Duck Photography in my NEW floating blind. I built a new DIY blind, here's what I changed & improved

[@brentwebber3412]

I have a similar blind. If you want to get really serious about ducks at eye level, this is the only way you will get those shots unless you get really lucky. Incredible sit. Loved it.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you! These blinds are wonderful,.I'm working on my third model right now 😆

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Once again another excellent video, lots of great footage and images. The Mallards are a beautiful bird, we have so many of them in our area that most photographers ignore them. I quite often like to get images of them especially in the sunlight because their heads become very colorful in the bright light. You are off to a great start in 2023 and it is great to your subscribers climbing regularly. Have a great week and thanks again for sharing your videos and expertise!!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you, Keith! I've fallen into that same trap of passing them by all too often because of how common they are. They were one of the first ducks that I photographed when I started wildlife photography, but for some reason I stopped photographing them along the way. I'm glad that I've re-found my appreciation for them. Have a great week!

[@kikakapu1]

Nice upgrade, makes such a difference getting down to water level. Thanks for the video.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you! It's been a great blind so far, and like you said, it really does make a huge difference getting down on that level!

[@stefangoldensteinwildlife9929]

The first sequence is already looking amazing. Wonderful footage out of your swimming blind. I really love the scenes with the golden eye. I have seen them so many time but not as near as you. Well done. Greets Stefan

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you, Stefan! The Goldeneye Ducks really are stunning! I had seen them a lot from a distance in the past, but they're so flighty that they would fly away as soon as they saw me. This floating blind made all the difference in photographing them.

[@Tipton_Wildlife]

This is pretty cool dude.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks a bunch!

[@BirgerVoigt]

Amazing video and photos of the ducks!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you so much!

[@mikeburke6187]

Beautiful video and images Jimmy. I build a similar blind like your new design. I got my initial idea from your original design, however I made it almost exactly to your current specs. I used nylon mesh window screen material for my windows. My wife and I recently moved to northern Utah by Logan and I have not yet been able to get into the water. Going to look at your new waders online. Thanks for producing such amazing work. Mike

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Hey Mike, that's really cool that you built your own, I would love to hear how it goes when you have a chance to use it. I've been loving mine and have had a few chances to use it now. Best of luck, thanks again for watching!

[@postcardswithkevan]

Absolutely brilliant… what a great tool and beautiful work.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much, it really is a great way to photograph waterfowl!

[@brandt_bennett]

Another job well done! So cool to see, thank you for sharing !

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you so much my friend, I always appreciate your support and hope you're doing well!

[@brandt_bennett]

@@JimmyBreitenstein you’re welcome, I’m doing alright. Staying busy, but looking forward to getting out and looking to make some photos soon!

[@krisjeuring5848]

Love it. And will try to make something simular.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks, definitely worth the effort, if you're okay having your camera gear inches above the water.

[@paulrobinson1337]

Thanks for this video Jimmy. A question on your ghillie blanket that went over your blind cover - is that something you made to fit just the blind? I have a commercially made blind and want to take it to the next level with a ghillie cover to improve the camoflage of the hide and to provide a means to be able to add some local foliage to (mostly cattails) to further break up the shape. I do wantt it to remain in place for those locations where I'm scrambling up or down a muddy bank to get in or out of the water. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much. Yes, this was a ghillie net that I made myself. They're easy enough to make and you can use them in so many scenarios, so I figured I'd just make my own. Best of luck to you in improving your blind!

[@terryroth2855]

Very nice setup, Jimmy. I enjoy mallards also. Your photos here, of them, are awesome. Snow removal has dominated my outdoor activities since mid-November. I should be in pretty good shape come Spring. A little film photography here and there has kept me going. Take care now.👍👍

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much Terry! All that snow removal is going to work your muscles for caring around a backpack and a camera come spring 😆 I wish you all the best in your nature adventures, stay safe out there!

[@richardschmidtke6453]

I have been wanting to try a floating hide for some time now. As you are probably aware, they are quite expensive to purchase. Your video has inspired me to seriously consider making my own. Keep up the good work Jimmy!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

I wish you the best of luck in building one, let me know if you have any questions in the process. They are so expensive to buy, which is why I built mine years ago.

[@KobusGevelspar]

Just buy a used belly boat, take out the sitting part, replace it with a plateau with head. Make a tent over it with two poles and some velcro. Not expensive, but it takes some time to make.

