I have had many comments in regards to my post, most of them acknowledging the discrepancy that has existed between ?birders? and ?photographers?.
My comments were not made directly about the burrowing owl nest, but rather the general idea of what has been happening.

In answer to Rob...the answer is you don?t know who is ?bad? or ?good? who follows appropriate protocol and who does not. I stated my thoughts on the issue only after months of feeling that ?photographers? were being lumped into an undesirable community. I posted information about myself in the hopes that it would better clarify who I am, and my ethical practices.

Lastly I thought, maybe wrongly so, that the point of tweeters was to share information including locations??? Or is it now I saw the most amazing species, but I am going to keep it just for myself?

For me the issue is closed. I have said all I feel I need to. I hope that we can put this issue to bed and move on. I love running into fellow birders and tweeters out in the field and putting a face with a name. I hope that continues to happen.


Tracey Kidston


http://www.traceykidstonphotography.com
https://www.facebook.com/TraceyKidstonPhotography
http://www.traceykidstonphotography.blogspot.com

From: Rob Conway
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 11:21 AM
To: Tracey Kidston photography ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Not sharing information

I sympathize with Tracy, but only a little. In her own words she states:

"I run across plenty of people in the field who are disrespectful to the wildlife they are viewing that being the general public, birders and photographers. There are good people and bad people. I am obviously a bit frustrated as being lumped into the category of being uneducated, unethical, inexperienced or disrespectful of the wildlife we all enjoy."

The question is "How do I know who is good and who is bad and can good people sometimes be tempted into bad behavior?"

The Internet is a wonderful and open source of information - unfortunately this means that "more" people not just "good" or "bad" have information available (like locations) without the background needed to use the information wisely. Just as I know Tracy would never openly share Macaw nest tree activity in an open forum available to potential poachers and collectors (for a very good reason) I won't share information about nest sites, roosts, etc for some birds - especially those that are sparse or known to be sensitive to human activity or a temptation for poachers. Burrowing Owl nest - I'd never give that up even if it were on the side of a freeway, in a busy public park in a big city, or on easily accessible but absolutely private property (all actual situations with that species that are happening RIGHT NOW).

I err on the side of caution. I don't care if you are a photographer or just an observer - I won't share some info. The lumping of all photographers together is unfortunate, but an inevitable consequence of a group with higher than average dumb activities particularly by beginners, news hounds, and those not trained in animal behavior. The ABA Principles of Birding Ethics is very clear on how ABA members should behave in observation and photographic situations. Take the three minutes it takes to read the guidelines and you'll find why many people like me choose not to share sensitive locations.

http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

Good Birding to all

Rob Conway
Camas, WA
45.58?N 122.44?W - elevation 310 ft.
robin_birder at hotmail.com







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: info at traceykidstonphotography.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2013 11:39:02 -0700
Subject: [Tweeters] Not sharing information


To all users of tweeters:

This is in response to the recent postings on tweeters in regards to photographers and people choosing to not share information or grouping people into a category that they cannot be trusted with specific information.

I am actively involved with many conservation projects and also have been in the avian veterinary field for many years. I am a full time professional photographer and am involved with (for more than 12 years) parrot and macaw conservations throughout Central and South America.

If you are inclined to Google me or take a look at my website you will readily see the conservation programs that I am involved with, both through my direct image taking for the projects as well as my expertise, time and money.

I only state the above because I feel that there has been a bit of a ?witch hunt? as of late on tweeters and it has become increasingly frustrating. It appears that know one wants to share information with a photographer. I run across plenty of people in the field who are disrespectful to the wildlife they are viewing that being the general public, birders and photographers. There are good people and bad people. I am obviously a bit frustrated as being lumped into the category of being uneducated, unethical, inexperienced or disrespectful of the wildlife we all enjoy. If I disturbed every species I photographed I would be run out of town and would NEVER get any of the images that I have.

That is all I have to say from my soap box, and only decided to say anything after many months of this happening.

Again just my two cents.

Best Regards,
Tracey

http://www.traceykidstonphotography.com
https://www.facebook.com/TraceyKidstonPhotography
http://www.traceykidstonphotography.blogspot.com

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