Subject: [Tweeters] Proposed Sign for Boundary Bay
Date: Mar 8 15:28:30 2012
From: retief at deweydrive.com - retief at deweydrive.com


While I understand the sentiment and the humor, like most things of
this nature this sign takes a very broad brush to paint the few. I
happen to carry a range-finder when I photograph any type of wildlife,
and am very cautious to remain well away, generally no closer than
30-50 yards, which in the case of birds the size of Snowy Owls is
quite adequate. As well, and we should all do this of course, it is
important to study what we photograph and try as well as possible to
get a feeling for what constitutes stress on the subject, and at the
first sign of stress, slowly back off. Some subjects make it very
apparent when you are getting too close, Grizzly Bears come to mind.

Are there people who push things too far? Certainly. Then again, one
of the days I was at Boundary Bay this season I saw two large dogs off
leash running off the dike to the bottom, easily within 10 feet of the
Owls that perch near the dike. Funny thing, the dogs looked at the
owls, the owls looked at the barking dogs. One or two owls flew, the
rest could care less. I heard absolutely no one making comments to
the dogs owner, and I have not heard one complaint on this list
regarding loose dogs, running and screaming children or people
shouting loudly from the dike out into the marsh. It is hard for me
to believe that as close as the Owls are to the dike that they don't
notice this activity on the dike, if they are so sensitive to activity
in the marsh.

Point being that respect and moderation are the key, and painting a
single group with such a broad brush is, in my opinion, not the right
direction to take.

I'll point folks back to the message written by Dennis Paulson in this
list, I believe you can find it by searching for "Dennis Paulson Snowy
Owls and their Afficionados". I will happily defer to Mr. Paulson
when it comes knowledge and experience regarding birds, he is far more
knowledgeable than I am.