Snowy Owls III
<!–<!–
BLOG: Snowy Owls Feb 2012 – Images by Art Wolfe
I just finished my weekend workshop called “Composing Effective Images – Field Edition”. I love teaching and inspiring others. In the process of the workshop, I get inspired, too.
I just had to make one more trek up to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia yesterday.
I know I am indulging a bit with the Snowy Owls, but in all fairness, they are magnificent creatures and this event happens so infrequently, that I just can’t resist.
Thank you to all the students this weekend for your participation, enthusiasm and inspiration. Enjoy this days shooting.
And why shouldn’t you indulge when you bring back such lovely images to share with those of us that can’t make the trek?
And why shouldn’t you indulge when you bring back such lovely images to share with those of us that can’t make the trek?
Thanks to your first posting about Reifel, I and a friend put it on our must-see list and we finally made it up there and to Boundary Bay on Monday to photograph the owls and other birds. What a magnificent preserve!
Dean- Glad you made it up there. It is a great place even without the unique Snowy Owl event. Lots to photograph.
Thanks to your first posting about Reifel, I and a friend put it on our must-see list and we finally made it up there and to Boundary Bay on Monday to photograph the owls and other birds. What a magnificent preserve!
Art, I love the snowy owls, and will not tire of your photos of them. They are such marvelous creatures. Thanks for showing us.
Art- very nice images! I have also indulged myself in Snowy Owl photography this winter and greatly enjoyed it, although unfortunately I have witnessed some very bad behavior by some ‘photographers’ who have approached the owls much too closely and frequently flushed them off their perches. This has generated a lot of heated discussion on birding list servers. As a professional and ethical wildlife photographer, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this, and the apparently escalating problem of too much bad behavior by too many photographers who seem to care only about getting ‘the money shot’. (Hopefully I’m not stirring up another hornet’s nest with this comment!)
Tom-
Thank you and good point. Respecting the habitat is essential to viewing these birds. This is the responsibility of every wildlife photographer.
I hosted a small group of wildlife photographers on my last trip to Boundary Bay to photograph the Snowy Owls. I stressed the importance of keeping a safe enough distance to avoid making the birds fly away. We all shot with very long lenses with extenders and got great shots. We felt successful knowing that none of the owls we photographed flew away.
Art- very nice images! I have also indulged myself in Snowy Owl photography this winter and greatly enjoyed it, although unfortunately I have witnessed some very bad behavior by some ‘photographers’ who have approached the owls much too closely and frequently flushed them off their perches. This has generated a lot of heated discussion on birding list servers. As a professional and ethical wildlife photographer, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this, and the apparently escalating problem of too much bad behavior by too many photographers who seem to care only about getting ‘the money shot’. (Hopefully I’m not stirring up another hornet’s nest with this comment!)
Art, Thank you so much for a really perfect workshop; I could take it again this weekend! And thank you for pointing me to the Snowy Owls at Ocean Shores WA. I was able to use my new skills and come home with photos I like. I was told there were about 14 owls there, though I saw 5 at one time. All I needed was 1! While out in the grass I also met your friend Florian and his brother Salomon Shultz who were making an instruction video. They were so kind to share some of their photo knowledge with me and it was great fun having their company. Let the fun continue!
Sharon-
It’s all about fun. Glad you enjoyed the workshop. Fun things are happening as a result of your efforts.
This is some interesting documentation about the evolving situation of the White Salmon River since it’s breach on October 26, 2011
http://whitesalmontimelapse.wordpress.com/