i'm destroying my wildlife pond, here's why
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- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2025
- My first DIY wildlife photography pond was a ton of fun to make, and it's been amazing seeing it evolve. However, I'll be destroying it...
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#BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #Birding
Stefano Ianiro, Bird Photography Tips, What's Ruining Your Bird Photography, Bird Photography, Wildlife Photography, Behind-the-Scenes, Wildlife Photography Behind-the-Scenes, Building a Wildlife Pond, DIY Wildlife Pond, Bird Photography at my DIY Wildlife Pond
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Sorry for the delay, this took way longer to do and put together than I thought! The next episode should be out in the next week or two. Excited to see what will show up! 😀
⭐⭐
Wait for new pond complete
Hey. You should try one way glass, and building a wooden structure under the pond, so its elevated from the ground a bit. Therefore the background will be far away, and its not just gonna be the dirt on the ground. Well, I dont know how your new hide gonna look, but I saw thats how your previous hide looked like that. Check out Máté Bence's photography hides. I photographed there a few times, he has the best bird photography hides.
Also, I subscribed. Loved the video
I absolutely love seeing the joy you attracted. Regenertive wildlife ecosystems are needed in every yard. I think so.
I am so happy to hear you say you are planting NATIVE flowers, shrubs and trees! This will make such a huge impact on the breeding birds on your property. I am attempting to remove all invasives and go 100% native on my property. Looking forward to seeing all your progress. These few words made me a subscriber.
That helps a bit but won't replace a year round hundreds of years old water source
Or you could bring European birds to the continent and have them migrate around the US and Canada 🤷🏿♂️💁🏿♀️😂
At what point do migrating plants become NATIVE? One generation, ten? Hundred years? Thousand? Surely they ALL came from somewhere. Kinda like people.
@@MuzzaHukka oh ha ha.
Even grasses have deeper roots. Native to your area is the best way to go. I love it.
Well, I admit I was upset at first when I saw the title, but now that I know you're making a bigger, better pond with more wildlife-friendly features, I applaud you! So glad I found your site, I am loving watching your work. Thanks!
I was thinking about strangling him!
This is probably the best thing I’ve ever seen. Everything you did in this video is amazing, digging a pond, building a fort and of course the wildlife. This video made my day. Thank you
So happy to hear you enjoyed it all, thanks for watching!
Loved it too thank you ….absolutely beautiful ❤
I just discovered your RUclips channel. I was worried when I saw the title on this one! The new project sounds absolutely amazing. I look forward to seeing the epic results.
Just when I was thinking “yeah can understand it must be difficult for this one guy to maintain that pond in freezing conditions; can understand” you go on to say your just making a bigger (better) one!
You’re officially on your way to becoming the real “bird man” 🐦 ! All the more power to you!
Haha thanks a lot! I've been thinking about doing this since the beginning of winter. Glad to see it come to life
@@TheWildlifeHomestead maybe making a river I guess.
So enjoying watching life in and around the pond. Feeling a bit sad... But when you said that you're going to build a larger pond I am instantly appeased. Thank you so much 🎶🐦🌺🇲🇾
Thanks so much! It should be able to attract and house many more species!
The birds 🐦 saying Thank you too
I can't remember the last time I was this impressed with a video! You did incredible work!
Thanks so much!!
Love the dedication to building a better wildlife habitat Stefano and the thought to re-using as much of the biodiversity that existed in the previous pond. Some serious manual effort going into this new pond and hide too! I have no doubt your efforts will pay off and look forward to the results!
Hopefully! Thanks so much for watching
Stefano, I love this! I used to certify backyards as wildlife sanctuaries through my job and have seen some pretty epic yards. You are on track to see some amazing stuff, that blind is top notch.
Thanks so much buddy! Fingers crossed!
@@TheWildlifeHomestead
A Farmer's Almanac has information
for year round growth for your habitat.
Small fresh water plants, clams and crawfish help keep the water clear.
