WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | PHOTOGRAPHING WOODLAND BIRDS in SCOTLAND | Hints & Tips when using a Hide

[@KWTImages]

Hi Richard it was a pleasure for you to use the hide, gutted my PMs never showed for you, this time of year they are very erratic with there habits, next time..👍 great blog and awesome footage of the GSWs feeding...👍😁

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

Good on you for being a nice and decent person! Looks a great hide you've made!

[@KWTImages]

@@TheNonsenseAdventures thank you.👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Keith, it was great to meet you and to be given the chance was reward enough! Maybe next time they will play ball! Can't be a GSW. Cheers R and thanks for the can of pop! I owe you one! 😂👍

[@CamillaI]

Lovely to get the Woodpecker at the end awesome parent feeding !

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Mark, it was lovely to see and such a hungry little bird! Cheers R

[@philiplaw9747]

Hey Richard, I'm sorry to hear you had to leave due to crowds. Unfortunately I've had similar experiences even when camo'd up and tucked under trees etc, obviously trying to remian hidden and silent, people still come over to talk (quite loudly!) and press for information on what's about/showing. I hate to say it, but I don't think they care, they're just A1 selfish. Sometimes you can be in the middle on nowhere on your own and people will turn up and set up almost right next to you, never mind the vast space they could make better use of. I've seen those same people go chasing wildlife around rather than be patent and let the wildlife get closer on it's own terms. I'm sad to say that some of those people are actually very experiened (much more than I am!) but they don't care about the wildlife, they just want the photos. It really angers me. I hope your next trip goes better for you and thank you for all the videos you make. I look forward to them every Saturday monring :-)

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Phil, it is a real shame and did spoil it a bit but that's just life and I will find a quiet spot in the future! I'm going to focus on subject welfare a bit more from now on and hope that some people might take notice! Cheers for watching, great to have you onboard! All the best R 👍

[@adrianmoore8228]

Great shots of the jay and woodpeckers Richard

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Adrian, such colourful birds and lots of fun to watch! Cheers R

[@doug11127]

Thanks for all your hard work bringing these vlogs to us. I was planning on going to Mull next year but not sure now after you mentioned all the photographers. I visited Donna Nook many years ago in December and I was extremely careful not to distress the seals and pups and slowly approached them crawling on my front. Then some ignorant "photographers" came along walked past me right up to them and took some shots standing up, unbelieveable and very distressing for the seals.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Doug, it was my pleasure and these issues maybe highlight to other to behave a bit more responsibly, MAYBE!! Big problem down here with Seals, so prone to disturbance and abandonment... We all need to do our bit to help Wildlife... Cheers R 👍

[@Gazzab6]

My friend visited Donna Nook last year and witnessed a woman poking a Seal Pup with her brolly. When the warden challenged her, she said “Well it wasn’t moving”. Grrrr!

[@simoneardley]

Good stuff Richard, it's a great little setup that Keith's got there. Shows what you can achieve with a lot of graft. Like you say should give you some ideas for your own woodland. Shame about Mull, hopefully people will get the message but like you say it's just too crowded these days. Look forward to the next one, all the best. Si🙂📷👊

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much to you and to Keith mate! It was a great session even though they didn't show! Means I will have to return, lol... Yep, it's great to share ideas and help each other out. Maybe they will, but do we have to much faith that people will change! One can only hope. All the best mate and thanks for watching. R 👍

[@gosake3350]

You are fantastic Richard, don't stop what you do my g. Absolute legend and your pictures are top draw. Enjoy your week 🤟

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks so much, all the best to you too and have a good week. All the best R 👍

[@gosake3350]

@@RichardBirchett My pleasure and thanks a lot.

[@cerealkiller4248]

Sadly social media has people vying for the best shots, but with zero effort. People today are so rude, I’ve had dog owners letting their dog jump in the water right in front of me when I’m sat there with a long lens, it’s obvious what I’m doing but they don’t bat an eyelid. They scare everything off then disappear, leaving my patience in waiting for the wildlife to start to drift towards me for the last hour a total waste of time. Or when photographing poppy fields, a car pulls up, out gets a few people, they step over ropes put there to keep the poppies safe, trampoline the flowers to get a selfie then jump back in the car and leave 🤬🤬🤬 I have nicer memories of walking a deciduous woodland with my dad near where I grew up, and finding those blue feathers from a Jay on the forest floor. Next spring I’m going to take my kids there, and also hopefully get some shots of the Cuckoo that returns back every year.

