I thought they pooped the pellets, so I learnt something more than photography today 😁

Brilliant.

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Allan 👍🏼👊🏼

Great work mate, subscribed. Love the pace and the info even more the images.

@simoneardley

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub!👍🏼👊🏼

Fascinating

I feel your pain, it's hard work. When it comes together though, for a few seconds, maybe a couple of minutes, it all becomes worth it.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Well said Dale, its why we do it 👌🏼📷

The best of Video 2023... ❤

Great job Simon

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Cheers Ian

wow well done mate.......wow

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Garry

I had to comment on this one. Absolutely amazing work mate. Well done!!

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!👍🏼

Brilliant. Never apologise for images. If you are happy with them (and let's be honest every single one of these is a corker) then you have achieved your aim. As you say, images are about memories as much as anything else and the harder you work for them the better the memory. Paying to use a commercial hide is useful and an "almost" guaranteed opportunity to get decent images, but ultimately they can never give you the same satisfaction as the images produced from your own hard work. Very best seasons wishes and have a great 2024.

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

Well said Robert, the satisfaction you get from recceeing a site, observing and ultimately using good fieldcraft to get a decent image is all part of the fun for me. Thanks for supporting the channel and see you in 2024 📷👀👍🏼

@robertlawrence7958

5 ай бұрын

@@simoneardley hi Simon, my first cock up of the season. That comment was supposed to be attached to your 2023 review but it took me so long to stab out with one finger on my phone that the video had finished and gone on to another video. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Incidentally, I was going to say, 'jammy bugger' with that sparrowhawk. I have sparrowhawk's visiting my garden but photo opportunities are very few and far between. However, a friend of mine had a gorgeous male sparrowhawk visit his garden a while back and it sat there on a flowerpot whilst his wife put the washing on the line!!!! He grabbed a camera and actually went outside and got a dozen or so pics. Some people just get all the luck. 🤣🤣🤣

In a word excellent 👏👏well done Simon👌

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Paul 👊🏼

Another brilliant video

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Glad you think so and thanks for watching 👀👍🏼

That was spectacular... patience always pays off Simon... never forget that !!! It's a pleasure to follow the journey with you as you photograph one of the most elusive and amazing birds that live and feed along riverbanks and streams throughout the UK.

Bloody Hell Simon just found your channel and it’s like a breath of fresh air mate, just glued to the tv watching. Never knew how much hard work, time and dedication it takes to get a photo of just kingfisher. I’ll never think of it as just a kingfisher, eagle, whatever species again. Thanks so much for sharing tips and tricks complete eye opener. Look forward to the next blog

❤❤❤❤ it was good video thanks for your video see you soon

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to watch Sandra 👍🏼👀

Spot on buddy! Great stuff ❤️ hope alls good with you 😊😉

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

All good thanks 👍🏼😀

Absolutely superb the images you managed to capture, was a treat to watch 👍

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks David

Badgers - I feel your pain! Spent hours and hours waiting and watching, like more than 72 hrs and got 2 photos. Going to go out again this evening, trying to get them in natural light is a challenge but I get the feeling you're up for that, keep at it dont give up.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks James, good luck tonight pal. We'll get there in the end !!

@iandanielson5090

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely fantastic Simon

Awesome footage and great video!!

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Cheers Tom 👊🏼

Nice footage Simon.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. 😀👍🏼

great video and great shots

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for visiting Adrian 👊🏼

Lovely video Simon. Looked like a juvenile from the colouration (particularly the feet/legs). Great to see the pellet ejection too

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Barrie, yeh it was a nice little bonus capturing that on film 👍🏼

Brilliant Simon great to see you back

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers 👊🏼

My favourite bird! Such a challenge to photograph them! Amazing photos and video! Great work!

@simoneardley

2 ай бұрын

Many thanks! Theyre a stunning little bird arent they 👌🏼

Welcome Back Simon! Brilliant video…..😀👍

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks John and cheers for watching 📷🎥👀

Nice one Simon.👍

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Martin👍

Pefekt 🤩

Welcome to my backyard. The Finger Lakes region is beautiful and I’ve spent a lot time in Watkins Glen, in the park and the track. You’re surrounded by several, maybe hundreds of wineries. Taughannock Falls about 30 minutes northeast of the Glen, another beautiful location. You’re also two or three hours from the Thousand Islands and the Adirondack Mountains. It’s not the New York most people from out of state envision. I spend most of my time with landscape and wildlife photography but really look forward to bringing my camera to the track at Watkins Glen for the races throughout the summer.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Sounds like a fantastic place to live, keep getting out there my friend!!👍🏼

Excellent footage Simon & great how to info for setting up for these elusive birds.

