It’s like a picture, but it moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a while I’ve been recording wildlife in video, here’s a playlist of some of my favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Or there’s videos where I do more talking about where I go and what I see<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div id=\"sb_youtube_sbyUCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ9\" \n\t class=\"sb_youtube sby_layout_grid sby_col_3 sby_mob_col_1 sby_palette_dark sby_width_resp\" \n\tdata-feedid=\"sby_UCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ#9\" \n\tdata-shortcode-atts=\"{"feed":"1"}\" \n\tdata-cols=\"3\" \n\tdata-colsmobile=\"1\" \n\tdata-num=\"9\" \n\tdata-nummobile=\"9\" \n\tdata-channel-subscribers=\"206 subscribers\"\tdata-subscribe-btn=\"1\" \n\tdata-subscribe-btn-text=\"Subscribe\" \n\tdata_channel_header_colors =\"{"channelName":"","subscribeCount":"","buttonBackground":"","buttonText":""}\"\n\t data-sby-flags=\"resizeDisable\" data-postid=\"1692\" data-sby-supports-lightbox=\"1\" \n\t data-videocardlayout=\"vertical\" \n>\n\t<div class=\"sb_youtube_header \" >\n <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"@Michael Ward\ud83c\udfa5\" class=\"sby_header_link\" data-channel-description=\"visible\">\n <div class=\"sby_header_text sby_has_bio sby_no_sub\" data-header-subscriber=\"shown\">\n <h3 >Michael Ward\ud83c\udfa5<\/h3>\n\t\t\t <p class=\"sby_bio\" >Hi, I'm Michael Ward. I'm on a journey to become a full-time wildlife photographer, and I'm sharing the whole thing, not just the highlight reel. This channel is about my attempt to connect with nature through cameras.<br>\n<br>\nI mostly point my camera at birds \u2014 if it flies, I'll try to film it. But you'll see other wildlife here too, along with plenty of gear talk and honest reflections on the process. I'm learning as I go, so you'll see the good days, the bad days, and everything in between.<br>\n<br>\nMy goal is to share the real experience, not just the pretty pictures. It's also about the struggle to turn a passion into a career, which is not always easy. I don't hold back, and I don't pretend something happened when it didn't.<br>\n<br>\nIf you're into that, you can support my work on Patreon. You'll get early access to videos, exclusive content, and a warm feeling inside: patreon.com\/MichaelBWard<br>\n<br>\nmichaelbward.com<\/p>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n <div class=\"sby_header_img\" data-avatar-url=\"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ji-GopKvsZ2oNRUcUgl08Sa6RP6TwcfppkvB0f9hsD1X-5jnzf0JmWFn3BaX9LTwAwBMwcHPTQ=s88-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj\">\n <div class=\"sby_header_img_hover\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"sby_new_logo svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ji-GopKvsZ2oNRUcUgl08Sa6RP6TwcfppkvB0f9hsD1X-5jnzf0JmWFn3BaX9LTwAwBMwcHPTQ=s88-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj\" alt=\"Michael Ward\ud83c\udfa5\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\">\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div> <div class=\"sby_items_wrap\" style=\"padding: 5px;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLlluUFZhZDEySk5n\" data-date=\"1775390453\" data-video-id=\"YnPVad12JNg\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YnPVad12JNg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/YnPVad12JNg\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/YnPVad12JNg\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/YnPVad12JNg\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/YnPVad12JNg\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/YnPVad12JNg\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"YnPVad12JNg\" data-video-title=\"Bushtits Nest Building ~ Birdwatching Footage in 4K60\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"And here's just the Bushtits as they are working on their nest, as discussed in the last vlog.\n\n~ \n\nThis is about four minutes of footage showing a pair of Bushtits working on their nest. I didn't include any music or dialogue here because I wanted to let the natural sounds of the morning speak for themselves. These birds build very unique, hanging nests that take quite a bit of time and effort to put together. In the video, you can see the birds bringing mouthfuls of material back and disappearing into the bottom of the structure. If you watch closely, you\u2019ll see the entire nest shaking while they\u2019re inside. They\u2019re essentially weaving the walls from the inside out, and the force they use to secure everything is enough to move the whole hanging nest. It was my first time seeing this in person and it was really interesting to witness.\n\nI had to be pretty patient with these shots since there was a lot of foliage blocking the view. I tried a few different angles to get a clear look at the opening, but the birds have picked a very well-defended spot with plenty of branches. I\u2019m keeping the location private for the safety of the pair, especially since the nest is so close to a popular walking path and would be easy for someone to mess with. Once the tree starts blooming, this nest will be completely invisible, so I\u2019m happy I got out there when I did. I was using the Blackmagic cameras for this outing after deciding to get them back out into the field where they belong. It's not perfect footage, but it's a good look at some behavior I don't get to see every day.