Cemlyn Bay Terns, Wales Weekend Pt 2

Join me on an exhilarating trip to Cemlyn Bay, a paradise for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike! Armed with my Nikon Z9, I set out to capture the stunning Arctic, Common, and Sandwich Terns in their natural habitat. In this video, you'll follow my journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Cemlyn Bay as I photograph these beautiful birds with precision and creativity.
From the moment I arrive at Cemlyn Bay, the natural beauty and diverse wildlife captivate me. I dive into the challenges and rewards of bird photography, sharing tips and techniques to get the best shots of these fast-moving terns. Whether you're an experienced photographer or a beginner, you'll find valuable insights and inspiration for your own photography adventures.
As I explore the bay, I document the unique behaviors and interactions of the Arctic, Common, and Sandwich Terns. With the Nikon Z9's advanced features, I capture every detail of their graceful flight and striking plumage. Despite the unpredictable weather and the terns' elusive nature, I manage to get up close and personal, showcasing the Nikon Z9's capabilities in various conditions.
Join me on this exciting adventure as I navigate the stunning landscapes of Cemlyn Bay, share my passion for bird photography, and celebrate the incredible beauty of these remarkable terns. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wildlife photography adventures and tips!
If you enjoyed the video and want to show that little bit more appreciation then why not buy me a coffee at the webpage below:
www.buymeacoffee.com/dwphotgraphy
#BirdPhotography #NikonZ9 #CemlynBay #ArcticTern #CommonTern #SandwichTern #WildlifePhotography #NaturePhotography #PhotographyTips #TravelVlog #BirdWatching

[@adrian-l1r5e]

great shots and great video

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@Terrytheartist]

Well you bagged yet another great video Dan for sure! amazing birds and as you pointed out the journey they make is almost beyond belief, you did well with that sky and so much white on the birds, they’re the sort of days where the histogram in the viewfinder can be really helpful, looking forward to the next adventure 👍🦅📷

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Terry I really do appreciate it. I did have the histogram visible in the viewfinder for that very reason and I also have live view activated so the settings impact the image. Thanks again and all the best 👍🏻

[@capturingnaturewithsandip]

Awesome so lovely video

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@sbphotography3751]

Terrific video Dan, TFS,

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@nimuil]

Absolutely incredible!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@simonpendleton6005]

Loved the last few weeks, I no longer live in the uk, so it's been great visiting some old haunts 😊

[@danwillis_photography]

I'm so glad you have enjoyed the videos. Thanks for your comment and all the best 👍🏻

[@nickclaytonphotography]

Fine stuff Sir! The sandwich terns in particular are stunning, & fantastic to see them thriving & so well protected there. Great tips & advice on techniques as always, brilliant stuff mate. Keep on keeping on! Best, Nick

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Nick, always really appreciate your feedback and support mate. Take care and all the best 👍🏻

[@Shahid_S_Shaikh]

Wow, i always trying to capture terns photos like this, just osm, waiting for another video...

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Shahid I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@AmadoWildlifeVideos]

Wonderful footage and photos. We were just dive-bombed by Artic Terns when filming puffins in Canada!

[@roaminginraymond]

Another great video. Terns are very beautiful birds. It's always a privilege to get to see the wildlife that graces our shores each year. Look forward to see where you go to next. I'm heading to North Wales on Wednesday, but don't know if I'll get to Anglesey.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much and safe travels to North Wales, I hope you have a fantastic trip 👍🏻

[@irisotte83]

Another great video Dan!👏 Awesome video and pictures of all these terns!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@hstein27]

Wow, that area is a gold mine for terns! You had great views of the nesting site. I could photograph terns all day. We have least tern colonies in the Boston area, but they're all in roped-off sand dunes at beaches. The parents are extremely aggressive if you get anywhere near the ropes. Your only hope of seeing and photographing the chicks is to get down low and approach very slowly. I was able to get some great shots but not of the chicks getting fed. At low tide, common terns come in and don't care about you walking around as they catch fish. I hope to see a Sandwich or Arctic tern sometime. They look awesome, and you got stellar shots and videos!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much and thank you for giving us an insight into what it’s like in the Boston area, I really enjoyed reading about this. I have had Terns dive bomb my head at the Farne Islands and they draw blood if you don’t wear a hat 😂 Thanks again and all the best 👍🏻

