BEST BIRD EVER !! | BIRD OF PREY PHOTOGRAPHY | Winter Hunters | North American Birds | Canon R3 & R7

Vlog Description: ⛰️🦅
Welcome to my Canadian Wildlife Photography journey with some Bird of Prey Photography! In this video, I will take you to my local park where I capture the Winter Hunters, Hawks and Falcons searching for food in the open parkland. These North American birds are truly awesome with a surprise visit by the best bird ever, all this using the Canon R3 & R7.
CAMERA GEAR:
Canon R3 Mirrorless Camera -
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Canon RF 100-500 L IS - amzn.to/3UWwbn4
Canon RF 70-200 f4 L IS - amzn.to/4bSRn3g
Canon RF 800mm F/11 - amzn.to/3SQMXS8
Canon EF 500mm F4 L IS Mk II
Canon EF 200-400 + 1.4 Ext L IS
Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L IS MK 1
Canon EF 400mm F5.6 L
Canon EF 16-35mm F4 L IS - amzn.to/3IeHBuY
Canon EF 17-40 F4 L - amzn.to/49OsvId
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Gitzo Series 3 Tripod GT3534LS - amzn.to/42UBMML
Gitzo Series 2 Tripod GK2545T-82QD Traveler Kit - amzn.to/3wD1Boh
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Threads -

[@PeterLariviere]

I thought I had accidentally clicked on a BBC wildlife show! Great video Richard.

[@RichardBirchett]

Lol, thanks very much Peter! I wish it was. Thanks again my friend. Looking forward to getting together with you next year! Fun times ahead I hope😉👍

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you Rich, fantastic. All the very best to you and yours. 👍👍📷😎🍻

[@RichardBirchett]

Thank you too Rob, and cheers for the support in 2023. Rich 👍

[@j.kimmer1509]

Fantastic!!!

[@RichardBirchett]

Many thanks, all the best and thanks for your support in 2023, Rich 👍

[@garylancelles6666]

Fantastic video of the Merlin & great to have vlog to watch at Christmas

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Gary and thanks for watching over the Crimbo period. Got a good one coming soon... some deer maybe?? Hope you and the family had a great Christmas. Cheers Rich 👍

[@martynhall1752]

Hi Richard wow that was a fantastic video the American Robins are amazing, I get loads of of Starlings in the garden the markings on them are incredible, the Merlin was incredible how fantastic that was, that park is certainly got some amazing wildlife, I do like the waxwings such a stunning bird the Merlin was icing on the cake wow truly an amazing video Richard well done i would like to wish you and your family merry Christmas and happy new year thank for sharing this video with us.

[@RichardBirchett]

So nice of you to say Martyn, it was a total surprise and I've not seen any Merlins since that day! Just goes to show how unpredictable wildlife can be! Sad to see birds like that being hunted but that's Nature for you! Still to watch it hunt was incredible! You too my friend and thanks for the support you've been awesome. Cheers R😉😉👍

[@jonkernow5529]

Fabulous video and great to see your subscribers picking up which is well deserved. Keep it up,

[@RichardBirchett]

Thank you very much Jon, really glad you enjoyed it. I've had a huge increase from North America where two videos when up in views and Subscribers which I was really pleased about. Long may it last, lol... But it probably won't. Cheers Rich 👍

[@mikegillett8203]

Wow, that looked and sounded cold out there! Great stuff as always Richard. Loved the Merlin. Enjoy the Christmas and New Year break and here's to an adventurous and rewarding 2024. Cheers!

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much indeed Mike, it was a little chilly and very much lightly to get much colder, down to -20 at least!! Yikes, thanks very much and I wish you all the best too. Glad to have you follow the channel. See you for another just before the new year. Cheers Rich 👍

[@gwynjames2077]

Merry Christmas and thanks for all the inspiration in your videos both in the UK and Canada.

[@RichardBirchett]

You are so welcome Gwyn, and thanks for watching and your support over the year. Have a good one. Rich 👍

[@steves8661]

Really enjoying seeing your new adventures from Canada looks like an awesome move. Happy New Year to you looking forward to seeing what you get in 2024

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much Steve, I’m missing home quite a bit but that’s going to happen but Canada has lots to offer and I’m enjoying the new experiences.. happy new year to you too. My last video is out today 1500 your time 👍, hope you enjoy it, my favourite one of 2023😀👍

[@KGsPhotography]

Another great collection of birds Rich especially the Merlin. Think I have managed to catch up again 😂

[@RichardBirchett]

Many thanks Keith, you are a legend and a massive thanks to you for your support in 2023. Best of luck with your work in 2024, I'll be following as always mate 😉👍

[@marksymonds8477]

Great video again Richard,hope you’ve had a great Christmas.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much Mark, really good thanks hope you did too. Cheers Rich 👍

[@philipculbertson55]

Awesome day Richard. Loved seeing the Merlin. We don't get them here in the Southeast US. We have a lot of Coopers, Red Tailed, Red Shouldered and such but no Merlins. We do have a few Peregrines nearby but they are so fast they are almost impossible to photograph. The tend to nest on sheer cliff faces as well. Great video Richard.

