Two Bears, a Marten, and an Owl Doing Gross Things - A Wildlife Photography Trifecta!

[@tomatengarage5608]

Lucky you! I am from Germany and, I am pretty sure you can't imagine, but here is literally no chance to have such close encounters with animals in the wilderness as you just showed us with the Owl. The wild animals here are way more shy, without a hide it's nearly impossible to do wonderful pictures as you are doing. Amazing stuff, really great fun to watch. Thumbs up, Steve! Best greetings from Germany. Michael.

[@Karkawry1970]

How are you finding the lens sticker cover, compared to a Lenscoat or similar, are you not tempted to have a little more cushioning? `Thanks

[@SteveMattheis]

I dig it

[@renaatmarchand5852]

Unbelievable Joy to follow you and watch over your shoulder. I know the feeling, the world disappears and you are alone in that wonderful moment, you and them, whatever crosses your path or alarms the Squirrels. Great 'reportage'

[@DavidC-rt3or]

You probably already know, but per another wildlife photographer youtuber 399 has emerged with a cub

[@doughunwick766]

what a fun day , I saw a Kite in my little park area yesterday & what an exciting encounter that was for me[ only 450mm lens but some good captures]

[@grega9220]

.. He looked straight at you like, "Dude, did you get that?" As always, thanks for the great video Steve.

[@feraltweed]

Ok. I may have already shared this story but your videos make me think about it. I was out for a walk with my single shot 22 hoping to find and shoot a partidge for dinner. I heated a red squirrel barking an alarm about one hundred yards away. I knew it was unaware of me so I moved up slow and quiet. I stopped when I got within twenty or thirty feet of it. I saw no reason for its behavior when suddenly something rushed towards me and went up a tree ten feet away and. It stopped and looked around the tree at me and I saw it was a small bob cat. I heated a rustling in front of me and noticed another one on the ground ten feet away. I started scanning the ground in front of me and saw a much larger. The mother I guess. She was about twenty feet away sitting up just like a house cat. We immediately locked eyes and I was suddenly spooked. I backed away slowly thankfully that she did not see me as a threat to her kittens

[@adventurelifewithbob2960]

Always enjoy your videos and photographs. The Tetons and Yellowstone are some of my favorite places. Always try to get there at least once a year.

[@nogroove3819]

Whoa! A Martin, cinnamon black bear with a cub and then great grey eating dinner and swooping close. Can’t get better than that. Cool hat!

[@PhotoTrekr]

Sounds like the beginning of a joke. Two bears, a marten, and an owl walk into bar..... Awesome owl shots!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@BillW0330]

What a cooperative owl....I am thinking he is one of those paid pet owls we read about all the time...!

[@ianwarren7815]

Amazing Steve. We have some lovely owls in the U.K but these are something else

[@seabreezeof]

The bear yawning with sound .....Priceless..... Keep up the good work Steve

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks, will do!

[@divingbeancounter]

Hi Steve, only visited Greater Yellowstone twice (as based in the UK). Do the squirrels alarm call when close to people too? When we were at Schwabachers Landing in one of our trips, a squirrel was going mental and I put it down to us being in the location. However, I'm now wondering if we might have missed an interesting predator. Loving your videos......keep it up! Thanks.

[@SteveMattheis]

They sometimes bark at people too

[@christophercarlimages9003]

Great entertaining video as always! Just wondering, is that a Wimberly MH100 monopod head you are using? If so, what is your opinion of it? Thanks!

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes, and I dig it👍

[@ronbrown8559]

He’s barking at you dude! Lol!

[@Shannon-q2n]

The perfect day- incredibly rare and so beautiful! Outstanding video! I’m so jealous 😀

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Brentbrussell]

Is this typical behavior of Great Gray Owls, being this comfortable around humans, or is this a product of their frequent exposure to humans in the Tetons?

[@SteveMattheis]

This is pretty typical. In the backcountry the owls don’t see many people.

