The start of a local BADGER project - Ep.1 | It's good to be back

[@system2213]

I miss this guy. Hope he's doing well.

[@mijiyoon5575]

We can tell you love what you do...TY for sharing your wildlife adventures👍👍👍👍👍

[@laurencearnold5822]

Superb Simon , I’m extremely privileged to have a small sett next to my house so enjoying watching and photographing them as they come into my Garden . Pleased to see you back.

[@jochenlambrechts9725]

Great video! I had my first badger encounter of the year last week. Such a privilege to be able to photograph a badger family of 5...

[@SimonWantling]

Hey Jochen, thanks for the comment and really pleased you had a nice encounter with a Badger. They are gorgeous animals. Thanks again and all the best.

[@simoneardley]

Now that's one battered looking Badger, certainly been in more than a few scraps by the look of him/her!! Good to see you back on it Simon, just working on a sett myself but they just wont show before dark. Looking forward to seeing the cubs when they venture out and the ghillie blankets are awesome aren't they. All the best, Si 👍📷

[@SimonWantling]

Hey Simon, nice to hear from you and hope you're keeping ok. I saw a few of your images with the lighting setup and they look great. As you know I use similar setup for owls. I hope the cubs do appear soon. They should do over the coming weeks. Tragopan gear is great and use them all the time. All the best.

[@phuongbang8031]

Good 👍 thank you for sharing

[@GeneHenry-nk9fk]

Great stuff Simon 👍 im trying to get some badger images for the first time this year, so watching your video has given me a boost 👍👌

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much. Sorry for the late reply. Hope you had some success. They are wonderful animals.

[@philbowcher3120]

Good to have you back Simon, lovely video, Enjoy the new camera 😀

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Phil - really appreciate the comment. Got a bit out of touch with KZbin but great to be back on the scene again 👍

[@EspenHelland]

Nice film Simon 👍 Some great images and footage of the badgers!

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks a lot Espen. Been a while since I created a video but good to be back on it again.

[@johnpavett68]

Hoping to see cubs tomorrow night at the sett i watch in the New Forest. I'm sure the sow is suckling. Keep up the good work 👏

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks John - good luck with the cubs. I hope you get some images and thanks for following and leaving a comment.👍

[@steves8661]

Great to see you back again Simon love the channel what a great project looking forward to further instalments

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much Steve. 👍

[@TimsWildlife]

Thanks for the wonderful video! I hope to visit my local setts this spring. Such amazing animals ❤.

[@jamescarro771]

Nice to see you back love watching your videos, picking up useful information and tips 👌

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much James. 👍

[@photographyadventuresbygraciel]

What a beautiful animal! Thank you for sharing!

[@richardpill8322]

Hi Simon, cracking shots and love this format of description then film footage. Looking forward to part 2, all the best, Rich.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Richard. I'm glad you liked it. All the best 👍

[@richardpill8322]

Simon forgot to say that I am also looking forward to the R5 review. All the best.

[@deanseldon5640]

Cracking stuff mate hope to see episode 2 soon

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Dean.

[@nickclaytonphotography]

Awesome stuff Simon, great to have you back & loved this vlog. Keep up the good work & stay safe buddy.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks a lot Nick. 👍

[@johnpavett68]

No Badger cubs tonight but the sow was taking loads of fresh bedding down. Did see 4 fox cubs that seem to be using a remote part of the sett. Too cold though tonight!

[@SimonWantling]

Sounds great especially with the fox cubs which I haven't seen this year. Good luck..

[@markfrost9005]

Yet again another brilliant blog Si, I'm hoping one day I'll get the chance to photograph these beautiful creatures.

[@thomasbednarowski1651]

Nice to see a new footage from You 🙂.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much Thomas 👍

[@chrismartin7594]

Good to see you back. Relaxing vlog.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Chris 👍

[@nigelpilsbury7328]

Great video , Simon good to have you back

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Nigel.

[@leemanton3169]

Fantastic stuff, can't wait to see more of the series and hopefully in the near future I will also have some badger shots to share.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Lee. Fingers crossed the cubs appear soon and good luck with your images.

[@leemanton3169]

@@SimonWantling I have alot of work to do yet before I can get images. Thank you though and keep up the great work and keep inspiring amateur photographers like myself. 😁

[@SimonWantling]

No problem at all. 👍

[@miguelvidal7802]

So cute and relaxing.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you..

[@nickbanga378]

So magical Simon!

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you Nick.

[@MrJeyjey2707]

Hi Simon, well after buying the LEDs you suggested and setting up everything for my own badger project, I managed to take my first shots last night...Im pleased but Im sure I can improve with time..so thank you for your advice and support! I would show you but Im not sure how to get an image to you....Cheers!

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Jeremy, nice to hear from you and that's great news. You can contact me through my website www.simonwantling.co.uk. I will then reply and you'll see my email address where you can attach an image for me to look at. That's great news though 👍

[@ThamdrupWildlife]

Great video! Can’t wait to follow this project

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much.

[@stanmalinov]

Once again very good content. Glad you are back :)

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Stan.