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Phillip, HNY to you and your family. It's such a special bird for me and in the top 3 birds of prey, I admire their sheer speed and agility in the air, amazing to watch so close. Nice to hear you have some good raptors, not seen a Red Shouldered Hawk before, if my memory serves me right they have quite a long tail? Yep Peregrines are another amazing bird, haven't seen many around lately but they are here! Thanks for watching, all the best Rich 👍

[@user-ud6tb4ev6i]

Awesome as always Rich, keep up the good work & have a great Christmas. That Merlin is some bird! Cheers 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks, you too mate! It really is a master of the skies. The fact there were two different Merlins and sub species of was quite a surprise when I got home to edit, lol.. Amazing.. Cheers R

[@steveford6900]

Awesome experience Richard. Having seen your videos of Merlins at home this must have been very special.

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve, they are a special bird and my god it was awesome to watch it hunt! Poor prey didn't stand a chance against the lightning bolt of the sky! lol.. Hope you had a good Xmas mate. Cheers Rich 👍

[@teresae.1747]

Fascinating video as ever Richard! Amazing coverage of the Merlin- what a treat. It just shows what you can get to see if you simply take the time to see who turns up rather than go on a non-stop hunt for wildlife. Great to see the variety of species and to be able to observe their natural behaviour. All the best for the New Year and looking forward to seeing what you discover in 2024. Teresa, Cornwall.

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Teresa, it's such a great bird and to see the two species was a great bonus. I love just being out in nature and just see what I can find, if you wait patiently and wait for things to unfold it's amazing what comes along. Not all the time though, lol... All the best to you in Cornwall, I miss it loads! But not the weather, especially at the moment with the wind and rain!! All the best Rich 👍

[@sfessen]

Merry Christmas Richard. Thanks for the video and keeping it real. So many of the birds you see are what we see here in Tennessee. Keep up the great work.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks so much my friend, and great to hear we have similar species where you are! Always, lots more coming in 2024, hope to visit the USA at some point. Cheers Rich 👍

[@alisonmeagor2355]

Really enjoyed this vlog.The thrill you get when something unexpected happens is so infectious.Now I also see the starlings in a different light they are quite a good looking bird.Waxwings are so pretty too.Keep the vlogs coming.Happy New Year to you and the family.Looking forward to 2024s vlogs.🥰

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Alison, yes it's really exciting when the unexpected turns up! And to see it hunt was such a special treat, sad for the beautiful birds they hunt but that's just the way of things. Glad to have you follow the channel with lots more coming in 2024. All the best and thanks for the support in 2023. Cheers Rich 👍

[@PhilT993]

Awesome video, Richard!! Great production, video, stills, variety, music, beautiful birds, all of it. I enjoyed that. Looks like you have found some great hunting territory there. I have done a few outings this week and was lucky to get my first photos of a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Beautiful bird. It has been awfully cloudy and flat here in Ottawa lately and I am hoping to get some more sunshine soon. Happy Christmas to you and yours and I will look forward to your next video. Phil

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much Phil I really appreciate that I try and improve as I edit each one but it's not generally my field as I am a stills man at heart! But it's a lot of fun and with the support I get on the channel is worth it. I've seen a SSH around my neighbourhood but yet to get an image, very fast birds and much more slender than the Cooper's. I've a video out next Sunday which is closer to you in Quebec, so I hope you enjoy that one! Quite a different place than Toronto. Thanks again Rich 👍

[@B8J8R8]

Great video Richard merry Christmas

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much indeed, hope you did too. All the best Rich 👍

[@leehanley71]

Hi Rich, what a mixed bag you captured on this vlog 👍🏽 outstanding stuff. Lovely stills and footage, I agree with you on the starlings, stunning colours. It was great to see the Merlin, I'm yet to see one here in the UK maybe one day 🙏 Glad to be coming along on these adventures 📸 Happy Christmas to you and the family Mate

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Lee and thanks for the comments. It was a total surprise for me on that day, been back since and it's been quite quiet! Still that's the nature of the game for you, and I love the uncertainty of it all. Glad you are enjoying them mate. More to come same time next week. Cheers Rich 👍

[@deanseldon5640]

Cheers mate merry Christmas

[@RichardBirchett]

Cheers Dean, you too 🎄👍

[@andrewchesworth7171]

Brilliant video Richard keep up the good work out there and merry Christmas and Happy New year to you and the family have a good one 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks, you too Andrew. All the best for 2024, lots more to come from the channel same time next week. Cheers Rich 👍

[@marksuchomelsr6698]

Merry Christmas!

[@RichardBirchett]

Same to you Mark and thanks for your support and advice in 2023. Cheers Rich 👍

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Great stuff! Is that, what they call in Canada, "Crown Land"? Looks fun! Thanks for bringing us along! Merry Christmas!

