Screech Owl and A-hole

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Nikon4sure
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p.1 #1 · Screech Owl and A-hole

I know understand why Nature Photographers don't disclose location of certain wildlife they find.
I was told by a good friend of mine about this Screech Owl in an old Tree about 5 feet tall so I went out to see and take some pictures.
The owl allowed us to get within a couple feet of him, another photographer came over to and the A-hole want to wack the side of the tree just so he could get a picture of the Owl with its eyes open.
I grab the stick and tore a strip off of him hopefully he never forget explaining to him what a privilage this was for this owl to trust people enough to allow us to get this close and to frightening him so he could get a photo and so forth depriving other from seeing this it wasn't going to happen.
He quickly packed up his equipment and left, I mention it to a few people from the park and they said they will be on the look out for him if he returns.

Anyway her the little fellow

2008 © Nikon4sure

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:14 PM

Nello Milanese
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p.1 #2 · Screech Owl and A-hole

So you're a nikon guy and you slapped another photographer for being agressive....bet it was a Canon shooter

it was Ant wasn'it?

just kiddin' man

That's a cool shot...you are very lucky indeed to have this privilege...specially considering the eye-level angle!

Nov 23, 2008 at 02:22 PM

Mr Zoom
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p.1 #3 · Screech Owl and A-hole

I promise I won't do it again. Please let me come back and shoot the owl

Ken

Nov 23, 2008 at 03:01 PM

Rhode2Boston
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p.1 #4 · Screech Owl and A-hole

Good for you! Too many times we put up with idiots doing stuff like that.

Nice shot.

Nov 23, 2008 at 04:38 PM

fishbio
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p.1 #5 · Screech Owl and A-hole

Very nice

Where in Canada is this? We get only grey phase ones like this one

http://www.manitobanature.ca/MB_birds/misc/EASO.htm

out here in Winnipeg.

Cheers,

Larry

Nov 23, 2008 at 04:59 PM

Classicam
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p.1 #6 · Screech Owl and A-hole

Please don't "shoot" owls--photograph them---

I like your photo.

Nov 23, 2008 at 05:05 PM

abam
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p.1 #7 · Screech Owl and A-hole

what's worse, whacking the tree to get the owl to open its eyes, or invading/disturbing its natural habitat in the first place, getting within a couple of feet of it and having an altercation? they're about on the same level to me.

"crocodile hunter" conservationism.

Nov 23, 2008 at 05:51 PM

thehotel
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p.1 #8 · Screech Owl and A-hole

IMHO a double edge sword here.

The guy you had the altercation with was 100% wrong and you were also 100% wrong. All that crap going on a few feet from the owl I am sure made him real comfortable and happy. I hope you bought a lotto ticket that day cuz you were very lucky that day. I know folks and places that the result would of been you getting shot. The noise of the gun would of got the owl awake and the shooter could of gotten his shots while you were on the ground bleeding.

Sounds to me like you reacted and did not think first.

Wacky roger
Founding Member Of OOOPs

Nov 23, 2008 at 06:08 PM

jdc562
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p.1 #9 · Screech Owl and A-hole

I'm with you, Nikon. At Bolsa Chica we had a guy using frozen mice to lure white tailed kites to photo locations near a busy highway. Worse yet, he trespassed into a closed reserve area, drove nesting terns from their island, and shot photos while the gulls and crows feasted on the unprotected tern eggs and chicks. He is a local pastor--so much for being a good steward of God's gifts.

One of the local photograpers caught him in the act and helped the wardens.

These selfish photogs need to be taught a lesson. However, I suggest you follow the above example: take photos of the offender, his vehicle, and his license plate instead of whacking him with a stick. Posting the photos and giving them to law enforcement is probably more effective--and safer for you (legally and physically).

Nov 23, 2008 at 07:36 PM

David Israel
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p.1 #10 · Screech Owl and A-hole

I would suggest that the offending photographer was NOT a nature photographer. He was a selfish photographer, to be sure. The nature photographers that I know respect nature and take all practical measures to keep from disturbing the wildlife. I don't know what I would have done in your same situation (and Roger does make a good point about your own personal safety), but I am glad that the other photographer left the scene.

How very fortunate you are to be able to get this close to an owl in the wild. The only times I have ever been this close to an owl is owls that live in captivity. Thanks for sharing this.

Dave

Nov 23, 2008 at 07:58 PM

Lil Judd
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p.1 #11 · Screech Owl and A-hole

Dear fellow nikon-shooter, may I make a suggestion

Either way I will.....

Being that I'm a small woman with expensive equipment I'd like to keep & sometimes have to go out on my own in not the nicest areas...... I carry maze. That's right - - Maze. It's a tiny little bottle thingy, looking something like a small flashlight. It can be easily carried on your body. So, instead of using a stick - branch, why not first try to talk the person out of their ill thought plan - use words..., if that's not successful - - photograph the license plate of his car (if possible) photograph the offender - if that doesn't send him flying - - maze the offender.

Nice shot & I hope the owl is allowed to roost in peace.

Lil - as always taking a break from the wildfire cleanup....

Nov 23, 2008 at 10:16 PM

Brenton Biggs
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p.1 #12 · Screech Owl and A-hole

What an ordeal!

I think owl's eyes are the coolest things about the birds, but both of you were given a unique opportunity with this owl, for one sees awake owls quite often, and sleeping owls not so often. I think this photo is a very nice catch as you hardly ever get to see this behavior.

Nov 23, 2008 at 11:47 PM


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