\n\n#birdwatching #wildlifevideo #bushtit #naturevlog #fieldnotes #ambientnature #colorado #birdwatchingfootage\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >Bushtits Nest Building ~ Birdwatching Footage in 4K60<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLlJQclc5VjZWT3hV\" data-date=\"1775304044\" data-video-id=\"RPrW9V6VOxU\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RPrW9V6VOxU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RPrW9V6VOxU\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/RPrW9V6VOxU\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/RPrW9V6VOxU\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/RPrW9V6VOxU\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/RPrW9V6VOxU\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"RPrW9V6VOxU\" data-video-title=\"Bushtit Nest Building and a Memory Card Mistake\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"A brief break from the Mountain Bluebird searching, for a small trip out to see a bird of birding building a nest.\n\n~\n\nI\u2019m back out with the Blackmagic cameras this week after realizing I was doing a bit of a disservice to my gear by keeping it strictly in my recording area for games. I had a bit of a late-night realization about it and decided it was time to get back to a more mobile setup for my wildlife outings. I spent Saturday morning focusing on a specific goal: finding the Bushtit nest I had spotted a few weeks back. It\u2019s a fascinating process to watch because they put so much work into these hanging nests, and I wanted to see if they were still building or if they had finished. I got to the park early, set up two cameras for a wide and a close-up, and just waited. I ended up getting about three good instances of them coming to the nest with stuff in their beaks, though they were definitely less active than they were earlier in the month. It's a tough shot because there are so many branches, and even with the extender on my lens, they're still just little blurry blobs until they hit the nest.\n\nI\u2019m keeping the location private for now because the nest is really easy to spot if you know what you\u2019re looking for, and I don\u2019t want to do anything that might jeopardize the birds. There was even some talk from the group I met up with that these might sometimes build decoy nests to trick predators like hawks, which is pretty wild if it's true. They've been working on this for a month already, so that's a lot of effort for a decoy. While I was out, I also learned about some American Dippers nesting under a bridge not too far away. I drove over there and got to see one dipping on the rocks with a mouthful of weeds before flying up under the bridge. It was too dark for great video, but it was still a great thing to see. I did manage to forget my memory cards for my main photo camera, which is a mistake I don't plan on making again, but I still feel like the morning was a win. Anyway, it was a nice day to be out and I'm looking forward to seeing what else shows up as the weather keeps changing.\n\n#wildlifephotography #naturevlog #bushtit #birdwatching #americandipper #fieldnotes #blackmagicdesign #coloradonature #birdwatchingvlog\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >Bushtit Nest Building and a Memory Card Mistake<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLjZydEJEM0NOSFFJ\" data-date=\"1775044875\" data-video-id=\"6rtBD3CNHQI\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6rtBD3CNHQI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/6rtBD3CNHQI\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/6rtBD3CNHQI\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/6rtBD3CNHQI\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/6rtBD3CNHQI\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/6rtBD3CNHQI\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"6rtBD3CNHQI\" data-video-title=\"Bird Audio Recording - A Follow Up (New Mic & My Own App)\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"It\u2019s been a week or two since I went out to try recording audio for the first time, and I\u2019ve already realized a few things I needed to change. The Zoom H6 is a great tool, and it\u2019s served me well at home, but the X\/Y microphones it comes with weren't really giving me the isolation I wanted out in the field. They tend to pick up everything, which isn't ideal when you're trying to focus on one specific call in a noisy environment. I ended up picking up a dedicated shotgun microphone capsule for it, and the quality is a lot better\u2014it\u2019s much more focused on the bird I\u2019m actually looking at and helps cut out a lot of that background distractions.\n\nBut as I started getting more into this, I ran into a different problem that I didn't really anticipate. I realized I needed a much better way to keep track of what I was recording while I was actually out there. Apps like Merlin are incredible for identification, obviously, but they don't really let you log individual clips or keep track of the order you recorded them in. It just gives you one big list of everything it heard. That doesn't really help me much when I get back to the computer to edit and I have twenty different clips of the same bird and I can't remember which was which or where I was when I got them.