Hi Simon, I Enjoyed the video, just one comment regarding the “Great Light”. Brilliant sunshine like it was that day tends to blow out images in both film and photo. Far better on bright days whether overcast or muted sun. Not as tricky also. 👍
Fantastic! Lovely footage. For me the B roll was fine, I’d be happy with that quality ongoing, save on camera and tripod weight 💪. Happy New Year to you 🎉
Hi Simon, thanks so much for the great content the past year (and previous years) it’s been a pleasure to follow your journey on the new homestead projects, looking forward to see the ground mats being created again as it’s been on my radar and interested on getting one, have a great new yr, all the best.
Nice to see you out with the camera Simon, I have enjoyed your videos of the home cottage with the building of the hide, but out with the shorties is something happy new tear to you best for 25
What a fantastic video Simon and what a collection of birds you encountered. Definitely a Boxing Day to remember and the images at the end were stunning. I know how you feel being out in the field photographing the Shorties - you can’t beat it, it felt like I was watching myself up in the Trough of Bowland 😉. Happy New Year and all the best for 2025.
@ some dodgy stuff going on up there I think Simon. I had seen one of the Shorties descending into the nest in the summer of 2023 (I could see it from about 400 yards away). When the shorties returned the following year I kept an eye on the nesting area from a distance. All of a sudden in the May time, they disappeared - they normally hang around until the end of August. I went back 4 times to observe the nesting area but there was no activity at all and still no sign of the Shorties. As it was obvious there was no activity at the nest site, I went for a look and there was nothing in it, no remains of or fragments of eggs or feathers which you would expect to see - it was completely clean but it was obvious it had been the nest due to the well shaped bowl in the heather. It’s another reason why I go up there so as to be a presence. It was near the area that I found a dead squirrel out in the open which I told you about when you came to do your talk, we both thought it to be suspicious.
Just brilliant. Love a short eared owl although we only get them mostly in the winter here in Norfolk. Will be off to the coast in a week or two to see if we can find some. Amazing images as always Simon. Wishing you and Dawn a Happy New Year and look forward to the next video. 👍
Happy new year Simon, it's just magical to see the shorties, I have just done 3 days including Christmas Day with them down south, back there Sunday. Fantastic video mate and I hope you get more chances to go again. Cheers mate.
Lovely video thank you for taking us both with you on your journey. Looking forward to seeing you in 2025. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year and see you next time😊😊
Great footage, as always, Simon. I’m from Darwen (Darren!) originally, now living in Norwich, Cheshire. Used to see Shorties up on the moors there but now see them on the Dee Estuary instead. Nice to hear someone pronounce moors properly….moo-ers! 😂 Look forward to your next video. Cheers, Mark.
I’m glad to see you that you were finally rewarded with some SEOs plus other raptors. What a Boxing Day treat! Unlike the upland areas of the UK where SEOs breed, down here in Essex we have varying numbers wintering on the coastal grazing marshes so I do get to see my favourite owl species each year. I have watched your excellent videos throughout the year, not just your usual wildlife photography but also developing your homestead into a brilliant habitat for that wildlife. More please in 2025 but meanwhile Happy New Year to you and Dawn. Richard
Thanks for taking me along on another photography adventure, Simon. Good to get a look at the Welch moors. I was surprisingly able to get down to The Pond for a while yesterday and get a few pictures of ducks in flight. It's always good to be outside when you can.
Just so grateful that people like yourself and other's put out content that get you right out there into the field - success or not you feel your sharing the experience with you. I know this must be probably one of the most difficult types of content to produce but speaking from a viewers perspective a very worthwhile one. A very worthy channel to subscribe too. As a postscript just finnished watching Mike Lane's latest installment on photographing Little Grebe there's another very experienced u-tuber you won't see sitting behind a desk week after week instead of being out there getting those shots ! Keep up the good work Simon, wishing you all the best for 2025.👍
Brilliant video Simon yet again these are the videos I like the most out in the field. Have a Happy New Year. Once again absolutely brilliant and stunning video
Great stuff Simon, I think we've got one across the meadow in front of our house, but can't see them clear enough at that distance, 😥,, don't suppose you could recommend a pair of budget binoculars for around £50?? (poor OAP 😥).. Happy New Year,, 😊
Nice video again Simon. How the z9 doing debating wether to go back to nikon z9 or z8 with the 500 pf went to Olympus om-1 mark ii with the 300 and 1.4 tc but seem to get to much noise.