[@chuckgmanleyphotos7197]

With a few years of watching there is a sub theme when available. This time the squirrel and owl, has been Bison, Elk, Im sure a bear, etc. All could also use an on screen disclaimer. It happens. What good luck on this day! Thanks for sharing!!! Oh, checking the “link” for the hat

[@SteveMattheis]

Nice!

[@ralffroberg1322]

Fantastic! one in a lifetime ocasion, so nice. Thank you for sharing that moment.

[@billcubitt9456]

Beautiful video Steve, those owls are so elegant. I am also using the Z9 and my rubber eyepiece comes loose and finally fell off and I lost it on my last wildlife walk. Have you experienced this problem as well? Any recommendations?

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep. I bought a few spares… amzn.to/3pPvTRM

[@cesarm8811]

Like always Steve spectacular photos and video's. The Owl eating his lunch or dinner wasn't so gross; no more gross than my wife would say of me eating raw oysters. I say the pooping was a bit more gross. Hey Steve do you ever encounter poisonous snakes while hiking thru the forest? Looking forward to your next video.

[@SteveMattheis]

Luckily there are no poisonous snakes here…

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

I finally got my first Great Horned Owls photos this spring in Virginia and the baby owlet. I would love to get an American Marten awesome

[@SteveMattheis]

Nice!

[@samiam1025]

So I had the opportunity to spend a few days in the woods around Leadville, CO last week and I came upon a meadow that reminded me of you and the Great Gray habitats you explore. And there was a squirrel barking! I looked everywhere and waited a while. Nothing! Thanks for another great video!

[@SteveMattheis]

Darn! It’s still fun searching…

[@BenjaminHillA]

great photo friend! Perhaps a faster shutter speed would be more perfect ！！Congratulations👋👋👋

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks

[@LisaSaffell]

They are amazing! I had one fly between me and my sister up in the Sax Zim Bog and he was so close I felt his wing tip on my cheek. I almost pee'd my pants, lol.

[@SteveMattheis]

Amazing!

[@robinyarrington]

Love that background music!!!! Where do you find your music?

[@SteveMattheis]

epidemicsound.com

[@davidroberts5535]

Awesome time. The owl chewing up that vole was crazy. And the close ups!! Do you have to worry about tics at all in the Tetons? And do you have a preferred noise reduction program when shooting that high? Love the hat too.

[@SteveMattheis]

I used Lightroom denoise on some of these

[@littlerapidsphotography2554]

What a great feeling it is to experience those type of encounters! Great video Steve! Were you using the Wimberley MonoGimbal? I really like mine.

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes, I dig it👍

[@DaneMadsen-g1f]

Great work as always, Steve. Question, how are you mounting the vlogging camera to your Z9?

[@SteveMattheis]

It's in the hot shoe

[@capturingnaturewithsandip]

Awesome so wonderful film. Big Like & thanks for sharing so amazing film. Big like

[@SteveMattheis]

Big thanks

[@johnforbes4795]

Awesome group of photos. You indeed had a great day!

[@angeladixon4745]

I loved every second of this video. Thank you!

[@just_eirik]

Your photos ar always so amazing! Makes me envious every time. Thanks for sharing!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks so much!

[@STATTS01]

Amazing video once again!!! Look forward to your uploads!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you like them!

[@whiskymeetsmadeira7054]

Loved the video. Law of attraction works for you! Amazing how you narrate the whole story. Makes me want to go in the woods!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronhayes3006]

Dude, what a great day but what made this one more enjoyable was the addition of the Ice Cube lyrics! Next time I’m sitting on a swift fox den that’s going to be the theme song for the day

[@SteveMattheis]

Hahaha, glad you enjoyed that, I almost edited it out…

[@ViewSore]

Why can't a lens with this length beat the Nikon P1000 3000mm focal length?

[@SteveMattheis]

What exactly do you mean by 'beat'?

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

The being stealthy enough to get wildlife images must be a real conflict with make noise so that you don't walk into a bear. Thanks

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes it is

[@markattardo]

It was a good day indeed!! Fantastic stills, awesome video. Oh, good tune too.👍👍

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks 👍

[@marshalhedin7538]

simply ridiculous. a career's worth of portfolio images in a single damn afternoon!