\n\nSo, I decided to just build my own Android app to handle the tracking. It was actually surprisingly easy to put together using Claude Code. I wanted something simple that would give me a tracking list I could actually use. I set it up to pull in a bird list from an API and then use my phone's GPS along with the eBird API to narrow that list down to birds that have actually been sighted in my specific area recently. It\u2019s a bit impressive if I do say so myself, especially for how quickly it came together. It has completely changed how I log things in the field. Now, when I\u2019m out, I have a clear, chronological list of exactly what I heard, and it\u2019s all right there for me when I get back to the editing desk.\n\nIt\u2019s really opened up another world of possibilities for me. Focusing on audio has given me a whole new set of skills to work on, and having the right tools to stay organized makes the learning curve a lot less frustrating. In this video, I\u2019m just sitting down at home to show off the new shotgun mic setup and walk through how the app works on my phone. I wanted to explain the whole situation and why I felt like I needed to go down this rabbit hole in the first place. It\u2019s still a work in progress, but I\u2019m enjoying the process of figuring it out. Anyway, here is a look at the new setup and the app. More to come.\n\nTags:\nZoom H6, Shotgun Microphone, Bird-watching, Bird Identification, Claude Code, eBird API, Audio Recording, Field Recording, Android App Development, Wildlife Photography, Recording Birds, Learning Bird Calls, DIY App, Wildlife Tech, Sound Recording Gear\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >Bird Audio Recording - A Follow Up (New Mic & My Own App)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLlY2R3RadUxubFk0\" data-date=\"1774699239\" data-video-id=\"V6GtZuLnlY4\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=V6GtZuLnlY4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/V6GtZuLnlY4\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/V6GtZuLnlY4\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/V6GtZuLnlY4\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/V6GtZuLnlY4\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/V6GtZuLnlY4\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"V6GtZuLnlY4\" data-video-title=\"The Mountain Bluebird Search Continues; in the snow this time.\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"I\u2019m back at the ranch. After last week\u2019s scouting mission, I went back to my birding group and found out I was this close. Apparently, the Mountain Bluebirds made their official appearance on March 1st\u2014and I had been there on February 28th. Talk about timing! Some of the expert birders in the group have been seeing them here all week, so even though I had to miss the group outing because of work, I knew I had to get back out here as soon as I had a free morning.\n\nThe scenery was completely different this time. We\u2019ve had such a dry stretch lately that I honestly thought we were done with snow for the season, but I woke up to a fresh blanket of it. I was so happy to be wrong about that. There\u2019s something about the foothills covered in a light dusting of snow that just feels right, even if it made the trails a little bit more of a trek.\n\nI felt much more confident today knowing they were actually "in the building," so to speak. At one point, I actually got a hit on Merlin\u2014the app picked up a Mountain Bluebird call while I was walking. My heart definitely skipped a beat, but I couldn't get a visual confirmation. Between the wind and the distance, they managed to stay hidden just out of sight.\n\nStill, it feels like I\u2019m closing in. Knowing I missed the "arrival" by almost literally 24 hours last time makes me realize how much of birding is just about being in the right place at the exactly right moment. I didn't get the shot today, but with the snow melting and the birds officially back in the foothills, I know it\u2019s only a matter of time now.\n\nIn this video:\n\n Returning to the ranch with a fresh layer of snow.\n\n The frustration (and excitement) of a Merlin "sound ID" near-miss.\n\n Reflecting on the timing of migration and the "March 1st" rule of thumb.\n\nLocation: Front Range \/ Foothills, Colorado.\nBirds Mentioned: Mountain Bluebird (Still the target!)\n\n#Birdwatching #MountainBluebirds #ColoradoSnow #BirdingJournal #FrontRange #NatureVlog #WildlifePhotography #MerlinBirdID\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >The Mountain Bluebird Search Continues; in the snow this time.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLlpRUDM2aXVsRWYw\" data-date=\"1774526464\" data-video-id=\"ZQP36iulEf0\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZQP36iulEf0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZQP36iulEf0\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/ZQP36iulEf0\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/ZQP36iulEf0\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/ZQP36iulEf0\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/ZQP36iulEf0\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"ZQP36iulEf0\" data-video-title=\"American Avocet Mating Ritual - Birdwatching Footage\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"I was very excited to see such behavior, as it's not everyday you can see something like this. And it's even less often that you can capture it on video. \nThe whole thing feels very naughty, so I had fun with the thumbnail.