You inspire me! 4 1/2 yrs ago my home & town of Paradise CA burned down in the Camp Fire. Everything is gone😪 but now I’m getting help to start over. I have a lot in town but we r rural & mountainous. I hope to welcome back the deer, ‘possums, birds & other critters. Your program will help me stay focused on my goal. Thank you so much.
Man, that was some work. It is sure nice to see there are people out there that aren't scared of hard work. Hope you get tons of wildlife for your efforts.
Thanks! After a long winter, it's always nice working outdoors in the Spring!
❤love it!
Seing that the option PLASTIC was choosen over the option CLAY for water retainment...
That shook my certainty that hard work might not have been a deterrent to him. 😉😂😂
Damn. When I saw the title, I almost cried. Thoughts crossed my mind that you are ending this amazing and beautiful journey. But I'm glad there will be more content :D
Fingers crossed! I love seeing your artwork. Good luck!
Your kindness and generosity and dedication to wildlife is incredibly inspiring and moving.
Thank you for them and all of us.
Nice, this planet needs more people like you. Thank you for sharing and caring for nature. So peaceful to watch you do.
I can't wait to be able to do projects like this myself someday soon! This provides great inspiration!
So glad to hear, thank you!
You are amazing, caring for the wildlife and enjoying nature with good old fashioned hard work is just so refreshing to see. Thank you for your work, because of you many species of families have prospered.
That's a masterful work. As a wildlife photographer who plans to make all kinds of habitats for wildlife in his property (and hides too ofc) this is like a guide to me. I’ll be definitely watching how you keep on building the pond. It’s going to be full of birds soon! And I reckon you’ll even get some bigger game like deer or similar.
Thanks so much! Definitely fun to share the progress and hope to do this on a bigger scale in the future.
I am really enjoying your videos and admire your dedication!
I appreciate how dedicated you are to that project. I know how much work it is to dig by hand, and knowing that you did most of that in one day is quite shocking. Looking forward to the next episode!
Thanks a lot! Luckily it was mostly sand. If it was rockier my back would be broken 😅
That looked like some serious hard graft, I look forward to seeing the area develop over time.
Thanks for the video, happy Easter from the UK.
Glad you enjoyed it! Happy easter!
I find great joy in watching your videos, and I am in awe of your dedication to making your homestead not just a place for you to flourish, but also a place for wildlife to feel safe and to also enjoy!
I know that the profession you have chosen as a natural photographer makes this more of a natural act than it may be for a lot of other people, but we really are in such great need of this kind of attitude and response to the natural world around us.
We truly are the caretakers of this world and of all the wildlife within it, and benefit so greatly as a species by making this a priority in our lives.
Thank you for all that you are doing!
I love the level of thought you've put into your new pond. You can see your passion driving you to create this beautiful landscape not just for your own desires in photography but also for the native wildlife.
So glad you think so! Thanks for watching 🙂
@@TheWildlifeHomestead
Are you going to add seasonal fruit bearing trees and fruit bearing vines toward the edges of the property?
The amount of fruit flies and other bugs bugs could be too much around the pond area.
Oh my, this makes me tired just watching you do all that work!! I hope it is successful beyond your expectations and you and the wildlife get a lot of enjoyment out of it. :)
Same here lol! Thanks for watching!
Amazing work! Can't wait to see the finished product! It's great that your new pond will serve even more wildlife and make even better photo & video opportunities for you.
Thanks! I'm quite excited to see how everything plays out!
This seems very cool, its like a garden, but more interesting.
and when you are tired, you can just kind of leave it be, and it should regulate itself on its own, but if you want to, there is always something to do, something to improve
Stefano, I am just loving your videos... they are simplistic, yet full of insights, and powerful enough to influence anyone into picking bird photography (along with other things like, preserving nature...). Keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing and liking more of your work!!
Thanks for the kind words! Excited to share more!
if I could say that in all caps I would. STEFANO, I AM not gonna but Yes Please Yes.
Your passion really comes through in these pond videos, love the fact that you are out digging the pond with Binos around your neck @8:04 You never know what might show up so you don't want to miss them, love it!
