BIRD Photography at my DIY WILDLIFE Pond

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/stefanoianirowildlife0...
It's been a month since I built my own bird and wildlife pond. In today's episode, I share some updates that I've done with the pond, share all the birds and wildlife that have visited on the trail camera, and do some bird and wildlife photography in my photo blind with the Sony a1 and the 200-600G lens.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out Episode 1, where I build the entire pond from scratch:
Episode 1: I Built a Wildlife Pond for Bird Photography ▶ • I Built a WILDLIFE Pon...
And Episode 3, which is the Fall update of the pond ▶ • WILDLIFE Photography a...
Here's the neat little solar fountain I bought. It's been working well so far, just needs a quick rinse once or twice a week ▶ geni.us/solarfounta
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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, I built a wildlife pond for bird photography, Photo blind, DIY Pond, DIY build, Bird Bath DIY, how to build a wildlife pond, small wildlife pond, in your garden, garden birds, birds in your garden, Sony alpha1, 200-600.
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The above may contain affiliate links. Please consider buying from your local camera store before purchasing through larger retailers. Thank you and Happy Birding!
Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - Updates to the Pond
3:07 - Checking the Trail Camera
4:36 - All the Wildlife at the Pond
6:00 - The BEST Visitor!
8:15 - Pond Results after 2 Weeks
10:00 - Bird Photography (Day 1)
14:20 - Bird Photography (Day 2)
17:17 - My Thoughts

[@StefanoIaniro]

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/stefanoianirowildlife06211

[@blueeyes6852]

Don't know how I got here, but I'm glad I did! I applaud all your hard work! This must have really been fun to put together! I didn't know about solar fountains! That's a must have! Anyway, your editing really was impress too! Seeing all the wildlife makes me happy! Thank you! 🦩

[@miladiscarolinaiguaranmont3613]

Me encanta mucho todo el trabajo que hiciste, felicitaciones, hermosos registros fotográficos y los videos. Creció el número de suscriptores, por favor colocar subtítulos en español. Gracias👏👏🙏💪😏

[@DianaDaeng]

👍👍👍👍

[@nuafeisaac9214]

@@blueeyes6852 to iiii8iioiiiio

[@nuafeisaac9214]

@@blueeyes6852 iuoi

[@kelseycox8632]

Omg the crows! 🤣😆 They are so funny. It’s such a treat to see them display their intelligence and goofball natures. Growing up in Oklahoma I used to love watching the crows at our feeders from the kitchen windows or from the swings in the backyard. My momma would get mad because she always complained they eat all the corn/sunflower seeds. She’d tell me to chase them off if they showed up, but I never did. She always thought them as a pest and nuisance. (Along with the squirrels). I loved watching the crows and always insisted they should get some yummy food too. It was a normal daily routine for me on summer mornings to make sure the crows had some corn or sunflower seeds too off behind the shed as it was one of my chores to fill the bird feeders and make sure the birdbath was clean and had fresh water. A part of me wonders if you would be willing to make friends with the crows at your lovely pond? I’m sure you of all people could become friends with them. Having a crow for a friend is precious. They give trinkets and gifts. Then again I’m sure you don’t want to disturb them and leave them in peace which I totally respect as well. Crows may look drab on the outside, but I adore them. ❤

[@turtlecat7856]

The world need more people like you. Nature lovers can be the solution for the future of the planet.

[@Thebigcookie23]

Dude this was the first video I saw of yours and instantly I am hooked! This was such an inspiration and my dream is to one day create my own ecosystem of ponds and animals living together as a sort of Oasis or paradise for them! This video just gave me the motivation to start pursuing this dream TODAY! Don't stop doing what you love because you never know who is watching these videos and how much it can mean to them so thank you for sharing these amazing photos with us! God Bless and I can't wait to watch more of your videos :D

[@alphamale5843]

Love this ❤

[@amandabattles4624]

This is great. So much attention to detail. My backyard space is small but been working on attracting more birds this year. You inspire

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you! I wish you success with your yard 😀

[@juliamacdonald3767]

The joy that these birds derive from bathing is just so wonderful to see

[@filipposg]

7:09 I can hear the young crow saying "yum yum yum" !

[@StefanoIaniro]

Hahaha, it made dragonflies look tasty

[@swanstudios2018]

Wow that was amazing! Even more amazing is my 2yo girl sat and watched the whole thing with me. Now she is watching your bird videos on her phone (who would have knew).That pond was an awesome idea definitely motivated me to move out the city and try that out myself. Great Video! Appreciate the chart also.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Haha that's awesome! Glad you two enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😀

[@lockenhero4473]

I think it's great when children are interested in nature. But I hope not that a 2yo owns her own phone..