[@DaveSandell-w6r]

Absolutely brilliant Dan thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

My pleasure, thanks very much 👍🏻

[@sheila4254]

Another enjoyable video, thank you. 😊

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Sheila, I really appreciate it 😊

[@rikarthur8969]

Great video Dan, you did a great deal better than I did last year, I don’t believe I got a single shot the matches up to any of yours. We had bright sun and wind which made it very difficult but perhaps you were just more dedicated than I was! Keep’em coming!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Rik, they are an incredibly difficult bird to capture. I’m sure you will have some great shots. Take care and all the very best 👍🏻

[@seanjonesphotos]

I think this may well be my favourite of your videos Dan. Couple of reasons mate. One, your passion and enthusiasm coupled with engaging knowledge and facts about the birds is infectious and two, I love Terns. Of all kinds. Thanks once again for treating us all to this. Absolutely tremendous.

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Sean that’s a fantastic compliment and I thoroughly appreciate it mate. All the very best and have a cracking trip to Mull 👍🏻

[@AndyRae-l7n]

Fantastic as always, love all the info you impart and most of all the stunning shots that you produce. I struggled with the Terns at my local reservoir until I realised that they followed a flight path, the next struggle was exposure (dark eye set in a dark head), my tip would be to set 'exposure for highlights' on the camera. Always look forward to your videos superb content and presentation, great stuff.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Andy, really appreciate it mate. I think your tip is absolutely spot on for nailing exposure and something I will experiment more with next time I’m there. All the best 👍🏻

[@paulliversage4479]

Great video....been meaning to go there....Will be next year now

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Paul, will definitely be worth a visit next year 👍🏻

[@johngunning2123]

Great spot and some stunning images. Just enjoying my last week in the UK. The weather has been fantastic.👍

[@danwillis_photography]

I’m glad that the UK weather has behaved itself for you and hope you’ve had a fantastic trip mate 👍🏻

[@Distinctly.Average]

As a self confessed tern addict (as anyone that follows me on Flickr or X will tell you) I felt your enjoyment of these wonderful birds. If you get a chance also photograph them at inland sites as there is a lot of behaviour you miss at the coast. That is them hovering or diving for fish, hawking insects of shaking water off themselves after a failed dive. These are amazing photographic opportunities well worth the effort to find.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks for sharing this with me and you have definitely stoked my curiosity to witness such behaviours in what are beautiful birds. I can completely understand why you could become a Tern addict! All the best 👍🏻

[@andrewmilne3031]

Incredible video and foties Dan 🤪😀

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Andrew, appreciate it mate 👍🏻

[@TrevorBevan-c2n]

Another great video Dan, thanks for sharing

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Trevor, really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@alunlambert7456]

Cracking vlog as always Dan, such a lovely place

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Alun I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@tiptondronez]

Brilliant Dan , thanks 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

My pleasure, thanks for the comment 👍🏻

[@chrishardman586]

Thanks for another great video. I really appreciate how you explain about bird behavior as well as your photo approach. I’m so glad I found your channel.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Chris, that’s a fantastic comment to read. All the very best 👍🏻

[@richardchew1767]

Hi Dan Brilliant video and photos as always at an amazing location. Cemlyn is a site I know very well and which I usually include in the itinerary for my annual trip to Wales. But, I visit in May and obviously you visited much later and had the benefit of seeing so many young terns. It is really pleasing to see such successful breeding given the recent impacts of pathogenic avian flu. Very important message saying “stay on the right side of the rope”. The Arctic Tern migration is incredible. Those that breed even further north above the Arctic Circle and migrate to/from Antarctica travel even further and hardly see a dark sky! I am glad to hear that you saw some of the few Mediterranean Gulls at Cemlyn. They can be difficult to find and, as I am sure you found out, you need to scan through A LOT of terns and Black-headed Gulls to see them. Richard

