Amazing Bird Photography in the footsteps of BBC and Nat Geo - 2 weeks in Norway

Morten Hilmer

26 Oct 202252:21

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRA wildlife photographer named Morten travels to rural Norway to spend two weeks photographing birds and other wildlife with Jostein, an expert in attracting wildlife. Together they set up photo blinds and lay out food to attract various birds. A drama unfolds as a predator takes Jostein's pigeons, and they try to capture the thief on camera. Over time, Morten and Jostein develop a friendship through sharing their passion for photography and experiencing the beauty of nature. Morten looks forward to returning soon to continue learning from Jostein.

Takeaways

💐 The narrative begins with anticipation and preparation for a wildlife photography session before sunrise, highlighting the excitement and dedication involved in capturing nature's beauty.
🌳 Jostein Hellevik and his wife Maj-Lena's life change from city to rural living in Telemarken, Norway, is showcased, emphasizing their commitment to following their dream and living closer to nature.
🐑 The couple's diverse array of animals, including sheepdogs and a cat named Grådig, illustrates their deep connection with and care for wildlife.
📸 The location's significance for BBC and National Geographic footage underlines the exceptional beauty and wildlife diversity of the area, making it a coveted spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
🌄 Morten's endeavor to attract birds for photography using bread and sunflower seeds, despite initial challenges, shows perseverance and the trial-and-error nature of wildlife photography.
🐧 The strategy to adapt feeding techniques for birds highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to wildlife behaviors for successful photography.
🕹 The unexpected drama of the pigeon theft adds a twist, showcasing the unpredictability of nature and the challenges of protecting domestic animals from natural predators.
📚 Morten's learning experiences and the sharing of knowledge between him and Jostein reflect the value of mentorship and community in personal and professional growth.
🎯 The concept of setting up 'photo blinds' for capturing wildlife demonstrates innovative approaches to minimize human impact while maximizing photographic opportunities.
📍 The emotional journey from the excitement of new experiences to the sadness of loss and the anticipation of discovering the pigeon thief encapsulates the highs and lows of closely interacting with the natural world.
👍 The evolving friendship between Morten and Jostein, fostered by shared interests and experiences, underscores the profound connections that can form through the love of nature and photography.

Q & A

Why did Jostein decide to quit his life in the city 17 years ago?
-Jostein decided to quit his life in the city 17 years ago to follow his dream and move to the beautiful countryside in Telemarken with his wife Maj-Lena.
What is Jostein known for in terms of wildlife photography?
-Jostein is known for getting amazing wildlife footage that has been featured on BBC and National Geographic from the locations on his property.
What happened to Jostein's pigeons that led him and Morten to set up a camera?
-Some of Jostein's pet pigeons were getting attacked and killed inside their enclosed area, so Jostein and Morten set up a camera to try to catch the pigeon thief.
Where is the new photo blind location that Jostein takes Morten called?
-The new photo blind location is called Lykkeland or Wonderland, and it is where BBC and National Geographic have gotten great footage before.
What technique does Jostein teach Morten for attracting birds called?
-Jostein teaches Morten the technique of making a "plane crash" with food to attract birds from the air and trees around the blind.
What happens on the first day Morten tries the new Wonderland blind?
-On the first day at the Wonderland blind, Morten gets amazing action and photos of jays, squirrels, and a hawk coming to the food they put out.
How does the weather change Morten's photography sessions?
-The rain and lack of contrasting light creates a different mood for Morten's photos on some days compared to the beautiful golden morning light on sunny days.
What starts to develop between Jostein and Morten over the two weeks?
-Over the two weeks, Jostein and Morten realize they have a lot in common and a friendship starts to develop between them.
What competition is Maj-Lena practicing for with her dogs?
-Maj-Lena is practicing with her sheepdogs for the upcoming Norwegian sheepdog championships.
How does Morten feel at the end of his 2 weeks in Norway?
-At the end, Morten feels he has learned so much from Jostein and really enjoyed his time there and wants to come back again soon.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Getting ready for an early morning photo shoot

The narrator wakes up before sunrise to prepare for a morning photo shoot with Jostein at a location called Wonderland. He heads up quickly with equipment to set up remotes and get to the blinds before the light is perfect.

05:09

📷 Sitting in the blind waiting for birds to come

The narrator sits in a water blind he has set up, waiting for birds to come eat the bread he has put out. He describes the beautiful scenery and hopes the birds will discover the food.

10:10

👨‍🍳 Learning from Jostein how to prepare bird food

Jostein teaches the narrator how to prepare hazelnuts and chop bread into small pieces as bird food instead of big chunks. This will help attract more birds to the feeding area.

16:06

🌲 Exploring the forest and old growth trees

The narrator goes on a photo trip with Jostein through an old untouched forest. Jostein points out things like an ant colony made by a woodpecker. They appreciate the natural state of the forest.

21:52

🐆 Searching for glimpses of wildlife like lynx

Jostein talks about spotting lynx in the area before. The narrator has never seen one. Jostein describes his reactions to seeing a lynx, like getting a nosebleed from the excitement.

26:53

🚠 Setting up a new blind called Wonderland

Jostein takes the narrator to set up a blind at a location called Wonderland where BBC and Nat Geo have filmed. They create a 'plane crash' of food to attract birds and plan to start photographing.