[@swanstudios2018]

@@lockenhero4473 Nope no phone for the kiddies I was watching it and she came and sat next to me and it actually held her attention to see all the beautiful bird pics and video usually she can't be still and is trying to touch anything. If she uses the phone it's for coding games or khan academy. If she dose watch KZbin it's heavily monitored by me and her mom since allowing a kid to watch KZbin unmonitered is like turning your kids brain to moosh.

[@y-yyy]

​@@swanstudios2018 Doing coding games and khan academy at 2yo? She better invent some new Google when she grows up😄

[@gerikelly]

So exciting to catch a glimpse of the elusive black wolf! Made my day in the concrete jungle of Southern California. Thanks.

[@rvipinkumar]

I love the elusive Black wolf!!! 😀😀

[@ramondelgado05]

You have done a lot of amazing content, but I have to say this is my favourite so far. Inspiring in so many ways, thanks for doing this.

[@StefanoIaniro]

So glad to hear, thank you!

[@mayankmohan4005]

Bro you deserve Oscar for giving them a life this way...making a small ecosystem for them, unknowingly you are playing a big role in making a ecosystem healthy...i will pray some species that are endangered will get a safe place to live. Filming them is the best thing ,this is the beauty of our planet. How dare i/we miss such a beautiful thing.

[@thomasw2798]

I love how that slow-mo footage really shows how hydrophobic bird’s feathers are.

[@StefanoIaniro]

True! What's the old saying? "Like water off a ducks back"

[@StefanoIaniro]

Hope you enjoyed the update video! If you put out some water for the wildlife, I'd love to hear what visits your area! Sorry for the error at 12:45, I forgot to switch the bird name from the previous image. It's a European Starling, not an American Crow 😀 Happy Birding!

[@LuckyCanucky]

Thanx for the correction. I just looked up Juvenile American Crow because it looked so weird to me. Beautiful photography, the European Starling almost looks regal.

[@Theforth09]

Here I thought I was completely wrong 😅 thanks

[@malcolmstephens9999]

I caught that. I thought to myself “he must have forgot to change that to starling” I’m looking at building me something like you have. I have a mobile blind on wheels I use for bird photography and can easily move it to different locations on my property. A nice landscaped look is what I’m looking for. Loved the video!!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Oh that's a great idea! Hope the build goes well!

[@samuelsherman5513]

We always get tons of Killdeer and doves around our pond in addition to geese and herons. The most interesting recently would probably be the occasional black headed or turkey vulture coming to the water to drink.

[@nikolatomasic4445]

Pond developed to be really great project... great footage.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you!

[@aashutosh2444]

This is AWESOME!!!! you built a WHOLE ECOSYSTEM!!! that's crazyyyy WOW

[@StefanoIaniro]

So glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@thataodieu]

wow, that black wolf is amazing

[@mushroom_moss1694]

Out of words to describe how much I've enjoyed watching your videos. the work , the effort, the time everything you have put into making this work is absolutely wonderful and amazing. ♥️♥️♥️

[@divyab7799]

You put a lot of thought and hardwork into that pond and it's really amazing to see the different species show up 😊

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks! Yes, it's very rewarding to see them enjoying the pond 🙂

[@yourrealestateusa9258]

Many beautiful colorful birds around the pond.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Yes! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@angrysnowmanz]

Amazing to watch all the variety of birds

[@wpsam52]

Great video! Thanks for labeling the birds. It's a big help for those of us new to this.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you! And no problem!

[@raamvishnurajarajendraraja5731]

Thank you Stefano! For sparing your valuable time with birding and sharing to our humans too!

[@DarklightTarot]

I just love your videos of these birds and wildlife. Aren't they funny little creatues! but also so intelligent. Mother nature certainly knows what shes doing. I think they say a little thankyou to you for building this oasis for them.

[@edson.sconservationetcompo5314]

I watched both videos on the pond building and footage and I appreciate how much thinking went into it (the sprinkler to attract animals, the little snails and the willow shoots to clean the water etc). I've been considering wildlife filming and photography as a hobby and your channel which I discovered today, makes me want to embark on this journey. Bravo!

[@GarySmith-up1un]

I have always admired God’s creation. Thank you for displaying it so well, right here.

