In search of Cranes at RSPB Ham Wall

Join me on an exhilarating wildlife photography adventure at the breathtaking RSPB Ham Wall as I search for and photograph majestic Cranes using my Nikon Z9! 🌿📸
RSPB Ham Wall, located in the heart of the Avalon Marshes in Somerset, is a true gem for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. This stunning wetland reserve is renowned for its diverse habitats, including reedbeds, open water, and woodland, which attract an incredible variety of wildlife. It's a particularly significant spot for spotting Cranes, which have been successfully reintroduced to the area.
In this video, we delve deep into the lush landscapes of Ham Wall. I’ll guide you through the picturesque trails, sharing glimpses of the rich biodiversity that calls this place home. We’ll encounter a range of birds and other wildlife, all while keeping our eyes peeled for the elegant Cranes.
With my Nikon Z9 camera in hand, I'll show you my process for capturing these magnificent birds. From the initial scouting to setting up the perfect shot, you'll get an inside look at the techniques and gear I use. I’ll also share tips on wildlife photography and how to make the most of your equipment in challenging outdoor conditions.
Experience the thrill of spotting Cranes, the serene beauty of Ham Wall, and the excitement of capturing stunning wildlife photographs. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a nature enthusiast, this adventure is sure to inspire you.
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wildlife photography adventures and camera gear reviews! Hit the bell icon to stay updated with my latest videos.
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#WildlifePhotography #NikonZ9 #RSPBHamWall #Cranes #NatureLovers #PhotographyTips #Birdwatching #PhotographyAdventure #explorenature

[@richardchew1767]

Cracking video as always Dan, including your clear explanation of modes and settings. RSPB Ham Wall is one of my favourite locations in the UK, along with other sites on the Avalon Marshes, especially in spring or early summer. Mind you, the Starling murmuration in winter isn't bad either! Keep up the excellent work!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Richard I really appreciate it. I’ve heard a few people mention that the starling murmuration is quite the spectacle so I’m definitely planning a return visit to see that 👍🏻

[@KWTImages]

Great blog, full of great information, and as usual amazing video/stills images....😊😊👊👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Keith, always really appreciate your feedback mate 👍🏻

[@simonpendleton6005]

What a fabulous day out and the Bittern, pictures wow !!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Simon. Really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@warrengilson1835]

Such a pleasure to travel with you Dan! Let us all know when BBC Springwatch tap you on the shoulder 😉

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

Totally agree Dan is up there with the best of them his youtube chnl is awesome and should be 150k plus and hes such a great bloke too

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Mike, always a pleasure mate 👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Warren. If you know anyone that works for the BBC, please pass on my details. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@sheila4254]

A good informative video, thank you.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Sheila ☺️

[@SkylarkFields]

Your videos go from strength to strength! I particularly enjoy the ones from Ham Wall! Well done getting the bittern and crane!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much I really appreciate that. All the very best 👍🏻

[@user-stupotts]

Great tips Dan. Enjoyed the video.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, I’m glad you found it useful 👍🏻

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Another great video mate.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Craig. Really appreciate it, mate 👍🏻

[@tiptondronez]

Cracking video Dan 😊

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much 👍🏻

[@ScottRitchie-bw9ls]

always enjoyable!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Scott. All the best 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

Great stuff again Dan as always. Always grateful to you for sharing your settings with us. Gives us something to experiment with at the side of our own. 😃👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Glad you found the video useful Ian always a pleasure mate thanks 👍🏻

[@johngunning2123]

Great shots of the Bittern in flight. That's not an easy bird to photograph. I had no idea there were Cranes in the wild in the UK. Good to see you knocking about in a t-shirt. Fingers crossed the weather stays like that. This time next week I'll be eating steak pudding, chips and mushy peas. 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, John. I do hope the weather improved for when you get here. I’ve been out photographing owls this evening in a thick winter coat. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@DaveSandell-w6r]

Brilliant also brilliant information on your camera settings and the crane 👍🏻👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it. All the best 👍🏻

[@andrewmilne3031]

Cracking foties and video Dan. Your presenting skills and editing of your videos has really come on leaps and bounds since the early days. One tiny point, those were greater reedmace and not bulrushes that the kingfisher was perched on. A common mistake that lots of people make. Keep up the good work. ❤❤❤❤

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Andrew. I really appreciate the point on the greater Reedmace instead of bullrushes. Not something I’ve heard of before but will definitely refer to in future videos. All the very best 👍🏻

