Photographing Dippers at a waterfall

Dippers are my second favourite British bird and always make nice subjects to work with. On top of a waterfall with fast flowing water they look even better.
Mike Lane wildlife photography www.nature-photography.co.uk/
Music credited to Bensound.com
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[@thomasreed49]

Many thanks Mike much appreciated

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

A favourite of mine too Mike. This year I finally managed to get images right through from displaying and nest building to flying in with food and feeding fledged youngsters.

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

I envy you, Mike, getting our and about shooting birds. I'm finding my activities more restricted now but I do shoot almost daily on a setup I built on our back porch. I'm still getting a lot of photo activity but the birds are coming to me now instead of me going to them. I find that I'm getting more artistic shots since I'm building the stage with plywood, potted plants, selected perches and my own background setup. Don't think anyone would know if I didn't tell them.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

One of my favourite ways of photographing.

[@malcolmriley6897]

I love dippers, but that grey wagtail display was just wonderful. I haven't seen that before. I often think that "grey" wagtail does them a disservice. Such stunning birds.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks.

[@davidosborn3356]

Excellent, especially loved the Wagtails at the end.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@abe3802]

Dippers are winter guests in my neighborhood outside Stockholm, Sweden. So easy to photograph them but at the same time so hard to get clean images of them. Lovely bird, have tons of images of them.

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

Enjoyed the video. Appreciate the effort you take bringing the wonderful birds in front of our eyes and the very nice guidance that comes with it.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Many thanks!

[@tukkl00]

Great footage, Mike. Very clear explanation on how you made this video and the beautiful pictures.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you liked it!

[@rogerhance5883]

Another excedlent video Mike.

[@gijsvermeulen5248]

Hello Mike,a very nice presentation of you and see that you are very experienced.Wonderful images and editing and a nice story.Greetings Gijs

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Many thanks!

[@bobforgas8420]

Exceptional video. One of your best yet. Thanks.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johngunning2123]

I noticed the Dipper bashing the prey on the rocks. I wasn't aware they did this, almost like a Kingfisher. It's been a long time since I have seen a Grey Wagtail.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I think that was a cadis larvae. They have to remove the larvae from its hard case rather than stun it like a Kingfisher..

[@johngunning2123]

@@MikeLaneFRPS That makes sense. I used to catch the Cadis Larvae as a kid when I was on holiday in Aberdeen. All the "burns" used to have them if you turned over stones and watched as the water cleared to see the larvae come out of its shell. That's probably precisely what the Dipper catches when it disappears underwater.

[@michaelhawkins1173]

Lovely video Mike thank you.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Very welcome

[@TITAOSTEIN]

Good morning Mike! Fabulous!!

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

thanks.

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

Some truly fantastic images as well as video. I enjoyed the video a great deal.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@magpiemagpie5488]

Lovely video ! Beautiful bird

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks for visiting

[@barrycrowley5791]

Great video top bird, one of the reasons I visit the Peak District.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@richardbedford6166]

Great work, Mike!

[@zfgkjbkj]

Good Morning and great video again.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks.

[@muddywalters]

Really enjoy you videos Mike, full of inspiration and information and this is a cracker.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks 👍

[@AllanFrance]

Fantastic as usual Thanks for sharing

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DuckMisty]

Superb video and stills. Great work.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Many thanks!

[@satcat]

Nice video as usual Mike, keep it up..

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks, will do!

[@stevevickers2844]

Wonderful video as usual.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnmagneeilertsen9566]

Wonderful video

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Many thanks

[@stephenbarlow2493]

Fabulous, I do like Dippers and some great footage.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

So do I

[@stephenbarlow2493]

@@MikeLaneFRPS - I used to live in hilly country, so I used to see them every day. However, as I now spend most of my time on a huge lowland peat bog, with no fast flowing streams, I hardly get to see them unless I travel. Which is why I loved your video.

[@Foxystorm11111]

Knypersley reservoir near stoke every year as Dippers nest behind the waterfall. Just in case you're ever in the area and want to check that out

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Thanks.

[@tonyfluertynaturephotograp5272]

Mike I love your videos and they have been a great inspiration to me. Either its the slow speed the video footage was shot at some other reason but its not up to your normal standard. Nothing is sharp. I just thought I would let you know as you are a perfectionist. Cheers Tony.

[@blutey]

It's probably the slow motion. I've seen that on several cameras. They may have 60p, 240p etc but it's a trade off at expense of lower quality footage.

[@andrewhaynes6865]

Lovely video as always useful informaion as well, the more I watch your work the closer I get to moving to Olympus ( currently Canon ) which would be full circle as my first camera the Olympus om1n sits behind me as I type. Thanks

[@muddywalters]

I’m sitting here smiling - my story is exactly the same. The OM1N was my first ‘proper’ camera, bought to coincide with my first child and I placed my order for the OM1/300 f4 this Thursday. 🙂

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Sounds great!

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Thanks, inspires me to find flowing water sport around Cologne. We have the Rhine, but it is hard to find specific spots to see the birds and be close to them.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Good luck!

[@tommyrix7793]

Another great video Mike. I would love to photograph dippers one day so I hope you don't mind me asking where you would recommend? Many thanks.

