Roe deer photography with the OM-1 and 150-400m lens and the G9 Mk2 for video footage. 

I learned how to habituate Roe Deer, about 13 years ago, when one doe, spent all morning browsing close to me, on an early morning macro photography session. I'd spent years trying to stalk them, trying to use a hide, with little success. After this, I spent a few years trying to habituate other Roe Deer. What I found out, was that Roe Deer recognize people. They would run off from anyone else, but all I had to do was say, it's only me, and they'd carry on browsing. This is the real secret, talk to them. They are fascinated by the human voice, and soon get to recognize you by it. Of course, it is as you say, displaying a non-threatening approach. The doe I had the first encounter with, had obviously been watching me for some weeks, and probably figured I was some sort of insectivore. Roe are actually fascinated with people, and spend a lot of time watching them. It is possible with practice to recognize patterns of Roe browsing, and to build up a pattern of where the Roe go during the day. As for thermal imagers, I've had the opportunity to use one for a few years for survey work (a Pulsar monocular, similar to the one you had there). Yes they are very useful, but they have their limitations and it takes a bit to get their use out of them. I found the most useful colour palettes are hot red and hot white. I use the hot red on the lowest contrast setting, or too much lights up red like trees etc, and on the low contrast settings, only mammals and birds show up as red or yellow. I also found one of those video monopods, with the feet, is best for using it, especially for getting video. I don't bother with a fluid head, just a quick release screwed right onto the monopod, Tilt the monopod for up and down, and just pan using the fluid cartridge in the foot. The limitations, are it only takes a bit of vegetation, to hide a subject.

Always look forward to your videos Mike 👍

Thank you, Michael.

As for thermal camera's, I can surely confirm the use for photography; found some wood & jack snipe with it, and nightjars in the early morning! Wonderfull pictures, otherwise almost impossible to find! Trying it on bitterns as well, no succes yet. Mammals is quite easy as well. If I may advice one, it's the Hikmicro Lynx Pro LH19. I've done my hopework on this matter, the smartphone attachable things are worthless for this purpose as you need more resolution, and more reach for detection. This one detects almost up to 1 km, and, very important, is focusable! Around £950 its still a significant amount of monay, but normally thermals with these specs go for around £4000-5000. Thanks for all your great video's and inspiration Mike! (reach out if you need more info on this matter)

When I go hunting I use a thermal as well and it's very useful! As I didn't had one I went hunting with a friend who had one - he saw animals I just saw as he showed them. It's also useful when animals are behind bushes because you see them before they come out.

I have had a monocular type thermal imager for 6 months. It opens up a whole new experience of being outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Nice video, thanks! A thermal camera will certainly help with roe deer and even with birds. If you have a specific target in mind that you want to find, it is especially useful. Scanning around with it can be more distracting in my view. It depends on your use case. There are limits, however. On a sunny day you will have to deal with IR reflections from stones and tree trunks. You also cannot see through thick vegetation, although even small gaps give you a hint of the warm-blooded wildlife. I also find that looking up with the thermal monocular leads to glowing branches against the sky, making birds harder to distinguish. What I like the most about thermal imaging is that it gives you another angle to the world around you, and I sometimes use it only for that purpose. Otherwise I usually only take it out if visual scanning of the area doesn't lead to findings or if I want to scan tree holes for signs of inhabitants.

Always good stuff even on a not so good day.

Would be cool if you could mount the thermal imager on top of the camera, aligned so that if bird/animal is in center, it should be in view of the camera. Thanks.

lovely images as always. The one at 8:52 is really special

Looking forward to your thermal imaging review, I hadn’t heard of the device which attaches to a mobile.

I learn so much when I watch your videos - about wildlife and about photographic techniques. I'm really interested in seeing what you do with the thermal imaging devices. Love your videos, Mike!

Nice video and stills Mike, thanks for posting👍

Excellent stuff Mike. It's very unusual to get such a co-operative Roe, well done, even if the habitat is a bit cluttered! I've also been thinking about thermal imaging devices so look forward to your thoughts...🙂

Another fantastic video

Thank you for the video and the tips. Roe Deer is my favorite wildlife photography subject. Where I am they are quite shy. Sometimes they look at me without running away the way that one did. But most of the time they do.

A very cute and very obliging little Deer. Another lovely breakfast video.

I just got the OM1 mkll and now the bird focus works in video :) yes finally !

Well done Mike lovely video

very interested. Thermal Imager... Beautiful deer.

Excellent Mike. Any shots of Roe deer are worthwhile. Interesting about the thermal scopes. We have just got one in work and have used it at night for bat walks,good at picking up foxes in the field and at the moment have an area with woodcock so will be trying it out there. Look forward to your comments on the gear.

Really enjoyable, tanks Mike - hoping to get some Roe deer next month.

Hi Mike, I've got a Himikro FQ50 and it's very good for just this very scenario. I spoke to a chap from Winterwatch last year and he put me into this. Apparently they use these most of the time for locating wildflife and then use the expensive camera for what you see on the programme.

Great video Mike. Lovely shots of the deer. Have also been thinking about a thermal imaging thingy so look forward to hearing your findings next time👍

Thanks for sharing that video, Mike. I had a look through a thermal imager at some Snipe, I could only see one with the naked eye but through the scope, I could see six more.

Very nice work Mr. Lane. I now have the same kit except for the Olympus 150-400. Enjoy your using both the OM-1 and G9mkii. My lenses are Olympus 300mm f4 pro, Olympus 40-150mm pro, and Leica 100-400mm. Learning quite a bit from your experience. Am enjoying the hobby. Your presentations are part of my routine. Appreciate your efforts. Cheers.

Nice one Mike very interested in the thermal imager review the phone one looks good 👍

cute deer indeed, and lovely story with it, did you give it a name ?

Look for a Inifray T2pro. They work with your mobile, only £300. Thermal is way out best for detecting body heat from an animal, unless its in thick vegetation, like bracken. The best way to detect deer etc in bracken and thick undergrowth is using a torch or IR to pick up eye shine (at night that is).

Top video Mike, lovely stills, and the auto focusing on the G9 is very impressive. Interesting to see your thoughts next week on the imaging devices you've borrowed.

Always great to watch Mike. Have you heard that OM Systems will release an autofocus update for the OM1 in the autumn ?

I have been looking at getting the T2 Pro thermal cam for my phone, a lot of American hunters use them and say they get a lot more "bang for their buck" no pun intended, the only problem is holding it unless you can get a case that holds both together, a dropped phone on its own isn't too bad in the woods but dropping it with something plugged in will hurt the charging port, I'm still favouring that over the other types though due to the performance reviews. I'm looking forward to your finds on this and your honest reviews, Stay safe an keep snapping

Amazingly tame for a roe deer. I sometimes find muntjac are pretty tolerant.

Great video. Have you looked into getting the OM-1 Mark II?

The thermal images works. Sort of. I think it is still early and resolution is low. And there are issues actually finding birds. AI support would help. E.g. by marking birds.

Hi Mike, could you answer this question as there are so many conflicting views on RU-vid. If you had the chance to photograph a once in a lifetime shot with no chance at all of repeating it, would you choose the OM1 original with the Oly100-400 or the Pano G92 with the lumix/Oly 100-400? your view greatly appreciated.

Mike, ever had any finding Roe any tips would be appreciated. Jason

"Nothing is worse than a shaky Video" -- exactly -- and that is why you should take control of what is happening when you film yourself ! The motion of your camera, whatever the reason, suddenly following your little left and right motions , are horrible !!