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Richard, I know exactly what you mean about avian flu and saw the devastating effects firsthand in Shetland last year on the Gannet colonies. You are absolutely right about spotting the Med Gulls, but once you’ve found one they are unmistakable aren’t they. Thanks again and all the best mate 👍🏻

[@garywebster8355]

Fantastic 😊

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much 👍🏻

[@joncothranphotography9375]

That's wonderful, Dan! Those are some great birds! Thanks for letting me come along and see what you see! Say "Hello" to Pops for me... (I'm not going to bring up your sensor spot... LOL!!! Sorry!)

[@danwillis_photography]

I thought I’d got that off the sensor 😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️ Thanks buddy I appreciate it, all the best 👍🏻

[@joncothranphotography9375]

@@danwillis_photography You're still "DA Man!"...

[@johnflanagan44]

Another fantastic vlog fantastic tips. The sound that the bird make are just spectacular. Stunning image’s too. Hope pops is doing ok we need pops back on your channel

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much John, you will be pleased to hear that Pops is on next weeks video 👍🏻

[@mikecoward8289]

Hi Dan just got back from the kestrel hide you featured a while back and yes thar are the best in the uk Had a brilliant day and mick was super helpful thank you for showing us this hide

[@danwillis_photography]

@@mikecoward8289 my absolute pleasure Mike, I’m glad you had a fantastic time mate 👍🏻

[@paulcbennettphotography7959]

Another great watch Dan, never been and probably a little late in the season now but a trip next year definitely. Thanks Paul

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Paul, always appreciated mate. I would say it’s definitely late in the season now and worth visiting next year to see it at its best, well worth a visit. Take care and all the best mate 👍🏻

[@Archivos_de_Montejo]

excelentes imágenes

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@michaell5038]

Love the image with sand eels eye sharp as the birds. Also makes a change from the rioting on my KZbin feed .

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I’m glad you enjoyed the video and that it brought a welcomed change. All the best 👍🏻

[@geraldgill2416]

Thanks very much, Dan for a cracking video, I have now set *Dynamic-Area (M) and (S) to the *Record button* along with Wide-Area AF large/small plus wide-area AF (C1) Hopefully, I can now track incoming birds with Dynamic-area (M) or (S) and then hand over to 3D via FN1button. Thanks once again Dan, I did pass on your regards to the crew of The Lady Jayne. I hope Pops is on the mend, please thank him for the information regarding the Z100-400 it saved the day on The Lady Jayne, Lunga and Skomer, a beautiful lens.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Gerald, I’m really glad that you have found the autofocus information that I have shared useful and I hope that it works for you. I will pass on your kind words to Pops as well. His recovery is going fantastic thanks for asking. Take care and all the very best 👍🏻

[@DavidvanderSpoel]

Another great video, Dan, thanks a lot. Were there no roseate terns at that location?

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much David, I really appreciate it. No Roseate Terns this time, Pops went last year and saw them there. All the best 👍🏻

[@benjaminb96]

Some incredible images Dan! It must be so confusing for migrating birds flying all the way from Africa or elsewhere, seeing certain birds there to fly 40,000 odd km, to then see all the same birds here and then back again.... Natal Philopatry - the instinct an animal has to return to its place of birth to reproduce. Osprey's especially males demonstrate it too as well as Atlantic Puffins.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks for sharing this with me. I’m going to do my best to remember Natal Philopatry as that’s a fantastic fact (might have to look up how to pronounce Philopatry 😂). Really appreciate you sharing this with me 👍🏻

[@benjaminb96]

@@danwillis_photography not a problem at all. I pronounce philopatry as (phonetically) File Oh Pat Tree... could be wrong

[@danwillis_photography]

That'll do for me, thanks mate 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

Great stuff Dan and what a place. Had a similar experience on the Farne Islands last week, they were just everywhere! Regards to the three focusing modes you were using, were you using these altogether in some way? Would be grateful if you could explain. Thanks Ian 😀