[@markheatherington8367]

So glad to see your pond working out so well, Stefano! When Covid broke out, I decided to make a feeding station on about a half acre of my property. It has an oak woodland section with an old tractor shed built into a hill which makes a perfect blind, and a "forest" section with about 25 50' conifers. The problem was providing water. As it is entirely on a slope a pond is out, After the Wild Turkey kept knocking over the bird bath in an attempt to perch - got it on trap cam and need to post :) - I put an old 4 gallon chicken feeding rubber dish out in the forest section. I'll be darned if I didn't have 8 crows the very next morning. Since then I've had deer, coyote, skunk, bobcat, squirrel, 45+ species of bird and a feral cat I call old bent tail visit the water source. I enjoy looking over the trap cam with my morning coffee. Looking forward to further DIY Wildlife pond installments.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Wow, that sounds magical!! Just goes to show the power of water for attracting wildlife. Looks like you've found the perfect spot for wildlife, with lots of cover. Thanks for watching!

[@frncscbtncrt]

Birds are so beautiful, I am humbled to be able to share the same planet with such amazing species. This was a super video.

[@kartiksalunke9653]

This is such an amazing and dreamy cinematography and photography. This is so calming and I had a smile watching throughout this video. Would really love to see more of this series/parts of this project 😍 Love from India 🇮🇳

[@n-rajesh]

It’s amazing to see how, nature can spring up an ecosystem in no time! Your project was well timed and thought out 👏🏽 Excellent videos and photos as always. The 200-600 seems like an excellent lens in your hands!

[@ferdiansyah3877]

It's so much relaxing to watch. I really enjoy every detail diplayed on this video. It's kind of like peaceful and has the education for sure. Just keep it up.

[@luisv7117]

This is what I call entertainment thank you for sharing

[@susancraik7587]

well done a real natural way of observing, thank you

[@bbqkid8]

Looks like the pond is, and is going to be, a resounding success! Can't wait to see more visitors. Great work!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you!!

[@puntolinolp5864]

absolutely beautifull

[@TourDeMadone]

Splendid! Thank you.

[@CHAMPIZKITCHEN]

Beautiful sharing

[@jeananneramsden]

Wonderful filming. I've not seen birds so closely and follow their daily lives. Thank you so much.

[@tjdesignproduction2090]

This video was a real treat. Sat and watched it like any other wildlife shows on TV. Thank you.

[@01splitpea]

Exceptionally well done! Thank you!

[@Beccaswildlife]

Seeing these videos always inspire me more to go out with my camera and practice!

[@starlitnews]

I am envious of you mate! your life is simple, and uncomplicated. You share your life style with others, telling them not to waste their time on things that make you unhappy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful world with me!

[@bohyahsnacks]

Stunning work. Thank you.

[@randallroberts369]

Just wonderful. Inspiring work.

[@elainewyse]

I watch this over and over !!!

[@matteo7764]

You’re such a genuine guy. Those are the things that make me happy as well. Thanks for sharing this. Ciao from Italy. 💚

[@Just-SomeGuy]

Heartwarming, beautiful, well explained. A wonderful story and a wonderful video.

[@Aladdin_TV]

When I do bird watching in hot countries I usually visit the toilets in parks etc. Not very well maintained and water is leaking and I always find an amazing amount of birds around the toilets. And birds bathing, my favorite thing to see when birding

[@SonicStates]

As usual, phenomenal! I can't get enough of your videos. What a great little habitat you've set up. I'm excited to see how it develops over the weeks and months. Bravo.

[@waynejones1054]

Stunning and inspirational. Thanks for sharing👍👍👍

[@shupingyin8082]

Beautiful birds photography

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks!

[@LeeDillion]

Wonderful video. Just came in from photographing at my little pond and was rewarded with your video. Great inspiration..

[@gatorhawk]

Wow....awesome footage and ecosystem! The effort you put into it was definitely worth it.

[@lyndonald4174]

This is so great; fun, helpful & entertaining. Now our most prolific birdwatching season has finished in Australia we can watch your beautiful birds in the U.S. Thanks for posting this.

[@Old_Smuggler]

The pond project is reaping great rewards 👌🏼 That goldfinch snap @16:40 is so endearing 👌🏼

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you so much!

[@ganeshmookala328]

I love birds so much, your video inspired me to concentrate much on birds and to protect these beautiful birds

[@shylajasukumar4534]

Really amazing photo shoot… beautiful birds 🦢

[@kathyann5842]

Beautiful pond and video! So glad I stumbled across this on KZbin. It was fantastic.

[@xianlim77]

Thanks for your sharing

[@wandarask8444]

How amazing you showed it from beginning to end. Your filming and photos are captivating, Thankyou. I live in Australia in the forest soon as I put water out it's happening the birds love it. Thankyou you so much. X

[@pycrocoding]

Photography is superb

[@ivanturner3993]

Lovely video! Thanks!

