My Visit to Keith Thorburn's Pine Marten Hide

[@derekclark4762]

Well some absolutely stunning shots and footage of such a beautiful creature Dan, have had a soft spot for mustelids since I was a lad,worked ferrets for 25 plus years but Stoat is my favourite, watched many a rabbit sucum from the tenacity of a stoat but never had a camera back then. Fortunate to have badgers come to the house every night so very lucky, your Pine Marten pictures are exquisite, I've never seen one, a friend who lives on Mull who's partner runs wildlife tours tells me to get up there to get to see the martens and the copious amount of eagles, maybe soon. Brilliant video as usual I know you will keep up the good work, cheers Derek

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Derek, I appreciate it. I too share your thoughts on mustelids being such amazing and diverse set of animals. I’ve photographed badgers for a number of years now and otters are right up there but my recent experience of a stoat chasing, catching, killing and then carrying off a rabbit possibly 3 times it’s size has firmly fixed them at the top. What awesome predators they are. All the best 👍🏻

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Absolutely brilliant mate. 👏

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Craig, I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@drumbatter100]

Great video Dan. We now have a few Pine Martins in the New Forest, so waiting for the day that they find my hide.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Alan, fingers crossed that they do mate your hide would make an awesome venue for them 👍🏻

[@relichunter7984]

Great video again Dan, very informative. Looks a fantastic place to visit.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, your comments and support are always appreciated. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@johnstones7484]

Loved it!

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much John, I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@simoneardley]

Great film Dan, its a cracking setup Keiths got there. As you say Keiths a great host with a wealth of experience with the Pine Martens and also night photography which pardon the pun, is a bit of a "dark art". Great to get a few pointers from him. Glad you got the shots, keep up the good work. 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Simon, it was your video that inspired me to take a visit. It’s definitely something that I will be returning to in the future. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@albertjones2894]

Definitely give this place a try Dan, Thanks for the heads up.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Albert, Keith is a fantastic photographer and a real gentleman 👍🏻

[@mikek601]

Great video thanks alot pinemartens are awesome. We had 5 turn up at once i wasn't expecting them at that particular time they came right up to me and started eating within 1.5/2 meters away from me i was like 😮. I was bare footed and pretty scared id get bitten lol but it was all good i couldn't believe it amazing.

[@danwillis_photography]

That sounds like an awesome experience and something similar to an experience I had with badgers 😮 Thanks for your comment and continued support 👍🏻

[@deolimjo]

Love it, thank you Dan, another great video.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Joao I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@Bird_in_camera]

Great video Dan. Looks like a great place to go, maybe conjoin it with a trip to Mull next year.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, it’s definitely a trip you could combine with Mull especially if you take the Lochaline to Fishnish ferry instead of the Oban to Craignure 👍🏻

[@MrCopper4]

Great images as always. See you in the next one.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Scott I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@MrDAVEcrouchy]

Class!!!! This could well be sending me north of the boarder again. Not here but this is defo on the list maybe one for 2024

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Dave, I can definitely recommend Keith’s hide it’s a cracker 👍🏻

[@stephencooper8565]

Superb video, stunning images ,thanks Dan

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers Stephen, I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@pewpewgaming43]

Great video again Dan! Some great insights as well 🙂

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much Deano, really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@satcat]

Nice one Dan,,, i seem to be following your foot steps lately...LOL.. I,m up at Keiths in Nov..an just followed you to Alan,s place ..keep it up, cheers Den

[@danwillis_photography]

😂😂😂 that’s great, hopefully we will cross paths at some point. All the best mate 👍🏻

[@michaelchapman6691]

Lovely images. I had the exact problem with live view once as I’d never used flash. No phone, couldn’t find it in the menus and no way to resolve the issue until I got back. I now have a pre set on my menu settings. I’m booked in this hide in mid October, so looking forward to it. Keep up with the videos enjoying them all.