\n\nI'm in the process of getting my new bird list tracking website updated, and going back through previous footage with fresh eyes and a ton of more knowledge when it comes to identification.\n\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >American Avocet Mating Ritual - Birdwatching Footage<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLm5laURxVjNlUjQw\" data-date=\"1774440080\" data-video-id=\"neiDqV3eR40\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=neiDqV3eR40\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/neiDqV3eR40\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/neiDqV3eR40\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/neiDqV3eR40\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/neiDqV3eR40\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/neiDqV3eR40\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"neiDqV3eR40\" data-video-title=\"A Morning Focused on Bird Audio\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"It\u2019s funny how you can get so wrapped up in one part of a hobby that you completely ignore another part that\u2019s just as important. I\u2019ve been so focused on the visual side lately\u2014worrying about frame rates and lens reach and whether I\u2019ve got the right settings for the light\u2014that I kind of just left the audio to fend for itself. My usual approach for a long time has been to just turn a mic on, hope for the best, and call it a day. It was an afterthought, really. But that isn't really cutting it anymore, and I realized I was missing out on a huge part of the experience.\n\nI was out meeting up with some other bird-watchers the other day and I decided to take the opportunity to try a different approach. I brought out my Zoom H6, which is a recorder I\u2019ve mostly just used at home for desk work or voiceovers. I repurposed it into a mobile mount so I could listen to the audio feed live through headphones while also sending that same audio into my phone. That way, I could have the Merlin app identifying the birds right as I was hearing them.\n\nI\u2019ve known for a while that I really need to get better at identifying birds by ear. It\u2019s a skill I\u2019ve been lacking, mostly because I just haven't put the time in. Being able to hear a call and know exactly what it is before you even see the bird\u2014or even if you never see it at all\u2014is a whole different way of experiencing being outside. It changes the way you move through the environment. You aren't just scanning the branches with your eyes anymore; you're listening for the layers of sound.\n\nSince this whole thing was kind of a last-minute, off-the-cuff idea, I didn't actually bring any of my usual vlogging equipment with me. I didn't have the tripods or the "proper" cameras for the talking segments, so I just shot everything on my phone as I went. It\u2019s a bit more casual and probably a little rougher around the edges than some of my other videos, but I think that\u2019s okay. It\u2019s more about the process of learning something new.\n\nI spent some time in the car talking through the gear and why I wanted to do this, then headed out for a bit to see what I could find. I ended up coming back to the car for a quick wrap-up once I was finished. It was an interesting morning and it definitely opened up a new avenue for me that I want to explore more. I have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to my ears, but this felt like a good first step toward fixing that. Anyway, I'm glad I took the time to focus on something other than just the glass for once. More to come.\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >A Morning Focused on Bird Audio<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLndCeWJRNmRzeTlB\" data-date=\"1774353705\" data-video-id=\"wBybQ6dsy9A\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wBybQ6dsy9A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/wBybQ6dsy9A\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/wBybQ6dsy9A\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/wBybQ6dsy9A\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/wBybQ6dsy9A\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/wBybQ6dsy9A\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"wBybQ6dsy9A\" data-video-title=\"Bank Swallow Feeding Young - Birdwatching Footage\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"Kind of neat to see this behavior, even though the young as looking fully grown. I read in the bird book and talked about it at the time just how some species continue to feed the young long after others. I think the Bank Swallow was one of them?\n\nI'm in the process of getting my new bird list tracking website updated, and going back through previous footage with fresh eyes and a ton of more knowledge when it comes to identification.