Human Impact (warning, a little sad...)

[Jon Rista]

While out photographing shore birds and waterfowl the other day, I noticed something in a patch of thorny brambles. It turned out to be what I hoped it was not, a rather sad scene. I'm posting this in the OOTB forum, as I'm not sure it really belongs in the Avian forum. I've experienced the negative impact humans can have on birds a few times, and its always a little disheartening. I am not one to bring a sob story to bear every time human activity impacts nature, but in this case (and because it is only one of about half a dozen or so similar instances I've seen this year alone), just a little care and attention by the fisherman who left his line out such that it could entangle a bird could have probably prevented a small tragedy.

Canon 7D w/ 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
1/200s f/7.1 ISO 320
Little exposure tuning, vignette added

[Maureen Allen]

This is very sad, and a good reminder for all of us that just a little care can prevent such tragedies. Thanks for posting it.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Jon, thanks for sharing and for the reminder. It's so sad and so preventable.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Jon, a great image to depict the impact we have on wildlife.