[@seanjonesphotos]

Really enjoyed this return to Ham Wall (for obvious reasons!) - cracking explantions on the exposure triangle too. Smashing! 🙌🏼

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers, Sean really appreciate it mate. All the best 👍🏻

[@andysavin5929]

Love those Bittern shots Dan, not been over to Ham Wall must give it a go. You should get yourself onto Exmoor..the reds are in velvet right now😉

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Andy I can definitely recommend Ham Wall, it’s a cracking reserve. Thanks for the tip about the reds on Exmoor next time. I’m in the area. I will definitely take a look 👍🏻

[@alanfearn1101]

Fabulous video Dan enjoyed it so much 😊

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Alan. Really appreciate it, all the best 👍🏻

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

another great video Dan and im glad you mentioned shooting modes so right in what u said completely agree

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Mike, really appreciate your comment and continued support mate 👍🏻

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

@@danwillis_photography Ive not even started yet lol

[@nickclaytonphotography]

Super stuff as ever Dan, great footage of the pair of Bitterns together & always good when you get to see your chosen subject in this case the Cranes. Like yourself, up until this experience for you; I’ve only had glimpses of them from afar; or seen them in flight a long way up. Super stuff, the advice re ‘walk around’ settings & your chosen shooting mode is great too. Like you, & many others I shoot pretty much the same way as you do, & I have quite a few custom functions set up to make changes quickly should I need to. Switching from servo mode to one shot AF for a bird in flight that then perches is really useful & I have assigned that to an easy access button that I don’t need to take my eye away from the viewfinder to press. Someone else has already mentioned it, but there’s a dust spot/smear on your sensor or lens that showed up on some of your video footage towards the end of this vlog. My tip for you: Your camera still has the wrong badge on it 😂 All the best mate! Keep on keeping on. Nick

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks so much Nick, always very much appreciated. I have given the sensor a clean so hopefully cleared that issue up. As for the camera badge mate 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️😂 All the very best mate 👍🏻

[@robj1366]

Another great video, excellent shots and clear explanations of your technique. Thank you 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it. 👍🏻

[@Terrytheartist]

A great video as usual Dan, nice Sunday night viewing, don’t know if you noticed but your sensor or lens needs a clean, there’s a mark showing up particularly in the sky in flight shots 👍📷🦅

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Terry, I had noticed the mark on my recent videos so will definitely need a sensor clean in the not too distant future 👍🏻

[@Terrytheartist]

@@danwillis_photography by the way Dan your set up in manual with auto ISO and exposure compensation is exactly the same as the set I use for both wildlife and aviation, I also have my histogram set up in viewfinder to help avoid blowing highlights, an almost perfect set up 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

@@Terrytheartist cheers Terry, I’m definitely going to experiment with the histogram in my viewfinder. That’s a great trip 👍🏻

[@Terrytheartist]

@@danwillis_photography it’s a no brainer Dan, I’m a Canon user and you can have a small version that doesn’t interfere with the view and I’ve found it invaluable in judging how much I need to alter the exposure compensation to avoid under or over exposure, you’ve nothing to lose by trying it 👍📸🦅

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Wonderful stuff Dan! I'm sure that you cleaned your sensor just after this adventure. I hate to get home to find out that I had that. Thanks for letting me tag along. Keep up the great work!

[@danwillis_photography]

I saw that blemish on my sensor in the videos and gave my camera a good clean. I hope it’s now gone, thanks very much as always John 👍🏻

[@RobertArundell-u3r]

Another superb video again Dan. Managed to see the Cranes earlier in the year and was fantastic to capture them. Two good sites to visit are RSPB Greylake and Catcott nature reserve, both on the Somerset levels and excellent for winter birds. Rob Arundell.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Rob, always a pleasure mate and thanks for the locations I will definitely check those out 👍🏻

[@davidn8117]

Another great video, Dan. Try over the road from Ham Wall I.e Shapwick - they have a few hides there. It’s one of my local reserves and a few weeks ago was in the Mere Heath hide and the Hobbies were flying across about 30m in front of the hide regularly.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much David really appreciate it. I did try Shapwick over the road but only a fleeting visit and saw a couple of the hobbies but didn’t manage to get anything decent. Definitely something I will try again in the future. All the best 👍🏻

[@peterosborne9802]

Good to hear how you take your shots , how about a video/explain about how you edit your work. Lightroom etc ? . It's always interesting knowing how others get there photography done.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Peter. I’m glad you found the video useful. I’ll definitely look into putting together a video on Lightroom in the future. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@philray1614]

For water rail pics, try the Willow hide at WWT Slimbridge November to March 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks for sharing this I’ll definitely give that a try 👍🏻

[@fraud1able]

Awesome video and a good understanding of the settings which a lot of beginners don't get the knowledge of ! For the weather forecast (which also we need), the best app I use is the one on the iPhone (And I believe the weather on the others is just as accurate).

