sure that with your determination to get better at camera trading will soon pay off. Its also good to see that you are almost at 400K subscribers. Im sure you will get there very soon. Take care, and good luck out there!
Hi, Morten, firstly I'd like to say I'm really enjoying the videos. I do a fair bit of multi-flash photography as a hobby. I've found when I set my shots and have to leave the flash on standby for longer periods, especially in colder weather, there are two or three things that can help. Firstly, I make sure I use my 'newer' generation flashes for the more remote shots. The standby and wake up reaction I've found is much better. While I shoot Canon (5D Mk II & 430EX Speedlights with Yongnuo RF-603 II triggers) it may translate for Nikon as well. Also, I've found putting the flashes in something to insulate them, like a wool sock, helps to increase the batter life and wake up speed. Not sure if that will help you but its something that has help me. Finally, have you looked at using a wired backup for the triggers, if your equipment supports that?
Regards from the States,
TW
Great video. Can’t wait to learn more about your other projects. You need more of the your dog in the next video.
Learning is always a wonderful thing but it does get frustrating when we have to learn from our mistakes especially with such a unique opportunity. Great video though Morten as always, never fail to deliver. Cheers Keith
Can you go into some detail about your military background in your q+a? Thanks!
Hope the trap system workd better next time. But i was amazed by the footage of an active woodcock in broad daylight. That is very nocturnal bird where I live.
Wonderful the only time I get to see a woodcock is when I accidentally put it up as I'm walking along. You're so lucky to have seen this one 👍