31:55

🦅 Photographing birds of prey like hawks

The narrator photographs a hawk that attacks jays near his blind. It's difficult to capture because it's very fast. But he's happy to get some good shots before rain starts.

36:56

😢 Investigating pigeon deaths at the farm

Several of Jostein's pet pigeons have been killed inside their shelter. The narrator and Jostein review footage from a camera set up to try to identify the perpetrator.

41:56

🌧 Photographing birds in the rain

The narrator goes out to his blind in heavy rain. There are far fewer birds than on sunny days. But he gets some nice moody shots of the jays in the downpour.

47:10

🤝 Developing a friendship during the stay

The narrator reflects that he has learned a lot from Jostein and a friendship has grown during his stay. He looks forward to coming back to visit again soon.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Photo Blind

A photo blind, also known as a wildlife hide, is a shelter used by photographers to observe and photograph wildlife without being seen. In the script, the narrator describes arriving at a location known for its active photo blinds, which suggests these are strategically placed for capturing wildlife images. The narrator mentions setting up and waiting in a photo blind by a lake, aiming to photograph birds, indicating its use as a concealment tool for wildlife photography.

💡Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is the art of capturing images of non-domesticated animals in their natural habitats. The script is centered around the narrator's journey to Norway for this purpose, detailing his experiences and challenges in photographing birds and other wildlife. The mention of BBC and National Geographic getting footage from the same location underscores the significance and allure of this form of photography in capturing nature's wonders.

💡Jostein Hellevik

Jostein Hellevik is presented as an expert in attracting wildlife and a key figure in the narrative. Seventeen years prior, he moved to Telemarken with his wife to pursue a life closer to nature. His expertise and the natural beauty of his property attract wildlife photographers and organizations like BBC and National Geographic. The narrator's interaction and collaboration with Jostein are central to the story, highlighting the importance of local knowledge in wildlife photography.

💡Telemarken

Telemarken is depicted as a picturesque and serene location in Norway, chosen by Jostein and his wife for their life closer to nature. The script highlights its beauty and its appeal as a perfect setting for wildlife and nature photography. The location's natural charm and the variety of animals it hosts make it an ideal backdrop for the narrative, emphasizing the connection between location and the quality of wildlife photography.

💡Feeding Technique

The feeding technique refers to the strategy used by the narrator to attract birds for photography. Initially unsuccessful with sunflower seeds and large pieces of bread, he learns from Jostein to use smaller, more appealing pieces of food like crushed hazelnuts. This adjustment illustrates the importance of understanding wildlife behavior and preferences in wildlife photography, showing how a thoughtful approach can significantly impact the success of attracting subjects for photographs.

💡Wildlife Behavior

Understanding wildlife behavior is crucial for wildlife photographers, as it enables them to predict and capture natural actions and interactions. The script touches on this, with the narrator observing and adapting to the habits of birds and other animals. Examples include the narrator's attempts to photograph pigeons and the unexpected drama of predation, highlighting the unpredictable and often challenging aspects of wildlife photography.

💡Patience

Patience is a recurring theme in the script, emphasized as a vital trait for wildlife photography. The narrator's experiences, from waiting in photo blinds to adjusting feeding strategies, underscore the need for patience in capturing the perfect shot. The script conveys that successful wildlife photography often requires long periods of waiting and observation, illustrating the dedication needed to excel in this field.

💡Natural Habitat

The natural habitat is the environment in which an animal or plant lives and grows naturally. In the script, the focus on photographing wildlife in their natural settings, like the untouched forests of Telemarken, underscores the importance of this concept. The narrative highlights the beauty and tranquility of these habitats, emphasizing the photographer's role in capturing and preserving these moments without disturbing the natural balance.

💡Predation Drama

Predation drama refers to the natural predatory behaviors and interactions observed among wildlife, which can add dramatic and unexpected elements to wildlife photography. In the script, the narrator encounters such a moment when a predator attacks the pigeons, turning a peaceful scene into a dramatic event. This aspect of wildlife photography showcases the raw and unpredictable nature of the wild, highlighting the challenges photographers face in capturing these moments.

💡Collaboration

Collaboration in the script is represented by the partnership between the narrator and Jostein Hellevik. This cooperation is crucial for sharing knowledge, techniques, and experiences in wildlife photography. The script illustrates how collaboration can enhance the photographic process, from setting up photo blinds to solving challenges like the predation drama, showcasing the value of working together in creative and challenging fields like wildlife photography.

Highlights

Proposed a new method for object detection using region proposal networks.

Showed the RPN model achieves state-of-the-art object detection performance.

Introduced anchors of multiple scales and aspect ratios to improve region proposals.

Used a convolutional network to classify and regress region proposals for detection.

Shared features between the RPN and detection network improves efficiency.

Proposed 4-step training method for learning the RPN and detector jointly.

Showed significant improvements over Fast/Faster R-CNN models on PASCAL VOC.

Achieved state-of-the-art mAP of 78.8% on PASCAL VOC 2007 test set.

Showed RPN reduces computational cost and eliminates heuristic designs.

Code and models are available to facilitate research reproduciblity.

RPN is a general framework that could apply to other detection models.

Proposed future work to explore RPN for video and 3D object detection.

Suggested extensions like cascade RPN and hard example mining.

Showed RPN pushes object detection performance to new state-of-the-art.

Demonstrated the power of neural networks for region proposal generation.

Transcripts

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