Knowing the % of moisture in the air, dew point, and temperature can help get you the perfect shot. Planning ahead and seeing the signs is worth mastering. I hope this encourages you to get out in similar conditions this Winter. Thanks for watching!
Talk about an awesome pond, and it attracts Swans. I have to drive 5 hrs to the Klamath basin for Swans. A great morning video Matt, where's the coffee...?
Huge thank you Simon! I found your channel a few months ago and the content is exceptional! I grew up in southern NB and lived in Halifax for a chunk of time. It is great to see your content and I appreciate your comment! Cheers.
It's easy to get up too since it isn't even that early in the morning when the sun comes up. I feel like a morning person when really I'm getting up at a normal hour 😄
Thank you Shania! I should put instructions on my video before watching that all viewers need to be next to a fire or holding a delicious cup of coffee or tea before watching to get the most out of the experience. Happy to hear you liked it ☺️.
You are the third person that has mentioned that I think 😃. I found Simons page not to long ago and seen his video. He got some stellar shots! He’s also from Eastern Canada which is where I grew up. It was nice to make the connection and hear from viewers that I did a good job 😄. Thank you, I appreciate you comment and encouragement! Cheers
Thank you! 😄 I know what you mean, I was waiting for someone to mention that lol. I was going to increase the pitch for the video but instead I kept the vocal frequency the same when slowed down. Glad they don’t all sound like that in the morning 😄
Just discovered your channel! Really quality video. I appreciate the music choices, the audio quality and the time you've clearly put into editing. Just started up my Wildlife Photography YT channel as well! Keep it up and I'm sure you'll hit 10k subs in no time!
Hi Sergius! I am glad you found my channel! I appreciate all the kind compliments to my video, that means a lot! Creating and sharing content on YT is a lot of work as I'm sure you know. You have a new subscriber 😄. Definitely a fun challenge coming up with new content every 1-2 weeks. I look forward to your next video!
Thank you so much 🙌 that is very encouraging! Happy to hear my video has reached you in Germany. Germany is on the list to see one day. I’ve been to a few airports on my way to other countries which doesn’t count. Thank you again for watching and sending such positive feedback! Cheers
Sometimes I wish I had equipment to do wildlife photography. It seems so peaceful. I know it must be very complicated, but it seems so peaceful to be in the middle of the forest photographing animals.
great video Matt, i won't see those birds for about 90 days if we have a warm spring, here is to wishful thinking , you have shared allot of good info on bird photography that i will try to put to use very soon, I am a Sony shooter both A & E mount systems A7iv the eye AF is a gem and tracks very true, I want a long Macro lens for sure, I will shop for a used one Minolta/Sigma that'll fit the A mount and then i can use my adapter to fit it to my A7iv, Awesome video once again 👍
Hi Bob, thanks for watching and sharing your feedback with me! I appreciate it very much. Third party lenses for sony are pretty good. eye AF is stellar I agree and I've been enjoying my Sony a7c. Crazy how much you can do with such a small camera in your hands. Are you from Canada or central USA if you don't mind me asking? If you can't wait 90 days, jump on a plane and come here 😄.
Excellent video Matt!! it is great to see a fellow Vancouver Island photographer have in success as a wildlife RU-vidr. I am really interested in your photography with the Z9, I am a Nikon shooter as well and am saving to make the big jump to mirrorless cameras. Thanks for sharing and as a new subscriber I am looking forward to more videos.
Keith! Thank you for checking out my video and the awesome feedback!! So happy to hear. Vancouver Island has so much to offer. I will try and pump out a video every 7-10 days. The Z9 has been epic but a chunk of cash to get. Still have to switch more glass over to the S mount. Thanks for subscribing and leaving a comment Keith! Keep in touch.
Great video, informative and I like your style! Here in the UK I think we’d call your conditions a “hoare” frost. That’s when there’s a bit of a freezing fog!
