I stopped to see the owl yesterday afternoon. At that time, there were nine people at the site, all were friendly, and the parking seemed light. I got several nice photos and left after about 20 minutes. This morning, on my way to RMNP, I made another stop. This time there were about 15 or more people, most with cameras, and parking was much more dense. I took ~25 photos over a 4 minute stretch, but it was overwhelming. I was putting away my gear when your friend who lives across the street from the site came over and spoke to the group. I would say that his talk was less of a complaint and more like a strong opinion. I’ve got to say that I agreed with him. Things were out of hand, numbers wise. Some of the group expressed that they understood his position, but made no move to leave. I get it that everyone with a camera wants to get THE photo that’ll make it on the cover of National Geographic, and so stay for a very long time. Your friend suggested that only a few come at any one time. Unless there is some way to meter the number of people, that won’t happen. I would suggest that we act responsibly, find the bird, shoot a few photos and leave after 20 to 30 minutes. Will someone else get lucky and get that great photo? Maybe, but that’s just going to be what will be. Personally, I will not be going back. I’ve been lucky to see and photograph the owl, and that’s all I need.
Dan Dan O'Donnell [email protected] > On Mar 3, 2022, at 11:42, DAVID A LEATHERMAN <[email protected]> wrote: > > It has come to my attention that photographers, some of whom may be birders, > are causing a problem west of Lyons in their lust for a pygmy-owl. At the > risk of pissing some of you off, and causing even more people to seek this > bird by publicizing it, I ask for restraint. The person who called me is not > a birder but a guy I used to work with who knows I am into birds. He owns > property bordering Route 7 w of town where he says 16 cars full of > loud-talking people pointing big cameras, rutting the right-of-way that he > maintains are back again today, the way they have been in numbers for days > (weeks?). He is upset and I don't blame him. He says that whoever these > people are, they don't really care about the bird, that they act very > entitled, that this is all just about getting the photo and social. In short > these sorts of situations give birders a black eye and they are becoming more > commonplace. If anyone reading this knows about the situation first hand, > has been there, has a comment or rebuttal I can pass on to my friend, I am > all ears. My friend hasn't called the sheriff yet but is about to and it > makes me sad to think "we" might have caused a reasonable person with deep > sentiments for conservation and the natural world to be so upset. > > Dave Leatherman > Fort Collins > -- > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Colorado Birds" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en > <http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en> > * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include > bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate > * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ > <https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/> > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Colorado Birds" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CY4PR0601MB3763B23362D6A73BC1ACFFF5C1049%40CY4PR0601MB3763.namprd06.prod.outlook.com > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CY4PR0601MB3763B23362D6A73BC1ACFFF5C1049%40CY4PR0601MB3763.namprd06.prod.outlook.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/6E3C8B22-0397-45C8-9B15-0930D68099DE%40me.com.
