I've been a birder most of my life and a photographer for about 1/2. The one thing that has really bothered me about the Snowy irruption this year is the stereotyping of all photographers and hearing comments like "brotherhood of the big lens", etc.. It has not been my experience that photographer's that spend a lot of money on camo clothing and camera cover's, as well as lenses capable of shooting at over 150 yards would try to get within 100' of a snowy owl perched on a regular-basis. Not saying it doesn't happen, but to stereotype all photographer's to me is not the correct thing to do, some photographer's are more than cautious about their interaction with these birds -for myself I have not entered the Snowy?Owl?fray but after reading some of these comments it has made me leery of even going to a Snowy Owl haven with my big lens.?Illustrating my point, the one rare bird that was reported at a local area (Lazuli) this summer we sought out and found, with no one else present at first. While shooting for just a few minutes, behind brush and well-out of visual sight of the bird a couple with binoculars showed up and start's walking right up to the birds and pressuring them. We left at that point and went down the trail. Coming back 45 minutes later we found the couple still pressuring the birds at close range and just as we were walking by the birds finally lifted off and left the area -never to be seen again this summer in that area. Food for thought, remember we all care about these birds and irresponsible people can happen anytime, anywhere and don't necessarily belong do a specific "group".
?
?-Darrel




-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Mackie <joemackie.14 at comcast.net>
To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>; Whatcom Birds <whatcombirds at lists.wwu.edu>
Cc: Paul & Jenny Warwick <pjwarwick at gmail.com>; Ann Davidge <anndavidge11 at gmail.com>
Sent: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 8:10 am
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] How Close Is Too Close? (Snowy Owl)

Hello All,
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This issue has had my full attention over the last week. On two occassions I've been up at the Boundary Bay dyke trail in B.C. to enjoy the many Snowy Owls (25-35 birds). They are indeed an amazing and beautiful sight. However, on both occasions, and especially yesterday (Sunday) I was deeply dismayed at the poor behavior of numerous photographers who were clearly pressuring the birds too much by venturing onto the foreshore, getting closer and closer to the point they were constantly taking flight. These photographers, with their "big honkin' lenses" were obsessed?to the point of total self-absorption.?What with their elaborate?howitzer optics and full camo outfitting, I'm frankly mystified why they need to get so close in the first place. I mean, are they trying to get shots of owl teeth? Or maybe it's the lice they're hosting? In spite of the fact that someone took the time to make and place a sign at the 72nd St. entrance to the trail specifically asking people to back off, many (15-20) photographers literally had these birds surrounded. And, on the trail itself another horde was click, click, clicking away.
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All in all, it was a sad display of egocentric human entitlement with very little concern for the welfare of the owls. My friend and I were so disappointed and angry at the situation that we decided to leave. The only other option would have been to start yelling and confronting and I know better than to go there.
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My understanding is that you should stay approximately 75-100 yds (football field length) away from the birds and if they show signs of distress (lots of head movement and open eyes) you need to back off. It's useful to realize that these birds are here because they've literally come to the edge of starvation and each day they've got to make a living by successfully hunting prey or they die. I wish there were some sort of enforcement option from Wildife Officers or something. I really don't want to see this going on again.
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Sincerely,
Joe Mackie,
Bellingham, WA
----- Original Message -----
From: Mechejmch
To: phil.mitchell at pobox.com ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2011 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] How Close Is Too Close? (Snowy Owl)



Are there any guidelines for this situation?
Perhaps it might be a good practice to imagine trading places with the owls, just to see how you might feel with strange critters sneaking up on you?and pointing?those large contraptions at you.
You'd have enough to deal with just finding enough food and?surviving the winter......
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My dos centavos,
Joe Meche
Bellingham




-----Original Message-----
From: seasprocket <seasprocket at gmail.com>
To: Tweeters <Tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Sun, Dec 11, 2011 8:47 pm
Subject: [Tweeters] How Close Is Too Close? (Snowy Owl)

We were down at Damon Point today enjoying seven (!) gorgeous Snowy Owls. Aware that the birds may be quite stressed already, and have certainly been the objects of a lot of attention, we did not attempt to approach closely and just enjoyed nice looks from a distance.


Others, however, chose to approach more closely. Sometimes the birds seemed not to care, other times they seemed "on alert," and one bird may have actually been flushed.


It peeved me a little bit, but it got me to thinking that I really don't know what the "appropriate" distance is in this situation. In more isolated circumstances, I would have gradually approached, watching for any signs of agitation (and backing off). I didn't want to do that in this case. Others chose differently.


Are there any guidelines for this situation?


Phil Mitchell
Seattle, WA
--?
Learn Bird Songs for the Planet:?http://www.larkwire.com
Bikewise:?http://www.bikewise.org


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