\n\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >Bank Swallow Feeding Young - Birdwatching Footage<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLjNudDhRX2wyalJr\" data-date=\"1774180806\" data-video-id=\"3nt8Q_l2jRk\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3nt8Q_l2jRk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/3nt8Q_l2jRk\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/3nt8Q_l2jRk\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/3nt8Q_l2jRk\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/3nt8Q_l2jRk\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/3nt8Q_l2jRk\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"3nt8Q_l2jRk\" data-video-title=\"Trails at the Ranch ~ Come Along ~ First Person POV Wildlife Photography\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"Look at how long those legs are, shadows are fun.\n\nFor the "Come Along" series, the description should feel like an invitation to sit back and experience the walk exactly as you did. It\u2019s less about the "story" and more about the atmosphere.\n\nHere is a description for Trails at the Ranch | Come Along:\n\nTrails at the Ranch | Come Along\n\nTake a walk with me through the Colorado foothills.\n\nThis is the full, unedited footage from my morning scouting mission at the ranch. I originally headed out here after a tip from my birding group to see if I could find the Mountain Bluebirds moving back into the Front Range. While the vlog version of this trip covers the "story," I wanted to share the raw experience of just being out on the trail.\n\nI\u2019ve got the camera strapped to my chest for this one, so you\u2019ll see exactly what I see\u2014from scanning the fence lines for that flash of blue to the local prairie dog colonies. You\u2019ll also hear me process a bit of a "lesson learned" regarding the trail rules here. I spent a long time thinking dogs had to be leashed at every park in the area, but I discovered a specific "Voice and Sight" program today that changes the dynamic of this trail. You\u2019ll even see a bit of that in action (including a dog that wasn't quite following the rules).\n\nThere are no cuts and no music\u2014just the sound of the wind, the crunch of the trail, and the quiet of the morning. Whether you use this as background noise while you work or you want to virtually "bird" along with me, I hope you enjoy the peace of the ranch.\n\nWhat to expect:\n\n A first-person POV of birding in the Colorado foothills.\n\n Real-time observations of the landscape and local wildlife.\n\n A look at how the "Voice and Sight" program looks on the ground.\n\nSeries: Come Along (Unedited Nature Walks)\nLocation: Front Range, Colorado\n\n#Birding #Colorado #NatureWalk #POV #MountainBluebirds #WildlifePhotography #FrontRange #ComeAlong #PrairieDogs\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >Trails at the Ranch ~ Come Along ~ First Person POV Wildlife Photography<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"sby_item sby_new sby_transition\" id=\"sby_VVVmY2h4ZTRyRXg4OXlnOFFHWGRTZ29RLnZiS2RlekI1MEpv\" data-date=\"1774094494\" data-video-id=\"vbKdezB50Jo\">\n <div class=\"sby_inner_item\">\n <div class=\"sby_video_thumbnail_wrap sby_item_video_thumbnail_wrap\">\n <a class=\"sby_video_thumbnail sby_item_video_thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=vbKdezB50Jo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-full-res=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/vbKdezB50Jo\/maxresdefault.jpg\" data-img-src-set=\"{"120":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/vbKdezB50Jo\\\/default.jpg","320":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/vbKdezB50Jo\\\/mqdefault.jpg","480":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/vbKdezB50Jo\\\/hqdefault.jpg","640":"https:\\\/\\\/i.ytimg.com\\\/vi\\\/vbKdezB50Jo\\\/sddefault.jpg"}\" data-video-id=\"vbKdezB50Jo\" data-video-title=\"The Search for the Mountain Bluebirds\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/feeds-for-youtube\/img\/placeholder.png\" alt=\"After hanging out with my regular birding group all year, I finally got the "inside scoop" I\u2019ve been waiting for. One of the regulars pulled me aside and gave me a specific tip on where to spot Mountain Bluebirds as they move through the Colorado foothills. Apparently, there\u2019s a brief window where they gather on the Front Range before heading deeper into the mountains, so I didn't waste any time. I grabbed my gear and headed out to some public ranch trails to see if I could find that iconic blue plumage.\n\nThe walk ended up being a bit different than I expected. For one, I learned something new about our local trail rules. If you\u2019ve followed me for a while, you know I\u2019m a stickler for leash laws\u2014mostly because I\u2019ve always assumed they were mandatory everywhere. Well, I found out today that this specific park has a "Voice and Sight" program where dogs can actually be off-leash if they\u2019re registered and trained. It was a total "TIL" (Today I Learned) moment for me, though the reality of it was a bit messy. Even with the rules in place, I watched a dog bolt off to chase a colony of prairie dogs\u2014which is a huge no-no for the program. It definitely gave me some food for thought on how we share these spaces with wildlife.