[@CbWillberg]

Awesome video; do you have any tips for shooting on the water? Do you move to the ducks or stay in one position? How do you approach the ducks, do you try to stay upwind to catch them landing or taking off? Many thanks!

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you, those are some great questions! When I first started in a floating blind I was moving around way too much. I've found that if you find a good spot and hold still in the blind, you'll generally have more success. Honestly, flight shots can be difficult in a blind like this, you don't have as much vertical maneuverability with the camera and it can be hard to see the birds coming in. That being said, I have been able to get some fun flight shots in these blinds, it's just a tad harder.

[@natureflixs1]

Well done.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you!

[@KobusGevelspar]

Nice! I made my second one a lot lower and that worked a lot better also.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

I agree, the photos look so much better the lower you're able to get. I'm working on my third right now, haha!

[@bobeastman6699]

Hi Jimmy great video, i would love to learn more on your blind and what you made the base out of and where you bought the camo materials for the cover. I searched your videos but could not find any of that information. A how to on the float would be really nice. Or the info in what you used would be very helpful and where to purchase thing's. The camo the screen camo etc. Another question is how do you prevent water from going over your waders and have you tried a dry suit? Thank you Bob

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Hey Bob, thanks so much for looking and for the wonderful questions. I'm still figuring out how I want to do a more detailed video about the base and such. As far as your other questions, I've still not tried a dry suit as I love my waders. I just make sure I don't go into really deep water when using them, that way I don't run the risk of flooding them.

[@jeremyjohnston4126]

Very nice!! What is the floating frame made out of??

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks! It's foam encased in plywood with a waterproof resin over the outside.

[@denischasse3567]

Always equal to you my friend! Great pictures! your shelter looks a lot like the commercial version, what is your visual equipment that you use to film? Merci 🎥🎬

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed! It's a great blind and it works wonderfully. I'm filming all of my footage on the Canon R5 right now, it has been great!

[@AZTEC_ARTS]

Nice work ! Question ... can you show how the gimbal is attached ? What is the "top" surface of the blind made of ?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks! I just ran a bolt through the whole thing. The top is a water sealed plywood.

[@AZTEC_ARTS2023]

What did you seal it with ? ​@@JimmyBreitenstein

[@joecronin5017]

great Jimmy,can you do a video on how and the materials thanks from canada..

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much for the request, I'm still figuring out how I want to do a video like that, but it's definitely something I'm working on.

[@PaKDucati]

Wonderful video! During the time you are in the water, do you walk on the ground?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you! Yes, I walk around while it floats around me.

[@AndyGustavsson]

Great video Jimmy! Interesting design of your blind, will add some notes for my the new blind I´m building! Question what typ of poles are you using looks flexible enough to actually bend nicely! Have a great day

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you, I appreciate it. They're just tent poles, if you're blind is too small, they will kink and break. Best of luck to you in your build!

[@SteveMcWilliams-qr2le]

Can you talk about how you constructed the base? It looks like two sheets of foam board with a plywood on top. What did you coat the foam with?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Yeah, I'm working on getting something together where I go into a bit more detail. Thanks so much for the request!

[@SteveMcWilliams-qr2le]

@@JimmyBreitenstein Looking forward to that video. Namely how you glued the foam together, attached the plywood to the foam and what coating you used to waterproof that part.

[@o_i_ik]

Your floating hide is just amazing. What happens if the water is too deep and your feet losing the ground? Would it carry your weight? Keep up the great work ❤

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you! The blind can carry my weight if needed, but I don't like to rely on that. All it takes is one quick movement or one moment of losing my balance and it can all go under. Keep in mind as well, I'm a very small guy and it's easier for these blinds to carry my weight, but I don't know how well they would do with a normal sized person, haha 🤣

[@cango5679]

@@JimmyBreitenstein I have a first gen mrjan floating hide, and weigh over 100kg... it can hold my weight, not problem - BUT - as long as I loose foothold it's almost impossible to steer the thing, or move forward unless I have flippers on me. So, touching the bottom is always important. The air in my drysuit help a bit in keeping me afloat as well.

[@StreamDreamin]

I love what you do and how you do it! What are the approximate dimensions of your floating blind and what type of foam did you sandwich between the plywood?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thank you. The approximate dimensions are three by four feet, but I recommend you make one specific to your needs and size. I just used rigid foam to put in the middle.

