Well my adventure was justing getting to do the video. I had to send my Canon in for repair before the challenge opened. So, off I go to San Diego, California for 5 days on buisness...no Camcorder. Then I have to go to Mississippi for 3 days on buisness, again no Camcorder. I get home on the 15th and picked up the Canon from FEDEX. So I drive down to Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge in SE Alabama and shoot my entry. Not as good or as strong as I would have liked it, but, as you can see I am NOT in the shark tank. So please watch it and enjoy it. Bob

now i know how you get such great bird footy--what a great location!

that shot with thousands of birds streaming through the frame was amazing! and the audio...wow, it must have been really something, to be there....

you have a knack for capturing the feeling of being alone in the wild and the feeling for why we do this....

Bob,

That looks like a great place to shoot! I'll be putting that one down in my book of shooting locations.

I could totally identify with what you were feeling when you were overlooking that pond. Just you and nature. That was awesome. That IS what it is all about.

Some wind noise but it was offset by the tranquility of the pond scene.

Great job!!

I liked it, liked it a lot....

You did what I tried to do.
You took us to a place of discovery and let us feel the joy you felt.

Your pretty comfortable in front of the camera, also.

You really captured the feel of a late-winter refuge. The birds warming up their spring songs, the sound of gravel under your tires with no foliage to dampen it. As you walked out to the gazebo, I could almost smell the place.

You nailed this one.

Bob, that seem to be a fantastic place for bird lover like me! Could have stayed there for weeks!
I whish you could have showed us some more close ups of the bird, but as you're telling about your camcorder repair, I know it would have been hard to archieve.
Overall a nice piece.

A perfect spot… good story and good photos, this could be the winner… I just miss some close-ups, u without you big camera I you did a really good job.

Markus

Bob,

You had some real nice compositions throughout. you used available habitat to make them and I thought that stood out. your closer work had excellent clearity to it.

I liked the Red tailed Hawk footage.

I now know where all our birds go in the winter!!!

good job.

Bob, I have always liked your films, and this is no exemption. You sure know how to tell the story, and make the audience feel we are there with you.
Picture quality, the framing, the VO/story... it was all very good.

Thank you very much for taking me on an adventure to Alabama!

Hey Bob!

I enjoyed this! The way you interacted with the camera I felt like I was tagging along and standing right there with you! The way you sort of chatted with the camera, I had to hold back the impulse to verbally respond and agree with you that the 1000's of birds was really cool!

Cat

Hey Bob,

Given all the problems you had with your camera, I think you did very well. In particular, I think you are well suited to being in front of the camera talking about your feelings at each of the locations. It is always nice to hear someone express how they are feeling inside, particularly when you can relate to the particular moment.

I really enjoyed your entry - which I always know to be the case, when I watch a movie more than once.

Well done Bob.

How nice, a relaxing adventure. This one had an almost Zen feel to it, in which I think the wind might have actually been a contributor. Oddly when the wind died down I was wondering "where did it go"? Good use of framing throughout, I was impressed.

Hey Bob
Just watching that clip shows that you are no stranger to nature and wild life video.Cant fault anything...Not even close to the shark tank in this round....this is a top 3 out of the video's that I have downloaded so far

Hi Bob.
Great film and great adventure.
You are the perfect host and it suits you to be in front of camera.
Very well editing and the natural sound was great too. Especially of the birds, Blackbirds? Maybe you should have named the species?
Thank you for sharing with us.

All the best
Geir Inge

Thank you for all your replys. And, thank you all for providing such wonderful entries. Every time I enter one of these UWOL challenges I learn so much, not only by pushing myself, but by watching all your videos. I really feel that this UWOL challenge is a true and real Wildlife video school. Because of you, I have become a better videographer and story teller. Bob

Hey Bob

Well in the first 1:20 I really thought wow, this is a well crafted film and this Mr Safay makes a really good presenter ! But from then it fell a little flat I guess. Your presence was so strong in the first part it felt missing in the second and not balanced out by anything equally as strong. That said I think its still a strong piece, nicely shot and lots of good scenes. I do think there were too many static shots and using more pans, reveals, cut aways and levels of detail would enrich things.

Nice film fella.

Bob, I know it's not always what gets focused on here, but I appreciate the sound you got of those birds. Your voice too. I'm lost for sound so far. Completely lost - and I actually try too.

Thanks for the view Bob. Nice work and great enthusiastic approach. To UWOL eight and beyond.....!

Hi Bob. Right from the start you captured my attention with the very natural way in which you introduced your adventure. You have a calm way of speaking and a rich voice. You captured some beautiful images of Eufaula - there is a wonderful sense of wide open space there.

I also liked the idea of being carried along with you and at times being allowed to enjoy the moment with you without too much being said. Nature speaks a language all of its own, sometimes we just have to stop and really listen. Your frenetic flock of birds was a real wow moment.

Done with a very good documentary approach, you added quite a bit by being in it. Very impressive footage of thousands of birds.

That is a very picturesque refuge.

Excellent film Bob. I liked the way you made it. A little bit of commentary and the continuity was very good. I like this type of film because we get to see the film maker and hear their words. I enjoyed it very much.

Hi Bob,
Wow, what a really well thought out & put together piece. I loved the way you presented this one with all the shots of yourself wandering through this park. You really took me with you on your adventure. Just out of interest, did you film this all yourself, or did you have someone else helping behind the camera? If it was just you, then even more points from me, as the way you presented to the camera, especially when you were in the car was spot on. I loved the cut away shots you did while you were looking out from you car too!

Bryce

Bryce and others, thanks for all the good feedback. I actually did this trip solo. I woud set up the Canon, set a marker for myself, then step (or drive) into the shot. Get out, check the footage then reposition myself if needed. In the case of me driving up, looking through the glasses then driving off again, I set my cam bag down to mark where to stop the car. Lots of do-overs. Thanks again and I am glad I was able to provide ya'll with a little entertainment. Bob