Surround by wildlife on a English river - Birds and Squirrels

Well, it is just about the end of the year, with Christmas in a few days, I have decided to stay relatively local this week with just an hour and half's drive up the road to Shap.
I had been recommended this location by a fellow subscriber called Mike, who said there were plenty of birds and squirrels here, so I took him up on the location and here I am, my initial thoughts on arrival were wow, to be suddenly put off by the number of photographers and other people, but by the afternoon I was left to this location on my own, and it turned out to be a fantastic little spot surround by wildlife.
Today I got up close with a nuthatch, a bird I have been trying to get a good photo of for over a year now, and some very cheek red squirrels that were busy storing the food for winter.
All in all Shap Wells is a lovely little spot, a place i will be returning to and venturing further into the woods and valleys, I think this place has a lot of potential, so definitely going back
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PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT USED
Canon R5 amzn.to/3KGnZ4t
Canon R6 amzn.to/3qsEytK
Canon R7 amzn.to/41jeNcw
Canon rf 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L
Canon EF 70 -200mm f2.8 IS III L
Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM DS Lens
Canon RF 1.4 x convertor
Smallrig Camara cage x3
Benro Tortoise 24CLV Tripod
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SOCIAL MEDIA & OTHER CONTACTS TO SUPPORT MY WORK
CONTACT ME [e-mail]
WEBSITE www.wildlifeph...
FACEBOOK / wildlifephotographeruk
INSTAGRAM / wildlifephotographeruk
TWITTER / ashleyjbarnard
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Other items used, and in my Kit
SNEAKY 3D PULL-OVER SET W. JACKET - 40 INNOVATION CAMOUFLAGE - www.deerhunter...
Tragopan HIDE HOKKI V3 tragopan-shop....
Tragopan GHILLIE BLANKET KHAKI: - tragopan-shop....
Tragopan 3D SUIT 2 PIECES: - tragopan-shop....
Hahnel Captur Remote- amzn.to/3ro79B7
Sony ICD-TX660 - Digital Voice Recorder: amzn.to/40OeG8a
Benro Gh5c Gimbal Head: amzn.to/3TGYgLs
Benro Tortoise 24CLV Tripod amzn.to/3DGLLJ9
Self Adhesive Camouflage: amzn.to/3SkqWsp
Rain Poncho: amzn.to/3VN8Bal
Camera Battery Case: amzn.to/3VOFtQ8
Tripod Stool: amzn.to/3eW2sIr
Camouflage scrim: amzn.to/3z3rdt4

[@leehanley71]

Another top vlog Ashley, what a lovely location too 📸 nice footage, and the stills from your set up are very sharp and detailed, awesome. See you on the next one Mate 📸

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Cheers Lee, many thanks for your comments 👍have a great Christmas 🎄🎅❄

[@leehanley71]

@@WildlifePhotographerUK Merry Christmas to you and your family as well 🌲❄️

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Cracking video mate, looks a stunning place and reminded me I really do need to get out even with the naff weather and flooding we have down in Notts at the minute. We will deffo have to catch up again in 2024. All the best for next year Ashley👍👍👌👌

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Yeah it is pretty wet up here too, just none stop rain, Have a great new year and hope you have a top 2024 🎉👍

[@petercresswell5402]

Popped down there last week for half an hour, it's only five minutes away from home. It's a lovely spot with the beck running down through the gill. Saw plenty of squirrels just sat on the bench by the old pump. Some lovely images in your video, really enjoyed it.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Cheers Peter, yeh lovely down that way, plenty to explore and see. 👍

[@wildlifewatch7152]

Thank you very much indeed ❤

[@SkylarkFields]

Congratulations and well done!

[@jonbouy22]

hello nice video and pictures , are you aloud to park at the hotel and walk around or do you have to be staying there , or do you have to park else where , thanks.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

No you can park at the hotel its fine, just keep to the right, also a good spot to grab a coffee 😋

[@kenrees8726]

What outstanding images they are out of this world

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Cheers Ken, many thanks for your comment, much appreciated, glad you enjoyed the video

[@andywhiteside16]

cracking shots of the reds as were the others

[@gijsvermeulen5248]

Hello,a great video/vlog of you and there are really wonderful shots in it!! The squirrel looking at your lens is hilarious!!! Greetings Gijs

[@Rezac66]

Amazing how many beautiful pictures in one day!

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

cheers @Rezac66 many thanks for your comment, yeh had a wonderful afternoon at this spot. 👍

[@allanforsyth1933]

Thanks for posting, managed to spend the day with the reds last week - great day at a cracking location!

[@sue.Hoo123]

Hahaha loved the Red Squirrels antics 🐿️. Merry Christmas to you and yours 🎉

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Many thanks, Sue Happy Christmas to you too 🎄🎅❄

[@jamesbarnes3063]

Great images as always. Happy Christmas to you and your family

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi James, have a great Christmas too, all the best 🎄🎁

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Merry Christmas Mate! Thanks!

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

and to you, John have a great New Year 🎄👍

[@russrichards]

What a great day, you ended up being raided by red squirrels and you even got your jay in the end. This has to be the first video I have seen here on KZbin where there is almost too much happening for the photographer to keep up with, lol. My congratulations go to the winner of the incredible giveaway draw. Merry Christmas and wishes for a fantastic new year to you and yours Ash, and here's to a great 2024!

