Thank you for the time and kind response.

I think the root of the issue is really how people conduct themselves and
not the equipment: binoculars, scopes, or cameras. Anyone with a tripod
should be mindful of traffic around them and that I can control.

People
.? Hmmm
.sigh J

I think this type of dialogue is healthy in that it keeps all of us aware
and reminds us of our responsibly to the general public when we are out
enjoying our passion.

I do want to add I get great pleasure in seeing people?s faces light up when
I show them a digital image of a bird I have just photographed ? and the
light in children?s eyes-? priceless J



Marty at www.martykramerstudio.com



From: Penny Koyama [mailto:plkoyama at frontier.com]
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 5:19 PM
To: Marty
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] big lens photographers, again



Oh, Marty, you sound so nice, and I may even head to Brown's Point tomorrow
based on your follow-up posting.



As someone said, this photography subject was beat to death a few months ago
in some rather heated exchanges. I corresponded privately with the guy who
did the original posting under an assumed name (violating so many of
Tweeters' guidelines in the process.) And I have been on the trail he is
talking about several times. It is in a business park-type area, and has
lots of walkers, including those with dogs and kids. I think he (and others
who frequent the trail) have been treated rudely by birders, primarily by
those who are photographers, taking up lots of space on the trail and
expressing irritation at interruptions by curious walkers. I am sure we can
all be rude at times, and I confess to feeling discouraged sometimes when
trying to get on a bird and a noisy family approaches. I have to then
remind myself that they are enjoying nature in their way just as I am in
mine.



But since the popularity of photography has increased, I think conflicts
have, as well. I have known some photographers who will walk closer and
closer, flushing birds trying to get just the shot they want, and, of
course, they care how the bird is "posing." I suppose the biggest lenses
allow you to remain well back, but I have been pushed aside by some trying
to get the right angle. With a scope, one is also taking up room, but you
don't really care what the bird is doing, you are just watching it, not
trying to get it at a certain angle. Also, just watching takes less
concentration, so is probably more "social." The other day I was at an owl
site, letting passersby look through my scope, "paying it forward" as
someone had taken me to the exact spot. A photographer came by, took a
quick look, and commented "It isn't even a good shot," bruskly moving off to
whatever, leaving behind several sets of raised eyebrows in the remaining
onlookers. I think this is more common in nature photographers who aren't
birders. (Though a couple of times good ol' Ruth Sullivan has spoken
sharply to me if I approach her while she is photographing even though I am
on good terms w. her and she is usually glad to see me!! Knowing her ways,
I just laugh.)



Anyway, in that exchange of a few months ago, I think the pro-photographer
group came out on top. Who could not love Marv Breece?

Penny Koyama, Bothell