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks for your comment Michael and what a genius idea to create a pre set and something I definitely intend on doing, it was an absolute nightmare at the time and I don’t want to experience that again. All the best 👍🏻

[@johngunning2123]

What a fantastic spot! Some magnificent shots and excellent flash work. I need to take more interest in flash photography.👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Cheers John, it really can add a different dimension to photography and is often overlooked in wildlife photography. I am hopefully off to Bristol in the coming weeks to experiment with flash photography and urban foxes 👍🏻

[@johngunning2123]

@@danwillis_photography That sounds interesting!👍

[@KWTImages]

Hi Dan Thank you so much for all your kind comments, very much appreciated. Loved your Vlog, and you got some amazing images and footage, that I can enjoy for all the repeat times I stick this on. It's great that some people get a little bit of what I have enjoyed for about three years now. Cheers Dan PS: looking forward to seeing you up again...with Pops...😊😊

[@danwillis_photography]

Pops and me are looking forward to a visit in the future 👍🏻

[@laurencearnold5822]

Great Video Dan, excellent images and video despite the first night issue. I wasn’t aware the EvF caused this as I still use my D500 for the Badgers and can see what’s going on with the permanent led light set up I use for autofocus. 👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Laurence it’s appreciated. I do miss using my D500, there have been several occasions since changing to the Z9 that I’ve missed the shot (down to user error) that I know I would’ve nailed with my trusty D500. Sounds like you’ve got a great setup for the badgers mate, all the best 👍🏻

[@laurencearnold5822]

Ha it’s a bit Heath Robinson in a very small area, but manage a few images🦡

[@Capcity44]

What a splendid adventure! I enjoyed the photos, and the stories of how you were set up in the hides (blinds). Well done

[@danwillis_photography]

Many thanks Freeman, I appreciate your continued support 👍🏻

[@ianwilsonwildlifephotography]

Another fantastic informative couple of videos Dan as always and the images of the Pine Marten were just stunning under the lights. Just looks a great setup. Have now started following Keith as you recommended. 😃👍

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Ian, Keith has a great setup and is a fantastic photographer. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the support 👍🏻

[@laurensschaddelee1173]

As always I really enjoyed your video. Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. All the best

[@danwillis_photography]

Thank you very much I really appreciate it 👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Keith, we absolutely loved our time in the hide it was a fantastic experience. Looking forward to a return visit in the future. All the best 👍🏻

[@rikarthur8969]

You've done it again Dan, another hide operator I didn't know and will certainly be visiting next year. Lovely images as always which emphasise how unfair it is that most of the pine martens are in Scotland, hopefully those released in the Forest of Dean will be successful. In particular I'm grateful for the warning about LiveView settings on the Z9, I have a trip planned next week and would have made the same mistake with the subsequent head scratching and frustration. Keep 'em coming!

[@danwillis_photography]

Many thanks Rik I always appreciate your comments and support. I will look into the Forest of Dean as I wasn’t aware of a reintroduction of pine marten there. All the best with your trip I hope you get some great results 👍🏻

[@KarlWellerPhoto]

Another cracking video Dan, we have Keith’s hide booked for 2 afternoon/evening visits next year, so looking forward to that especially after this (would like to make it to the hide this year but have a month booked in Shetland November) a quick question about a previous video. The Grey Seals pupping, what time of year was it you went? Thanks again 👍🏻

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks Karl, appreciate your comment. The grey seals start pupping as early as late October, the peak is late November but some will pup right into December. Hope that answers your question and have a fantastic trip to Shetland 👍🏻

[@KarlWellerPhoto]

Cheers Dan that definitely does 👍🏻

[@jeanlouis83]

Hello Dan vidéo very interessting for the adjutment for Z9 and the photos are VERY VERY VERY GOOD, also your wife? is veryserious in the hide I ave receive the 180/600 and it is a super objo, is short like my 200/500 at 200 for 600 mm and leight, the photos are good and the AF silencious and speed have a good day

[@danwillis_photography]

Thanks very much, I always appreciate your comments. The wife is not that serious, she is just not a fan of being on camera 😂 Good to hear that the 180/600 is performing well and that you are happy with it. It looked like it was going to be a good lens but it is always good to hear from someone who has owned it. All the best

[@jeanlouis83]

Hello Dan I have a channel on instagram😜

[@danwillis_photography]

@@jeanlouis83 I wasn’t sure that was you, I will give you a follow 👍🏻