Wildlife photography on a remote british island off the coast of Wales

[@steveverity1398]

Excellent video Matt, what a fantastic place I think it beats my local place RSPB Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Steve Verity! Glad you enjoyed it! And I don't know, that place is meant to be incredible! That's definitely on my list :D

[@steveverity1398]

@@MattGouldphotography if you plan to come sometime look me up I will give you a tour of all the best shooting spots I know that place like the back of my hand.

[@indusnatureandwildlifephot8132]

Wonderful What else we could find in Skomer

[@MattGouldphotography]

Any kind of British sea bird really, there is plenty on their wildlife trust website :)

[@prestons3400]

Yes here in Britain the wildlife is truly amazing people don’t realise that we have some species that can not be found anywhere else

[@MattGouldphotography]

Glad you agree Preston! We have plenty to offer here 😁

[@spicy__roads3422]

Simply wonderful Matt

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Andrea, chuffed you enjoyed it :)

[@ellaslinn]

Wow - brilliant footage and photos as always. It's great to give a reminder to appreciate what we already have in the UK. Skokholm looks stunning; definitely worth the 3am start!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Ella! Thank you, very kind of you to say. It really was worth the start, as I was saying to you, Skokholm is well worth the trip if you can book it. I don't know if this is right but I think booking starts in October but its allready fully booked for this year. Hope the photography is going well :)

[@ellaslinn]

@@MattGouldphotography Thank you! Hopefully I can book for next year, after I've finished in college - I've unfortunately not had much time for photography as I've not long finished a block of work experience at a wildlife rescue. Your video has definitely inspired me to get back out there though!

[@MattGouldphotography]

@@ellaslinn I think if you become a member you get the chance to book a little earlier, but from what i hear it booked up fast this year. I got lucky last year because I kept an eye out for cancellations. Wow, doing well to be doing your bit volunteering though :). Glad to hear you will be getting back out there with your camera soon though :)

[@georgereed1568]

Well done definitely the best program you have done yet, really raised the bar 👍👍👍 on what was already great watching keep it coming.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you so much! Thats a real compliment! I like to thinking its a fluctuating journey of improvement! A lot of trial and error involved :D. Thanks for watching! I will try to keep the bar high :)

[@whereami7814]

Hi Matt. Fab video, looking forward too what's next from you. Keep it up. Wayne

[@elaineturpin1064]

Great video Matt. Back in our neck of the woods excellent.

[@MattGouldphotography]

I was indeed, it's such a beautiful part of the country!

[@sarahhuggins7217]

Always love your videos

[@roodieroo]

I went to Skomer mid last year. Loved every minute of it! Great vid Matt. Looking forward to the next installment!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Sup Roodie! I've just seen that I have a couple of your vids to catch up on! Glad you enjoyed the video! And that you have made it to Skomer, what a place! Thanks for watching!

[@JohnHavord]

Excellent Matt. 14 minutes, could easily have double that time, to give us more of an insight. Great stuff.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi John! Glad you think so, there is a part two coming in about a months time :). Hope to see you then! :) Thanks for watching!

[@Fifteenacrefarm]

Enjoyed your video so much, I cant wait to see more! Amazing that you are able to get that close to such beautiful birds. Love the footage and the still shots! Thank you for sharing! God Bless.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Amy! Chuffed you enjoyed the video so much! It really is a special place!

[@WalesTheTrueBritons]

Agree - Wales, and Britain in general is extremely underrated. Most don't realise what we have right on our doorstep. Same with beaches, Wales have some amazing beaches.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Completely agree! Though I am yet to make the most of and explore those beaches! Another one of the list :D

[@JackRichNature]

Another great vid, inspiring me for future trips around the UK. Always worth hunting for those special places and you guys look to have a great time!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Aw thanks Jack! Glad to hear you found it inspiring, thats a big compliment. It is indeed always worth seeking out those special places ! Thanks for the comment and for taking the time to watch!

[@AndyGustavsson]

Great video Matt, very awesome to be able to be so close to the puffins, most be a really special experience ! Cheers from Sweden !

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Andy! Yeah it really was, it really makes a difference when everyone respects the wildlife. Such a magical place.

[@AndyGustavsson]

@@MattGouldphotography I can only imagine! Will try to visit either scotland or norway to photograph puffins this summer, it´s about the same distance from where I live in southern Sweden.

[@Malte_Paulsen]

Absolutely amazing! Inspiring video :)

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Malte! Working on number two at some point :)

[@ChrisKaula]

This was beautiful! Liked it a lot. :)

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Chris! Glad you enjoyed it! Glad to see your You Tube coming along nicely as well! :)

[@timswalkabout1498]

That was amazing keep up the good work !!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Tim! There is a part two on its way at some point :D. Cheers for the kind comment!

[@neilcalder3675]

Fantastic video, another place to add to my bucket list.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Neil! And yes, really worth adding, its the perfect place to embrace the inner nerd :D. Thank you for watching.