[@iRidetas]

Thank you Simon, great to see you back and cant wait for the badger series. Take Care

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you.

[@marellacoyle6999]

Top content Simon I'm in the middle of a badger project myself at the moment, hope to get shots like these. Welcome back.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Marella. Good luck with your project.

[@gregwilsonnaturephotography]

Hey Simon! Your on the top of your game... Great video and congrats on the new camera body. I just picked up a Nikon Z6ll , OK.. I shoot on the dark side... I will be looking forward to Part 2! Stay well. Sayin' hey.... Greg

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Greg, thanks that's very kind. Good luck with the Nikon body. They all seem good these days. 👍

[@stevecolwill9761]

Nice video Simon, great to see you back out there! The Canon R5 is a great camera. I have the R6 and love it for wildlife photography; the AF and silent shutter are game changers. I am interested in the body cover you have on your camera and wondered where you got it. All the best! 👍🏻

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Steve. Glad you like the R6. Totally agree with the AF and silent shutter, it's awesome. Here's the link to the camera cover. Thanks again. www.wexphotovideo.com/lenscoat-bodyguard-pro-black-1032396/

[@SkylarkFields]

Thank you for sharing this. So nice to watch and you got great footage and lovely images - I especially liked the one where the badger has his mouth open. Look forward to more!

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much. 👍

[@Mikewipfli]

very nice

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Mike.

[@KGsPhotography]

Great video Simon. I have just moved to the R5 too, it’s an awesome bit of kit proved by your video...cheers Keith

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Keith. I saw your video this morning. Very nice and glad you're getting on ok with it.

[@KGsPhotography]

@@SimonWantling thanks mate.

[@johnheaney1241]

Fantastic! Really lovely images there, Simon! Thank you for sharing. All the best.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you John 👍

[@johnflanagan44]

Fantastic to see you back on KZbin Simon.what a fantastic little image,

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much John. Glad to be back 👍 all the best.

[@fubband]

Lovely to watch and fab shots as always, Simon! Good to see you out and on it 👍🏻

[@SimonWantling]

Cheers Martin - good to hear from you and thanks 👍

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Brilliant mate. I loved doing the badger cubs a few years ago.. there such a beautiful mammal..

[@SimonWantling]

Cheers Craig - fingers crossed I see them.

[@johnmunro5983]

Really is good to have you back in the field with a new project and what better subject than badgers.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks John. Focused on photography recently so it was nice to finally create some KZbin content. Hope you're keeping ok. 👍

[@CamillaI]

A very tranquil and relaxing video love badgers nice to get so intimate with one really helps the photographic process. Great to see you back ! 👍😍

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much and really pleased you enjoyed it. All the best.

[@stephenelderphoto]

I am really looking forward to further videos Simon, because when this one ended I was saying out loud “No, is that the end already?!”. Thoroughly enjoyed this, so thank you 😊

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Stephen. You know what they say " keep the audience hanging on for more 😉 " I had loads of footage of that badger but it was all very similar so ended it there. I did capture footage using an action camera so extremely close and on a Badgers perspective but that's for next time 🙂

[@richardmoult9781]

Lovely video Simon , nice to see you back.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Richard.

[@brianmercer2805]

Great to see you back out, love watching and learning from your videos.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you Brian. Hope you're ok.

[@harrisonhallphotography]

Glad your back Simon nice to see some awesome badger images 👍

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much. Feels great to be back out creating some KZbin content again. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@markwilliams1919]

Great to see you back simon ,looks like your enjoying the Canon R5.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Mark - Canon R5 is an amazing camera and was nervous moving away from th 1DX series but honestly, it's been a joy to use.

[@markwilliams1919]

@@SimonWantling nice to hear you've embraced mirrorless,enjoying my fuji's at the moment looking forward to next year rumoured fuji x-h2 coming out and i have a pension pot coming as well so the money will be spent on that camera if it comes out, thanks simon.

[@SimonWantling]

Sounds good. I actually filmed all this video on the XT3. 🙂

[@markwilliams1919]

@@SimonWantling 👍👍

[@davet3530]

@@SimonWantling I am assuming your video of the badger though was via the R5? Really enjoyed it BTW.

[@richardb649]

Welcome back Simon - so good to see more from you. Looking forward to the project . Without a doubt the best wildlife photography channel on KZbin - you have superb presentation skills and always a joy to watch

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Richard, thanks for the very nice comment and that's extremely nice of you to say considering there are some great KZbinrs for wildlife photography. It's really kind of you to say. I'm glad you enjoyed it and it feels good to be creating some more KZbin content. All the best.

[@steveclayton291]

Really enjoyed this, great music too, your lucky they come out so early where you are, the sett i watch has no activity till just about dark..Cheers, looking forward to seeing episode 2.

[@SimonWantling]

Cheers Steve.

[@glennhunt2375]

Missed your contributions to the channel Simon, good to see you back with a cracking video - very nicely edited and with a great soundtrack.👍

[@SimonWantling]

Hey Glenn, thanks very much. I have to say it's good to be back creating KZbin content so thanks for your support. 👍

[@peterbarby9251]

Nice to see you back, Simon. Looking forward to seeing more of this promising series. Take care

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Peter - and you..

