I was wondering when I was seeing those jaw-dropping images of GG Owl's here lately, many even taken with shorter lenses and saw that they where all baited it struck my curiousity. I suppose it's no different then all those workshops where they feed drones of Bald Eagles fishes and get killer shots with thier iPhones, or the same for Grizzly bears. But I Saw these rather disturbing videos on You Tube and wondered what your thoughts are?
I find these videos appalling, and I was a photographer who visited and baited the Great Grays in Ottawa. During my stay we always rewarded the owls with the bait, sometimes feeding them 20+ mice in a single morning. At no time did we ever draw them into a dangerous place like a road. Those photographers should be ashamed of their behavior!
Baiting and using calls are practices that draw a lot of discussion, both pro and con.
No one in their right mind could condone the practice of "teasing" displayed in the videos. Not only was the practice displayed dangerous to the Owl, it could have been disastrous to the photographer (have you seen their talons?).
If you see such behavior and it is safe, inform the offending party why what they are doing is detrimental to the bird.
Many, no I'll say most photographers and researchers use bait or calls in a conscientious and respectful way.
It's unfortunate that many who see that video will think all photographers behave that way. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I did a small experiment with some birds in a location here after reading this thread. I found a pitta I wanted to photograph. It was all but impossible to get a shot of it.
So I put out meal worms. After a few days it started to come out and get the worms. But it took several days for them to get comfortable. After a week or so. I went out and as soon as I put out the worms they would come out almost immediately.
Then I went back set up and just pretended to put the worms out. Immediately they came out and searched. Again I pretended to put out worms. Same thing.
So my conclusion is before a bird will come out they have to be trained? Looking at the video it is obvious to me that baiters have conditioned this bird to respond to bait way before these guys did the disturbing video.
Who is to fault. The baiters that originally conditioned the bird or the teasers?
I still just don't know what to think of this practice, to the point where it just gets carried away. I do think it's important that a photographer Always indicates in thier "Wow" photos that they where indeed baited. To me, that sort of takes the "wow" factor out. I don't know.
Those Amazing Great Gray Owl pics?
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