Wonderful Stuff in the Forest and a $20,000 Selfie Stick - Wildlife Photography with Great Gray Owl

[@rm8679]

What I love is seeing just how difficult it is to get the pictures and the patience it takes. Makes me appreciate it more.

[@johngubbins4752]

Every moment is special with owls or other wildlife and you remember it always. Just awesome😀👍

[@davidbirminghamjr.2600]

25 years ago I went to Jackson Hole looking for a job and a place to live. It didn't work out. Now when I watch your videos I want to cry. Maybe I need to try again. I love the Tetons.

[@rolandrick]

Man, at 16:25, that’s once in a lifetime movie take, the owl takes off, doing so it pushes on the branch sitting on, branch breaks off.

[@themountainwanderer]

That was epic, for sure!

[@akountreegal]

Fantastic video Steve. My dream find someday...the Great Gray is so Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@jgoodrich7192]

If you put a Calendar together of Owls for next year. I'd be interested in buying it.

[@ethanmeurlin8794]

Gorgeous shots and a great video, brother. What a way to spend a morning.

[@jasonkoch3181]

I too feel your love for GGOs. Sure can’t wait for winter to start again in Minnesota. I sure have been missing those chills you talked about from seeing them.

[@SteveMattheis]

I look forward to seeing your photos!

[@waynearchibald3920]

Beautiful shots at the end Steve! You are lucky to see so many Grey Owls! 👌

[@antonecruz8165]

Gosh what a job and/or hobby u have! I went to yellowstone & tetons with my wife september of 2021 & it was perfect. Weather couldnt of been any better, very few ppl, no traffic jams, very very little rain. Best vacay we ever took. For u to be able to explore ynp often is a blessing. Unfortunately we live in Massachusetts so driving there often isnt an option. Thanks for bringing yellowstone & tetons to us

[@chuckgmanleyphotos7197]

That excitement you get when your on something spectacular is like no other. Thanks for sharing the Thermo Cell, wasn’t sure if they work and much needed. Nice work!!!!!!

[@crittaker]

Thanks for sharing❤

[@toddleech1055]

so glad i ran across your channel,

[@thomasattanaro5093]

Steve. I admire your patience, persistence, (for me waiting 10 minutes seems like forever) and your respect and love for the wildlife. All essential for a nature photographer.

[@carstenpusch4480]

Thanks for your Video, love it! 🦉😀

[@themountainwanderer]

Love these owl vids from the expert. Still looking for my first one. 😂

[@keithdickson8364]

That was great Steve. Those owls are beautiful.

[@imagesbirds5066]

I love your enthusiasm and joy and love for finding wildlife. Thanks, Steve!

[@missourilandpro6482]

SPECATCULAR PHOTO'S - If, only I could swing your workshops -

[@Methodical2]

No binoculars. You must have some hawk eyes.✌ Thanks for the Thermacell mosquito tip. Subscribed.

[@daveandrew4717]

Another great video Steve. Magnificent great grey owl.

[@blakecook7469]

Chillin at the Antler Inn watching your video, a great ending to the day, Thanks for sharing Steve!

[@edmundkleinelanghorst9094]

Thank you fpr the great video.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks for watching!👍

[@taklebury]

Great video! Great 'selfie stick' 👍. I had a similar problem with my go pro locking up I had to reformat my memory card since then I haven't had any further problems but I do have to dedicate the memory cards to specific go pro's which is a pain. I mark my go pro's and memory cards so that I know which goes where.

[@brucegraner5901]

Always enjoy tagging along. This video really shows the effort involved in trying to find that perfect owl shot. I really liked the opening music with this video not to mention photographing yourself and narrating while doing it. Nice job.

[@GeorgeSBlonsky]

Another Great Grey Video Steve..! Fab shots..!! cheers g

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

What a wonderful way to spend a morning! Fantastic images!!

[@dalecunning868]

What an outstanding video. Hats off to you except Helen's hat of course. lol. With that said. Nothing sugar coated. This is a real video that shows what we go through in the field. So many make it out like it is simple and no effort. I applaud you Sir.

[@lynnecliffe3056]

You have well shown Steve, that it's not all glam but scram, ram and bam. Thank you for your determination and enthusiasm as you capture and release these images for us the viewers.

[@markattardo]

Always a trip watching you locate and photograph Great Grays!

[@jasoneldridgephotography]

Awesome as always Steve. I love your enthusiasm every time you find one of these magical creatures!

[@richproctor7023]

I love your heart for these beautiful animals, Steve. Thanks for a great video.

[@marilyngiannuzzi9867]

I really enjoy your videos,thanks so much for sharing them with us!💕

[@DrRedive]

Fabulous!