@simoneardley

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Mark

Great video, love it when a plan comes together . Love photographing Kingfishers,was lucky enough to have captured them feeding there young near where I live. Keep up the good work.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Mark, one of my favourite birds!! 👍

Great video mate. You walked past a nice house, just needed a bit spent on it lol.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers pal, aye you could chuck a few quid at that one for sure!!🤣👍🏼

Great video Simon all comes to those that wait and good look with the house hunting Laurence 👍

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Very true, thanks Laurence 😊

Hey there. My 9 year old son and i have missed your videos you slacka ha. You famous in our house and will be coming to the bird show for a surprise for my son to see you 😁 We love one of your very used words ( but) lol Now realised how many times thr misses says but lol. Keep up the great Inspiring videos simon All the best👍

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Sounds great, I look forward to meeting you. All the best, Si 👍🏼👊🏼👀

Great work Simon it worked out in the end with wonderfull images. Perseverance pays off when you get results like that. Keep it up 👍

@simoneardley

3 ай бұрын

Nice one Tom , will do. Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼

❤

If it were too easy then that feeling you get when you do get a good shot wouldn’t feel half as nice. I’m moving house too & have just bought a place in Wales which is a bit different to Hertfordshire, but really looking forward to getting back into a routine. Keep the faith, you’re good at what you do.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Nice one Mark, weve been looking in Wales. Theres some nice places to be had. Some great rural properties out in the sticks. 👍🏼

@user-markparker

11 ай бұрын

@@simoneardley What part of Wales are you looking at? There are some incredible properties on the market at the moment & it’s a really good time to buy. We just felt that you got more for your money in terms of house/land/location & just generally quality of life to be honest. Good luck with the search. 👍

Brilliant

@simoneardley

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Stephen 👍🏼

Just amazing. Really appreciate all of the effort that you put into these videos. Great job.

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Robert, glad youre enjoying the channel 👍🏼😃

I feal your pain, Simon. Moving is a pain in the ass. Will be worth it though to have your own piece of land. Keep on crackin brother, glad to see you back out and wonderful shots of the king fisher.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Kevin, youre right its a serious pain but it'll all be worth it in the end. The right gaff is out there somewhere!!👀🤞🏼

First vid I have seen from you in a wee while. Excellent images from you as per usual. Looking forward to more of your offerings Best Regards from Al.

@simoneardley

3 ай бұрын

Lots more to come Al, thanks for watching 👍🏼

Great film loved it, fantastic Badger images😀 just brilliant love kingfisher’s. Ps bean bag and ground sheet work a treat.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Haha, yeh right!! Glad youre happy with the gear John and thanks for the custom👊🏼👍🏼

good to see the longer videos back Simon.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Philip 🎥👍🏼

Another great video Simon,beautiful stretch of River 🐞🐦‍⬛

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Many thanks Alan

Fantastic Commitment rewarded with a most excellent capture 5*****

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Steve 👊🏼

Brilliant, thanks Simon. Good luck with the house hunt and future plans. All the best. 👍📷😎

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Rob 👊🏼👍

AMAZING! These guys are my nemesis here in FL. So hard to get a shot! Amazing work. You put in the time and it paid off!

@simoneardley

3 ай бұрын

Nice one mate. You stick at it and you'll get there!!🤞🏼🤞🏼📷

Well done Simon I have about 7 fails in a row for kingfishers over the last few months but will keep trying! 🙏👍

Great video and have always thought about making a perch for a small lake with no Perches that gets buzzed by KF regularly! But never really done it. Thanks for showing how you make one from stuff around and a bootlace. Great insights 👍

@simoneardley

3 ай бұрын

Cheers Simon, works 9 times out of ten mate. Give it a go 🤞🏼📷

Was nice to see 🙂

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Roy 👍🏼

Thank you! Excellent video, patience pays off! My plan was to come to the bird fair but I am out of the country. Enjoy the event!

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks, maybe see you next year 👍🏼

Exciting times , I look forward to the update 👍

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

Fantastic work and dedication !! Ive had more houses than I had cameras ! so I know where your coming from ! very best of luck with the move ! Im watching this on my lunch break looking out at a day of horrible torrential rain, I hope your having a blast at the bird fair !! take care

Great film best one for ages. Keep going.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks, will do James👍🏼

Aw fantastic stuff really enjoyed this, good to show all the hard work you put in on the way, superb stuff!