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Ian. Yes I use all three combined, sort of…I will try and explain. I always start off with wide area small on the shutter release with animal eye recognition, this works for initial lock on in 90% of instances. Once locked on I have 3D tracking on the back button which I hand off to by pressing both buttons. The 3D tracking is usually a bit stickier once the subject is acquired. On the front of the body I have 3 programmable buttons. Two of these I use for small group which is my go to if the first two don’t acquire subject and finally my got out of jail card single point. Once I have acquired the subject with either of these I hand off to 3D tracking. Hope that makes sense mate 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

@@danwillis_photography thanks for the explanation Dan much appreciated. I’ll have to give it a go although my z6ii doesn’t have animal eye tracking and I’ve found the animal tracking mode on it isn’t very reliable! Focusing on birds in flight is something I really struggle with to be honest. Would you consider doing a video on it in future? Thanks Ian

[@chipsrafferty8362]

Wonderful video,thanks

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@fraud1able]

Another great video Dan. How would you do that with a DSLR (i.e. D850 + 500mm)?

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, I would use a small group focus point to lock on and track the birds. That’s the method I used for birds in flight on my D500. All the best 👍🏻

[@anthonytonkin2415]

great video bud lots of choughs down here in cornwall . do you set your 3don the buttons not long got a d850

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Anthony I really appreciate it. I do set the 3 programmable buttons on the front of the camera to small group focus point, single point autofocus and switching the camera between FX and DX Modes. Hope that answers your question. The D850 is without doubt the best DSLR camera ever made I’m sure you will capture some stellar images with it 👍🏻

[@anthonytonkin2415]

@@danwillis_photography many thanks it is all new to me i am getting better i think 😂love your videos full of info which helps alot hope you get to cornwall at some point lots to photogarph down here all the best take care

[@jonathanhall2401]

it still looks like you have something on the sensor of your Z9

[@danwillis_photography]

It's gone now (I hope). All these videos were shot before I had realised it. Thanks for the heads up though 👍🏻

[@warrengilson1835]

No stone un-terned 😂😊 (groan)

[@danwillis_photography]

Certainly made me giggle 😂😂😂 cheers mate 👍🏻

[@Steve4962]

Hello Dan, what Tripod and Gimbal Head are you using as I am after one for my Nikon Z8 & Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens? Cheers.

[@danwillis_photography]

Hi Steve, Great setup by the way 👍🏻 I use a Gitzo series 5 systematic tripod with Gitzo fluid gimbal head. The series 5 is probably a touch overkill for my setup and I would probably look at the series 4 or possibly 3 if I wanted to cut down on weight 👍🏻

[@paulmiller3071]

Evening dan may I please ask you a question I've noticed that your camera strap concepts to your lens so it's easier for walking around . What strap is it please and may I ask you the price of it as I've got the sigma 150/600 sports lens and my nikon d810 plus I went to the Cardiff camera centre today , I put a £50 deposit on a second hand d500 they said yes I could next I was shocked because they asked if I'd like a bag ,I said what for he said to take the camera home with me I went wow are you sure he said yes ..

[@danwillis_photography]

Evening Paul, the strap that I use is a Peak Design Slide strap, I would always recommend attaching the strap to the lens rather than the camera body when using big lenses as it takes the pressure off the mount. The strap retails for around £60-70. If I read the second part of your comment correct you got a D500 for £50 is that correct? If so you have just got yourself the deal of the century, as that is a fantastic camera for an amazing price. All the very best 👍🏻

[@paulmiller3071]

@@danwillis_photography no I paid a £50 deposit the camera is £799 and only 34.286 exposure count thank you the info on your strap info ,by the way did you finally get your nikon back from the repair place or are you still using pops camera

[@danwillis_photography]

@@paulmiller3071 £799 is still a bargain for a camera that in my opinion is top of its class. Yes I got my camera back, they had to replace the entire shell of the Z9 but it is like brand new so worth it in the end 👍🏻

[@philclancaster]

Great video, thanks

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Phil, appreciate it 👍🏻