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Cheers Russ yeh great day out many thanks, 👍have a great Christmas too. 🎄🎅❄

[@royparkes6182]

Great video, what a find. Defo needs a visit in 2024 - just love those cheeky squirrels 👌

[@John-Shutterlyphotos]

I love the squirrels, this video made my day! Merry Christmas

[@chrismc2090]

Some great shots there Ashley, love the Nuthatch, when were you there, I was there early Friday morning, about 8.30 to 11.30am, it was very quiet, only me and one other person until after 10 ish then others started turning up, but if you go up the path a few hundred yards (up river) and into the woodland you can get some great Red Squirrel shots in a very mossy woodland setting, most of my RS photos I posted on FB this last week were from there, also there is a bridge so you can get on the other side of the river, a lot quieter over that side. BTW on Friday I also saw Dippers and a Kingfisher on the river, its a lovely spot!

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi, Yeh I went on Tuesday, great day out. nice little spot, and even a hotel for lunch lol :)

[@peterosborne9802]

Merry Xmas Ashley, squirrels yer we have fun with our grays in our local park. Still all part of the fun eh, thanks so much for all your vlogs this year I'm still getting into wildlife photography and value every time I watch videos like yours. Take care and see you soon. Peter.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi Peter, many thanks for your comment, yeh a lot to learn in wildlife photography lol, have a great Christmas, all the best 🎄🎁

[@Huddsbirder]

Fantastic, loved the video, and the squirrels are so cheeky 😊

[@alexanderblades8078]

Ha, sorry, had to laugh at your frustration with the reds. Some loverly shots despite their interference.

[@davespriggs6170]

Great video Ashley. Love the red squirrels…

[@darrenprice2577]

Hi Ashley, what is the make of the three legged folding stool you were sat on in this video ? I've been through loads but none of the last long ! Cheers

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

don't bother with this one either, only lasted a few outings, I have seen one out there that costs around £75 but that's a lot just for a little stool that may or may not last, i now just use a mat 🙄👍

[@darrenprice2577]

Same problem then lol, I do use mats regularly but I find the stools a welcome relief at times and they are quite handy for sitting in shallow pond edges and rivers whilst getting low level images ! If I find a good one I'll let you know.

[@mikek601]

Great video. Glad you enjoyed it, have a great Christmas 🎄🎁

[@andrewmcfarlane8271]

Wow stunning footage thanks for sharing

[@stephencooper8565]

Stunning video Ashley, thanks for sharing your adventures and passion with us 👏👏. Wishing you a merry Christmas . All the best 🎁

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Many thanks, Stephen, Happy Christmas to you too 🎄🎅❄

[@SkylarkFields]

Fabulous footage and images. That squirrel at the end, on your lens barrel, was brilliant! I loved how the birds and squirrels were moving about behind you as you spoke to camera!! Happy Christmas and hopefully a great wildlife year ahead for you.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi Thanks @SkylarkFields, yeh it was a great little spot, it was like having a living background behind me, not knowing what was going to appear in the scene. Hope you had a great Christmas 👍

[@Onthechin]

Merry Christmas Ashley and Happy New Year to you and your family .. see you soon atvb Ian

[@mervroberts5134]

Great video Ashley, loved the image of the squirrel looking down the barrel of your lens. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Many thanks @mervroberts5134, glad you enjoyed it, have a great Christmas too, all the best 🎄🎁

[@shauncraffey3580]

Great work Ashley I really enjoyed this as I always do I look forward to the next one. Happy Christmas and wild new year all the best.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Cheer Shaun glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you have a great Christmas🎄❄️🎅

[@johngilfillan2871]

Nice video, can I ask what type of tripod do you use, and does suffer from creeping,where it slowly drops

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi John I currently have the Benro Gh5c Gimbal Head: amzn.to/3TGYgLs and the Benro Tortoise 24CLV Tripod amzn.to/3DGLLJ9 both of which I found work very well together and I don't suffer from any creeping with the gimbal head obviously it depends how tightly you tighten it. 👍

[@SimpleSteBirds]

Did you notice the squirrel running next to you 4:47 I can't wait to get some decent kit to take proper videos. What camera do u use for videoing the squirrel

[@russellwebb3672]

Hi, were you there on Tuesday 20 Dec ? I was sitting on the ground against a tree to the right of the old stump and thought I recognized you.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hay Russell, I was, were you sitting on the blue mat? wishing you a happy christmas 🎄🎅❄

[@russellwebb3672]

Yep on the mat, have to keep the bum dry my time of life. Happy Xmas and good photography for 2024

[@joanhuggett5164]

Epic leap of faith by that squirrel. O boy, did I love this video. You even managed to get your Jay. I have my fingers crossed for the Cairngorms. My husband said "tell Ashley he is the best, his birds in flight are superb" (he's not bad himself actually). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your wife.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hi Joan. many thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed this video, yeah it turned out to be a little better than I thought it would be, yeah you must send me a link or something so I can see your husband's work if he has it online, wishing you and your family all the best and have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄🎅❄️

[@ianbarnett]

Hi Ashley, Is this a private access reserve? Or free parking and access? Through the hotel premises?

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

Hotel Parking, buy a coffee and I am sure you will be fine ☕

[@cgriggsiv]

Dude I wish I had your problem with all the red squirrels and birds I can sit for an hours and still have nothing come close to me No matter what temperature 🌡️ I'm in I even have the same tripod head that you are using for my 150-500 86mm thread or my 50-500 92mm thread lens And I even have the same type of stool that you have and very comfortable I might add

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

ahh lol 😀 you have to take the good days with the bad days, some days you're like in a Disney film, and the next it's apocalyptic. Still a great day and thanks for the comment, have a great Christmas 🎄🎅❄

[@Geoffrey-s9k]

Where’s the best place to park?

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

I just parked by the hotel, just near the small house on the right, i think if you at least get a coffee from the hotel you should be fine 😜

[@IkWillemP]

You can now add “squirrel herder” to your resume.

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

🤣🤣🤣 lol yeh they were like rats running around 🐿