Why?
So nice all nature, creatures, arriving started forming
Awesome work! I couldn’t be more jealous of what you have ahead of you . I can’t wait for the next episode.
🇬🇧 ❤️💯
Thanks for watching!
Dude I absolutely love your videos, I appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into everyone of your projects. Keep it up man, this is truly quality!
Truly a next level project! The amount of work you're putting into this is incredible. Keep up the good work!
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching
I just discovered all your videos including your wildlife homestead. HOW you can do all this manual labor work is mind boggling. But the results and the beauty you achieve and provide through for the wildlife are A-MAZING.
thank you for being so kind to animals and so conscientious a person we humans have destroyed so much of their home, their habitat and they themselves. giving a little back and helping them is a sign of goodness. God bless you, i you believe in one, or may your beautiful thoughts give you peace. may you one day, turn that entire open area into a pond/lake for those creatures to use them for decades to come if not longer. the pond should outlast the filming, hopefully
(btw/ a round pond gives you more surface per unit of earth removed, and you need to dig less for the same volume of water. you can make one side to be gradual depth "runway" for filming,)
I like your effort in making wildlife comfortable 😊 I understand from your videos that your priority is wildlife over wildlife photography. 😊💚
Truly astounding! I just wish I had your energy. No machines either, I gather. It's amazing how nature can adapt to the situations available. I look forward to future episodes. Well done!
John, Ontario, Canada
Very inspiring work!! i have a pond (filled back up naturally over the years) i have just got this property in the last two years. Seeing your previous video gave me ideas to dig up the pond and get the birds back in there. Can't wait t'ill spring comes along so i can start. Cheers from Québec🇨🇦
We'd love to see your project too!
Whew, you had me worried there for a minute Stefano. So glad you have decided to build a bigger better pond and adding new meadows and native plants. Fantastic. Well done. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Thanks so much for watching! Excited to share the progress
It's nice to see a new video and the new pond and blind combo looks awesome. I am lucky enough to have several ponds, large and small, either on family land or neighbours' property to which I have unrestricted access. In total there are 200+ acres of bush and with 2 large ponds and numerous small ones. I continue to shoot at my bird feeder as the spring arrivals are now visiting. There is also an area 5 minutes away that floods annually in early spring and a large part is on a working corn field. The best part is that a public road runs right beside it so I can shoot from my truck. I recently got shots of tundra swans, trumpeter swans, mallards, black ducks, northern pintails, ring-necked ducks, Canada geese, snow geese and even a bald eagle...all in the flooded corn field. The warmer weather is producing a target rich environment. Keep up the good work.
Cheers.....
Wow, that sounds like a dream! Very lucky! I'm sure as the migrants pool in you'll get even better opportunities.
@@TheWildlifeHomestead do you prefer a ball mount or gimbal mount on your tripod, or do they both have their strong points? I currently have the ball mount.
This is amazing! Most of us would hire a excavator, but not you 😅. Hats off buddy for making this great habitat for birds. Something I have wanted to do my self for years, but have no area to do so. Looking forward to see how it turns out. Great work buddy!
Thanks so much, Trond!
This was great Stefano. Makes me want to get access to some property here in Western Australia and do the same thing! Fantastic idea and well-executed so far, can't wait to see what you get during the migration.
Thanks so much!
I love how considerately you're going about this. I'm That Weirdo who will tap-jiggle-move-gently any random yard things I need to seriously relocate, and then come back to them to do the actual whole moving task a few minutes later, so the poor jumpies and other little beings in there have an opportunity to bail out, and at least hopefully don't have a sudden terrifying experience. You even moved the dirt so anyone living in there could hopefully have a new home by a pond. : D
Amazing work 🎉 Can't wait to see more updates on your new pond. Always love and enjoy your video. ❤
So a guy in my town did something similar but on a little larger scale. He was a retired sports photographer for the college nearby so he knew about photography and set things up well. He now books one and one-half day sessions for photographers or bird watchers, one lunch included for $325 and is booked weeks in advance. He also offers photography workshop type interaction for an additional fee. He only does it three to four days each week. Started as a hobby but now a business. I realize yours is more for your own benefit but it just goes to prove, "if you build it, they will come" as the movie line goes. Your setup is very nice. I did wonder from your past pond, were mosquitos or biting flies an issue or was the bird traffic sufficient to keep them all eaten?
