Too Close for Comfort

Recent article posted by Audubon.

https://www.audubon.or​g …ne-2015/too-close-comfort


It is a well written one-sided article. However, in response to Kevin's view on an owl-in-flight example from this year’s Audubon photo contest, I would like to say that Kevin has absolutely no clue to owl's behavior and how an owl in flight shot can be achieved at night.
We spent a lot of time putting out natural man made boxes for these owls and studied their behavior and feeding pattern. Understand their behavior is why we have so much success in capturing these images. It can be done ethically.
I would like to extend an invite to you, Kevin, to spend 2 hours in one evening with me in Florida next season to show you how I can capture these images of owl in flight without using bait or call.

Good on you inviting that gentleman to come along with you rather than having him "assume" your images are questionable in his eyes.

Ethics is a touchy subject depending on who you're talking to. I've had conversations with birders who feel it's wrong if the bird alters it's behavior by paying attention to you. I've met and talked with photographers who will chase down a subject trying to get a photograph of it when it's obvious it wants nothing to do with him/her.

I set my own guidelines and learn from my mistakes (we all make them but there are some out there that are only worried about their images and not the subjects well being). I also respect the people I'm with and respect their own guidelines if they were there first.

I wish others would do the same but I'm a realist....not everyone is going to look at things the same as I do.