No comparison for me Sean, I much prefer the images coming out of the Z9. Image separation, bokeh etc etc. Also lens choice is awesome with Nikon for the wildlife photographer.
I’ve got the Nikon 200-500 F5.6 VR which serves me very well for barn owl stuff on my Nikon D850 camera but I’m thinking of also getting the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 lens soon as that’s a great all round lens too!
Hey Simon, great video, my wife and I are off to (hopefully) get some SEO shots tomorrow, the weather and light forecast looks promising 🤞 You mentioned your utility mat, I’ve been waiting for your Etsy shop to come back on line to buy one for a while, if you could let me the quickest way of grabbing one I’d really appreciate it, it’ll have so many uses.
Tawny Owl ✔️ Barn Owl ✔️ Little Owl ✔️ Long Eared Owl ✔️ Short Eared Owl ❌ Still to even sight one, even though I used to live near a popular location for them. They just evade me every time 😢😢😢 EDIT I just paused the video to check your gear list for the floor mat, it wasn’t there, pressed play and you explained you will be listing them in the new year. I’ll be your first customer 😊
hello Simon a waste off time looking for short eared owls in the wind they WILL NOT HUNT in the wind you might see them flying from a to b but thats it , shorties hunt manly bye sound not sight so strong winds is a no no , any way nice video 👍
Lovely, lovely, lovely! Watching while sat in a rice field in northern Thailand waiting for Imperial and Steppe eagles!
What better place to watch it John👍🏼
Awesome video I am looking forward to your videos thru 2025 happy new year to you and dawn
A very worthwhile day out Simon!
Thanks John, it was. 👍🏼
Hi Simon, I Enjoyed the video, just one comment regarding the “Great Light”. Brilliant sunshine like it was that day tends to blow out images in both film and photo.
Far better on bright days whether overcast or muted sun. Not as tricky also. 👍
Great light as opposed to dark and dreary 😀
Cracking video as usual. Weather in Lancashire has been atrocious. Happy New Year!
Cheers Mick, its always a mixed bag up there!!🙄
Some nice shots, I really like the one looking up the fence row.
Excellent video enjoyed very much
Wow what a way to spend Boxing Day, couldn’t think of anything better!
Thanks for a great trip out.
Another cracking video Simon super footage and photos 👏👏All the best for new year to you and Dawn👌
You too Paul
Cracking Si! I never knew there would be any in Wales... if you fancy a wingman, let me know! I will have a mat too please when they are ready..👌
Theyre available now on www.tragopan-shop.uk
Gotta love the shorty’s!
Hi Simon, Patience and commitment certainly paid off. Brilliant, well done. All the best for 2025.
You too Gordon, cheers👍🏼
Thank you Simon
Great video Simon & absolutely loved the dewdrop at the start!… epic 🤣🤣🤣👍👍
🤣🤣
Cracking video again..loved it..look forward to the next video..And wishing you and family all the best for 2025
Another great vlog. Cracking owl shots. I have emailed about the mat. Cheers for now ,Happy New year to you & Dawn.
Fantastic! Lovely footage. For me the B roll was fine, I’d be happy with that quality ongoing, save on camera and tripod weight 💪. Happy New Year to you 🎉
Fantastic countryside and beautiful birds on a beautiful day what more can you ask for. Lovely video. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Simon, thanks so much for the great content the past year (and previous years) it’s been a pleasure to follow your journey on the new homestead projects, looking forward to see the ground mats being created again as it’s been on my radar and interested on getting one, have a great new yr, all the best.
Thanks Jonathan
morning Simon beautiful shots love short eared owls there feathers are amazing can't wait for the next videos best wishes clive
Owl photography can get so addictive!
Very true Neil📷🦉
Best thing I've watched over Christmas
Superb photos sir -- well done. 👍👍👍👍
Gorgeous shots and video. Happy New Year Simon and Dawn. See you next year
Nice to see you out with the camera Simon, I have enjoyed your videos of the home cottage with the building of the hide, but out with the shorties is something happy new tear to you best for 25
Fantastic.. thanks for all rhe effort to keep us entertained.. all the veey best to u all in 2025 🍻
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎅 🎄 and a great 2025
What a fantastic video Simon and what a collection of birds you encountered. Definitely a Boxing Day to remember and the images at the end were stunning. I know how you feel being out in the field photographing the Shorties - you can’t beat it, it felt like I was watching myself up in the Trough of Bowland 😉. Happy New Year and all the best for 2025.