Wow that sounds like a great setup. Thanks! Honestly they weren't bad at all. Between the birds, bats, frogs, spiders, aquatic invertebrates, etc. They manage to put a big dent in the population. But every location will vary!
Wonderful job Stefano! Using pallets for the structure of your blind was a brilliant idea. I look forward to watching future videos as all of your hard works comes to fruition.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
A very interesting project. We built a small wildlife pond some years ago which transformed our garden. We used capillary matting around the perimeter dressed into the water and then laid grass roll over it. This enabled animals etc to get out of the pond easily. We also stocked the pond with swan mussels, they filter an amazing amount of water and keep it clear we also stocked it with newts. If you want to attract a great variety of wildlife build a wildlife pond they are simply amazing
You've done something wonderful. I am elderly and disabled, otherwise, I'd be trying to do something similar in my large back yard. Your video brought tears to my eyes. Your work seems blessed. :)
Fantastic. How do you keep water in the pond. Is there a natural stream nearby? Or just fill it?
Thanks! I have a pipe that runs to the pond which adds a little water everyday.
I recommend the Wild your garden channel, Joel has a lot of experience with wildlife ponds in all sized and could help with tips. The old pond could be turned into a bog-garden which also attracts wildlife as it is a different habitat.
Oops, well it's too late now, I already ripped it out haha. But that's a good idea, never made a bog-garden before. Will keep it in mind for the future
OMG!!! I literally just started watching this channel yesterday!!! And I LOVE it!!! But, did anyone else shed a tear for the little pond??? Well, I didn't shed a tear, I freaking cried!!! Lol... Talk about a yellow bellied sap sucker!!! Lol...
You definitely work hard like you were a Canadian farm kid or something. I wish I had a space to do this. Looking forward to seeing how much wildlife your new pond attracts Stefano!
Thanks so much! Excited to share what shows up!
The new pond looks very promising! Looking forward to new series. Thank you for keep inspiring us!
Thanks for watching 🙂
Following your progress from South Africa. Too excited to see how this all pans out! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
I love projects where you are the designer, the builder and the user. Everything to your specifications.
I was very dispirited to hear that you were destroying the wildlife pond, but quickly encouraged by the new plans. (And amazed by how quickly and tidily you made a solid hide out of pallets!)
I’m now eager to see the updates as it gets finished.
A very interesting projekt, I´m on board viewing the next steps! Kind regards, Rolf
Thanks a lot, Rolf!
I live on a barrier island in Melbourne Beach, FL. If I lived where the temperature freezes I would build a large pond with a tiered waterfalls attached to recirculate the water, and though that would not keep the water from freezing it would 'help' keep the water moving during the colder times of the year. I have had fountains (as well as a pool fed by a three tiered waterfalls at a previous home), and it's fun to watch humming birds drinking along side of bees. Good luck.
You created something really amazing here. What absolutely fabulous photography! (1:40 It did not snow in my area this winter. I did not miss it.)
What a wonderful labor of wildlife love🤗! I can’t wait for your next vlog. Continued good luck and success to you and your projects! 👍🏼🙏🏼🐣
Thanks so much for watching!
Irene Astorga
Where in Canada are you located? I'm thinking of making a wildlife pond on my land and wondering if a permit is needed and where I can purchase the liner.
I'm really impressed how much progress you were able to make in this single video. Even though you have more habitat to establish around the pond, it's already ready for nature to begin using it! Keep us all updated!