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much Jon, I think it is Crown land and is a key place for wildlife in the city! It's not the wilds I enjoy but it works for now! More coming from a more remote location soon. Thanks Rich 👍

[@darrenchesworth]

Happy Christmas Richard and a happy new year. Another fantastic vlog with brilliant wildlife good luck for future vlogs 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks, you too Darren. Lots more to come from me very soon. All the best to you and thanks for the support in 2023. R🙏👍

[@theredkitesepiceverything1461]

Great vlog as always mate, I feel your pain after spending 6 months with a family of hobbys, impossible to film but great to watch. Merry Christmas, see you in the new year

[@RichardBirchett]

Tell me about it as they are a hard bird to track! Still watching them do their thing is incredible really and the speed! Wow, like Hobbys which are masters of the skies! And to you, Cheers Rich 👍

[@balgavieslochospreys6836]

Good stuff m8, Merry Xmas ;-)

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks mate, you too. and thanks for the support it's been awesome. Cheers R👍

[@malcolmnicholson864]

Richard, you should have been in Cornwall it was great in September lot's of great birds.Canada looks good but it's not Cornwall [ GODS COUNTRY ] . Enjoy your videos keep them coming are you coming back home have a great Christmas to you and your family.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Malcolm, I've heard it's be a great time at home but I am here for now and it's not like my homeland but I will be returning to Gods Country in 2027 where I am there to stay! Will be returning home in 2024 for a holiday at some point. Thanks for watching and have a good NY. Rich 👍

[@allenfutrelle9090]

Another wonderful video, full of great birding. It is always a pleasure to watch patience at work. We are just observers of the wonders around us. Please continue to show us the birds from our neighbor up north. Merry Christmas!!

[@RichardBirchett]

Many thanks Allen, lovely to have some support from people in North America! Lots more coming from me the same time every week. Thanks for your support and all the best for 2024. Rich 👍

[@deerohdeer8000]

Just shows you what you can see within walking distance from your home !! Outstanding experience with the Merlin’s !! What a a day !! Great footage & photos on an extreme bird of prey ! Class . Also never knew there was a Hairy woodpecker so learnt something new today as well ! Fantastic! Have a great Xmas 🎄 👍👍🎥

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Craig, it really is amazing what wildlife you can find closer to home and in an area which is 7 million people is quite surprising really! It's good for people to learn new things which is what it's all about. Got something more your scene coming next week! You too my friend and thanks for all your support as it's been amazing ! Cheers Rich 🙏😉👍

[@leemanton3169]

Great vlog Richard, lovely to see many different species of birds of prey and the many different song birds. Merry Christmas and happy new year to yourself and your family.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Lee, it was amazing to see and I just hit it right on that day! Gone much quieter there now. Still the birds are around so I shall return but next time maybe mammals of the park, lots of fieldcraft and watching to do. You too and thanks for the support in 2023. Rich 😉🙏👍

[@michael_barber]

New to your channel but liking the content. Living in Ontario as well I can say you will definitely find lots of locations for different birds. I personally am hoping to make it out to the islands around Kingston soon for the owls that come this time every year.

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Michael, thanks very much for watching and leaving a comment it's very much appreciated and nice to see someone from the area following my adventures in Canada. I'm finding it an amazing place in the last 5 months and never fails to surprise me how much wildlife you can find around the city! That would be awesome, I've heard it's a great place to go for the Owls, have any arrived yet? Thanks again Richard 👍

[@michael_barber]

@RichardBirchett Hey Richard. I am personally trying to find Snowy Owls and Short Eared Owls. According to ebird both have been there in the last 30 days. In the last 30 days it also lists; Barred, Eastern Screech, Great Horned, Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet. There are reports of the Snowy and Short eared already starting to show up in the Niagara area where I am. My odds are probably better in the Kingston area though.

[@RichardBirchett]

Wow, that's quite the list of species! I bet it's a very popular spot? Probably overrun with birders and photographers. I'd love to see any of those, lol.. I love Owls. Cheers Rich@@michael_barber

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

hi Richard thank you again for sharing your beautiful nature experience. I am very curious about your experiences with the new Canon RF 200-800. I have it on Back order. delivery time end of February/March 2024. blessed Christmas to you and all those you hold dear. greetings from the Netherlands

[@RichardBirchett]

My pleasure and thanks for the support over 2023. I am hoping to get one from Canon Canada very soon to test out so I'll be doing a video on that in the NY all being well. I did order one then I had to cancel it due to the wife! lol... And to you, all the very best for 2024. R🙏

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

@@RichardBirchett Sometimes women are the conscience and mind of men 😂😂😂

[@RichardBirchett]

Indeed they are, lol...😀@@theflyingdutchman7127

[@colintraveller]

Top Drawer .... Will you be adventuring up north to the artic area at all ??

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Colin, I’ve got one from my recent trip to Quebec so much further north out on NYE. Then in the NY I’ll be doing more from the snowy regions 👍

[@colintraveller]

@@RichardBirchett Look forward to them . Enjoy your Christmas and NY ...

[@KPAki1Ler]

Why are both camera's covered in a gel case? Is it for better grip?

[@RichardBirchett]

It’s just for protection of the camera, I like to keep them in good condition and better for trade in value when the time comes. A cheap way to protect your kit. Cheers R 👍

[@KPAki1Ler]

@@RichardBirchett ok thanks