Im angry; Im ashamed. Yesterday I came across three professional nature photographers standing in the middle of a marsh taking photographs of a pair of king rails. There were signs posted: the marsh was cordoned off. The management hoped these rare birds would feel at home in this humble marsh. Indeed, they were often in the open within twenty feet of the boardwalk from which many appreciated them. As a professional nature photographer myself, I was thrilled to have these birds in a preserve near me. Was I disappointed that I could not walk to the edge of the marsh to get closer to these birds? Yes, did I hope to get better shots, of course. Would I choose to disregard the signs and ropes? No way. As professional nature photographers we should be examples to others. If people see us trampling the habitat to get closer to a bird, then it must be ok. Soon it’s EVERY person with their cameras, and iPhones hoping to get the same photos. Quickly the lovely marsh habitat this bird found so attractive has been trampled, and the birds are gone. It was one of these photographers who just a few months ago warned off other birders and photographers from getting too close to owls. His argument was the professionals had long lenses and could get great shots at a distance. Everyone else needed to stay back. Now I can see his concern for wildlife was just a ruse to ensure only he would get good photos. Ive seen many photographers use their professional status as an excuse to go places and do things they would normally criticize in others. Their excuse this day was the birds didnt seem to mind us being there. Have they really gotten so out of touch with common sense and the nature they claim to love, that they believe this? Did they miss the point that they were trampling the habitat this bird was attracted to in the first place? Was the view from behind the the fence really too far away for good shots with their giant lenses? Sad really. If professional nature photographers do this to the nature they claim to love, what hope is there of getting the rest of the world to wake up to the need to preserve and protect what little is left. I recognize more and more, nature photographers are ambassadors for nature. It will be our integrity, as well as our images that will be remembered. I went back to the marsh today, I waited over 2 hours, the birds never showed.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 17:53:53 +0000
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