Post by kenpossum on Nov 26, 2011 15:19:45 GMT -8
I am probably going to step on some toes here, but here goes. A number of photographers at Boundary expressed concerns about other photographers approaching too close to the Snowy Owls. When I was there on Friday morning there were about 24 photographers and 20 owls. Most photographers were respectful of the 'comfort distance' the birds had, and kept a reasonable distance between them and the birds. In this image - no Snowies in sight, everyone keeping a respectable distance.
Not always the case as others did not. This fellow was probably borderline 'too close'.
This fellow was well within the bird's comfort zone. I blocked out his face as when I talked to him later in the day, he seemed like a genuinely nice person, and probably wasn't thinking about the problems he may have been causing when he went in.
I have to think - That is one huge lens. It probably could have taken a full frame head shot from 10x the distance away. Was it really necessary to be that close?
There were signs posted asking photographers to keep a reasonable distance away. "If the bird takes off, you are too close." the sign read.
Being too close can cause some birds distress, change their feeding behavior etc. It also sends the wrong message to many birders who aren't comfortable with photographers period and this just fuels their fire which eventually comes back at all of us.
Now, I am no saint. For years I photographed grizzleys, sometimes too close for safety. Telling in advance how close is too close is not always easy. When asked that question my reply was, "I could always tell you how close was ok for the bear, but fortunately I never got to find out how close was too close"
So when the owls take off when you approach, that is a clue. Unlike the grizzleys, you get a second chance. Please learn from that, and keep the owls there for the rest of us to enjoy.
If I have offended anyone, I do apologize, as I know how one can forget in the excitement of the moment.
Not always the case as others did not. This fellow was probably borderline 'too close'.
This fellow was well within the bird's comfort zone. I blocked out his face as when I talked to him later in the day, he seemed like a genuinely nice person, and probably wasn't thinking about the problems he may have been causing when he went in.
I have to think - That is one huge lens. It probably could have taken a full frame head shot from 10x the distance away. Was it really necessary to be that close?
There were signs posted asking photographers to keep a reasonable distance away. "If the bird takes off, you are too close." the sign read.
Being too close can cause some birds distress, change their feeding behavior etc. It also sends the wrong message to many birders who aren't comfortable with photographers period and this just fuels their fire which eventually comes back at all of us.
Now, I am no saint. For years I photographed grizzleys, sometimes too close for safety. Telling in advance how close is too close is not always easy. When asked that question my reply was, "I could always tell you how close was ok for the bear, but fortunately I never got to find out how close was too close"
So when the owls take off when you approach, that is a clue. Unlike the grizzleys, you get a second chance. Please learn from that, and keep the owls there for the rest of us to enjoy.
If I have offended anyone, I do apologize, as I know how one can forget in the excitement of the moment.
