Thanks for the reminder. We got a pair in Michigan a few years ago. Naturally there were people who approached them, enough that the owner of the property had to get involved.
Thank you Nate It's good the property owner got involved. The refuge where I bird for them just has signs cautioning visitors to not be assholes--but assholes will always be there.
Same experience at Ocean Shores, WA, in the early 'teens...though there was no "owner" to "get involved" and the owls left that part of the island and didn't return that first year. (They did the next winter.)
The "trophy" mentality of many camera-users wrecks it for everybody.
I took binocs but no camera.
These days nature places are getting rapidly subsumed by Infotainment. Everybody wants their hit of Nature Consumption. And boy o boy are the AI algos digging in to that, to fashion the next X years' worth of fashionable consumerism and corollary product.
Oh my, how lovely to have seen a snowy owl! I feel quite envious. What a gorgeous, gorgeous owl. Thank you, James, this was absolutely amazing to wake up to.
The owl photos are lovely, of course.. you took them. I truly like yours better than the one flying, but maybe I am biased!
The one I love the most here is the cormorant. That one looking straight at you is just the right moment! It’s one of those I’d want to post with a “title this” request.🤭
Thank you Teyani, that cormorant was a special encounter. I still remember it vividly all these years later, despite having seen many cormorants between then and now! What would you title that photo?
Thank you James for sharing your beautiful photos and the all important message of keeping your distance with them.
I stopped looking for them in effort to take photos in 2021. I had driven to the Salisbury Beach State Park on winter afternoon and found a large crowd of photographers and people with cell phones gathered around one on the dune just off the access road. They were way too close and some were walking closer. I ended up calling it in. It broke my heart and soured my interest.
If people could get photos with cell phones they were definitely too close. That’s one of the upsides of the refuge, most visitors are ethical birders—though there are definitely a few bad apples and always will be. Once I get my photos I’m not long before leaving.
James, I would say most birders and visitors to the Refuge act ethically, but the bad apples do exist. I am like you, I take some photos and move on. I have never understood standing in one place for a long period of time waiting for the “perfect photo” with snowies.
An excellent message on giving wildlife needed space, James. I really like the Snowy Owl photos and how you worked on the framing. The gallery of closeups is also wonderful and I learned a lot.:)
PS. I finally identified the little gray bird with black and white bars on the wings and tail! The bird that had me stumped for two months. It is a lesser goldfinch. Not recognized by me, as it is a female!
Some new birds I had not seen before at the Cornell feeding station - 2 huge common grackles, 3 tri-color blackbirds, and a whole flock (18) of chattering, pushy, famished starlings. It was a wild week.
Awesome images of the Snowy Owl, James. I like how the snowy has staked out that patch of remaining snow as well.
Thank you Neil! I also like how the Snowy found the snow it could.
I figured he was trying to blend in with that little snow patch!
I had the same thought!
Thanks for the reminder. We got a pair in Michigan a few years ago. Naturally there were people who approached them, enough that the owner of the property had to get involved.
Dazzling gallery of photos here James!
Thank you Nate It's good the property owner got involved. The refuge where I bird for them just has signs cautioning visitors to not be assholes--but assholes will always be there.
Same experience at Ocean Shores, WA, in the early 'teens...though there was no "owner" to "get involved" and the owls left that part of the island and didn't return that first year. (They did the next winter.)
The "trophy" mentality of many camera-users wrecks it for everybody.
I took binocs but no camera.
These days nature places are getting rapidly subsumed by Infotainment. Everybody wants their hit of Nature Consumption. And boy o boy are the AI algos digging in to that, to fashion the next X years' worth of fashionable consumerism and corollary product.
Thanks for sharing this important message, James!
A poignant read and an important reminder. It's a gift and a privilege to witness wildlife.
Thank you Janelle and agreed—it’s an absolute gift.
Good advice, James! 👍
Thank you, Dan!
Oh my, how lovely to have seen a snowy owl! I feel quite envious. What a gorgeous, gorgeous owl. Thank you, James, this was absolutely amazing to wake up to.
Thank you Aria! Special birds, Snowy Owls. I am confident you will one day see one
The owl photos are lovely, of course.. you took them. I truly like yours better than the one flying, but maybe I am biased!
The one I love the most here is the cormorant. That one looking straight at you is just the right moment! It’s one of those I’d want to post with a “title this” request.🤭
Thank you Teyani, that cormorant was a special encounter. I still remember it vividly all these years later, despite having seen many cormorants between then and now! What would you title that photo?
“Don’t you be lookin’ at me in that tone of voice young man!”
Beautiful photos, I'd love to see a Snowy Owl.
Great advice about keeping your distance too. Too often people edge too close to birds or spend too long too near them.
Thank you Juliet. It is important we put the animal’s needs—space—before our own—closeness to get the best look.
I love owls in general and this one is a real beauty!
Agreed—and thank you!
Thank you James for sharing your beautiful photos and the all important message of keeping your distance with them.
I stopped looking for them in effort to take photos in 2021. I had driven to the Salisbury Beach State Park on winter afternoon and found a large crowd of photographers and people with cell phones gathered around one on the dune just off the access road. They were way too close and some were walking closer. I ended up calling it in. It broke my heart and soured my interest.
If people could get photos with cell phones they were definitely too close. That’s one of the upsides of the refuge, most visitors are ethical birders—though there are definitely a few bad apples and always will be. Once I get my photos I’m not long before leaving.
James, I would say most birders and visitors to the Refuge act ethically, but the bad apples do exist. I am like you, I take some photos and move on. I have never understood standing in one place for a long period of time waiting for the “perfect photo” with snowies.
Beautiful pictures. I think the little owl was trying to play hide and seek with you.
They never make it easy!
😂
An excellent message on giving wildlife needed space, James. I really like the Snowy Owl photos and how you worked on the framing. The gallery of closeups is also wonderful and I learned a lot.:)
Thank you Heidi! Glad you found it educational and recognized the framing of those shots. We need to admire wildlife from respectful proximity
Superb examples! I have never seen one -- even in the distance!
PS. I finally identified the little gray bird with black and white bars on the wings and tail! The bird that had me stumped for two months. It is a lesser goldfinch. Not recognized by me, as it is a female!
That makes a lot of sense! Glad you were able to ID it.
Some new birds I had not seen before at the Cornell feeding station - 2 huge common grackles, 3 tri-color blackbirds, and a whole flock (18) of chattering, pushy, famished starlings. It was a wild week.
I have never seen a snowy owl; it would be cool to see one though :)
Thank you!