[@Lez325]

Nice video with some very relevant tips Richard- Thank you buddy

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Les, some obvious but a few might be knew to some. cheers R 👍

[@deerohdeer8000]

So sorry to hear about Mull !!! Man we have the same here in the New Forest !! Photographers every where scaring off deer in the rut ! Hate it , hence I have trail cameras out !!!Great post some lovely footage of the jays & great spotted wood peckers! Least you keeping up beat ! On to the next wildlife subject!! Take care !!👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thats okay, it wasn't all bad and I walked away with some nice shots so not a total loss! It is a shame though but we are all different and I hope that maybe things will improve, sadly it probably won't! Cheers, such a great experience with the woodpeckers and Jays, kept things going for me! Cheers R 👍

[@gregwilsonnaturephotography]

Hey Richard, I always find time in a hide relaxing, hearing the sounds around me and hopefully a few good images. It was wonderful to have the woodpeckers turn perfectly so you could get the adult feeding the juvenile! Fantastic....Greg

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Greg, it really is such a relaxing place to be, just your thoughts and Nature all around! It was, quite lucky there and a nice bit of behavior. all the best R 👍

[@KGsPhotography]

Great vlog Richard gutted for you that the trip did not turn out the way you wanted. It can be so hard these days to find that quiet spot away from everyone. I have never been to Mull for a photography trip but I have so say I have mixed feelings about it from the stories I hear. Great footage and images of the Jays and Woodpeckers to end the trip. Cheers Keith

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Keith, it was but it never gets me down for long! As long as I am out in Nature with or without a Camera I am a happy man! Don't discount it mate, just try and find that elusive quiet time! If you do let me know, lol Thanks it was a nice way to finish off a tricky trip! All the best and get well soon👍

[@KGsPhotography]

@@RichardBirchett totally agree mate there is nothing better than been out there. I am all good now thanks 😊

[@RichardBirchett]

@@KGsPhotography glad to hear it mate 👍

[@willcorke4500]

Another great video, thanks for keeping the hard work up to keep us entertained with these great videos mate 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

My pleasure Will, thanks for watching. Top man.. Cheers R 👍

[@jamesgrove]

Alas Mull is a becoming a tourist trap, the ease of access via Oban from the mainland make it more accessible than perhaps is once was before. Once your North of Inverness from East to West the numbers of people do tend to drop off, alas you do get a great deal more midges. Some great shots of the Jay and Woodpecker, very envious.

[@RichardBirchett]

Yep, so accessible and easy to get to the good locations all make it more appealing to people!! Midges always a problem, lol.... Thanks such great birds! Cheers R 👍

[@carlwashbrooke8678]

Hi Richard I hope you are well. I hope you keep vlogging while you are away in Canada the woodland will have changed quite a bit by the time you get back. Still Canada will open a whole new opportunity for wild life. Can I ask yet another question what would you upgrade to from a canon 7d mkii I will probably go along the second hand route thanks for your time again Richard all the best. Carl

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Carl, don't worry I will be doing lots more Vlogs when I am away! A few different subjects though! Have you though about going Mirrorless? if so the Canon R6 or the New Pre-order R7 looks great! Might be getting an R7 myself as a backup! and cropped sensor body for additional reach! Cheers R 👍

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

I feel a bit bad that I'd never made the trip to Mull for photography until recently. Having done lots of work in Shetland and getting photography time, I felt Mull was too busy. Hoping it'll maybe be quieter in August. I think the issue is, lots of people moved from landscapes to wildlife in their garden during lockdown. Then they just want to bucket shots for social media, so they just expect honey pot locations (like landscapes has) so they just find locations and swarm. It's why I don't share locations unless I've chatted to them before and gauged if they are a decent person and if they will honour the privacy of the area.... I know I asked you for locations when chatting on Instagram but I don't push people to give them, I chat first to let people gauge me.