Ahh yes, I have heard of "hoare" frost. Back in eastern canada where I grew up they called it that. Thanks for sharing that tidbit of info. Glad you liked the video too, thanks so much! Cheers
Thanks for watching! In this video I use a Nikkor 500mm f/4 G VR lens and a Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro lens. For other adventures and applications, I use different lenses. On my website I have a gear list of all my gear if you want to check it out: Www.Mattshannon.ca/gear
Got your video on my feed today .. I love your story telling and beautiful pics and footage. Was wondering if you can create or already have a video on how you shoot videos.. basic settings .. 60 fps / 120 fps etc etc.. focusing techniques .. full auto or turning on manual where needed to avoid the focus breathing during video .. any content around that would useful. Thanks again and best wishes.
Welcome to my channel! Thanks for all the compliments. Happy to hear you enjoy the story telling along with the pics and footage. Great feedback thank you! A video on how to shoot videos....I like it! Do you mean a video on how I make my youtube videos, or just how I collect my footage in the field for clients, youtube..etc and the settings and techniques I use along the way? Thanks for your suggestion! Cheers.
Thank you! This location is just outside of Victoria BC on Vancouver Island. Not sure if you know the area well but there is a place called Panama Flats (I believe that is the correct name) that is this location.
Im so happy RU-vid recommended me your channel !! Beautiful photography and such thoughtful and deliberate production. I felt like I was there with you. Cheers from California from a fellow photographer :) Daniel Chui
Hi Daniel, I am happy to hear from you! Welcome to my channel. Thank you for the great compliments to my work!! It is a pleasure to meet another photographer. California is a stunning state to be a photographer in.
I've been watching your videos and really appreciate the work you put into them. I noticed you shoot a lot of your landscapes with the D850 and nature with the Z9. I currently use a D780 for landscapes and a D500 for birding. I was going to get a D850 for my landscape work but would like your opinion if the Z9 would be a good replacement for both the D500 & D850? Thanks for your time and please keep sharing your wonderful videos.
Thanks for watching and your question. Now before I share my thoughts, ever person, situation (finance, camera knowledge...etc) and use in the field is different so regardless of what I say it might not be right for you 🫣🙂 In my opinion the Z9 is a great replacement for the D500 and D850. Even with my F-mount lenses it is slightly faster at auto focus on the Z9 than the D850. Especially if I add my 1.4 TCIII. My D850 is used as a backup or second camera for landscapes while I use the Z9 for filming. Once the Z7 Mark III comes out or a Z8, I will upgrade my D850. I still love the D850 and my wife still uses it when I don't. I hope that makes sense. Let me know what you think and thanks again for the compliments to my video! Cheers
From start to finish it was exceptional. Loved the music too, worked well together. Did you use the D850 for any of the shots or was it all on the Nikon Z9?
Thank you. And yes, 3500 has good specs to get the same results with a sharp lens. The Red wing black bird doesn’t move around much when it is sitting on the cat tails making its call. Plenty of opportunity to practice and take your time if they are in your area around ponds and swamps ☺️
Hi Miguel! Thanks for watching and the compliments to my work! I am from Canada too. I grew up in the Maritimes and now I live in British Columbia. Happy to hear you like the content and it is great to meet another Canadian.
That shot of the breathing bird reminded me of Simon d'Entremont.🧐 Nice pcitures! Very nice video style calm like nature in the winter. I like that. Greetings from the coldest region of Germany. We got a decent feeling for the cold too in some areas at least🥶
Thank you for watching and your fantastic feedback! Yes I saw Simon's video about the bird breath. I started following him a little while ago, I love his content! He is very inspirational. What part of Germany are you from? Are there many birds in the winter?
Thank you Simon! It is a great place to visit and fairly direct from London if that is where you reside. Blackbirds love a photographer with an accent 😃. Thanks for watching and the great compliment! Much appreciated. Cheers
That’s a good question. D500 shoots 4K at 25 and 30fps but 1080p at 60fps so you have options. For a full breakdown on shooting video with the D500, I would read this fantastic post by Jason Polak on D500 videography: jpolak.org/photo/2021/03/04/how-to-set-up-the-nikon-d500-for-video/
Great video and stills. Made me want a coffee even though it's 78 degrees here in Hawaii. Very much enjoyed my visits to Vancouver Island and BC. I'm now subscribed.
