Attacked by a Bird! ⎸ Photographing a Crazy Capercaillie

[@laurenttw63]

What an amazing encounter ! Your video and pictures are also amazing ! Thanks for sharing this incredible moment.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@DaniTurPhoto]

Another good one, fun to watch video! Great storytelling, amazing production adn of course epic photography! Sad story about cappercaillies, but that is reality that we are facing unfortunatelly...😢

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! And I totally agree -- it's a sad reality we are up against

[@Jaxsens.photos]

Incredibl !

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@waynearchibald3920]

Awesome video Tobias and very interesting! You are a great speaker also, always fun watching your videos!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that!

[@AreRisnes]

Many heartfelt Thanks, Dear good Tobias Gjerde, who encourages everywhere. Tusen hjertelig Takk, Kjære gode Tobias Gjerde, som oppmuntrer alle vegne.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@celeritasc9207]

Wow, that was such a fantastic experience. Despite the challenges of dealing with such an aggressive bird, you got some fantastic images and videos. I admire your diligence in keeping your visit with the Capercaillie short. It is essential to respect the needs of our subjects. Well done!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much for your kind words!

[@andersmenge]

Beautiful video, Tobias! Such a cool experience.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks so much!

[@Alex-S.]

What a beautiful bird! 🤩

[@TobiasGjerde]

Totally!

[@PatentSTM]

good interview with guest capercaillie

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@alexanderlintott4286]

Great videography and cinematography as always, but also a brilliant narrative throughout that interaction (especially considering the aggression of the Capercaillie). Reminded me of Attenborough's interaction here in Scotland a few years ago.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! Haha, I know exactly what you are talking about! I am flattered to be compared to him ;)

[@hia5235]

Lovely job

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@mcs3015]

Great job in a complicated scenario. The context is sad, as you’ve noted. But it’s still a memorable experience. Well done, Tobias

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you for that!

[@imperialchalice]

Gorgeous bird ❤ and so cute, also kinda funny the way it was raging in the background 😂

[@TobiasGjerde]

Totally! Thanks a lot!

[@bjoergskulevold]

Amazing video! I love how you tell the story of the capercaillie in the middle of it's habitat. Your pictures are truly amazing too! They are so beautiful, artistic and tell a story! Keep sharing theese beautiful adventures!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, and will definitely share more adventures!

[@Mackeriv]

Awesome images, man. The best I've seen of this animal on YT. I had no idea their temperament is not supposed to be natural, though. If that's true, it must be very draining for them. I've also never seen them eat anything. Even domesticated chickens are always eating whatever they can find, constantly.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! It is probably quite draining for them, yes, but they are accustomed to a life of displaying and fighting. I saw him eating buds both when I arrived and when I left, so they do spend a lot of time eating, yes.

[@StephenJStephen_Photography]

What a magnificent species and individual! I would love to photograph one someday. Thank you for respecting his well being after getting your photos and video clips.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Totally, they are absolutely magnificent!

[@blazjarc5359]

A great deal of unnecessary stress for this poor animal.

[@TobiasGjerde]

I appreciate your concern for the well-being of the bird! Please see my other comments explaining the situation and my behavior.

[@gladysklip6984]

How cool this might have been, it is indeed quite a sad story for his behaviour but I guess as long as people don't visit him every day he might be alright. Poor fellow but what an awesome experience, Great capture video and some beautiful stills!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! He has been alive for many years, so it seems he manages to survive despite his anger issues!

[@z115zt7]

sigma turkey

[@birdienumnum]

I enjoyed your video very much and you remind me of Sir David Attenborough with your calm observations. I was saddened for the plight of the bird and what is occuring with it's habitat.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you very much! Indeed, it is a sad story.

[@nathanwatsonphotography]

Fantastic video Tobias and you captured some stunning images. What a beautiful creature, the story behind its odd behaviour towards humans is a sad one.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@observingnaturewithjamin2292]

Great story and videography. I miss Snow like that.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! Yes, I was very lucky with the final snow fall of the year. This was on March 29th!

[@wolfgangrieger1246]

Great to see that young guys like you are fascinated from nature and wildlife and not only from cumputer gaming👍👍👍 Great respect for your work

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@BurdinaAnna]

I've got the same incident with Capercaillie this year)) It was on the skiing-path too and i was so happy and ecsited) I returned with my camera to take a picture of it! Great bird!

[@TobiasGjerde]

So cool! Sounds like quite the encounter!

[@jennyfury4674]

8:25 that is like the most aggressive Capercaillie EVER

[@TobiasGjerde]

Haha yes, he was one feisty guy!