[@Lez325]

I'm going in October 2 weeks from the 1st, As August being the height of tourist season for me will be too busy I wish you all the luck in the world buddy - Otters are on my hit list via my Pop up hide and 600mm prime lens on a tripod and gimbal head of course

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

@@Lez325 it's the end of August we go. So Scottish schools will be back, hoped that would cut down on numbers. Yep I've already told my mate who is desperate for otters that I'm not happy just being parked up as its a beacon for those who don't have field craft and that we will go for a long walk somewhere and hope we find them without other humans nearby. 200-600mm zoom here with 1.4x so I don't have to encroach on them.

[@Lez325]

@@TheNonsenseAdventures I have the Sony 600mm f4 and the Sony 200-600mm plus i have the 1.4 teleconverter. not sure which is preferable so I'll take both along with my 2x Sony a9ii's. I have just purchased a Simon King pop up hide too. Good hunting buddy

[@TheNonsenseAdventures]

@@Lez325 you are well sorted then! 🤣🤣 You'd need the hide to keep it all with you! I'd love the 600f4 but I'll settle for the 200 600 on my a7iv. 😁 I'll take my tragopan hide over with me as well. Good to see like minded folk wanting to sit and wait for the otters to come to us!

[@Lez325]

@@TheNonsenseAdventures it's all stored in my Land rover defender so easy enough to get too. I also have the a7Riv Iove the 61mp great if you need to crop 😉

[@laku4412]

Loved the footage of the woodpecker feeding the young! Very sad to hear about your experience on Mull. Some people seem to lack respect and understanding towards nature, sadly. I highly appreciate your ethics and attitude towards photographing wildlife and hope you find some nice, undisturbed places for future trips. Had a very "interesting" encounter myself this spring, trying to photograph some waterfowl on a local lake. Laid there well camouflaged for almost 2h, waiting for a particularily shy bird to come closer. When it finally did, a guy walked right up to me, scared it away, took a bum-shot of the fleeing bird, turned towards me and was like "haha wow, got it! got a picture too?" When I said no, totally flabbergasted, he just said "oh no, well, you gotta be quick to get them! good luck!" and walked away. I don't think he meant any bad or was even aware what he had done. Not as bad as people walking into nesting areas just to get shots like you experienced on Mull, but it really made me kinda upset, too.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much, it was a magical moment to witness the behavior and it wasn't expected which is always a bonus! It really is all about the welfare of the subject for me, I am hoping to push the message about this much more through my social media and maybe, just maybe it might work on a few! Can't believe that happened to you, the cheek of some people and the fact they didn't realise! Nightmare, I bet it did.....Nice to hear you feel the same! Cheers R 👍

[@laku4412]

@@RichardBirchett I think you certainly reach the people who mean no bad but just don't know, like the one I encountered ^^ I'm grateful for people like you with some reach on social media spreading the message, keep up the great work! Always a pleasure to watch, cheers :)

[@RichardBirchett]

Awesome thank you 🙏👍

[@sarahkeast2943]

Lovely Vlog. And totally agree with you about Mull, I was there early May [hideous weather] and it was busy then, Ardnamurchan was much quieter. There will be other places that arent such honey pots, harder work for us, better for the animals. Thank you for your honesty, safe drive home. Probly a bit late to offer a stop over in Lancashire...

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Sarah, it has been brought to my attention so much since my last few videos! I have heard that place to lovely and great for Pine Martens, I will check it out one day for sure.. Once again thanks for your support and kind words. Cheers R 😀

[@paulinefollett3099]

It can be very frustrating when insensitive people spoil your time photographing wildlife. I am so glad you managed to get some super shots at the hide.

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Pauline, big shame but great to come away with a few good shots in the end. Cheers R 👍

[@martynhall1752]

Hi Richard I would have done the same as you when you get So many photographs in one place it just ruins😤 it what a shame,but the footage of the jay was fantastic love the slow motion video, at least you got some footage of the Otter on Mull it certainly is a long trip to do, we’re down in Eastbourne East Sussex and that’s a fair distance to get to Scotland,once again Richard thank you for sharing this video. Cheers Martyn

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Martyn, really glad you agree and I guess many think it was crazy to leave but the weather although well known for it didn't help! Still such. beautiful place, maybe one day I will return! Cheers R 👍

