After more than 15 years of photographing birds I’m still fine tuning my field ethics.
It’s no secret to aficionados of Antelope Island that there’s a Burrowing Owl burrow right next to one of the roads on the island. Two days ago I was driving that road in order to access one of my favorite parts of the island when I saw a car parked off of the left side of the road in front of me and almost directly across the road from the burrow. I presume the car’s driver was a photographer. As I got closer I realized that one of the owls was perched on the dirt mound at the burrow.
I paused briefly but eventually I had to drive between the car on my left and the owl on my right in order to reach my intended destination. As I did so I expected the owl to disappear down the burrow or, more likely, fly away. But the owl didn’t budge as I passed so I turned my pickup around with the intention of pulling up behind the other car so I could take a few shots of the owl from a respectable distance.
But from that vantage point my view of the owl was obstructed by sunflower stalks so I made the decision to drive around the right side of the car in front of me in hopes of getting a clear view of the owl without spooking it by driving between the bird and the car again.
It worked. For perhaps 30 seconds I had an unobstructed view of the owl in good light and at first the bird seemed calm and accepting of the presence of two vehicles. When a bird is standing on one foot it usually means it isn’t nervous.
But then without warning the owl took off. I was lucky to get this shot without clipping its uplifted wings and with very little obstruction from the many sunflower stalks around the burrow.
This is a vertical composition of the same photo.
I got one more shot of the owl in flight but here he’s too close to the top edge of the frame for a composition I like and I’m not fond of the sunflower stems right in front of the face of the bird.
If you go back for another look at the takeoff shot you’ll see that the owl was ‘chattering’ as it took off and I heard the chattering clearly. Almost certainly that means that it was my presence that spooked the owl and I’m not happy about that. I hate flushing birds, raptors especially and owls most of all. The owl was apparently comfortable enough with one vehicle that close but two vehicles was too much.
I regret my decision to turn around to photograph the owl. I should have just continued on my way after I passed the other photographer the first time and that’s what I’ll do if a similar situation presents itself again. Live and learn.
The closeness of the burrow to the road is unfortunate. Sadly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the owls abandon the burrow because of too much pressure from traffic, bird lovers and photographers.
If that were to happen, I don’t want to be responsible for it any more than I might already be.
Ron
You are a decent man . I wish others cared and were as respectful as you are.
I do hope they relocate. The take off was a great photo. Thanks.
Kaye
Very much appreciated, Kaye.
Burrowing Owls usually look grumpy to me, so the first shot doesn’t give me any clues. The second shot may be another story. I’m so sorry that this happened because I have a feeling for how much you’re kicking yourself about it. Part of what I admire about your ethics is the fact that you understand and will admit when you might have blown it. It takes a truly ethical human being to do that. (And if I were a Burrowing Owl, I’d probably be more irritated at the first car — not at my pal, Ron!) Hang in there! 💕
“you will admit when you might have blown it”
Marty, a friend of mine made some ‘not well thought out’ comments on social media that offended many of his friends and family (it was all about politics). Recently my friend realized that his comments had been unnecessarily hurtful to those he loved so he posted a public video of him apologizing to them sincerely. One of the comments on that video went something like this – “Wade, one of the things I’ve always appreciated about you is that when you screw up, you own your shit”.
This post was me, owning my shit.
And that’s one of the many reasons I have so much fondness and respect for you, Ron! I’ll bet you owned it with your students too. 💜
Poor owl. And poor you. I totally understand why you would hate to be one of those who love it to death.
And I really, really hope it isn’t too late for the owl and his mate to move their burrow.
Thanks, EC. I’ll be watching that burrow (from a distance) for any developments, one way or another.
I am glad you don’t speak owl, professor. Your ears might still be burning! Great shots though.
“I am glad you don’t speak owl, professor.”
Nope, not a word of it. Hell, I struggle with English.
Same owl in my photo. I was across the road for my photo. I took a couple of pictures from inside my car and left. The owl only ran up the dirt hill. Another car came as I was leaving who parked on the owls side of the road right next to the burrow and the owl flew off. There have been owls there before but they didn’t stay.
April, parking on “the owl’s side of the road” is unforgiveable.
I think many of us have done something like this inadvertently and later regretted it.
BTW, if you haven’t already, you may want to listen to or read the NPR blurb on the drying up of Salt Lake. It mentions biologist(s) that I think you’ve talked about.
Kent, I read it. And yes, I’ve met Dr. Bonnie Baxter, Director of GSLI and her work with the lake has been remarkable.
Most of what I have learned about the ethics of nature photography I have learned here at Feathered Photography. Rarely ever have I done anything inappropriate to get a photo, and like your example here, I have regretted it when I have. I have had hikers going by who have watched me waiting for an eagle takeoff tell me they can scare the eagle off for me, and of course I tell them no. Unfortunately there are some whose only objective is to get the photo regardless.
“Unfortunately there are some whose only objective is to get the photo regardless.”
That’s it in a nutshell, Everett. The photo above all else.
I admire your avian ethics. But as far as blunders go, I think this one is a minor misstep. Live and learn.
As evidenced by the one-foot stance, this Burrowing Owl was pretty traffic tolerant. Though if I were to anthropomorphize I would say he does look a bit put out in that first photo. I suspect it will return.
“I suspect it will return.”
I hope you’re right, Michael. But with the burrow so close to the road, over time it may be too much for the owls to tolerate. Especially as the summer season gets busier.
On the other hand, the biting gnats will be out very soon. Maybe those little devils will keep the traffic down. Lots of folks avoid the island completely when the gnats are out.
Tough choices sometimes – doesn’t always appear to be a problem until it is….. ;( Beautiful little owl. Hopefully they continue to raise a brood and find a better place next year.
Judy, it’s possible that they’ll find a better place this year. It probably isn’t too late. I hope they do.