[@redtomato2582]

So wonderful, birds are enjoying a lot. I'm happy that your hard work didn't go in vain.

[@renatohsp]

I watched the whole video with a smile on my face! Loved it.

[@rigocosas]

que bello . Gracias

[@chrelfistelfinelfe]

You are an inspiration!! I love your pond, the birds are having such a good party at the beach!! Oh it is beautiful!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you! Haha, it's like a beach party for the birds 😀

[@starlitnews]

Wonderments of nature seen through your eyes! lovely photography!

[@jijosfelix7530]

Bless you

[@tshaffer9681]

WITH ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD IT'S SO NICE AND RELAXING TO WATCH YOUR VIDEOS. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS STAY SAFE ALWAYS.

[@wildlifeartandphotography7675]

Wow Wow Wow what an amazing film. I would have given anything to be sat there with my camera...even on the hot days. Amazing

[@ShahzaibDamnCruze]

Excellent

[@kpravinkumar]

Great efforts and birds huge response...great

[@mnimb8720]

Appreciate your work sir. You are a really good person.

[@nakuru10]

What a wonderful video....so inspirational

[@linzero]

great job !!! many thanks

[@cobythebirdnerd3790]

This is such a cool project! I might have to try this someday. Thanks Stefano

[@uspjehzvijezda4757]

You are happy because you give happiness to so many creatures. I am also so happy watching all those sweet little birds and insects, watching that life. I love birds so much, I could watch them whole day long.. Thank you for this your video :)

[@lyndacorkum4399]

Stefano, thanks for the fabulous video. Happy birding!

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks so much! 🙂

[@lukaszu8011]

This is just amazing!!! WOW

[@deeess8064]

Love your work. Love your passion.

[@ateebahmad435]

in love with the black wolf ❤

[@GrymmsPlace]

This popped up in the recommended and am delighted it did. I do now want a pond+hide, but unfortunately the folks in the apartment below will likely get a little tense and ornery if I dig on down, fill it up with water and start taking photos. Incentive to get some place with a pond-able location is now a priority! Thanks for posting.

[@PrabuRcCars]

Beautiful

[@KaneLew]

Thoroughly enjoyed seeing the process and time given to get to the desired end result. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Glad you enjoyed 🙂

[@adayinlife-lookprey7460]

short video in along two week waiting with alot of hard work and patient. the result is amazing! thank you for sharing your bird photography experiences. ❤️

[@ellenderee350]

Thanks for this great video, truly enjoyed it. Also thanks for keep repeating the bird names, being from Europe and not familiar with these species, this is the best way to learn.

[@533rudiger]

What an amazing channel you've built! Another amazing video! I love that you show how to get the birds to come to you, rather than focusing so much on the camera gear.

[@zfisher]

These pictures are phenomenal. Really happy the pond is working out and interested to follow along how you improve it over time

[@StefanoIaniro]

So glad you liked them! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@christiegooding7384]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Great pictures of beautiful birds.

[@naturelover1844]

Thanks alot

[@AvesnFauna]

This is so beautiful and serene, the birds and music, make for a perfect mix of relaxation

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thank you! I was thinking about that while in the blind, it is very relaxing to just sit back and watch!

[@kikakapu1]

So cool, wonderful to see how the pond is coming along and how important water features are to wildlife.

[@StefanoIaniro]

Thanks so much!!

[@craftsandcards]

Just found your channel...excellent footage and I found myself rewinding and watching again just to see the mixture of beautiful and interesting birds. ! Since retiring to our lake home about 5 years ago we have become avid bird watchers. The binoculars are always within reach. We live in Ontario and have seen a lot of these birds...thanks for an amazing video and keep up the great work !!!

[@karitahannon1701]

Wow amazing! Thank you for sharing! I’ve just started bird photography and you are inspiring.

[@manuelsimon6579]

As you enjoy your passion, we enjoy it much better. Oh my what an amazing video. That’s a bright idea. You help us enjoy as well as the nature. Looking forward to see more of your videos. Thank you. God bless!

[@hezovideografia]

Caught my attention after the black wolf appeared!!! Awesome! ;)

[@HarpoonTA]

Great work! You are blessed to have such a habitat of your own (well, yours and nature's).

[@trondwestby5264]

wow....I was mesmerizing by your knowledge to biology. And a great pond as well with so many cool birds. Great vlog Stefano!

[@raphaelschmidt7033]

Awesome pictures! Thx a lot from a far far admirer from good old Germany 👍🏻

[@JOSIANGREENVLOGS]

What a beauty to see your videos.