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Great vlog mate. I have never been to mull YET. 😆 but I have heard many people say it too busy with photographers. Such a shame. Great footage mate. 👏

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Craig, it is but I am sure there are times when it's not so busy! Cheers for watching mate. R 👍

[@craigmaisfield3247]

@@RichardBirchett No problem mate. I'm hoping for a trip next year. Just need to do my homework first. 😜

[@RichardBirchett]

Fingers crossed you do mate 👍🤞🏻

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you Richard. I feel your pain with the glory hunters. I don’t think education would make any difference to them. Some will always put themselves before nature. Stay well and safe travels. All the very best. 👍📷😎

[@RichardBirchett]

Well said Rob, you are probably right there still I am going to try and spread the message more... You too and thanks again for the support R 👍

[@robbieallcock]

A shame about the other 'togs and the Pine Marten this time Rich, but some superb shots & footage there of the Jays and Woodpeckers. Love the Jay so much what an incrediblely beautiful and intelligent bird 👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad you enjoyed it Rob, can't win them all but it was still fun and nice to see the other birds! They are so striking aren't they! Great colours.. Cheers R 👍

[@andyheywoodsphotographya-h7913]

Some nice shots still of the woodpeckers and jay Richard, thats the thing with the highlands it can be a bit hit or miss ive gotten 2 shots of the pine marten from different occasions and took a week to get them and they were allways at night and weren't realy good or ideal shots hoping to get shots of them again later in the year when i go back up that'll be the 3rd time this year lol.meanwhile ive got a load of pics to process from this trip.📸👍

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks Andy, it's never a sad time not getting the shot but hopefully next time I might get lucky! All trial and error and I only had a limited window so the failure rate was quite high! Still enjoyed it although rather tired! Cheers R 👍

[@andyheywoodsphotographya-h7913]

@@RichardBirchett yeh its a long trip up there 👍

[@nickclaytonphotography]

Mate I feel your pain, I know this was still very raw for you when I came down to see you & we talked about it. Such a shame that there are still so many either ignorant to the harm they could be doing (& I openly admit that I am guilty of that in years gone by); or as you say they will do whatever it takes to get ‘the shot’. Such a shame, but it won’t be the last time we’ll see it. Anyway, thanks to Keith your trip ended a little more positive & you have put it behind you & moved on. That hide looks great, & pine martens do love a stone wall. Shame the weather was so rough for you, which surely didn’t help. Some lovely Jay & GSW footage & images though. On to the next venture mate, look forward to seeing you again soon. All the best, Nick

[@RichardBirchett]

Yep, not ideal my friend but we are all different and don't see things the same! No excuse mind but I hope in the future to make more of an effort to educate others through Nature First and through Social Media. It was a top setup and nice of Keith to have allowed me to use it! The Jays and the GSW's were such a bonus, and although Common were a welcome sight. Cheers R 👍

[@carlwashbrooke8678]

Hi Richard can you help me I have been sat for 3 hours trying to change my AF point selection mode I cannot get it to change from spot or 1 point to go on anything else I am probably doing something wrong or I am useless any help appreciated thanks. Carl

[@RichardBirchett]

Sorry I missed this Carl! Cheers R 👍

[@stevecolwill9761]

I feel your pain mate! So sad you had to leave Mull for human reasons. 😔 Great shots of the jay and woodpeckers! 👍🏻

[@RichardBirchett]

Thanks very much Steve, it was a bit of. shame but I know some pretty quiet spots elsewhere so I will head there next time! Thanks again R 👍

[@carlwashbrooke8678]

Sorry Richard I am useless I have sorted it now thanks

[@RichardBirchett]

Glad it's sorted👍

[@Gazzab6]

It must have been so frustrating for you Richard re the disrespectful photographers. I don’t post images on Facebook anymore that identifies the exact location. Some people in my area do especially of a Kingfisher on our local canal. You can guarantee that once images like that are posted with the location, hoards of people are down there from the next day.

[@RichardBirchett]

Hi Gary, it really was a pain in the arse but they we go! Maybe one day I'll try Mull again, but I've a few places much quieter that I'll try next time! Fair play, I try not to give away to many places but sometimes unavoidable! Sad really that the respect isn't always there! Cheers R