[@danwillis_photography]

Glad you found the video useful. I’ll definitely check out that weather forecasting app, all the best 👍🏻

[@johnhjic2]

Hello Dan, I am with you on people talking very loud in hides, I find school holiday (as you will know) can be the worst. I remember going to a small hide at Fountains Abbey, and one set of adult continually shouting at there(I think) children to be quiet, this making far more noice than the children, we end up just leaving, for a coffee and cake near by. Some great image once more. You are so right about modes especially in this mirrorless age. I shoot with the Z8 and Z9 they are amazing bits of kit but there are so many modes all of which have there place, but finding one to suite your own style can take time. You end up watching so many youtube video were photographers say one thing and other say something ells. I know you have to take the time to lean wat is best for your individual work flow. you know I do more writing comments now than I have ever written. But I do love your work.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, John. It sounds like you had a very similar experience in the hide. Finding the right Photography mode on your camera I think it’s all about finding a setting that you trust and works for you once you find it stick with it and tweak if necessary. Thanks very much for your comments. I always enjoy reading them all the best 👍🏻

[@ChristineStephens-dj2vm]

Hi Dan I was at hamwall about a month ago lovely site saw plenty of bitterns very helpful with camera settings thanks for the help .Are you going to the bird fair would be great to meet you Clive

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Clive. I’m glad you found the camera settings information useful. I will be going to the Bird fair, be sure to come and say hello if you see me 👍🏻

[@jennysimpson9422]

There are so many wonderful places here on the Somerset Levels, other great reserves to visit are Greylake, Catcotrt Westhay. . I find the best opportunities are away from the reserves. I hear cranes from my village. During the winter when they come into roost I’ve seen as many as 72 fly in

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Jenny. I’ll definitely look into some of those locations you’ve shared. Would be absolutely amazing to see that many cranes coming into roost. All the very best 👍🏻

[@martinimbusch7465]

Hello Dan, sorry bit late putting your video up been away. Martin

[@danwillis_photography]

No need for an apology, Martin. It’s always very much appreciated. All the best 👍🏻

[@Jonathantuba]

Some great images. That is reserve I must visit. I shoot 95% of the time aperture priority with ISO minimum shutter speed, and auto ISO. The other 5% it will be full manual. I like using ISO minimum shutter speed, as the camera will then automatically increase shutter speed when ISO gets down to 100, rather than over exposing. My minimum shutter speed is usually 1/1000 for mammals, 1/2000 for larger birds or 1/4000 for small fast birds. I may occasionally risk going down to 1/500 if light is poor. Otherwise the camera will automatically slow shutter speed if ISO reaches 12,800 which I do find still fully usable with modern denoising software.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much for your comment, Jonathan. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on camera settings and modes. I’ve not used auto ISO with minimum shutter speed before, but it’s definitely something I will look into all the best 👍🏻

[@JimiJo]

Hey Dan, new here you may told us in a previous video I see you using a Z9 but what lens are you using if you don’t mind me asking?

[@danwillis_photography]

I don’t mind you asking in the slightest, I’m using the Z400 2.8 with the built in teleconverter. It’s a fantastic bit of kit. Hope you stay with the channel and look forward to reading your comments in the future 👍🏻

[@JimiJo]

@@danwillis_photography there’s only one reply Dan, Ouch! Lol

[@danwillis_photography]

@@JimiJo 😂😂😂

[@johnhardy1054]

I have never seen Cranes at Ham Wall but I have seen them in the surrounding fields. I find Slimbridge to be better for cranes.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much John, I will definitely be visiting Slimbridge on my next visit 👍🏻

[@rogerflynn3970]

I live in Poole but on the rare times i get to the levels i like to visit RSPB Greylakes,great by the way

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, Roger. I will definitely be looking into RSPB Graylakes on my next visit. All the very best 👍🏻