[@SteveMattheis]

It was a good day…

[@vincentlamoureux422]

All of these winning shots in one outing is really amazing!

[@lisatalley296]

Oh my. That was such a fun video to watch. And what a blessing to get that close to the owl, and know it knows your there and is curious. I was lucky to be visiting my mom who had a pair of young hawks next to her house. They would screech at her and she’d sing to them. I was able to have eye contact with them for minutes at a time as they practiced flying and resting. There’s just nothing like that😊

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johndeblaquiere5218]

Fantastic video Steve it kind of makes it all worthwhile when you get to experience an encounter like that Wonderful photos of the owl

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@manabendragogoi]

That owl gulping down its prey was too good! Great quality footage man! Keep it up!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks! Will do!

[@apumountainguides]

wouu beautiful video. greetings from sacred valley Peru.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you very much!

[@p1pepper]

So ... the squirrel couldn't have been barking at you ?

[@SteveMattheis]

Not this time…

[@martacody8059]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing this experience with us!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikebrooks6522]

One of the best vids yet !! I couldn’t imagine having a big grey like that coming in that close !!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@brucephilipps6105]

Great video! Love the pictures you made at the end. Steve, do you carry bear spray with you?

[@SteveMattheis]

Definitely

[@rcgrant9310]

Steve, When I went to purchase your gear, this statement appeared -- "By providing your card information, you allow American Outfitters ltd to charge your card for future payments in accordance with their terms.” I've requested an explanation of the statement from American Outfitters, as it gives the impression I could be charged more than the price shown at checkout.

[@SteveMattheis]

They’re not scammers. All good.

[@rcgrant9310]

@@SteveMattheis Great - Thank You, Sir

[@mikemiller5661]

I look forward to your vlogs so much. But how do you keep from getting lost off trail? I set one foot and get turned around!

[@SteveMattheis]

I kinda like not knowing where I’m going…

[@toddleech1055]

what a great experience, i have to get to the Teton's!!

[@RandyPollock]

We live for days like that.... wonderful images

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@georgefourlaris7948]

Thank You for the video Steve! Magical!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gunny2044]

Fantastic work, Steve!

[@adamstinton4310]

Wonderful encounters. That owl was just so cooperative, and was nice to see the bears comfortable with you there, and the way you respect them too. Thanks for sharing the video with us.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you very much!

[@uscameloptics]

Absolutely amazing!!!

[@evgenygorshkov9893]

Hi Steve !!! Great ........ Great video !!!! All models are super !!!

[@SteveMattheis]

Hey, thanks!

[@gaylinlyons6534]

That was amazing!!!! Thank you from Ontario Canada

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@scottwestbrook7030]

Thank you for letting me into your world for just a little while.

[@SteveMattheis]

Much appreciated 🙏

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Fantastic encounters, Steve! It’s always magical when wild animals allow you into their space and come close to you in a non-threatening encounter!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks Vaughn👍

[@randyschwager2515]

Fantastic footage and stills! Thanks for taking me along!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

You nailed it. Awesome trio

[@ghlocal1]

That was awesome, especially the great grey owl snack!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks!

[@jamesgolando8862]

Steve, just amazing shots!! Thanks!!

[@SteveMattheis]

Many thanks!

[@rolindowndriver]

Wow fantastic footage Steve, thank you!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mikeegan4139]

Can you explain your monopod set up? Thanks

[@SteveMattheis]

amzn.to/3Ko5guz 👍

[@jasoneldridgephotography]

Happy to see you managed another day out there and the reward for it was great! Incredible work as always.

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks again!

[@brianhigginsphoto]

nice predator action dude

[@keithdickson8364]

Beautiful shots Steve. You had a great day.

[@SteveMattheis]

Yes it was

[@themountainwanderer]

Fabulous! How is this all possible in a couple of hours?

[@SteveMattheis]

Sometimes it all comes together…

[@crittaker]

Another great video...thanks for sharing

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks for watching!

[@kennythewolf]

Amazing shots and I loved to video with the owl eating.