[@bradwillis6591]

Awesome video Steve. Have you ever done a video about bear safety when you are out? I would imagine that trying to stay quiet for photographing wildlife means sacrificing a little bit in terms of bear safety. I'm curious because us east coast photographers don't really have to worry too much about stuff like that

[@Clayton_White]

I was wondering the same...

[@themountainwanderer]

No need to make any noise. Just be aware and carry bear spray. People get unnecessarily freaked out. More risk driving to the location than being out there.

[@bradwillis6591]

@@themountainwanderer I think you might be mistaking my question for being afraid to go out. I doubt anyone watching this video, or any wildlife photographer is too afraid to go out into bear country. I was curious about Steve's specific precautions that he takes.

[@themountainwanderer]

@@bradwillis6591 👍roger

[@bradwillis6591]

@@themountainwanderer Although if you're ever bored, your assistance might be needed on the YT channel called "Scary Bear Attacks". Go check out the comment section of those videos and you'll find some truly paranoid people who can't walk on a local trail without fear of getting eaten by a bear.

[@robertlawrence7958]

I don't know if you carry a knife into the woods but on a recent outing when I too forgot to pack any camera support used it to cut myself a thumbstick and used that as an emergency mono-pod. Not ideal, but it did help support the camera lens and thus gave my arm a rest. Great video. I'm very envious of your wildlife and open forests.

[@mickmac7264]

I have two captive bred great grays (who enjoy life to the fullest). Everyday, when not taking pictures of them, I sit and watch them as if it was the first!... incredible owls!.. Great vid again 👍 👏 👍

[@sanfordslobin4876]

How lingoes 1 repellent mats last and how long does the fuel cartridge last and by the way the video as usual ws great and informative. thanks. sanford

[@SteveMattheis]

Google it

[@randyschwager2515]

Awesome real life adventure! Thanks!

[@ianporter1600]

Congratulations Steve, so glad you got that moment, it sure is a beautiful thing to be able to sit there and just watch them. Wishing you a great weekend 😃

[@thomaskolceski4282]

Hey Steve that was a great great video! I really enjoyed it. Photographing an owl is on my bucket list. I have yet to see one but I keep looking. Someday!

[@richierich9759]

Another great video, Steve. Awesome images, amazingly beautiful. You're blessed to live in such a beautiful place where you can do what you love to do.

[@MahyarKa]

lovely and inspiring .

[@vivienbird3622]

Great pictures again, thank you

[@JeffandLeslie]

very nice

[@Kayahdog]

Wonderful process to watch from start to finish. The lighting certainly allowed you to highlight the owl against the dark background beautifully. Well done, Steve.

[@paul-webster]

Awesome video Steve! Don't be so hard on yourself man you make good content.

[@KevinNordstrom]

Those birds are so magnificent and majestic. Well don't Steve.

[@michelebullock9867]

Another great enthusiasm filled video. Was the owl banded? Link to support the Teton Raptor Center? Appreciate you always mentioning respectful, do no harm approach. Too many out there don’t care about anything or anyone else -just getting their shot.

[@mikecrowley6485]

Great video Steve, Beautiful selection of photos again. I couldn’t imagine a better way or place to spend a day enjoying nature. You’re a lucky man 👍🏻

[@christophercarlimages9003]

Wow, I really can appreciate the enthusiasm that you have when you get a chance to see one of those beauties. It's great to be able to experience that, almost like a child on Christmas morning? Great video! Question? Do you use any GPS gear to prevent yourself from getting lost??

[@SteveMattheis]

I have my phone just in case

[@brandt_bennett]

Another fun video! Have you thought of using an Osmo Pocket instead of a GoPro?

[@SteveMattheis]

They look fragile so I haven't tried one...

[@brandt_bennett]

@@SteveMattheis I haven’t either, and they do look fragile, and they don’t offer weather protection like GoPro does, at least without a case. But I do like that the footage is stabilized 🤷‍♂️

[@bird_whisperer]

Hello Steve. After photographing the owl you don't have to workout your biceps or arms. What your Gopro does sounds like what some cell phones did in the past. Now all you can do with cell phones is reboot. Because batteries aren't accessible. Wish your location was close to me I'd be out like you. I like raptors over other birds. Might be our spirit animals? Enjoy your videos. Have a safe and wonderful day/weekend.

[@daviddowling9830]

Love your enthusiasm after all of these beautiful owls you have seen How do you find your way back to your car?

[@SteveMattheis]

Getting a little lost is half the fun...

[@jameslove1092]

Hi steve. Would you still use a picture of an owl with a tag on its leg rather than one without.