[@jennyfury4674]

@@TobiasGjerde you said he flew into the skier he literally went from a Capercaillie to a literal fighter plane

[@flshstlcks]

Basically a turkey with the attitude of a moose, as I like to call it

[@jennyfury4674]

@@flshstlcks 🤣 that’s so so true

[@andycoleman2708]

Looks like a goth turkey!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Haha you could say so

[@Ducky2o]

Amazing images! All the people attacking your choice to stay just wish they got that footage 😂

[@penorvoll]

As I've commented before....You are incredibly talented, and I'm always looking forward to your viedos. I'm already looking forward to the next one! 🙂

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot!

[@sunk-ungarna5450]

I get PTSD while watching this, i have walked into a Capercaillie twice and been attacked by it.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Haha, they're not to be messed with!

[@leohernandez9518]

Para ser una persona tan joven es impresionante tu manera de entender la naturaleza felicitaciones y gracias por tu fotos

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!

[@DavidHolland-nf2gh]

First rule of wildlife photography , don’t disturb or stress the wildlife?

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi David, I'm very glad to hear about your concern for the well being of this crazy capercaillie. As mentioned, this is an individual with a hormonal imbalance, making him aggressive towards everything. It is natural for them to display and fight for the rights to breed, on designated lek sites. However, since this one does not have any lek to visit, he "gets out his anger" by fighting anything that moves. Of course I had to take precautions to make sure he didn't get wounded, like pushing him away with my snow shoes so he wouldn't hit me and risk wounding himself. Also, I limited my time with him as much as possible, so he wouldn't get tired for long. When I left, he was just and energetic as when I arrived. I can assure you that he is fit and healthy, and I saw him again a year after this video was filmed. Hope that explains! Tobias

[@abe3802]

They can attack and damage car also! I have done this a few times and it can be dangerous, but I always have a stick in my hand to gently push it away or just set up my foot.

[@TobiasGjerde]

They are powerful birds, so yes, even cars are not safe!

[@AndrzejZalewskiYT]

jest piękny, it's biutiful! I need to visit Norway or Finland in Feb/March to photograph these :) we have them in Poland in Tatra mountains, but they are extremely rare, and we can't disturb them with searching them to take photos..

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks a lot! Yes, Norway is the place to be! There are in fact some lek sites where you can rent a tent 👍

[@АннаЛобарева-у2б]

Спасибо большое за видео и фото! Глухарь птица очень красивая и упрямая.❤ Очень ревностно охраняют свою территорию и разгоняют незваных гостей.

[@gregorytortissier5518]

Dear Tobias, as always superb images and videos but despite your explanation on destruction of its habitat due to intensive logging and other humans interactions, you go against your own advice and stress the bird for a considerable amount of time as far as the video shows. I understand your excitement to get the shot and enjoy the experience but I was expecting a more ethical approach of wildlife than what you showed here. Hope you don’t loose yourself for KZbin likes and other futilities. Cheers and best of luck for your military training

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, thanks a lot for sharing your views and thoughts. I do not do this for likes or anyone else -- I do it for myself and for the experience. I made sure to limit my stay as much as possible, to reduce stress on the bird. This is in a very remote area, and there are very few people that go into that part of the forest. Therefore, I knew that disturbance by other bypassers would not be too big of a problem, and other than the brief time I spent with the capercaillie, it would have lots of time to rest and eat.

[@wcwendychapman]

I think you are justifying your behavior toward this beautiful bird. It only take one individual to make things better or make things worse for nature. Being on youtube does allow others to see how this interaction took place and may have an impact upon their future actions. I love the videos and photos you are making but I do have to question the ethics in approaching so closely that the animal becomes defensive or aggressive. @@TobiasGjerde

[@martiresespiritusanto4403]

good job

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thanks!

[@butthis640]

Это моя мечта, чтоб ко мне вот так вот приставал глухарь :)... Шикарная птица :)

[@TobiasGjerde]

I had to use google translate for that, but yes, it was a really cool experience!

[@Skaupedia]

W vid as usual

[@TobiasGjerde]

Cheers!

[@DavidHolland-nf2gh]

👍

[@Lukehsphotography234]

my aim is before I die I will have seen and photographed a Capercaillie. Here in Scotland we have a small and declining population so it is almost impossible to see one.

[@TobiasGjerde]

You should definitely come to Norway! Here you will have much better odds!

[@GJ_Brown]

Your haircut looks O.K. You're just as cute as ever!

[@TobiasGjerde]

Haha thanks! 😅

[@garyladbrook3636]

Wild you say, looks like outright aggro.

[@TobiasGjerde]

It is indeed wild :)

[@VinceMaidens]

Honestly, getting that close to an animal to get a photo who clearly isn't happy with you being there isn't the most ethical thing you're going to see. Why didn't you just back off? I get it they are aggressive, but why cause that interaction just for a video and some photos.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi Vince, thanks for sharing your stand-point. I totally see what you mean, but I made sure not to stay with him for long. It is natural for them to fight in the mornings and then feed and rest the rest of the day (they do this when lekking), so they are suited for it. But I made sure to keep my visit as short as possible, so I wouldn't disturb him for long. He was still very active and aggressive when I left, so it was clear that he wasn't getting too tired. Additionally, this is a remote spot in the middle of the woods where few people go, and since it was so late in the skiing season, I could be rather certain that he wouldn't get disturbed by any other people in a long time. And it is important to state that I did not do this for the video -- I did it for the experience. So once again, I agree with you to a certain degree, but I think you might be missing the bigger picture. That's my take on it anyways.