Thank you! There's already been a few visitors here and there. I think the habitat will make them feel safer to come drink/bathe
I did the same and it's thriving. I went from digging a 3x5 pond to a 10x8 pond realizing the fish produced quickly and needed more space. I get so much more wildlife now.🌸🐢🦋🐸🕊🦎
Very excited to watch to process! Hoping to be able to get a place with some property when I can buy and definitely want to do something like this!
Thanks so much!
Looking forward to the next episode, this was one of the most interesting projects I was following on RUclips, loving the new one, much more natural and better looking. Hope the increase in depth helps you keep more aquatic wildlife. Good luck!
Nice pond ! Small tip: not having straight banks is better as it increases the length of the water/ground interface. Could be useful to others if you don't make another pond anytime soon.
Also great to hear that you're using only native plants.
Brilliant plan! So glad we finally got an update & can’t wait to future episodes.
Thank you so much for watching!
Ever since stumbled upon this channel I got myself hooked whole day. Nice cinema photography, nice music and editing. ❤
love the work, everytime you put a video of the pond series you made my day, love from uruguay
How very kind of you Stephano. God bless you for your effeorts
upgrading! awesome! can't wait to watch the build and what will come visit to get ideas for my own when i have property
Thanks so much!
I am so impressed by your hard work and ingenuity. The birds and all wildlife really appreciate it! Your photography is so special. So wonderful to see those beautiful birds up close. Thank you for sharing!
This is just THE BEST channel in RUclips!
Thank you so much for your work it’s amazing 😭❤️
You are an inspiration! Love your positive attitude and determination. Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks so much!!
It was super exciting to watch. And it is one of videos that go "ones that get my crafty spouse in trouble" category! :) I cannot wait to see what wildlife comes to your pond this year!
Woaooo i am just discovering your channel...what you do is so heartwarming, so creative !!! Thank you for the beauty!!
Hahahaha. When my son was a small child, we started with a 12 oz Sea Monkey tank, which slowly morphed over the years to a 55 gallon tank, to hold the frogs and fish that we had acquired along the way. Welcome to the club!
Amazing job Stefano! I’m very jealous (in the best way) what you’re doing is just amazing. You inspire me to do the same one day! Great work!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That means a lot, thank you!
This is so wonderful! I can’t wait to see how it turns out and who shows up! I was watching a video by a British landscaper who builds lots of wildlife ponds. He does a layer of underlayment, the liners, and then another layer of underlayment, and then puts the soil on top of that. I think that might keep the soil from sliding on the liner. Just a thought for when you build your next pond 😆 Greta video and looking forward to the next!
Oh that's a good idea! I hadn't thought of that. I'll keep it in mind. Maybe next year I'll build a lake 😂
The new pond is amazing! Excited to see what's coming next 😊
Thank you!
LOVE IT ❤️. You should get a couple of years of fun out of the new pond before you feel the uncontrollable urge to expand it!
When that happens, try doubling (or tripling) the size and maybe even the depth, if you’ve got the land for it! Anything more than that may attract beavers….if there is any nearby creeks. If so, they will take over the landscaping and expand the boundaries themselves and you will be officially retired.
If you don’t get beavers (because you have no nearby creeks), then the eventual size of the expanded pond will transform the landscape entirely for at least an half acre circumference surrounding the water.
You will eventually end up with a forest in 30-40 years if you allow the pond to remain and you just slightly maintain it so that you don’t lose the water. At that point, you will truly be astonished at the sheer scale of biodiversity YOU single handedly created!!! Bravo 🙌
Best Wishes & Good Luck
I have just recently come across your channel and so glad I did. Makes my heart happy to watch all the wildlife. 😊
Great plan, this is wonderful. Feeling inspired to try something like this. But in our drought area I'm not sure how much it could sustain... still, I'm intrigued! Thanks.
You have demonstrated that even a small project can have a positive impact. Best on luck with your larger pond. Looking forward to your future documentaries.
Put some stones and bolder in, plant some fast growing native Bush and trees. It was so wonderful to see you create and support nature. Thee. Grass to keep the pond clean etc. Try white plastic to line it. The black plastic that it's lined with attracts heat and keeps the water warm and produces unwanted slime. Love what you do.