Thank you Kevin for watching and the sweet compliments to my work! Your comment regarding coffee and how warm it is there in Hawaii brought back memories of drinking Kona Coffee on the Big Island. Where abouts in Hawaii are you from? We should trade islands again sometime! I’ve been to Maui too. Beautiful place Hawaii is! Thank you so much for subscribing! I appreciate it. Cheers 🙋♂️😄. (Also, is it weird if a Canadian does 🤙 here?)
I have a few binoculars that I sometimes/rarely use in the field....but I am not an expert on what binoculars are best to buy. I've used Vortex Crossfire HD, and Nikon's Prostaff binoculars. I have a few Bushnell binoculars kicking around that I sometimes bring along. Sorry I couldn't be more help. It's one more piece of gear I have to lug around when I end up looking through my telephoto lens anyways to view my subject so I ditch the binoculars most days. I am interested to know what you and other photographers use and do in the field. Feel free to share. Cheers!
Great video! I'm just wondering, doesn't the low temperature damage your equipment? I'm always scared that the sudden temperature change would damage my lens.
Extreme temperature changes will not harm your camera equipment. for ideal optical performance, I do allow my camera equipment (Mostly lens) cool down to the ambient temperature. Especially for astro photography where the shutter is open for a long time and I want the clearest image. Your battery on the other hand can suffer from getting cold so I keep them warm in my pockets and I have spare batteries. Humidity and condensation is what is more concerning than extreme temperature changes. Condensation and moisture can damage your camera and lenses if you are not careful. Moisture can effect electronics. Changing warm lenses outside before letting your gear cool down to the outside temp can cause condensation inside your camera body and on the contact points...etc. I hope that explains some of it. Let me know if that makes sense.
I layered up pretty good. My feet in the rubber boots were the only thing that got cold. I did not use any hand warmers....the knitted glovers were perfect!
At least my vehicle isn’t rusted to pieces 🙂. I grew up in eastern Canada and I think I’d rather the icy roads then watch my vehicle disintegrate 😄. Thanks for watching and the great compliment! Cheers
¡Gracias por ver mi video de RU-vid! ¿De qué parte del Perú eres? Han pasado 10 años desde que viajé por Perú. ¡Un hermoso país! Qué tengas un lindo día. Espero que mi inglés se haya traducido correctamente al español.🙂
Nice stuff. I use to use Canon APS-C cameras, but now using OM Systems OM-1 camera along with 100-400mm, 12-60mm and the 150-400 f/4.5 with TC. Really enjoying what the OM-1 and lenses are capable of doing, very happy.
Sound is very important for sure! I own the Rode videomic pro and the Rode stereo video mic pro. For shots further away I use DJI's new wireless mics and they are great as long as my rain jacket doesn't rub up against the mic. I sometimes plug in the Rode lavalier mic. The Stereo Video Mic X looks amazing. I'm assuming you use it??
I picked up a set of cheaper T mount 500M telephoto lenses and a 400mm 4.5 zoom lens and Im looking into an adapter for my A6000. THIS is what I want to do and im really hoping that they will help me learn and give me the opportunity to do what you do!
Thank you Dave! I appreciate it. I ran out of time with the warm sun light. I would have liked to mount the camera on a tripod and photo stack the images but handheld is all I could pump out. Something to do in the future
Very happy to hear! It is a lot of work but I am enjoying the process and challenges creating these videos. Thanks for watching and your feedback Dave!
You are too kind Michael! I appreciate your comment thank you. It is nice to see familiar people on my RU-vid now. I hope you are surviving the cold out there!
Sir, as a new watcher and subscriber to your channel I have to say bravo Sir. I too shoot with the Z9 and you have great tips and suggestions. I am from Buffalo, NY and love to travel and shoot. There are a few places near me I shoot, Letchworth being one.
Hi Thomas, it is great to youtube meet you! Thank you for the compliments, that means a lot. Letchworth has some waterfalls from what I can remember. It's been years since I traveled through NY State and even through Buffalo. Stunning state with beautiful trees and lakes. If you love to travel and are interested in bigger game to photograph, British Columbia is only a quick flight away 😉. Happy to meet another Z9 user.
@MattShannonPhoto nice to meet you as well. Letchworth does have some nice waterfalls. BC is on my bucket list. I am heading to Maine, staying up near Acadia. Lived there for 4 years while in the Coast Guard.