\n\nI didn't stay out as long as I planned, so I cut the trip to an hour and headed back to meet up with the group. I had a lot of questions\u2014was I in the wrong spot? Was my timing off? I recorded a quick update in the car to share what I learned from them and what the "Bluebird Strategy" looks like moving forward.\n\nJoin me for a quiet (and slightly educational) morning in the foothills.\n\nWelcome to the wildlife filmmaking and photography channel of Michael Ward. Join me as we explore the wonders of wildlife together, capturing the beauty of the natural world through stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes.\nIt's a bit of a mystery to me as well, why I do this. I started taking photographs of birds and found it to be quite a thrilling challenge. It fulfills me more than anything else I've ever done in life and I realized it was more than a hobby, it was a passion. My older brother, a professional photographer for many years, piqued my interest in the field and I was able to learn a lot from him. Now, I'm sharing that knowledge and experience with others.\nThe entire point of this channel is to share the experiences, mistakes, and the entire journey. I make vlogs detailing each trip out and what I see. I learn what kinds of wildlife I find and do my best to identify it. Nature documentaries, especially those by David Attenborough and his teams, were a big inspiration to switch to video recording. I'm still learning every day and doing my best to share that on the channel.\nI plan to travel more, as I currently have to work a full-time job. This is something I do whenever I have free time on the weekends. But I plan to start expanding and doing overnight trips and traveling the world to see as much wildlife as I can.\nFor a detailed breakdown of my equipment and why I use it, check out this video: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HEpeP2JKfAw\nExplore some of my playlists:\n* [Collections of Wildlife Footage]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLdk8E5CSiUPlE0hXMcnVn9_LcpI0hPZ_z\n* [All Playlists]: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MichaelBWardPhotography\/playlists\nI also have a second channel, Qwoft Gaming, where I play through classic video games. Check it out here:\nSupport my work on Patreon:\n* https:\/\/patreon.com\/MichaelBWard\n* https:\/\/michaelbward.com\n* https:\/\/qwoft.com\n* https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@Qwoft-Gameplay\">\n\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover sby_item_video_thumbnail_hover\">\n <div class=\"sby_thumbnail_hover_inner\">\n <span class=\"sby_video_title\" >The Search for the Mountain Bluebirds<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sby_play_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_play_btn_bg\"><\/span>\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n\t<div class=\"sby_footer\">\n\n <button type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Load more content\" class=\"sby_load_btn\" >\n <span class=\"sby_btn_text\" >Load More...<\/span>\n <span class=\"sby_loader sby_hidden\" style=\"background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\"><\/span>\n <\/button>\n\n <span \n class=\"sby_follow_btn\" \n >\n <a \n href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ\/\"\n \n target=\"_blank\" \n rel=\"noopener\"\n >\n <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fab\" data-icon=\"youtube\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-youtube fa-w-18\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M549.655 124.083c-6.281-23.65-24.787-42.276-48.284-48.597C458.781 64 288 64 288 64S117.22 64 74.629 75.486c-23.497 6.322-42.003 24.947-48.284 48.597-11.412 42.867-11.412 132.305-11.412 132.305s0 89.438 11.412 132.305c6.281 23.65 24.787 41.5 48.284 47.821C117.22 448 288 448 288 448s170.78 0 213.371-11.486c23.497-6.321 42.003-24.171 48.284-47.821 11.412-42.867 11.412-132.305 11.412-132.305s0-89.438-11.412-132.305zm-317.51 213.508V175.185l142.739 81.205-142.739 81.201z\" class=\"\"><\/path><\/svg> <span >\n Subscribe <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n<\/div>\n \n\t\n<\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">body #sb_youtube_sbyUCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ9 .sby_caption_wrap .sby_caption { font-size: 13px !important}body #sb_youtube_sbyUCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ9 .sby_follow_btn a:hover { box-shadow:inset 0 0 10px 20px rgb(255, 255, 255, .25) !important}body #sb_youtube_sbyUCfchxe4rEx89yg8QGXdSgoQ9[data-videostyle=boxed] .sby_items_wrap .sby_item .sby_inner_item { background-color: #ffffff !important}<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It’s like a picture, but it moves. For a while I’ve been recording wildlife in video, here’s a playlist of some of my favorites. Or there’s videos where I do more talking about where I go and what I see<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1692","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1692"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1748,"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1692\/revisions\/1748"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michaelbward.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}