Ben Waddams - Showreel

[JonCengland]

I also see the mistakes that you are making I know I have made them myself (though not with a grass snake) - it is easy to get carried away with the piece to camera, the limelight, its great but you soon realise that these is a better way of presenting these animals to people - in their natural habitat and you can have people in the piece where this is needed but just dangling the animal in front of the camera is not on really - that's my opinion and I am sure you will take this on board

[benwaddams]

@JonCengland Thanks for voicing your opinion Jon. And thank you for the comments as regards the artwork. I enjoy wildlife art and wildlife film in equal measure - natural history being the root. Thanks again,

Ben

[JonCengland]

Ben I am concerned with the animal's safety and I am concerned over the 'messages' you are sending out in your videos. this being a risk to yourself, other people who copy you and of course the animals themselves.

Being unprepared and taking risks as you are doing is irresponsible (in my opinion). I look at your artwork and I think to myself this is fantastic this guys has talent why does he need the videos on you tube?

[JonCengland]

Hi Ben

Thats not a problem - I have plenty of time on my hands during the winter as like you I am extremely lucky that my living is my hobby which is herpetology. I have been working in this field for over 10 years - I did not have much respect for Steve Irwin when he was alive as he promoted mainly himself as a reptile wrangler for the TV. I am sure he did some great work but to me the legacy he has left is people impersonating him which is a real shame.

[JonCengland]

Remember the star of the show is of course the animals - yeah right I totally agree with Badger20100 this is very much copying Austin Stevens, Steve Urwin, Nigel Marvin et al - clearly the animals are not the 'star' that is very much Ben's role in these videos - being unprepared (wrong footware), taking risks (searching for rattle snakes with bare hands), prolonged handling of animals which are clearly stressed, and giving out information which is incorrect (e.g. the adders diet)......

[benwaddams]

@JonCengland Thanks again Jon. I must say, it's nice of you to spend your time watching my videos! Please have respect and atleast spell Steve Irwin's name correctly. Footwear? I thought you were more concerned about the animal's safety than my own,but thank you for noticing such details. I had a great time, I learnt a hundred times as much watching, handling and interacting with these creatures than I would in hours of reading books and I hardly think I ruined anyones day, except perhaps yours.

[badger20100]

Another Austin Stevens like idiot who thinks it's fun to throw snakes around and poke spiders with sticks.

Some animal lover you are!

This says it's a showreel - a showreel for what? I'm embarrassed for you, treating animals like that, you should be ashamed of yourself.

[benwaddams]

@badger20100 Heya mate, thanks for your comments. I'm sorry I upset you. I have to say I have worked with the Austin Stevens team and do not consider him to hold any form of merit with his work - so we agree on that one. I have never thrown anything around. I have worked with snakes professionally and know of their biology and backbone structure and strength, I would never endanger an animal.

[benwaddams]

@badger20100 All I want to do is show the power and excitment of these creatures on a human scale and yes, I will avoid getting bitten at all costs, because if I did get bitten, it would not be a great advertisement for that particular species.

Nor did I poke a spider (!) I trippeed her tripwire, had a look at her wonderful fangs and left her alone. If there was any sort of 'ordeal' there, it will have lasted for about 10 seconds.

[benwaddams]

@badger20100 I checked on the girl again after returning the same way and she was nicely curled up ready to hunt again.

I am not ashamed of myself, although I am sad that I offended you. I am passionate about wildlife and about showing people from this country, what other countries have to offer the amateur naturalist or tourist who keeps his eyes open.

Thank you for watching and commenting.

What do you do?

Best,

Ben

[ghostflourisher93]

@badger20100 your wrong he handles the snakes fine how else do you expect him to act when a poisonous snake lunges at you. Also he doesnt harm any of them so he isnt in the wrong he isnt an idiot he is one of the best people on youtube for his wildlife vids.

[benwaddams]

@ghostflourisher93 Hiya mate, some how I missed this comment. Thank you for your support and kind comments. I'm glad you agree with me. There obviously seems to be a fine line between education, interest, excitement and animal torture! Thanks again,

Ben

[despeleta]

i like it! that pituophis at the end was gorgeous! looked like somewhere around the s.f. bay area (where i am).

they are my all time fav.

[benwaddams]

I agree! Thanks mate. Yup, Mt Diabalo state park, a year or so ago :) glad you enjoyed it,

Ben

[reptilewranglers]

Very nice editing job.

[benwaddams]

Thanks  :)

Ben

[GTAking01]

take me sometime this stuff is so intresting

[Albinotortoise1994]

sick, ive not seen alot of that, why isnt it on youtube :(

awesome stuff

[Kraissy144]

People around in my area call me a snake expert, but I was wondering what species the last snake was?

And-ah, lovely that gras snake :D I have never seen one, but I know they are around here some place! :p

Great job, Ben! Cheers!

[benwaddams]

Thank you very much! Yup, the grass snake is one of my personal favourites :) The snake at the end was a large Gopher snake (its on one of my vids somewhere on here...) and he was particuarly grumpy, but you can't really blame him. Found in California a couple of years back. Cheers,

Ben

[2007dre]

is that waterfall at the start in the UK

[benwaddams]

I wish! Nope, I'm afraid for both of us, its in Belize :( cheers,

Ben

[kreeddem]

Wow aint seen a vid from ya in ages m8, how ya been!

[benwaddams]

I've been good thanks, still trying to secure a professional role in the wildlife film industry...its pretty tough! How are you mate?

Ben

[kreeddem]

Am good mate, getting into building arcade machines now!

[vanalec]

WICKED

[benwaddams]

Thanks! Cheers for that, Ben

[joemorgz0]

kool good vid 5*

[benwaddams]

Thanks Joe mate, but it was really down to Tigress Productions in Bristol - so they get the 5*s, not me! Cheers :)

Ben

[sxcgraham14]

Totally inspiring and amazing! Great job mate! 5 stars.

[benwaddams]

WAY too kind :) Thanks mate. How are things? Hope you're keeping well. THank you, Ben

[sxcgraham14]

No problem mate. I'm going really well thanks. How about you? Cheers!