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@arnoldvanharmelen5381]

Awesome episode Steve! Really enjoyed it.

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JackZievis]

So Awesome Steve!!

[@futureexperience]

That was awesome! And the owl footage with the gopher in its mouth was wicked cool! Special moments indeed

[@BullitTom]

Amazing owl shots Steve. My friend has a family of Martens that visit her garden every night, but we are in northern Scotland, so are they Scottish Martens lol. Awesome video as ever

[@barryinn1778]

That was great!. I think that Owl was use to you being around and not scared of you. Your shots were awesome .

[@kmulhall8233]

What type of head is on your mono pod? Thanks

[@SteveMattheis]

amzn.to/3Ko5guz 👍

[@diepenj47]

Thank you Steve for your great post.

[@SteveMattheis]

Very welcome

[@Living_Through_Me]

Did that squirrel poop in frame at 0:52 ?

[@SteveMattheis]

Yep

[@catherinegeissler7611]

Incredible, Steve!!!!!!! Your best Great Grey Owl encounter yet!! Wow!!!Those flight shots are winners!! Loved the bear tree too!!!!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you very much🙏

[@Quickscribbles]

Amazing by *ANY* measure!!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Soundwrecker]

Wasn't expecting him to eat it whole!

[@SteveMattheis]

Yum

[@naderhelme]

❤🫶💪👍💚

[@ronbrown8559]

Hey Steve which “white balance” settings do you use for wildlife! And do you find yourself changing WB frequently? Thanks, Ron

[@SteveMattheis]

Typically cloudy. Never auto.

[@thisisme1999]

Days like that are the ones we try to top in the future.

[@SteveMattheis]

Someday…

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Awesome shots and cool hat! Thanks!

[@SteveMattheis]

Thanks for watching!

[@ivan11cast]

Omg that marten was beautiful

[@SteveMattheis]

True

[@rcgrant9310]

Steve, What a remarkable video - thanks for sharing. Such outstanding images! It was like the great gray owl was wanting to show off for you. Truly amazing photography and the photo through the bushes -- WOW what tracking!

[@SteveMattheis]

Many thanks!

[@bjrnstrmberg2998]

Hello. What lens foot are you using on 400 TC?

[@SteveMattheis]

It’s at www.hejnarphotostore.com/

[@bjrnstrmberg2998]

@@SteveMattheis Thank you 🙂

[@sin.wildlife4979]

Unbelievable! You give us the impression that these great gray owls don´t care about humans at all. What a lucky place to be! I wish the eagle owl would hunt in broad daylight like this. Awesome footage that makes me want to go out again immediately. Best regards from Germany :-)

[@SteveMattheis]

Many thanks

[@annmarie3520]

This video was awesome! Absolutely beautiful photography!😊

[@SteveMattheis]

Thank you so much!

[@njs12706]

AWESOME!! What a day out that must have been👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@SteveMattheis]

Oh yeah!

[@MichalOlender]

The perfect day in the woods Steve!

[@SteveMattheis]

True!

[@jvicks22]

Fabulous video ! Thanks for taking us on the journey ! Also love hearing that Ruby crowned kinglet singing away !

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rikarthur8969]

Steve, thank you again for another wonderful insight into your world. Brilliant images, useful fieldcraft notes, how lucky you are to have such varied wildlife on your doorstep. It's too many years since I visited Jackson Hole and then it was for skiing. Tom Manglesen's gallery kickstarted my love of nature photography and your videos have refreshed my interest in revisiting the Tetons. Thank you.

[@SteveMattheis]

You are very welcome🙏

[@cgan2013]

My favorite videos of yours are always when you come upon a GGO! The excitement is genuine and it shows in your images!! Not a better sequence than the owl downing that field mouse….great stuff!! I’m glad you are getting out again!! Thanks for sharing!!🦉 Oh, yeah…sweet image of the marten!!

[@SteveMattheis]

Wow, thank you!

[@waynearchibald3920]

You are so damn lucky with those Great Grey Owls, unbelievable! Great video Steve!

[@SteveMattheis]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