By definition there is often a price to be paid for ethical nature photography since the image you get may not be the one you envisioned or hoped for.
For several years now I’ve been photographing a nesting pair of Black-billed Magpies on Antelope Island. They’ve always nested in the same Greasewood bush within just a few feet of a developed and busy campsite. The very large, domed nest is buried deeply in the low bush which must give them the security they require because despite the presence of campers, children, dogs and all the requisite hubbub inherent to such a situation these birds have raised youngsters each year. On spring mornings when the site isn’t occupied by campers we often park in that campsite and photograph the birds from inside my pickup as they go about their normal activities.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
Last spring (this image was taken 11 months ago) we were constantly frustrated by a group of twigs that had grown almost straight up the previous summer on top of the bush for about a foot. The top of the nest bush was their favorite perch and those twigs at least partially obscured the magpies in many of our images, whether they be take-off or behavioral shots. Mia and I often joked with each other that next time we visited the island we’d bring my pruning sheers and lop off those darned offending twigs.
But of course that’s something we’d never do. Birds choose nest sites for a variety of practical reasons, including seclusion, safety from predators (and unthinking humans) and shade from the broiling summer sun. Altering nest sites for the sake of a photograph is unconscionable and unethical but sadly it is something that is often done. See two examples of such behavior from the blog of my friend Rich Ditch – Bell’s Vireo and Anna’s Hummingbird nests.
I won’t deny that I was very disappointed to have that gloriously fanned, curved and iridescent tail obscured by the twigs but I’d rather have the shot that I got than to know that I might have put the nest at risk by pruning twigs (I hope that statement doesn’t strike a sanctimonious tone with anyone but this is something that I do feel strongly about).
And besides, this way I can sleep at night…
Ron
I like the photo as is. It is not too difficult to look through the twigs and see the tail. Sure it would be nice if the tail were visible without obstruction, but this is a real nature photo. As far as I’m concerned you captured exactly what you wanted, the beautiful flared tail with iridescence. My eyes like it just fine – it doesn’t hurt my eyes the way blurry backgrounds do…
I like the photo as is. It is not too difficult to look through the twigs and see the tail. Sure it would be nice if the tail were visible without obstruction, but this is a real nature photo. As far as I’m concerned you captured exactly what you wanted, the beautiful flared
I visited that other Magpie post and see what you were after. Yeah, the black and white birds are an exposure challenge (where I live it’s the ospreys that drive me nuts). I really like the flow of the first shot in that post with the Magpie on the snowy rock looking back over it’s shoulder – simple and elegant.
Actually I think “Reaping the Reward of an Ethical Stance” would have been a better title.
Perhaps, Verm. Perhaps…
I agree, Verm…It would also make a great title fot “the book”….but, don’t hold your breath on that one…he’s got plenty to keep him busy and out of trouble without dealing the production of a book….
Keep the twigs. I enjoy checking into your blog now and then to remind myself not to obsess so much about little flaws in a photo such as a twig in front of a tail or clipping off a wingtip. In fact, by capturing the “new school” style of bird photo sans background, foreground or any interfering objects the photographer essentially removes the bird from its environment. Add some straight on lighting and you get a great ID photo for a guide, but one that has scantly more life to it than a 2-D South Park cartoon paste-up. It’s interesting to see so many of today’s bird photographers strive for such photos, then to study great bird artists such as John James Audubon or Roger Tory Peterson and see how they often they hide part of their subject behind some foliage or another bird to give the subject a sense of belonging to nature, not posing in a zoo. If what you’re striving for is to increase the degree of difficulty of getting the shot, hence proving a mastery of your pursuit, then you have already succeeded many times over. I like that you share the stories around your images – those written words fill in what is sometimes missing from the photo and I think is often missing intentionally in an effort at achieving your ideal of perfection. Hey, I say this because I was a very outspoken perfectionist in another pursuit earlier in my life. I achieved great success, but was dogged by angst created by being so harsh on myself (not to mention being the butt of many of my peers’ jokes). I hope to avoid that in my bird photography – it’s not easy. Keep up the pure ethics and don’t worry about those twigs.
