NatureScapes Skimmer Ground Pod II Camera Support for Bird and Wildlife Photography

Well built, solid machined aluminum block to which mount a gimbal or other head, SS 3/8 screw. Made from thicker plastic material including the ribs, than I expected, should last a lifetime. It's going to make down low shore bird photography much easier, while limiting sand/dirt/mud on expensive photography gear. Highly recommended.

Easy to attach head; I switch over a head from a spare tripod. The design is ideal when one wants to slide the pod forward to gradually approach wildlife. Getting low makes all the difference. Despite being light, the pod is well made and shows excellent build quality

Great for wildlife photography. Perfect for lizards, snakes and small mammals.

It isn't cheap though! I'm in the UK, and couldn't get one here - I had to use the US Amazon site. It all worked out fine, though the shipping was a bit slow; but that's to be expected.I took the Skimmer out with me for the first time yesterday. The plan was to use it instead of a tripod when photographing from bird hides, thus reducing the clutter in the hide and the weight I had to carry. I use a 500mm f4 Canon prime with a 5D/III body, plus a 1.4x extender, all mounted on a Culumet gimbal head.I found that the Skimmer did all it was supposed to do, and I was delighted with it, especially after I mounted an extender between the Skimmer itself and the Arca Swiss quick release I used to attach the gimbal. You could attach the gimbal direct to the Skimmer, but you'd have to unscrew it every time you dismounted it.Overall, then, a very useful device, and it does what I'd hoped it would. It's a shame it's not available from a UK retailer.The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is then I'd have nowhere to go if I found something better!

Great little tool to help you get that low perspective. I had made a home made version with an old pan, but it made noise and was not perfectly flat like this is. If you are serious about getting great shots, look no further.

I had a Lenscoat groundpod before I accidentally left it (along with my pack) on a bus. I bought the Naturescape one because it was in stock at the time. Its more money and feels less sturdy. A groundpod is not a complicated piece of equipment. There is no need to pay so much more for one that is ojectively no better, and subjectively worse than the Lenscoat one. If I lose this one (hope I don't), I will not be buying it again...even if I have to wait, I'll go back to the Lenscoat one.

Very Good

light and easy carry.