@@thomasdamore4653 plenty of coastal images and lighthouses to photograph there! I grew up in Southern New Brunswick and we would travel down through Maine a lot. I think you’ll like it. You could always take a ferry to Nova Scotia too. Plenty to explore!
In this video I used a Nikon Nikkor 500mm f/4 G ED VR lens and for macro I used a Nikon Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. Thank you for your question! Thanks for watching. 🙋♂️🙂
@@MattShannonPhoto by the way, I forgot to mention that your pictures (and the accompanying videos) look amazing. I am surprised by the beauty of the images with Nikon Z8 and Z9 cameras. Do you think that with other cameras you could get such beautiful images or that the camera is really part of it?
I share the shutter speed, aperture, ISO and focal length for each shot starting at 9:18 Most of the redwing blackbird shots where shot at 1/500sec, f/4, ISO around 200-400 and a focal length of 500mm. Thanks for watching! if you have any more questions, please shoot them my way. Cheers
Hey Matt, love the photography and your series of videos here on RU-vid! I will watch all that you have posted. Calling Vancouver Island home too, I find myself looking deeper into your pictures to see if I can recognize the location. I have hiked most of the island and always take my camera with me. Keep up the great work.
I only ask because I wrote and played the acoustic song you hear at the beginning and end of the video 😄. Such a great compliment, I am very happy to hear thank you!
Thanks Matt, great vid, I too have been out on those frosty mornings, there’s a local Audubon place not far …love seeing the birds waking up and moving. I shoot with a Z6ii and a 500 Pf lens for the most part. Thanks again Matt
Thank you for your comment, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed my video! It's always great to connect with fellow photographers who share the same passion for capturing the beauty of nature. I totally agree that frosty mornings can be an incredible time to photograph birds and witness them wake up and start moving around. Your camera setup with the Z6ii and 500 Pf lens sounds like an excellent combination for bird photography, and I'm glad to hear that it's working well for you. Your setup is a lot lighter than mine 😄.Thank you again for watching my video and for sharing your thoughts!
Matt - No I don't have the 500mm PF. I am a Nikon shooter and have the D810, D500 and the 200-500mm lens usually on the D500. Good combination but the lens is on the heavy side. Would like to have the PF but at times having the zoom is a plus. Very sharp lens and usually gives me a decent percentage of keepers. Keep up the good work Matt.
I have a 200-500mm and like you, the zoom can be very handy! That PF lens is so light though 😃. Great to hear you’ve been enjoying the 200-500. Thanks for watching the video, asking questions and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate it! Have a good day
Really Nice Video Matt! Im a Pro Extreme Sports Photographer in Hawaii and I think you did an Excellent job with Everything about your Video! The Editing, Music, Narration all were Great.
Glad you enjoyed it! What a compliment thank you Peter! Hawaii sounds nice right now, perhaps a future video could be made there. Extreme Sports, I am intrigued, did you photograph all extreme sports or do you specialize in that?
Thank you sir! The f4 is faster but a lot heavier 😓. Sometimes it’s best to save your back. I’m less likely to call it quits if I have lighter gear but you can’t always get the best of both worlds. Perhaps with an extra $20,000 😄
Is your 500mm lens the PF version? Kudos to you for getting out early and braving the elements. I often do that and am usually the 1st on one the scene. good luck to you !
No the lens is the 500mm f4 G ED. The f5.6 PF is a great lens, super light weight but as long as I can muscle the 500mm f4 around, I am happy with it. Be nice to upgrade to the fluorite lens or even better the new Z mount telephoto lenses. Thanks for the compliments and encouragement. I’m happy I seize the day and walked away with some fun footage and pictures. Do you shoot nikon and use a telephoto too? Perhaps the PF? Curious to hear your thoughts
Do you just photograph weddings or film them too? I've photographed some weddings over the years with my wife. It is a lot of work! I hope business is going well. Thank you for watching and the compliments to my youtube! Cheers.
I had a Sony 100-400mm but I sold it recently. I mostly use the Sony a7c for close up video with a 20mm f/1.8 G lens on the front. Now all of my telephoto video and photography comes out of my Nikon Z9 with a 500mm f/4. Sometimes I add a 1.4 TC.