[@HarshitHalpati]

Your videos are soo good mate , just try making them a bit short under 10mins or so and try to add more sounds and a bit of colour grade...it will just blast your channel...btw , already subscribed ♥️

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Hazify! Yeah they will always vary in length :), some longer than others because I think its nice to have a bit of variety. And colour grading will come as the result of time and growing in ability and experience I feel :D. Thanks for the support! Really appreciated :)

[@SimonWattsWILDPresentationsUK]

Superb Matt. Know these islands well, spent a month on Ramsey in 2000 and a regular on Skomer but haven't got the triple crown of Skokholm yet! We were tasked with rat 'removal' back in the millenium on Ramsey, sadly they'd put paid to any ground nesters. Think things are more hopeful now. Intrigued to the Manx and Stormies at night footage - looking forward to it. Managed to film the dusk inward flight of the Manx superhighway off've Strumble Head last summer with a drone. Heading into the sunset - most for Skomer some for Skokholm I guess. That was one off the bucket list. Superb as always. Si.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Sadly the Manx and Stormies night footage didnt work all that well :D. Time was against us, sorry to disappoint. Glad you know and the islands and appreciate them though! They are such special places! Hope you enjoy part 2 in about a months time. Thanks for the comment as always :)

[@ChrisHunt4497]

Brilliant Matt. Give me British wildlife any day. I am going to Westray in July to see the puffins. Amazing. 😍😍😍😍

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Chris! Glad you too love British wildlife! And I am always envious of any trip to see puffins ! I hope you have a cracking time!

[@laurarichardson2767]

Finally watched it, now I need to go there. Great stuff!!

[@MattGouldphotography]

You really do! It's an amazing palce! Though I think this year is booked up already. Thanks for watching! :)

[@trevorcooper5876]

Amazing, look forward to the next instalment . Well done Matt

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Trevor! Glad you enjoyed it! Part 2 will be out within a months time with an episode of Out and About coming out before then :).

[@phooesnax]

Great video. Looking forward to next episode!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! I hope not to dissapoint with the second part!

[@Mackfrenzie]

Fun video, Matt! Loved your thoughts at 12:26

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Mackenzie! Glad you agree :)

[@wilbuzllf5057]

Beautiful photos, well done, looked like an awesome experience!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Rasmus! Really appreciate it. And yeah, an experience I will not soon forget :D

[@CamillaI]

Well done Matt you picked a tough one there but i agree one hundred percent with the premise, it is easy to overlook what is in your own backyard. Camilla & I certainly find enough to keep us occupied here in the UK. I have just been to Norfolk on location/vacation an amazing area particularly for birds and raptors. What I love about Britain is the four seasons and the more natural, well (natural to natives) colours and lighting. Also no chance of being bitten, stung or eaten ! Love the puffins had a similar trip on Staffa great work thanks for sharing. PS A 70-200mm works just fine with puffins and sometimes an 85mm prime as you seem to have discovered.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hiya, thanks for the comment. I hear Norfolk is a must see place but i'm yet to get up there. I'm glad you echo the need to appreciate wildlife on our doorstep. And I will consider the 85mm, though I actually had loads of fun with my wide angle. :) Thanks again for stopping by.

[@alexg4758]

Thats a really nice video Matt!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Alex! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@samh1432]

Awesome video Matt, loved that you had a mixture of footage from other Matt as well! I'm also amazed how close the puffins to come, I know they can come close, but not like wide Angle minimum focus 😂. I Really need to go!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Yeah the wide angle was a bit of a learning curve, a lot were out of focus, which i'm not used to with a wide angle :D. And thanks for the kind words :)

[@samh1432]

@@MattGouldphotography Oh yeah I get loads of shots that are out of focus sometimes, don't always know why. And it's best to not go too close with wide angles as you get that distorted look, unless that's the look you're after, but that only works with a few compositions e.g. if the puffin is looking right at you with their beak facing you, otherwise side view just makes them look fat 😂

[@bbqkid8]

Great stuff, Matt. Puffins are just so gorgeous. I hope to photograph them one day myself!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thanks Brian! Yeah they are so charasmatic! I hope you get the chance to one day! :)

[@johngunning2123]

Brilliant!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you John!

[@willhudsonfilmmaking3463]

Mate you are smashing it! Honestly incredible how far you have come! Would love to join you on an expedition one day maybe! But hopefully can catch up in April! So much to talk about! Keep up the good work Brother!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Sup bud! Cheers man! Yeah looking forward to seeing people! Yeah I was thinking of doing one with the Sparsholt lot. I think it's quite cool we are all still in contact (or most of us). Not sure what though. Or maybe one on visiting the oldest tree in the UK. I know you did a lot with that book of them you had, always seemed pretty interesting. Looking forward to the catch up man :). And thanks for watching !

[@willhudsonfilmmaking3463]

@@MattGouldphotography plenty to discuss in April! And yeh a group expedition would be good, Doing Ancient trees are a must! Got plenty of good spots we could do!

[@nielspunter1552]

Great Video again!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Niels as always! Your support and continued watching of my videos is really appreciated :)

[@karenbusby9906]

Brilliant Matt. I want to go and see the puffins again! Such a unique experience! :)

[@MattGouldphotography]

Ha, they keep pulling you back :D. Thanks for watching!