[@VinceMaidens]

@@TobiasGjerde Hi Tobias. Sorry but you’re wrong. As a wildlife photographer it’s our job to not put the animals in a situation you did. Period. They may fight but with other birds, you have proven it’s not your first time interacting with them. I’ve been a wildlife photographer for longer than you’ve been alive and as an owl photographer I’ve seen every type of bad behaviour. I don’t think you’re coming at this with malice or I’ll intent, but you are going way above to get the shot into a highly unethical way. If you look at it from an ethical perspective, you exploited the behaviour of the bird to get photos and a vlog for your benefit. You didn’t happen upon it and it attacked out of the blue and you left as soon as it did. That’s what you should have done. And reported in the photos what happened. Now you have images you can’t enter into a contest because of how you attained them and you have video evidence. So am I missing the bigger picture or are you. I’m going to share the video and see what other judges think. If it were me judging this year I’d DQ right away. Again I don’t thin you did it with intent to harm I just think you didn’t think through the implications and impact you might have.

[@TobiasGjerde]

That’s a fair perspective, and I appreciate your insights. Personally I did think through the consequences, and I concluded that my little disturbance would not be comprehensive enough to cause any long term damage.

[@VinceMaidens]

@@TobiasGjerde i appreciate that. I do think if you actually did think it through from an actual ethics perspective you would have made no contact physically with the bird. If that is acceptable to you, then you need to read the ethics requirements for most contests, clubs, etc as it’s an absolute violation. You are young and will do great things, but you need to clean up your way of interacting with the wildlife. At this point any image you post is going to be questioned as to how you actually attained it. You basically made a video of it impacting the space of the bird and then a very negative interaction, as you took video and photos for a long period of time. Do you really think you thought of the implications of doing this? Not wanting to beat up on you but you’re not making a valid argument when anyone can watch it and see you putting your foot in a birds face that you could have easily avoided. Just stop being part of the photography, be the photographer.

[@TobiasGjerde]

@@VinceMaidens Hi, I do not know how far you got in the video, but this is a crazy capercaillie with a hormonal imbalance. I did not seek physical contact with the bird -- it came after me. The reason for the foot "in its face" was to keep it away from me, both to protect myself, but even more so to protect the capercaillie. You see, if I had let it come closer, it would have started beating its wings, risking damage to itself. And once again, I was there for a short period of time, minimizing my disturbance. I do not want to spend any more time responding to your comments, as this discussion is going nowhere. I appreciate you caring for the ethics of the wildlife, but in this case, I believe you are missing the bigger picture.

[@Intothewild.withmylens]

Im sorry man but it’s so wrong to stay that long with an animal that clearly doesn’t want you around… pushing him with your snow show and sticking your camera in his face is clearly not to thing to do IMo, turning around and leave him would of being THE good option… the only option every people calling themselves Wildlife photographers should have done…. It’s very unethical…

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, thanks for sharing your perspective, and I appreciate your formal tone. I also salute you for your effort to minimize unethical wildlife photography. I explained myself to Vince’s comments, so there you have my response. I wish you a good day

[@simonpawsey6541]

You should have walked away and left this bird alone. You placed it under undue stress, and when they’re ‘rogue’ like this bird is, they are stressed enough.

[@leeodwyer7487]

I loved most of your videos but this one not so much. You can not justify causing so much stress to this bird, you should know better. Disappointing behaviour. Sometimes you have to accept that it’s not acceptable and that you don’t need the shot that bad.

[@TobiasGjerde]

Hi, I appreciate your comment and your concern for the well-being of the bird. As I have stated in my other replies to similar comments like yours, I made sure to minimize my stay to reduce stress. They are programmed to tolerate a certain degree of stress (they display and fight with other males), but since this male didn't have any challengers of the same species, he turned to me. His energy waste would be similar when fighting another capercaillie. Had this been a well known spot or a location close to other people, I would have been much more hesitant to my approach. But since I knew with almost complete certainty that it would be a long time until the next time he would see a human, I could justify my brief stay. I hope that explains the situation and that you have understanding for my judgement.

[@leeodwyer7487]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate that you feel justified in your actions, but I do feel your stay could have been maybe a little shorter. The welfare of the bird must always come first, regardless of how bad you want the shot. I enjoy your enthusiasm and I will continue watching your excellent videos.

[@cajdajana]

@cajdajana fantastick

[@TobiasGjerde]

Thank you!