[mou] BOREAL OWL and Bohemian Waxwings in POLK COUNTY

[Bernard P. Friel]

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 seetta@msn.com 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.
> 
> 
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-- 
Bernard P. Friel
Web Page - http://www.wampy.com