In regard to Anonymous's totally reasonable question, I'll add a note of caution to all: Let's enjoy these northern visitors from a distance. The URL below will take you to eBird's recent article (thanks Rick H. for showing me this) which not only discusses why so many Snowies (and perhaps also Roughlegs) are down here this year, but also cautions against harassing already stressed birds. Last week I was out at WW and noticed from afar a number of birders with vehicles very close to one of the Snowies on the center dike. I did not wait for the bird to fly, but heard from a reliable source (not Rick H.) that the bird had already flown several times, and that some of the people each time continued to approach the bird. Nuff said, but please read this:
Thanks Ric, Exactly why I didn't post a location -- I was out there on Friday, and just drove to the middle of the center dike and parked. I was actually sorry I posted the shots, seeing the 10-12 cars flooding the center area, but to be honest, I somewhat took advantage of the situation to get my second set of shots, then left. I won't (other than to a certain few who I know will respect the Birds) post detailed locations any more, as it looked like "Black Friday" out there, with everyone chasing the Snowies. I hope they'll stay, but I'm quite sure (if the exodus keeps coming)they'll leave to find a more secluded area to Winter. I didn't even attemt it yesterday, and I saw two of them, but figured they deserved a break, I got my shots the previous Friday, and from now on, unless THEY fly right past me, I'll respect their privacy -- how many shots does one really need? Also, if you have to get THAT close to get a good shot -- get some better equipment, they don't understand that you just want to "take a picture", they feel (when you get that close) you are there to harm them, which is why they're looking AT YOU when they fly away. so please EVERYONE, take your first shots from a comfortable (for the Bird's) distance, and if you do indeed try to "get closer" and they either get jumpy, or fly, at least you allready have SOMETHING, then just drive-on and leave them alone, at least for a while, or better yet stop short, shut off the Car/Truck, and let them get settled, and come to you. Bottom line -- just practice "good Birding" Mike VanderStelt
some people drive very long distances to see the birds for their life list and to get looks at such beautiful birds. If only these people who only come ONCE wants to get a good look, I think it would be less harmful than the same guys out there every other day. I am pretty sure I am one of the "birders" who came to see this wonderful bird from Grand Rapids and I'm sorry I can't afford $5000 camera! so I spent 2 minutes within 150 ft from 1 bird.
Anonymous, This is the 2nd time you've taken issue with my comments (without leaving a name) and I don't know why you take ANY offence, or issue with what I said. The FEW that I'm referring to are the people that drive WAY too close, scare the Birds, then drive too close, scare the Birds, -- over and over, etc. If you happen to be one -- then yes, this is directed at you, and you STILL should not take offence to it, it's for the welfare of the very Birds you drive from Grand rapids to see, that I'm speaking of. So, lets turn the tables a little -- if, as you say, you couldn't afford a $5000 Camera, and went on Safari, would you get out, and LET the Lion walk close enough to you to get that "great shot", or would YOU (as do the the Birds) get a little fearful and get the heck out of there, and how might you feel if it (Lion) kept chaseing you? What I was referring to, was, don't, at the expence of the Birds health, continually intrude on it, if your equipment doesn't perform to the task -- Not an "elitist" statement! I think if you asked, none of the Birders out there with expensive equipment "chose" to spend the money, they're passion, in order to evolve, required it if they were to continue persueing it. Again, I don't understand why you take issue/offence to my statements, as they're not, in any way, meant to offend anyone, but to each his/her own I guess. Mike VanderStelt (MY name)
6 comments:
Where was it?
In regard to Anonymous's totally reasonable question, I'll add a note of caution to all: Let's enjoy these northern visitors from a distance. The URL below will take you to eBird's recent article (thanks Rick H. for showing me this) which not only discusses why so many Snowies (and perhaps also Roughlegs) are down here this year, but also cautions against harassing already stressed birds. Last week I was out at WW and noticed from afar a number of birders with vehicles very close to one of the Snowies on the center dike. I did not wait for the bird to fly, but heard from a reliable source (not Rick H.) that the bird had already flown several times, and that some of the people each time continued to approach the bird. Nuff said, but please read this:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/got-snowies
Thanks Ric,
Exactly why I didn't post a location -- I was out there on Friday, and just drove to the middle of the center dike and parked. I was actually sorry I posted the shots, seeing the 10-12 cars flooding the center area, but to be honest, I somewhat took advantage of the situation to get my second set of shots, then left. I won't (other than to a certain few who I know will respect the Birds) post detailed locations any more, as it looked like "Black Friday" out there, with everyone chasing the Snowies. I hope they'll stay, but I'm quite sure (if the exodus keeps coming)they'll leave to find a more secluded area to Winter. I didn't even attemt it yesterday, and I saw two of them, but figured they deserved a break, I got my shots the previous Friday, and from now on, unless THEY fly right past me, I'll respect their privacy -- how many shots does one really need? Also, if you have to get THAT close to get a good shot -- get some better equipment, they don't understand that you just want to "take a picture", they feel (when you get that close) you are there to harm them, which is why they're looking AT YOU when they fly away. so please EVERYONE, take your first shots from a comfortable (for the Bird's) distance, and if you do indeed try to "get closer" and they either get jumpy, or fly, at least you allready have SOMETHING, then just drive-on and leave them alone, at least for a while, or better yet stop short, shut off the Car/Truck, and let them get settled, and come to you. Bottom line -- just practice "good Birding"
Mike VanderStelt
Beautiful bird and very nice shot Mike.
some people drive very long distances to see the birds for their life list and to get looks at such beautiful birds. If only these people who only come ONCE wants to get a good look, I think it would be less harmful than the same guys out there every other day. I am pretty sure I am one of the "birders" who came to see this wonderful bird from Grand Rapids and I'm sorry I can't afford $5000 camera! so I spent 2 minutes within 150 ft from 1 bird.
Anonymous,
This is the 2nd time you've taken issue with my comments (without leaving a name) and I don't know why you take ANY offence, or issue with what I said. The FEW that I'm referring to are the people that drive WAY too close, scare the Birds, then drive too close, scare the Birds, -- over and over, etc. If you happen to be one -- then yes, this is directed at you, and you STILL should not take offence to it, it's for the welfare of the very Birds you drive from Grand rapids to see, that I'm speaking of. So, lets turn the tables a little -- if, as you say, you couldn't afford a $5000 Camera, and went on Safari, would you get out, and LET the Lion walk close enough to you to get that "great shot", or would YOU (as do the the Birds) get a little fearful and get the heck out of there, and how might you feel if it (Lion) kept chaseing you? What I was referring to, was, don't, at the expence of the Birds health, continually intrude on it, if your equipment doesn't perform to the task -- Not an "elitist" statement! I think if you asked, none of the Birders out there with expensive equipment "chose" to spend the money, they're passion, in order to evolve, required it if they were to continue persueing it. Again, I don't understand why you take issue/offence to my statements, as they're not, in any way, meant to offend anyone, but to each his/her own I guess.
Mike VanderStelt
(MY name)
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