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the visit👍🏼👊🏼

Result! Magic! Even though you've seen kingfishers so many times, you can see it still gives you a buzz. It's great ain't it? 👍

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Can't beat it Michael, makes all the blank sessions worthwhile doesn't it!!😀📷👀

@michaelwallwork7482

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely 👍

Great video Simon....thank you so much, Monday I will try to photograph "my" kingfisher after two days (6 hours) without success! But they are there..... greetings from germany.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Stick at it mate and your patience will be rewarded!!👍🏼🤞🏼📷

Awesome Simone! Glad you got the Z9.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Rudy, yeh its a great piece of kit👌🏼👌🏼📷

Well worth the effort. Great footage. Congratulations.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Nice one Tony, thanks for watching 👀👍🏼

perseverance pays off mate, as for the badgers, it will come. Awesome footage as always. good luck with the house move.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Appreciate the comments Ray, all the best. Si 👊🏼👍🏼

Beautiful images, amazing patience has paid off.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks mate. Always worth going back Roger 👍🏼👀📷

Another beauty Si - awesome footage and super sharp too 💯

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers pal, worth lugging that big 500 down there!!🤣📷

Thanks Simon ! Well worth all the hard work in the end ! Really enjoyed this ! Thanks for sharing ! Best Wishes Ed.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Nice one Ed, thanks for taking the time to watch. All the best, Si😀

Hope to see you at the Birdfair on the Saturday 👍🏻👍🏻

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Looking forward to it 👍🏼

Cracking work as always Simon, lovely images, and wishing you all the best with the Badgers, and the move, it sounds like another big protects on the cards, All the best, Mike E...

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Many thanks Mike 👍🏼

Great tips

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Glad you think so James 👍🏼

Superb work Simon, missed your channel, how dare you move house and leave us all waiting😂, seriously, one bit of luck gets your passion flooding back. All the best, looking forward to your next one👍👌🔥💯

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

I know, the audacity!! 🤣Thanks for watching 👍🏼

Afternoon Simon mate it was a brilliant video in the end for you,, I am all so working on some badgers at the moment but it's going really well,, good luck with your moving and hope to see you at the Rutland bird fair

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Look forward to it John, good luck with the Badgers but by the sound of it you dont need as much luck as I do!!🦡🤣 ATB, Si 👊🏼👍🏼

Great film as always, interesting to follow your work before filming.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

😍😍😍

Fantastic results for all your patience, BTW which month is the Rutland bird event?

Superb, mate. Well done! 👍🏻

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Steve 👍🏼

Simon, we have missed you, and feel the pain. We've had zero success with our trail cams for years now! Badgers can be particularly challenging at any time. Superb Kingfishers! - Good luck with other matters, be well.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Aynsley, it'll be a sweet moment when I do finally get em 👍🏼🤞🏼 Atb, Si

Well done Simon, glad to see you back out, and about patience and perseverance certainly paid off 👏👏👏

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thats what its all about Chris 👊🏼📷

Goood to see you back Simon. Been attempting something similar on a stretch of river locally but every time I’ve been able to get to a spot that showed promise last year a bloke in waders with a rod as good as stands next to me which is frustrating on an early start. The Eardley Creations ground matt is getting some action. Great bit of kit.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

You obviously had some decent camo on Dave!! Glad youre happy with the gear and thanks for the custom. Good luck with the Kingfishers, stick at it mate. It'll happen 👍🏼🤞🏼📷

@MrDAVEcrouchy

11 ай бұрын

@@simoneardley just a bag hide. Had a few pointers off Alan McFadyen so 🤞

Loved that video, was wondering where you’d been, thought you’d won the lotto & gone off to spend it🤣. Best Kingfisher shots & interesting video images i’ve seen ages. I waited four months for Tragopan to send me the Lagopus tent, in the end i got so fed up chasing them that i sadly had to contact Simon Charles and cancelled the order and got a refund. I too love the products, if hes at the Rutland stand give him a rollocking from me😂

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

I wish Roy!! Sorry to hear about your order issues, I'm sure it was just a one off.

