I couldn't agree more - thanks for the post Chuck!
I also am a photographer and feel strongly as you.
Hopefully the word will get to the right people.
Dick Harlow



On 11/9/15 12:41, Charles Gangas wrote:
> As an avian photographer who's regrettably heard this story all to often I'd like to weigh in on this discussion.
>
>   Never is it OK to pursue a subject on posted property, unless you have obtained permission from the owner/authority, and never is it OK to pursue a bird to distress.
>
> If the image can't be made outside of posted property-be it private, state, or federal-then the image should not be attempted.
>
> I strongly endorse reporting any witnessed event, including license plate/photos to the proper authority.
>
> Although I speak for myself, I know with absolute certainty there are many, many photographers who are outraged by this behavior. It gives us all a very bad image and I, as you, would like to see it stopped
>
> Chuck Gangas
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Nov 9, 2015, at 09:25, alison wagner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Thank you, Maeve!
>>
>> I hope a certain individual I met during the Snowy Owl irruption reads what you wrote as well as my response here!  I met this person at the Goose Viewing area in early 2014, the SNOW was not present at that moment on its expected perch.  I was giving directions to some folks where I'd just seen two owls on Slang/West Road, and this person took off...
>>
>> I went back to Slang/West Road, and found this person in the field, clearly getting too close to the owl.  The owl kept flying off.  When he returned from the field, I mentioned to him that chasing birds can add stress, etc, he adamantly said he wasn't chasing, just wanted to get a little closer for a good picture. We both responded with, "It's obvious you got too close because the bird flew off."  He never did get the ultimate photo he desired.
>>
>> A while later, I stopped to admire another Snowy on Slang Road.  This same person joined us.  At one point, he showed me a dead mouse he had stashed in his pocket.  He asked me, "Should I?"  My response was, "I WOULDN'T!"
>>
>> I remember his licence plate and will be on the look out!
>>
>> Let's respect birds, no matter how we chose to be "close" to them!
>>
>> Ali
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jeanne Wisner" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: "Vermont Birds" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, November 9, 2015 8:59:07 AM
>> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] trespassers at Dead Creek
>>
>> Thanks, Maeve.  It needs to be said often!
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 9, 2015 at 8:31 AM, Maeve Kim <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Good morning, fellow bird lovers - I led a field trip to Addison Saturday,
>>> and everyone was disturbed to see two photographers way out in the field in
>>> back of the barn at the end of Gage Road. I bellowed at them that they were
>>> in a restricted area and they had to get out NOW - and, amazingly, they
>>> did. (In retrospect, that was pretty funny given that I have no actual
>>> authority. I think it was the outraged teacher voice.) Their “reasoning”
>>> was this: There’s a No Trespassing sign on the southwest corner of the
>>> barn, and another on the first power pole heading down the driveway, about
>>> 10 yards away.  However, there’s no sign between those two signs - which
>>> was “a clear indication” that that space was a “pathway” allowing people to
>>> get closer to the Snow Geese.
>>>
>>> When I pointed out the several newer signs making it clear that No
>>> Trespassing includes photographers and birders, one of the men got whiny:
>>> “Geez. I don’t see why you have to get angry with us!”
>>>
>>> It was hours later before I wondered if we should have photographed the
>>> men in the field and then getting into their car, with the license plate
>>> evident. So this morning I called Fish and Wildlife. The answer: YES! We
>>> people who care about birds should get photos and plate numbers, if we can
>>> do it without feeling that we’re endangering ourselves in any way. Fax or
>>> e-mail the photos to Fish and Wildlife as soon as possible. In Addison, we
>>> can also phone 388-4875. There’s not always someone there but there’s
>>> usually someone close by.
>>>
>>> With a possible Snow Owl irruption again this winter, it’s guaranteed that
>>> there will be unscrupulous and unethical behavior on the part of some
>>> photographers eager for the Perfect Pic. The Fish and Wildlife woman said
>>> that last year, there were people who literally chased individual owls,
>>> making them fly again and again. There were also people who got pet store
>>> mice and let them loose so they could get good pictures - ignoring the fact
>>> that pet store mice have a lot of antibiotics that might not be good for
>>> wild birds. If we birders unite to discourage the unethical few, and if it
>>> becomes known that some paid fines, it might help.
>>>
>>> Thanks for reading my rant!
>>>
>>> Maeve Kim, Jericho Center