I made a decision 40 years ago not to be a bird photographer. I had the equipment. But I didn't like the behaviour of many of the photographers I saw; I didn't want to be part of that. Now it seems almost de rigeur - no photo, you didn't see it. I wonder how much it's reducing in-the-field birding skills? I can remember freezing my fingers off sketching a common eider on the Lake Ontario waterfront one December to submit to the records committee, but it made me really look at the bird. (They accepted it.)
Good post. I remember that Franzen article. And glad to see that he will be Newberry's honored guest next spring! Of course, the Snowy visitors are part of my December birding-year-in-review column in the Daily Herald (publishing in about 10 days) and so is your "Winging It" exhibit!
I saw my first owl (an Eastern Screech Owl) in May at Point Pelee during their bird festival. All the birders I observed who spotted him were very respectful and only photographed with telephoto lens from a distance, myself included. The owl slept through it all, so I felt ok about that. Great reminders in your post.
I made a decision 40 years ago not to be a bird photographer. I had the equipment. But I didn't like the behaviour of many of the photographers I saw; I didn't want to be part of that. Now it seems almost de rigeur - no photo, you didn't see it. I wonder how much it's reducing in-the-field birding skills? I can remember freezing my fingers off sketching a common eider on the Lake Ontario waterfront one December to submit to the records committee, but it made me really look at the bird. (They accepted it.)
Good post. I remember that Franzen article. And glad to see that he will be Newberry's honored guest next spring! Of course, the Snowy visitors are part of my December birding-year-in-review column in the Daily Herald (publishing in about 10 days) and so is your "Winging It" exhibit!
I saw my first owl (an Eastern Screech Owl) in May at Point Pelee during their bird festival. All the birders I observed who spotted him were very respectful and only photographed with telephoto lens from a distance, myself included. The owl slept through it all, so I felt ok about that. Great reminders in your post.