I appreciate you sharing this with us. Your work is truly commendable, and I have immense respect for your talent. The shots you captured are undeniably beautiful. Keep up the good work

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Youre welcome and thank you so much 🙂👍🏼

Stunning footage and stills Simon! All that hard work paid off 👌

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

Well done Simon always a treat to see you working hard to get worth while images. Have you moved house yet? Packing is a nightmare!!

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

Haha, tell me about it Peter. We were suppose to 'de-clutter' when we packed. Yeh right!!🤣🤣👍🏼 ATB, Si

Its good to see you back in the field. Maybe see you at the birdfair. Ive never tried Kingfishers, they are lovely birds. Got a Fallow Buck on the trail cam and ime after images of him at the moment.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Nice one Nigel, good luck with the Fallow project

Welcome back so glad you got some great shots, house moving project sounds interesting looking forward to hearing about your plans. Birdfair is amazing sadly we cant go this year prooper gutted about that. Enjoy the Tragopan stand I bought a Ghille suit from them last year. You should have you own stand with pictures and all your eardley creations.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Steve, glad I went out too. I got to my parking spot and realised I'd left the hide in the kitchen. That session nearly didn't happen, luckily I nipped back home for it. Just goes to show eh!! Thanks for watching 👀🎥👍🏼

nice to see you back mate..got the same problem with Badgers.. get 2 in every night on trailcam.. but can,t get a decent shot in Daylight !! good luck with the move, might get to see you at Rutland..

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

I'll look forward to it. Yeh theyre tricky so and so's!! It'll make it all the more sweet when I do get the shots.

Beautiful footage Simon, patience is a must in wildlife photography, so glad your plan paid off.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Debbie, youre right. You need patience in bucket loads 🤣👍🏼

Welcome back Simon, good luck with the house hunting and I hope you aren’t going to lose that smashing man cave of yours!! How about a project renovating that derelict house you go past just after 5 minutes on the vid 🙈. Good luck with it all Simon and, again, great to see you back 😀.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Aye that'd be nice. That house has been in that state since Adam was a lad!! Yeh mancave gone I'm afraid 🙄 Just have to build a bigger and better one 🤣 Thanks for watching 👀👍🏼

Hi Simon, what a brilliant footage and photos of the kingfisher!! I love the footage between the foliage. Good luck with the house hunting which is more important than making a video. We know you won't stop making videos without telling us. Take care! Gladys

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Gladys, yeh youre right. Its a big ask when youre working full time as well but we'll stick at it eh!! Hopefully we'll find somewhere soon. ATB, Si 👍🏼👊🏼🏠

What a brilliant video Simon. A long one yes but I enjoyed every minute of it, one of your best in my opinion. I was wondering how your Badger project was coming along because when we saw you in March, you told us that was going to be your upcoming project so now it all makes sense why we haven’t seen any videos of them. You make things look simple like the tripod idea for the support for the perch so you didn’t have to bury it into the river bed - brilliant idea. Towards the end of the video I was thinking what I was going to write in these comments and you took the words right out of my mind by mentioning how you’d lost your mojo due to the difficulty in getting your Badger shots and the Kingfisher not showing up the day before but you’re right, wildlife photography can be frustrating and difficult at times but it makes it all worth it when you get the results that you did. I think showing us the building of the perch etc., was all part of the story in getting the shot which gave you that buzz. Good luck with the house move and looking forward to the next video. P.S. The Bird Fair sounds amazing and would definitely have considered going but we’re going on a cruise Friday so I’ll miss it. Never heard of it before but I’ll be looking out for it next year.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Gazza, the Badgers will happen just not at the mo!! Yes sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Easy to move as well if the background isnt right. Thanks for watching and have a great holiday👍🏼👊🏼

Absolutely brilliant Simon ,your never give up attitude paid dividends with some amazing footage,I’m really pleased for you. Recently received one of your Beanbags as a birthday present, unfortunately a few health problems have meant I have not been out with it yet but very soon will get to use it and it is perfect for what I need. Take care mate Graham

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Nice one Graham, hope youre on the mend and good luck when you get out to christen the beanbag. All the best, Si 👊🏼📷🤞🏼

Awesome video Simon. You are a great inspiration to me! :D

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Happy to hear that, thanks mate 👍🏼

Great vid. I have used 200-500mm zoom for motion capture.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Thanks, looking forward to having a good test with the auto capture, a real game changer👍🏼

Superb Simon , I’ve been the opposite had success with the Badgers next to my house , but despite a number of sessions on the river no luck with the kingfishers 🤞

