There are plenty of people with giant lenses who know how to be subtle, so I don't think equipment envy is the issue. Gary is a fine observer, photographer, and outdoorsman who knows how to approach wildlife. The issue, I think, is awareness of how to act so as not to spook the birds, especially rare birds which others are watching, too. Using a big lens out a car window, as I saw people doing Thursday, worked well, but a couple of people getting out of their car and walking for a closer view or photo scared the Ibises away from 6 cars of other observers, but fortunately the birds only flew a short distance that time. I suspect that disrupting the profile of the vehicle by standing through the sun-roof, and not even being gentle about the movements with lens and sandbag, were the triggers. The Ibises seemed tame because they were so close to the road, but that doesn't mean they will tolerate people getting even partially out of cars so close.
--Dave Nutter
On Oct 19, 2013, at 10:33 AM, John Cancalosi <[email protected]> wrote:
As a photographer that has followed this list for sometime, I am grateful that the inappropriate actions of my fraternity are regularly highlighted by certain members of the birdwatching community. Although I wasn't the photographer mentioned in the post, I always welcome these opportunities to be reminded of the shaky moral ground upon which I and all photographers stand. The present entry leaves me realizing the ever-present need to reset my moral compass in order to meet the exacting standards of those who are the true shining beacons of propriety as far as conduct in the outdoors goes. I would however point out that the present commentator seems to exhibit a certain degree of "equipment envy", which may have influenced his judgement. Submitted with all due respects and abundant humility.On Fri, Oct 18, 2013 at 8:05 PM, Gary Kohlenberg <[email protected]> wrote:As I was studying the two Ibis at Benning Marsh around 6:15pm a photographer arrived, wiggled his bulk up through the sunroof of the van, slapped down a sandbag , hauled up his giant lens and managed to spook the Ibis away to the west. I didn't see them again , but maybe they will be back in the morning after an evening cruise. I hope.
Gary
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