[@puckletruscot7562]

Well Mike, my OM-1 is arriving on Friday. I've been watching your videos for a while now and you played a large part in that decision to get the camera. Sadly the 150-400 is out of my budget, so I'll be using it with the Leica 100-400 which was on my G9 (now donated to my wife). Hopefully it will go a good combo for birds. Anyway, thanks for your dedication to these videos, my knowledge isn't so great about wildlife as I originally got into photography for motorsport and air shows. These videos are a great help with learning and wildlife is fast becoming my favourite subject to photograph.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I will do a review of the 100-400 Olympus lens against the 150-400mm

[@Kentsj]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Please. I have the 100-400 as I wait for the 150-400.

[@networm64]

Fascinating as always! Mike have you missed the 4k 120p of the A1?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Yes, but I use a Lumix GH6 for video mostly that has 4k 120p.

[@networm64]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Great!👌 Though the AF is almost unusable and no where near A1.

[@bonilsson3161]

Great video! Have you ever considered a gopro? you could probably get the underwater sequence, that could be just incredible.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

I have a gopro but the odds of getting it in the right place for a dipper underwater are remote.

[@systemanaturae105]

Super video clip Mike. I have only seen Dipper twice at different locations. From the photos and video I assume you are relatively near to the Dippers even using the 150-400mm lens. Do you use a mobile Hide to shoot from?? On the occasions I saw the Dippers it was impossible for me to get close and on the first one my 150-400mm lens had a focusing problem now repaired by OM. I have since received my OM-1 camera which works really well with the 150-400mm pro lens 😊😊.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

They were quite tame and easy to approach

[@johngrillot5782]

Hello Mike. First, a big big thank to you for all the dedication over the years, for the hardwork and all the knowledge you give to people for free. I applied all your tips to photograph kingfishers and damn it went very well, and I'm very happy so here I am again. I think I found the perfect place for a dipper, so I've been there, to a small waterfall, fast shallow water with stones to perch on and all, and I saw 2 dippers flying, I even saw them on stone far away with my binoculars. For some reasons, the did not come to the waterfall today. Also I am wondering, is there a better time of the day to photograph them ? And is there a better "month" or period of time to go photographying them or just like, all day all year ? I was using a 3D camo and I was sat between big rocks totally camouflaged but looks like they wouldn't go on the waterfall somehow. Have I scared them again even being rly still and camouflaged ? Again, thousands of thank for all the knowledge and hardwork you are a heroe ! John

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Hello John, Thanks for your message and comments. There is not a better time of day, only better light at different times from a direction point of view. Spring is usually the best time as they will be more territorial. They vary across the UK as to how tame they are. Some birds are very tame, others less so. You will not have scared them off for long. They are not that nervous. Where they are tame you can stand in the open and they ignore you. In other areas I use a hide and they readily ignore that.

[@johngrillot5782]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Oh cool ! Ok so just bad luck i'll keep on insisting on that waterfall, if I put a big stone where there is no stone is it gonna do like kingfisher will they be magnetized to it ? Thank you a loooot !

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

@John Grillot not in the same way as a Kingfisher but I often provide a stone of my choice.

[@richardfink7666]

Hello, I want to ask you something. Did you regret replacing the A1 with the OM1? By the way, very nice potos....as always.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

No. Both cameras are fantastic, each with their own advantages. I would be happy with either system and enjoying the OM-1.

[@richardfink7666]

@@MikeLaneFRPS Thank you for your prompt reply. I also bought the OM1 because of your comparison with the A1 and I`m thrilled.

[@markwalker8374]

Given that you have spent a long time observing Dippers, do you think there is any significance with the white eyelid flash - communication perhaps to their partner across a noisy stream?

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Sorry I don't know and a quick Google does not answer the question either.

[@mikeupson4967]

Mike, living in East Anglia I don't get to see dippers very often, therefore I was wondering if you would be able and willing to let me know of a site where I'd stand a good chance of getting some shots? It's one of those birds I've always wanted to photograph but have yet to do so.

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Mike from my YT channel you can reach my website and then email address.

[@bonilsson3161]

How much time/ energy/ money do you spend on sound recording ??

[@MikeLaneFRPS]

Sound recording is something I knew nothing about. I have improved since starting youtubing but still feel it is a weakness. Bought several different mics now.

[@mm8276352]

Misread as "photographing diapers" and thought wtf

[@fgb3126]

I've noticed that so many KZbin creators, channel masters, use music with their videos. Some of this "music" is truly awful. Too loud and also very specific to a certain kind of let's say "musical appreciation". Rough, brash, aggressive. Why? Music is a very personal thing and one's man's delectation is another's bane. Why push your audience into the latter? With you Michael the music is low key, definitely background and tasteful. I love dippers too. Ours here in North America are quite drab in comparison with your European tuxedo-ed dandies. A real classy bird.

[@rogeryoung3587]

Ooow, my ears! Please check your sound levels before publishing, thanks.

[@johngunning2123]

I noticed the Dipper bashing the prey on the rocks. I wasn't aware they did this, almost like a Kingfisher. It's been a long time since I have seen a Grey Wagtail.

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

That's shaking the larvae (blackfly or caddisfly) out of the casing, they'll even bash them on the water's surface to get them out. If you watch them in clear water they flipping stones over to find the larvae, though my local pairs often catch bullheads as well when they're feeding a brood.