Owl update
Matt's post seems to reiterate some points in my previous post that I hoped would be avoided and confirm the need for people to actively police (pun intended) situations. I'm not sure that hearsay stories that suggest potential violence and abuse be fanned on here when the facts are possibly unclear.
Again, non-birders/photographers are not aware of owls or birds in general and are caught up in their own world and while irritating to many of us, don't actually "see" birds or a crowd. It is up to someone to flag these people down and politely ask, if possible, that they might take a wide berth. They often do and when enlightened, are mortified that they may have spoilt enjoyment for someone else. If they don't and become abusive, then that is their problem. But to have police and arrests be on the table. It is not the owl giving a bad rep here.
As for surrounding the owl on all sides, this just suggests horrible fieldcraft is in play. As a photographer, I suggest you don't do this. Staying together as a group is best.The bird will always flush if you pincer it. Again, if you are a photographer, and you see this happening, you might want to speak up and suggest a better approach.
I hope Matt's email has a better outcome for the owl and that it is in better health than what is being proposed but without witnessing any of what he mentioned, it seems a much more dire situation all around.
I guess the question is how can we all improve these situations and interactions?
Julian HoughNew Haven
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
Not to mention that if you are a photographer you are pretty much wasting your time if you are surrounding the bird and on the wrong side of the sun. I see folks working hard to approach birds from the bad light side quite often, when they would be better off on the other side even at a greater distance (note you don’t always have a choice)
Patrick
Patrick Comins,
On Nov 10, 2021, at 9:15 AM, julian hough jrhough1@snet.net wrote:
Matt's post seems to reiterate some points in my previous post that I hoped would be avoided and confirm the need for people to actively police (pun intended) situations. I'm not sure that hearsay stories that suggest potential violence and abuse be fanned on here when the facts are possibly unclear.
Again, non-birders/photographers are not aware of owls or birds in general and are caught up in their own world and while irritating to many of us, don't actually "see" birds or a crowd. It is up to someone to flag these people down and politely ask, if possible, that they might take a wide berth. They often do and when enlightened, are mortified that they may have spoilt enjoyment for someone else. If they don't and become abusive, then that is their problem. But to have police and arrests be on the table. It is not the owl giving a bad rep here.
As for surrounding the owl on all sides, this just suggests horrible fieldcraft is in play. As a photographer, I suggest you don't do this. Staying together as a group is best.The bird will always flush if you pincer it. Again, if you are a photographer, and you see this happening, you might want to speak up and suggest a better approach.
I hope Matt's email has a better outcome for the owl and that it is in better health than what is being proposed but without witnessing any of what he mentioned, it seems a much more dire situation all around.
I guess the question is how can we all improve these situations and interactions?
Julian HoughNew Haven
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
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What really ticks me off is this behavior gives ethical photographers like myself a bad rap. I’m just lucky I work 6 days a week so I can’t be blamed for this behavior!
Monica Nichols
Madison
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 10, 2021, at 10:48 AM, Patrick Comins pcomins@ctaudubon.org wrote:
Not to mention that if you are a photographer you are pretty much wasting your time if you are surrounding the bird and on the wrong side of the sun. I see folks working hard to approach birds from the bad light side quite often, when they would be better off on the other side even at a greater distance (note you don’t always have a choice)
Patrick
Patrick Comins,
On Nov 10, 2021, at 9:15 AM, julian hough jrhough1@snet.net wrote:
Matt's post seems to reiterate some points in my previous post that I hoped would be avoided and confirm the need for people to actively police (pun intended) situations. I'm not sure that hearsay stories that suggest potential violence and abuse be fanned on here when the facts are possibly unclear.
Again, non-birders/photographers are not aware of owls or birds in general and are caught up in their own world and while irritating to many of us, don't actually "see" birds or a crowd. It is up to someone to flag these people down and politely ask, if possible, that they might take a wide berth. They often do and when enlightened, are mortified that they may have spoilt enjoyment for someone else. If they don't and become abusive, then that is their problem. But to have police and arrests be on the table. It is not the owl giving a bad rep here.
As for surrounding the owl on all sides, this just suggests horrible fieldcraft is in play. As a photographer, I suggest you don't do this. Staying together as a group is best.The bird will always flush if you pincer it. Again, if you are a photographer, and you see this happening, you might want to speak up and suggest a better approach.
I hope Matt's email has a better outcome for the owl and that it is in better health than what is being proposed but without witnessing any of what he mentioned, it seems a much more dire situation all around.
I guess the question is how can we all improve these situations and interactions?Julian HoughNew Haven
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/
Agreed, I was hoping to get to see this owl as it would be a first for me
and I've been busy the past couple weeks, but given the recent situation
I'm planning on passing on this particular one. As great as it would be, I
definitely don't want to contribute to the harassment, and I know there
will be other opportunities.
Julian Ventres
East Haddam
On Wed, Nov 10, 2021, 11:18 AM Nichols Photography manichols1993@gmail.com
wrote:
What really ticks me off is this behavior gives ethical photographers like
myself a bad rap. I’m just lucky I work 6 days a week so I can’t be blamed
for this behavior!
Monica Nichols
Madison
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 10, 2021, at 10:48 AM, Patrick Comins pcomins@ctaudubon.org
wrote:
Not to mention that if you are a photographer you are pretty much
wasting your time if you are surrounding the bird and on the wrong side of
the sun. I see folks working hard to approach birds from the bad light side
quite often, when they would be better off on the other side even at a
greater distance (note you don’t always have a choice)
Patrick
Patrick Comins,
On Nov 10, 2021, at 9:15 AM, julian hough jrhough1@snet.net wrote:
Matt's post seems to reiterate some points in my previous post that I
hoped would be avoided and confirm the need for people to actively police
(pun intended) situations. I'm not sure that hearsay stories that suggest
potential violence and abuse be fanned on here when the facts are possibly
unclear.
Again, non-birders/photographers are not aware of owls or birds in
general and are caught up in their own world and while irritating to many
of us, don't actually "see" birds or a crowd. It is up to someone to flag
these people down and politely ask, if possible, that they might take a
wide berth. They often do and when enlightened, are mortified that they may
have spoilt enjoyment for someone else. If they don't and become abusive,
then that is their problem. But to have police and arrests be on the
table. It is not the owl giving a bad rep here.
As for surrounding the owl on all sides, this just suggests horrible
fieldcraft is in play. As a photographer, I suggest you don't do this.
Staying together as a group is best.The bird will always flush if you
pincer it. Again, if you are a photographer, and you see this happening,
you might want to speak up and suggest a better approach.
I hope Matt's email has a better outcome for the owl and that it is in
better health than what is being proposed but without witnessing any of
what he mentioned, it seems a much more dire situation all around.
I guess the question is how can we all improve these situations and
interactions?
Julian HoughNew Haven
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing
birders together statewide. Please support COA:
https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For
list rules and subscription information visit:
https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing
birders together statewide. Please support COA:
https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For
list rules and subscription information visit:
https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/
CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing
birders together statewide. Please support COA:
https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/
CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For
list rules and subscription information visit:
https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/