I'm from Ireland so unfamiliar with North American birds. What is the bird at 4:48? It's simply beautiful.
Where do you live that you have that beautifully sandy soil? I used to do archaeology and that is the soil you pray for every day.
First I was concerned about the title. But what a amazing work so far. Really looking forward to the next episodes of you completing the pond, and of course to see how it becomes new home for wildlife. Thanks for sharing, it made a though day end great.
Wow so happy I could make your day better! Thanks for watching!
I love this project. This channel is quickly becoming one of my favourite. Out of curiosity where are you located? Can fish and frogs survive during winter in only 4ft of water? I would think that it’s not enough to keep the water for completely freezing
Through some happy randomness I ran across your channel, and I subscribed. I'm looking forward to seeing the wildlife attracted to your new pond. Waiting patiently for the next video. 😀
Thanks for joining along! Glad you enjoy the content
I’m obsessed with watching these videos and so glad that your helping the wildlife , it really is fascinating to watch and CANNOT WAIT for the new giant pond
Thanks buddy for sharing these awesome videos. I came across your channel and found couple of similarities between your choice of gears and mine. I do use a7riv with 200-600mm as well. I am planning to purchase teleconverter. What is your suggestion on this? It will be great to hear your view :) thanks
Wonderful! And may I congratulate you on your lovely sandy loam. I love digging that stuff, unlike my own gumbo clay. 😂
Amazing video and thank you so much for your inspiring work Stefano! I'm very new to birding and wildlife spotting in general, and yet to acquire my first camera and photography kit.
So far only been out in the wild with my binoculars as I am saving money for the photo equipment. Your channel is incredibly motivating and I can't wait to see how the new pond will flourish!
That's awesome, congrats on the new hobby! Hopefully you've been able to see some great birds so far. Thanks for watching!
GREAT editing!!! I seriously admire that. At the 15:33 point, you have a heavy rubberlike stuff. What is that called? Where do you get it?
I build wild life ponds for a living, always try and keep them free of ice in one section, I use wind powered agitators or electric drag lines to keep it from forming. Birds rely on the water, same with the feed. Feeders should be up by early September. Four feet is too shallow you need 6 for a cold area but it is too late now. Next time use the spoil to give you additional depth by running liner up the banks and sculpting them, you created a flat rectangle surround that is more like a natural swimming pool. You had a big enough liner, just.
By trimming the liner it to keep it 'tidy' you removed the possibility of a wet or swampy patch of ground that is just as valuable worms, insects and birds love it. A lot of insects like butterflies prefer damp mud to water they drown easily. Tidiness is the enemy of wildlife gardening put your strimmer away and plant some trees and bushes your yard is like a desert.
Love the inspiration, work ethic and creativity which went into this project! I'm sure the results will be outstanding! Great job
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
This is an excellent reference for me, thanks very much. I have created several small frog ponds for the same reasons and became hooked after my amazement to the seemingly endless wildlife that they attract and support. I have plans for more and your videos will help greatly.
This is amazing, and all done with hand tools. Such a wonderful project! Thanks so much for doing this. I hope it inspires others to create much needed habitat.
Your ambition & dedication is incredible! Looking forward to the next phase AND more photography! Thanks & Cheers!!!
Thanks so much for watching!
Maybe you could put some branches on top of the pond like a bridge, just an idea but I think it’ll be cool to see birds landing on there
Absolutely! A lot of the wildlife habitat will be added in the next episode. Perches will be a big part of that!
@@TheWildlifeHomestead ah nice can’t wait
Your ideas are absolutely inspiring. Thank you for sharing your work and vision.
Your little pond gave me hope somehow. It made me feel good. Happy you are building a new larger one. The whole process is so interesting... Amazed how to built you little observatory using palettes. You are very meticulous and hardworking. One day, I'm thinking of building a small pond. Thanks for sharing.