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Swings and roundabouts eh Laurence !!👀😆👍🏼

As always a fantastic film, always look forward to them. I have been photographing Kingfishers local to me and was lucky to capture the young ones fledge. So exciting. Keep inspiring us and good luck with the house hunting.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Cheers Shaun. Never tire of photographing these fascinating little birds 📷👍🏼

Great to see you back out again. We moved house in April so I know what youre going through. Its worth it in the end though. Fabulous shots in the end and worth all your perseverance and effort.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Gary, movings a pain in the butt!! 👀😆 Thanks for watching mate 👊🏼

You are not alone with the badger problem, I have been camera trapping 3 different setts and also a location where I often photograph badgers. In the last 4 weeks I have only captured 1 blurred badger image. My theory is that they really don't like this hot weather and they are staying underground for long periods, I have been doing this for a very long time and I have never had this problem before.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

They certainly test your patience Ian dont they. Lets pray for some cooler weather!!😀

Brilliant video Simon as per usual, I’m having the same with the barn owls as you’re having with the badgers! Ive had auto capture working fine on my z9 but that was with z lenses it took me a few attempts, i found having just set to motion size 1 but you must have it on auto AF! Good luck with the house move 👍

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Andy, yeh I think theres going to be a lot of trial and error with the Auto Capture. What a fantastic feature though. Nikon are knocking it out of the park at the moment !! Cheers and all the best, Si 👍🏼👊🏼

Another cracking video,keep them coming,a wee question for ya bud what backpack would you recommend that can carry camera gear and have storage space for carrying other stuff thank you

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Cheers Sean, I use the Mindshift Backlight 36L but if im on a bit of mission I have the Savotta Jaakari XL which has a built in frame and massive load capacity.

Another great watch Simon as perseverance pays of mate, let’s be honest there’s no guarantees when it comes to wildlife is there!!! But effort equals reward every time. I’ve not been to the Bird Fair before as I’m not a birder as such but I think I may just go to this one, so perhaps we can have a chat 👍 ps will Tragopan be selling kit there as well as I’m very interested in the lagapus set up ?

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Hopefully see you there Paul, Tragopan wont be selling any products unfortunately to to Brexit restrictions. They will have everything on show and if you order during the duration of the show they will offer free UK shipping.

That was amazing Nice when a plan comes together :) Do you have a link to your photblzind ? That looks like an awesome setup

@simoneardley

6 ай бұрын

Cheers mate, the blinds are from Tragopan. There's a link in the description. Discount code for 5%. 'Tragosimon5'

@MrDaveB123

6 ай бұрын

@@simoneardley Thanks Simon 😊

Is the Nitehawk chair hide not just as good and quicker/handier put up than the Lagopus? I bought one a couple of years ago on your recommendation and it is still going strong . I'm getting Badgers in natural light from 8.30pm at a automatic feeder that i put up last autumn, it puts out a handful of peanuts every evening at 8.30pm (7.30 in winter) and them and the Pinemarten are coming nearly every evening. Maybe something for you to try in the future.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

Good shout with the auto feeder. Yes the Nitehawk is a great hide and very quick to put up. The Lagopus is more versatile in the way that you can use it without the hide cover and utilise your own concealment i.e. ( camo net, ghillie net, natural foliage)

Fed up with them badgers.

@simoneardley

5 ай бұрын

🤣🤣They test your patience!!🦡🦡📷

@bencellini4200

5 ай бұрын

Aye, then running out in front of my car when I'm gannen hyem doing 60 mph at 5.30 am after doing a ten hour shift. That cleans your pipes out. @@simoneardley

Ey up Si. I suspect the Badger shot for the calender is just around the corner so chin up lad. I'm no photographer but I do take notice. I know you, you'll be questioning yourself on all the meticulous details, wondering if you're doing something wrong. It's probably something miniscule like... have you considered the possibility that the lack of footage coincides with the recent abscence of the elusive fig roll. Their dead lucky y'know! Ol' Brock loves the smell of 'em too. C'mon lad, get those sugar levels up. Take care mate.

@simoneardley

11 ай бұрын

Haha, i was waiting for the calendar comment!!😆 I might make some 'badger balls' with figs as the main ingredient. You might just have cracked the code!! Nice one Richard 👊🏼🤣👍🏼🦡🦡🦡

how do you stay safe in those tough and dangerous conditions.

@simoneardley

10 ай бұрын

🤔