[@raymondnack2391]

I have the same issues with my older GoPros, so far GoPro 10 has No issues

[@sanfordslobin4876]

where did you get the piece of equipment that holds the Termacell around your neck?

[@renesch438]

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@grega9220]

Hey, is that a Helen Seay hat? I have 4. she's incredible.

[@grega9220]

HAHA... should have finished the video before asking. :-)

[@brandt_bennett]

14:14 has the GoPro 11 had this same lock up issue?

[@SteveMattheis]

Not as bad but yes, it is still unreliable… ugh.

[@brandt_bennett]

@@SteveMattheis that’s a bummer!

[@robinyarrington]

Hi Steve!!!!!’ I look daily for new videos! You are a huge inspiration to me! I noticed on your latest video, you have a camera mounted on top of your Nikon. How does that work??

[@SteveMattheis]

I talk about it in the video

[@jswhite69]

Great video and experience. How do you keep your bearings with all that wandering around? to keep from getting turnaround and lost, etc etc?

[@SteveMattheis]

Getting lost is half the fun

[@gorila1958]

Question does she make the patches and sell them without the hat ?

[@SteveMattheis]

You’d have to ask her

[@praveenravi942]

Hi I like all your videos, and photography, I wonder how can you go inside forest alone like that, do you have special permission,

[@SteveMattheis]

It's on public land 👍

[@jasonbishop8656]

Hey Steve, love your content. I’m heading your way (from Chicagoland) on a mini world tour in two weeks (9/23-10/9). Heading to Utah for the wild mustangs, then the Tetons for 1 or 2 days before heading up to Yellowstone. After which I might be able to swing another day or 2 in the Tetons. Any advice on where to shoot or how to find great greys would be most appreciated.

[@bird_whisperer]

If you still have the Nikon 600mm F/4 wouldn't it be better for wildlife using it with a 1.4X TC than the Nikon 400mm F/2.8 with the 1.4X TC? You'll get 840mm verses 560mm. Photographing wildlife, it's better to have reach and not bother the subject, than to not have the reach and try to get closer and bother the subject. At F/5.6 you still get good bokah. In good daylight 1 stop isn't going to harm your exposure. I'd like to hear your opinion on this topic. Until then Steve. Have yourself a wonderful day.

[@SteveMattheis]

If I need 800mm I just add the 2x teleconverter. But I rarely want or need that much focal length.

[@saengtae_zoomin]

👍

[@SummitForWellness]

Don't you wish Sony made a new version of the x3000? That little camera was way more reliable than gopros..

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep

[@mynaturelens]

Enjoyed the video!!! What did you use to attach the ZV1 to the hot shoe?

[@SteveMattheis]

There's a link to it in the description

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

I've stolen your "selfie stick" technique a couple of times and people like it. It's a cool perspective to vlog from. I just use my GoPro that way though. I see now you mounted the ZV-1 there; it's not very stable and I could see lots of wobbling.

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep, that's why I prefer the GoPro for vlogging

[@KngsPwn4]

A couple questions…when you are in the middle of the woods, how concerned are you about running into bears when they aren’t the subject of your photos? Are there rules about where you can and can’t go in the park, on your own? Perhaps these are good subjects for a video!?

[@richproctor7023]

Get yourself an Osmo Action. Mine works great, no hiccups.

[@krisceuppens5273]

I wish to experience a tired arm from carrying that kit one day :-)

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

I lay odds it’s a she. She was playing hard to get. Also, did you ever see a tagged leg on the owl? I’m three weeks away from being back in Wyoming. You have inspired me to get out and find some beautiful Wyoming wildlife. Is it too early to find bighorn sheep in the usual places?

[@SteveMattheis]

Too early for bighorns, they typically come down in November

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

@@SteveMattheis so…I’ll go after elk, and hope to see bear, but owls are my absolute favorites! The nice thing about the park is you never know what’s just around the next corner if your hiking or driving!

[@Jonathan_and_Tammie]

Aren't you supposed to not go hiking by yourself due to bears???

[@SteveMattheis]

Apparently I'm a rebel...

[@Jonathan_and_Tammie]

@@SteveMattheis low risk, low gain. Just don't unwrap the hotdogs in your pack. Thanks for sharing the videos. We have enjoyed three trips to the area since covid closed our business and have enjoyed the wildlife.... even saw 399 and cubs! As hobby photo nerds appreciate your videos with photo tips!

[@raysanders332]

I hope you are joking.

[@FredMast]

I am 81 years ago and have been following Mathies for many years, but no longer. I survive on a meager social security income.. I have no interest in a fellow photographer who posts about a $20,000 photo stick. Bye by, big shot.! From a former Wyoming follower

[@SteveMattheis]

Haha watch the video before you freak out.