Instead of all this commentary from "experienced" photographers and bird watchers it might be really helpful to hear from an "experienced and knowledgeable" biologist.
on 3/9/05 11:00 PM, SeEtta Moss at [email protected] wrote: > The recent post copied in part below is one of the reasons why the behavior > of both birders and photographers who ROLE MODEL getting close to owls is a > problem. Laura, do you or anyone else want to defend taking photos from > 3 feet from a Boreal Owl? 3 feet! When more experienced persons are either > seen, or there is discussion defending their close proximity, how can one > not expect that less experience and unknowing persons (and I believe this > person was inexperienced and unknowing) will push the envelope--what's next, > someone reaching out to touch the owl because they read that these northern > owls are not bothered by human presence. Both our behavior in the field and > what we say on these listserves can shape the actions of others, either way. > SeEtta Moss > > > <<< Grumbling to myself about leaving a nice camera that I borrow home, > <<<I broke my own rule for viewing wildlife and crept as close as I could. > <<<When my hand was less than 3 feet from the bird I decided to back off and > <<<discontinue the photo shoot. > > <<<After lunch I lead the entire group of about 60 students plus 10 adults > to > <<<see the very tame owl. People associate much better with owl than they > do > <<<waxwing or warbler so the announcement generated a good buzz and everyone > <<<was excited to go see it. At 1210 everyone walked out to the edge of the > <<<road and the children leaned over the snow bank 10 feet from the bird and > <<<talked and laughed as I explained the ecology of the bird and why it > would > <<<be this far south when it lives in Canada. After a few minutes the kids > <<<left and I went in for lunch. > > > _______________________________________________ > mou-net mailing list > [email protected] > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net -- Bernard P. Friel Web Page - http://www.wampy.com