[@bernardsweeney]

Good to see you back Simon, looking forward to the next episode

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Bernard. All the best.

[@BenFitzcosta]

Hi Simon, what an amzing experiance! I love badgers, they have got to be one of my favourite animals to photograph and your images are incredible. I have been working on a project simular myself but so far the badgers keep coming out too late. I look forward to the next episode.

[@Bluenoteguitar]

Nice to see you back Simon, looking forward to part 2 :)

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks very much Steve. It's good to be back. 👍

[@derricksalisbury7631]

Great work Simon keep them coming looking foward with the badger videos ps what was the cover you took off your new R5

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Derrick - here is the link to the camera cover I used. www.wexphotovideo.com/lenscoat-bodyguard-pro-black-1032396/

[@JohnFormstone]

Good to see you back Simon. Its also good to have a little more freedom back too. Lovely video, that badger looks like a real old warrior.

[@benlander8464]

beautiful video as always Simon really looking forward to this new project and great to see you back! Do you use the Manfrotto video head for your film and photography! :)

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Ben and for the kind comment. Yes I switched to that over a year ago now from the Wimberley gimbal and find it a great piece of kit to use especially if you want to switch between stills and video. It enables those smooth panning shots. Thanks

[@MrJeyjey2707]

Hi Simon, great video as usual. Now, Ive been feeding some badgers in our back wood since moving to a new house and know there are 3 visiting. Always after dark from 8pm onwards and Im at some point wanting to put the lights up you recommended so I can hopefully view them from the house, then ultimately photograph them once they are secure feeding under lights. Do you have any thoughts or tips on lighting the badgers, and would I also need a strobe when it comes to photographing them? Feel free to PM me if you dont want to take up too much space on this video thread...Cheers!

[@SimonWantling]

Hi, thanks for the message. Nice to see people of still viewing my channel as I've not had the chance to release a new video for some time. You'll have no issue at all with the Badgers and light. They don't seem bothered with it at all. I personally wouldn't use a speedlight although again from my experience again it doesn't bother them dispite what people may say. I tend to use continuous LED lights which provide plenty of light to photograph Badgers. You don't need the expensive ones I use. Yongnuo sell a nice LED bank which are a fraction of the price at around £70 and can be brought through Amazon. Don't let me put you off speed lights. If you were to use them then use a low power at around 1/64th to 1/128th power. They would hardly notice that plus the short flash duration will freeze the action and the camera shutter speed can be very low. The Badgers will become quiet now as we head into winter so you may not see them much. They are partial to peanut butter and jam sandwiches 🙂

[@MrJeyjey2707]

@@SimonWantling Thanks Simon, I got the LED panels you recommended a month or so ago, and I am feeding them the sandwiches you mention. I've got the lights up tonight for the first time with bags on them so it will be trial and error as to the distance they need to be.. We have 3 visiting at the moment and they eat everything.. Then the fox comes and clears anything that's left.. Interesting to know the action will reduce in the cold, I can focus on the owls then.. Are they still active in the winter? Cheers

[@SimonWantling]

@@MrJeyjey2707 yes, the owls will be active all winter. Come next Jan and Feb the Tawny Owls will become very active indeed as they start to breed. Sounds like a great project and hope you get some images soon.

[@MrJeyjey2707]

@@SimonWantling Simon, I used the LED panels you suggested last night. I had them on low for 5 hours, then turned them off and went to bed. This morning I looked at the power left in them...90%!!! If 10% is 5 hours...are we suggesting a full battery gives 50 hours?!! Unreal..I was planning on changing the batteries for tonight but I won't bother now...Brilliant purchase!

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Jeremy, wow that is a long time. Sounds great and my longer than my lights. Did you get any photos. Good luck with the project. I'll be interested to know how you get on. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@andrewnewton6524]

Excellent video can't wait to see the next ones in the series. I note you are using a video head with your long lens. Can I ask please is this to enable you to better shoot video as well as stills or do you prefer it to a gimbal

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Andrew. Thanks for your message and comment on the video. I first invested in the video head purely because I found myself needing to switch more between video and stills and smooth panning on a wimberley gimbal is not really possible. Having said that, since using it for over a year I much prefer it to a gimbal although I do still own one. One of the biggest things is weight as it's much lighter and much easier to carry on the tripod over the should which I do a lot. Not sure I'd ever go back to a gimbal setup having used this video head.

[@benpulletz]

Why do the young deer bark. Is a territory thing or to attract females? And great video Simon.

[@SimonWantling]

Hi Ben, thanks for the message. It's a bit of both really plus a warning call to other deer. The deer that can slightly be heard in this video is a Muntjac deer which are also called barking deer anyway so they do it a lot. I'd say with them it's a lot of territorial calls as there are lots of deer present. Glad you enjoyed the video. They also breed all year round so could also be attracting females.

[@41stclair]

how does work with adapter speed and so on ??

[@SimonWantling]

Hi, absolutely no issues using the RF to EF adapter. No loss in AF at all and considerably more accurate than my 1DX Mark II. Super impressed with it.