Thanks Gazza, youve got a great spot up there. I miss the Trough!!🙄
@ some dodgy stuff going on up there I think Simon. I had seen one of the Shorties descending into the nest in the summer of 2023 (I could see it from about 400 yards away). When the shorties returned the following year I kept an eye on the nesting area from a distance. All of a sudden in the May time, they disappeared - they normally hang around until the end of August. I went back 4 times to observe the nesting area but there was no activity at all and still no sign of the Shorties. As it was obvious there was no activity at the nest site, I went for a look and there was nothing in it, no remains of or fragments of eggs or feathers which you would expect to see - it was completely clean but it was obvious it had been the nest due to the well shaped bowl in the heather. It’s another reason why I go up there so as to be a presence. It was near the area that I found a dead squirrel out in the open which I told you about when you came to do your talk, we both thought it to be suspicious.
Happy new year Simon brilliant Boxing Day with the shorties lucky you 👍🏻👍🏻
Just brilliant. Love a short eared owl although we only get them mostly in the winter here in Norfolk. Will be off to the coast in a week or two to see if we can find some. Amazing images as always Simon. Wishing you and Dawn a Happy New Year and look forward to the next video. 👍
Same to you Phil and good luck in your search 🤞🏼🦉
Nice to get the Shorties on the Moor a magnificent bird . Happy New Year to you and yours too 🙂
Great video again Simon 🦅🦅🦅🦅
Fabulous si mission accomplished m8 spot on,well done!!!
Nice one Simon, we've had fog and mist for days down here on the Mendips, it's like being back home in Buxton!
We've had the same John🙄 next week look a lot better🤞🏼🦉
👌 Best wishes for 2025.
O some cracking footage Simon. Lovely birds those Shorties Brilliant. All the best in the New Year. Cheers BK.
👍👍great video 👍👍
Well done Simon and happy new year mate 🍺
Fantastic video simon
Many thanks!
Cracking film. Great mix of raptors, brilliant. Happy new year. All the best. 👍📷😎
Always worth a watch Simon. Trying to get out with my camera more in 2025
great video and great photo and happy new year to you
Some absolutely stunning shots and video there. Beautiful location to go with it too !
Glad you enjoyed it
Great images Simon happy new year to you and Dawn 🥳
Happy new year to you and yours Simon. Great video and plenty of Raptors.
Happy new year Simon, it's just magical to see the shorties, I have just done 3 days including Christmas Day with them down south, back there Sunday. Fantastic video mate and I hope you get more chances to go again. Cheers mate.
Lovely video thank you for taking us both with you on your journey.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2025.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year and see you next time😊😊
Thank you! You too June 😃
Great footage, as always, Simon. I’m from Darwen (Darren!) originally, now living in Norwich, Cheshire. Used to see Shorties up on the moors there but now see them on the Dee Estuary instead. Nice to hear someone pronounce moors properly….moo-ers! 😂 Look forward to your next video. Cheers, Mark.
Haha, some great spots up on the Darren Mooers!! Put many a grass fire out up there!!🔥🙄ATB, Si 👊🏼
Another top video keep em coming! Happy New Year!
Superb 👍
Fantastic video Simon & a very Happy New Year to yourself & the family. Not been many shorties at all around here this year sadly
Always a pleasure watching your videos. Happy New Year 😊
Another belter of a video pal 😍😍😍
Thanks Mike👍🏼
Top Job Mate! Glad your persistence payed off and you tracked them down. Well worth the effort, some cracking pics and footage. 👍
Thanks John, its a big old place up there!!
Have a great new year Simon. Amazing images as usual
You too Peter👍🏼
Another great vlog, Simon. I'm off to hopefully get some shots of shorties tomorrow local to me in Gloucester.
Good luck Lee 🤞🏼
Amazing!
I’m glad to see you that you were finally rewarded with some SEOs plus other raptors. What a Boxing Day treat!
Unlike the upland areas of the UK where SEOs breed, down here in Essex we have varying numbers wintering on the coastal grazing marshes so I do get to see my favourite owl species each year.
I have watched your excellent videos throughout the year, not just your usual wildlife photography but also developing your homestead into a brilliant habitat for that wildlife.
More please in 2025 but meanwhile Happy New Year to you and Dawn.