[@fenraven]

Puffins are so darn cute, they look like plushies!

[@wendybee9160]

WOW!!!! I want to go. that is so cool

[@MattGouldphotography]

You should Wendy! It's a cracking experience!

[@Rudy60426]

great video Matt

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Rudy! Glad you liked it!

[@trembichmovingmoments8778]

fantasic video =) Looking forward to the next part or even parts?

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Trembich! Thank you for compliment! It's looking like a two part job. It will be out within the month but I can't say exactly when. Though I have another video coming out in between :). Cheers for watching!

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

That's amazing. Been tempted by the trips when I've been down in Pembrokeshire. (go down summer so maybe could collaborate and you show me more wildlife stuff?) Shetland is awesome, there's a part I want to visit called hermaness right up top, they have 25000 pairs of puffins, would be amazing to see.

[@MattGouldphotography]

It's well worth going I have to say. Though a day trip to Skomer is much easier to get hold of at the moment, I hear Skokholm is booked up for the summer already. Shetland is defintely top of my list I have to say, seems an amazing place! And quite possibly, I can't commit to anything right now though, life is pretty hectic. But let me know if you are ever in the area and we may be able to grab a coffee at the very least if I don't have the time :).

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

@@MattGouldphotography actually down for a conference in Bristol in April, so maybe meet for a drink or something then! What I've seen of Shetland is amazing (I have seen orcas!) but theres so much more I want to see!

[@MattGouldphotography]

@@TheNonsenseAdventures Ahhhh sweet. Yeah just gimme a shout closer to the time and we can grab a coffee :)

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

@@MattGouldphotography Sounds good Matt! Its 20th of april or so that i'm down there!

[@dust1415]

Thanks Matt will be going to Skomer this year now

[@MattGouldphotography]

Good to hear it ! You won't regret a second of it! Thank you for watching!

[@carldowningphoto]

Love this video.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Carl! Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@DannyGibsondgpix]

Great video, enjoyed the wide angle puffins!

[@MattGouldphotography]

Cheers Danny! Yeah wide angle is something I am still getting used to, so cheers for highlighting that one :D

[@adamsmith6594]

What is the grey lens you use Matt?

[@MattGouldphotography]

500mm F4 IS Canon L :) My gear video shows everything I use kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYLNq3Spoa6qebs

[@adamsmith6594]

@@MattGouldphotography Now dinner will be late because I'm watching your gear video. My family now hate me I hope you're proud of yourself. Blimey just looked up how much one of those is. The same money my last two cars cost me combined almost to the penny. Family member has just closed my jaw for me.

[@MattGouldphotography]

@@adamsmith6594 Hahahaha my appologies to the empty bellies. And yeah, not cheap. There are ways around that though to get similar results with cheap gear. :)

[@wanderingwolf2242]

Hi Matt. uJst trying to ctch-up on KZbin vids and just watched this one. Fantastic video matey. Never been to Stokholm, just Skomer, but that looks fantastic location with like-minded people too...BONUS! :-) I also met Sean once when shooting the Deer Rut, Nice chap and awesome photographer...…. The photos you got were incredibly beautiful, you are very talented indeed. Looks stunning mate, really enjoyed the video. I shall look out for your images on Instagram cos been following you for a while now :-) ATB

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi there, thank you for the kind words and taking the time to watch the video! Yeah Skokholm is well worth the visit, and it was purely luck that Sean had booked the same trip! He is a very talented guy indeed! Thank you for the complement :). Glad to hear you are a long time follower, I will keep an eye out for your future comments, and hopefully future videos will not disapoint :).

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Great video buddy, have a new sub from a newtuber lol 😉🤙

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you JP! Glad it went down well, thank you for subscribing! I will aim not to disappoint with future videos!

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Matt Gould cheers buddy and I have no doubt about that too content and appreciated 👌🤙

[@indusnatureandwildlifephot8132]

And where else we could get to to enjoy Britain wildlife

[@MattGouldphotography]

Pretty much anywhere, you can find lists of nature reserves on the RSPB or Wildlife Trusts websites :)

[@iastorgaphotos]

👍🏼🤩🙏🏼

[@MattGouldphotography]

Thank you Irene! :)

[@larsrosing5033]

IS and lens cleaners do exist, you know that!? 😁

[@MattGouldphotography]

Ha, both were used during the trip, but sometimes its more important to get the shot no matter what :D

[@mickmckean7378]

I gave up at ten minutes - did you actually see any birds in the video?

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Mick! Sorry to hear that. Yes we did. Plenty :)

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

Beautiful bird the Puffin! But how do those symmetrical colour patterns in the feathers and the beak happen? Are there intelligent genes? I mean, it cant be random evolution over thousands of years can it because just about all birds have similar symmetrical colour patterns in the feathers.

[@MattGouldphotography]

Hi Stalled! Wow, proper ecology question! Love it! Sadly, that is way beyond my expertise ! :D Love that kind of enquisitve thinking though. I often marvel at similar things within the natural world. Let me know if you come up with the answer. Thank you for watching!