[@toddbielby2595]

I’ve been using a home made float blind for about 4 years now. I’ve been thinking about redesigning one. I’ve seen those European ones that are pretty expensive. I like the horseshoe idea because getting in an out of one can be difficult with waders on. I’m just worry about all the sticks and trees I have to step over. There have been a few times I’ve had to support my weight with the blind. I also wonder about the material used. I used that pink foam board with 1/4 inch plywood on the outside covered in flex seal. A buddy of mine covered his in fiberglass. Not sure what would be the best? Mine seems a bit heavy to carry.

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

They really are great to use for photography. My new blind is able to hold my weight, but I'm a pretty small guy so there's not a whole lot to hold up, haha. I love the horseshoe shape and did the foam/plywood method and got mine down to about 35 lbs. That being said, I'm already designing my next one and will hopefully start building it here shortly. It's safe to say I'm addicted at this point, haha.

[@toddbielby2595]

@@JimmyBreitenstein sounds great! Thanks for the reply. Do u use 1/4,3/8 or 1/2” plywood? I used 1/4” to save on weight but I think that’s a bit flimsy. Like I wanted to rivet straps or handles on it but I’ve had those rivets tear out of the 1/4”

[@thimoschreiber4275]

⁠​⁠@@toddbielby2595with foam you mean styrofoam? I think making a cast out of wood or styrofoam and then making a fiberglass cover would be the lightest option. You then have only a thin very strong fiberglas wall and as floatation you got the air trapped inside of it. I think it them should be abel to hold your weight. One concern i have about the horseshoe design is that you blind floats away when you go into rivers where the current comes from behind you. Do had a similar scenario? Can you give experience about courent with those blinds?

[@GiuseppeGessa]

Really interesting that photo blind. I was thinking about to make a blind like that, but here I don't have rivers/lakes, with animals, deep enough to use it. Where you were, how deep was the river? Thanks, Jimmy

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Thanks so much! The river I was in this time was about 3 ft deep. But I've used it in as little water as 12 inches or so, It's just harder to use in those situations, but it's still possible.

[@GiuseppeGessa]

@@JimmyBreitenstein I thought it was deeper. In only 12 inches you are almost slipping on the water 😅

[@jamiebassett2381]

I’m looking to build something like this but, I need to come up with something that will keep me afloat while kicking my feet to move around. I’ll be in deeper water, I want to shoot loons especially when they have their babies on their backs. And also to get closer where ospreys dive every year. If I put slings across from the two float’s to lay on I’m concerned about my weight pulling them inwards. I’m thinking about putting a monopod down through the plywood and floats for the camera. I like what you’ve done Jim, hope you’re still getting out there.

[@travishenry6764]

So can the blind support you if you step in a submerged hole? Does a long lens like a 600 mm make the float “front heavy?”

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

My first blind that was bigger could definitely hold my weight if needed, I wouldn't trust this smaller, more compact version to do so. I am a really small guy, and I think pretty much anyone else would have more issues in a smaller blind like this. It is sturdy enough to support a bigger lens like that without a problem.

[@robertshafer8865]

Where did you find your material and what material did you use?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

I just found some camo fabric online and the base is made from things I picked up at the local hardware store. Pretty basic design honestly.

[@philipculbertson55]

I've never used a floating blind but have been curious. Do you ever wade out into water when you can't touch bottom? How do you know you won't step off into a deep spot? Is that ever a concern?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

They're very fun to use, but you do have to be careful with what water you use them in. I've used them before when I can't touch the bottom, but I don't usually recommend that. You have to be sooo careful where you're walking because one quick movement and all your gear can end up in the water.

[@philipblair7307]

I made a floating blind last year, mine is made from sewer pipe with the ends sealed. What is the base of yours m,ade from? I would like something lighter

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

I thought about making mine out of some sort of pipe, but ultimately decided against it. Mine is fairly light, made out of plywood that has been water sealed. It's still a little heavier than I would like, but I'm fixing that issue with the next version I'm already building 😆

[@dennisharris144]

Does the float have to be so thick? I would think 2" of foam would suffice

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

You could probably go thinner, but with all that camera gear just inches above the water, I didn't want to take any chances.

[@gll1954]

so your just standing up walking in the blind ? what happens if you step off in deep water ?

[@JimmyBreitenstein]

Yep, gotta watch your step or you and your gear can end up in the water really quickly.