Richard
Cheers and thanks so much for supporting the channel Richard 👍🏼
Thanks for all your work with the blogs. Best wishes to you and the family, have a good one..😊
You too Keith, all the best mate 👍🏼
Thanks for taking me along on another photography adventure, Simon. Good to get a look at the Welch moors. I was surprisingly able to get down to The Pond for a while yesterday and get a few pictures of ducks in flight. It's always good to be outside when you can.
Wise words Clifton 👍🏼
Just so grateful that people like yourself and other's put out content that get you right out there into the field - success or not you feel your sharing the experience with you. I know this must be probably one of the most difficult types of content to produce but speaking from a viewers perspective a very worthwhile one. A very worthy channel to subscribe too. As a postscript just finnished watching Mike Lane's latest installment on photographing Little Grebe there's another very experienced u-tuber you won't see sitting behind a desk week after week instead of being out there getting those shots ! Keep up the good work Simon, wishing you all the best for 2025.👍
Thanks Glenn, appreciate the comments. Mike certainly gets about doesnt he!!👍🏼📷 ATB, Si 👊🏼
Bonjour Simon, je découvre votre chaine et je m'abonne aussitôt après avoir regardé 2 vidéos. Très intéressant, j'aime . Bonne continuation
Merci d'avoir regardé Daniel, heureux que vous appréciiez le contenu et bienvenue sur la chaîne.
Brilliant video Simon yet again these are the videos I like the most out in the field. Have a Happy New Year. Once again absolutely brilliant and stunning video
Many more to come, cheers Bob 👊🏼ATB
Super video!🙂
Superb mate. Absolutely amazing shots. Potential 2026 calendar picture? Happy new year to you and Dawn.
Hopefully better to come Stevie, that was just one day. All the best mate.
What a fabulous down to earth presentation. Superb images of course and a delivery that could be from your best mate. Happy new year to you too!
Thanks Raymond
Great stuff Simon, I think we've got one across the meadow in front of our house, but can't see them clear enough at that distance, 😥,, don't suppose you could recommend a pair of budget binoculars for around £50??
(poor OAP 😥)..
Happy New Year,, 😊
You'd struggle to get anything decent for that price John, maybe try Marketplace??
@simoneardley
Hi, Simon,
I've since picked up a pair of Celestron 12 x 60's, and I'm sorted,, 😊
Cheers,, John
Nice video again Simon.
How the z9 doing debating wether to go back to nikon z9 or z8 with the 500 pf went to Olympus om-1 mark ii with the 300 and 1.4 tc but seem to get to much noise.
No comparison for me Sean, I much prefer the images coming out of the Z9. Image separation, bokeh etc etc. Also lens choice is awesome with Nikon for the wildlife photographer.
I’ve got the Nikon 200-500 F5.6 VR which serves me very well for barn owl stuff on my Nikon D850 camera but I’m thinking of also getting the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 lens soon as that’s a great all round lens too!
I have the very same. A lovely piece of glass 👌🏼📷
What was the time when you filmed the owl ? Before sunset ?
It was active from 8am till about 3pm.
@simoneardley Thank you very much for your reply
Forgot the fig rolls 😂
🤣🤣
Hey Simon, great video, my wife and I are off to (hopefully) get some SEO shots tomorrow, the weather and light forecast looks promising 🤞
You mentioned your utility mat, I’ve been waiting for your Etsy shop to come back on line to buy one for a while, if you could let me the quickest way of grabbing one I’d really appreciate it, it’ll have so many uses.
Thanks Alan, good luck with the SEO's. Drop me a DM or email and we'll sort one for you.
Hi Simon first of all hope u had a fab xmas pal how much are the blankets gunna be id be interested in them please cheers another belting video
Thanks Michael, theyre available now at www.tragopan-shop.uk
@@simoneardley cheers Simon
What did you use to film these birds
Nikon Z9 and 500mm f4
Tawny Owl ✔️
Barn Owl ✔️
Little Owl ✔️
Long Eared Owl ✔️
Short Eared Owl ❌
Still to even sight one, even though I used to live near a popular location for them. They just evade me every time 😢😢😢
EDIT
I just paused the video to check your gear list for the floor mat, it wasn’t there, pressed play and you explained you will be listing them in the new year. I’ll be your first customer 😊
I'd be very happy with 4 out of 5 !!👍🏼
hello Simon a waste off time looking for short eared owls in the wind they WILL NOT HUNT in the wind you might see them flying from a to b but thats it , shorties hunt manly bye sound not sight so strong winds is a no no , any way nice video 👍