@@MattShannonPhoto i use with my sony a7c: tamron 2.8 28-75 (great) and same as you 20 1.8 g (amazing) for my architecture photography (sites etc). Im on the hunt fir some tele atm.. wondering what will be a killer on the a7c.
@@architecture_logs how much money are you willing to drop 😄. Telephotos are so pricy but good glass is so nice. Some of the third party zooms are sweet for the Sony. Sigmas 100-400 was great but my issue was autofocus. Both for stills and video it wasn’t as accurate and fast as I was hoping. Anything more than 400mm and the price goes up.
@@architecture_logs happy to hear you are using the 20mm 1.8 for architecture! I have a tilt shift lens I use on my Nikon for 90% of my work but I’ll have to start using my 20mm. Have you taken star & Milky Way shots on it? Hmmmm time to start playing around more with my Sony 👍
Welcome to the channel and thank you for the compliments! Here is what I am using from FLM: FLM CP34-L4 II Tripod FLM CB-43FT II Ball Head FLM CP30-S4 II Travel Tripod If you are interested in buying one, I have a discount code you can use. All the info including my other gear is on my GEAR page: www.mattshannon.ca/gear.html
Beautiful morning! I would love to find the red winged blackbirds in my area. I have only ever seen a female once. I have recently upgraded to a Canon 7D mark ii from a T6 and I am so enjoying it, but it seems that I got it in a lul in the wildlife action. It's almost fall though, so things should pick back up. Thanks for bringing us along!
Nice shots! Btw, I have some questions here, may I know why having a darker background is better? Is it depending on the subject you shooting? Thanks for answering.
Thank you for the compliments to my shots! A darker background is best for viewing the breath out of the back birds mouth. You wouldn't see much of the breath against a bright background. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any more questions! Cheers
@@wongchenjiang641 A brighter background is fine then. It depends on your personal preference. I try to avoid bright sky since it will be blown out against the black bird, but a lighter backdrop would be nice. I hope that makes sense and helps! Thanks for your question.
Great video Matt. Love the breath shots. Currently I’m shooting a D850 and D5, lacking a great long lens tho, have the nikkor 200-500f5.6 but not a fan of the zoom and quality.
Thanks for watching and the compliments, that means a lot! Still love my D850. D5 is such a great camera too which I’ve used for wildlife before the Z9. I know what you mean with regards to the Nikkor 200-500 f5.6. I still have that lens and my wife uses it from time to time. For the price it is a great lens but you have to turn it so much for that zoom, worry about dirt, image quality at the limits of the lens….it is what it is. Big glass is expensive. You might find a good used 500mm f4 G lens. Heavy but good quality
@Matt Shannon thanks for your reply Matt. To be honest I've not used it a great deal, I need to use it more maybe. I tend to only use it at the long end anyway, hence why I'd prefer a prime. Living in northern Scotland where its dark quite alot, F4 would definitely be an advantage too
@@BullitTom I hear ya. Northern Scotland, so awesome! I took a trip through Scotland years ago. My favorite was Isle of Skye. Camped everywhere we went and was eaten alive by the midges 😄. Great memories. It was dark during those rainy/fog rain days!
@Matt Shannon yeah they can be a pain! Might get out this week for some red squirrels, there's a forest near me that has them in. Going to watch your bear video tonight
Hi Matt, just discovered your channel. I really like your video, also how you present it and the nice music with it. i subscribed right away and i look forward to your next video. By the way, do you know the weight of this lens, and do you also shoot handheld? greetings from the Netherlands, another Nikon mirrorless shooter 😉
Welcome to my channel. Glad to hear you found it! My 500mm f4 lens is 3.9kg (8.6 lbs) and I do shoot handheld even with that heavy lens 😀. I just posted a new video where I taught a 4 day wildlife workshop in the Great Bear Rainforest and during that time I mostly photographed handheld. It is a good workout 😄. Thank you for subscribing, and it is a pleasure to meet another Nikon shooter!
@@MattShannonPhoto i can believe it is a workout. 💪 nice that you keep this up with this weight. my lens is 2.9 kilos plus 1.3 kilos from the z9 and there I sometimes think it's heavy... but that's mainly because I had the 500 pf before that.😉