“Keep the twigs”.
Verm, I had no intention of losing the twigs and never would. If you’re trying to convince me of the value of “bird in habitat” (BIH) images you’re preaching to the choir as I couldn’t agree more.
That said, sometimes I have a particular goal in my photography and that was the case here. I love the tail of the magpie when it’s flared and curved in flight and showing iridescence but that combination is very difficult to get in a photograph. So I was frustrated (still am) that the tail is significantly hidden in this image. Even so, I like the shot very much.
The last (4th) image in this post (link below) is an example of what I was trying to achieve with this image:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2013/02/18/black-billed-magpie-iridescence/
Thank you for the feedback and for taking the time to state your position on the subject of styles in bird photography. Your input is appreciated, as is your encouragement regarding ethics.
You have shared so many incredibly beautiful images of incredibly beautiful birds, but I still think the most beautiful of them all are the ones you presented a while back, especially the one that was “stolen”! It looked like something out of a fairy tale…you just knew that bird was flying toward a crystal palace….
Thanks very much, Patty. That’s the one I have a large print of hanging over my fireplace so you know it’s a favorite of mine too.
Surely,in this hi-tech age, if you want a clear view you can use photoshop!I often omit things in my sketches, if it results in a better picture.But endangering an animal for personal vanity? No.
Good point, Diane. But I’d prefer to get it as close to my preference in camera as possible and avoid removing natural image elements…
Love contrast between smooth, black, shiny, iridescence of horizontals image of bird and sharp, prickly, vertical matte gray images of the sage….they enhance each other…seems like you always pick winners.
Sometimes I pick winners, Patty – but never in Nevada…
Ron, the twigs make the bird even more spectacular. The white of the twigs frames the iridescence of the feathers. Thanks for caring so deeply.
Thanks for the feedback, Diana. I’m glad you’re not bothered by the twigs.
Thank you.
An image is so much less important than the bird. Which is sometimes hard to remember. And I always love to see your magpies. So very different to ours…
“An image is so much less important than the bird”.
Exactly, Elephant’s Child!
Ron, Thanks for sharing this wonderfully “flawed” shot and your thoughts. You are quite right to point this problem out and I wish more photographers and birders followed your advice. Keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you, Pierre.
What twigs?
You nearly always make me smile, Wally!
Thanks Ron. Another great shot of one of my favorites. I think the branches make it look more real, less contrived.
You make a good point about the twigs making it look “less contrived”, Ed.
A gorgeous shot nonetheless!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
When Lefty was fluttering around in the big, grandfather Cottonwood down by Mouse Creek, , “barking” and scolding at the dogs over possession of the bones, who that knew he and his kin would end up as one of my favorite, most beautiful birds…..thanks to your incredible photography! Until then, I admired and was amused by their intelligence and antics, but thought of them more as buffoons of the bird world rather than the beauties I consider them now….
Yup, get them in the right light to show off that iridescence and they’re real stand-outs, Patty. Thank you.
Beautiful colors! Despite the twigs, this really is their natural habitat, so I like it.
To think someone would actually compromise their health and safety for a “better” shot really is unconscionable. Shame on these people.
I felt bad standing beneath a tree to photograph a dove on her nest high up, or a clutch of quail eggs which had been built in a pile of mesquite branches we had pruned. As much as we hated waiting to remove them, we would never have done so as we knew it was their shelter. As it turned out, they remained protected from the family of roadrunners who came and went.
I like you posting this post!
I’m glad you thought the point of this post was worth doing, Patricia. Thanks.
Hurrah for your ethical position, it’s rarer and more precious than any photo. Besides, this is a beautiful, natural shot incorporating
information about the bird beyond its physical appearance. And no blurs. I love it! I hope top-notch wildlife photographers like you continue to post on ethical issues. Recently the Wall Street Journal published an article on the controversial use of bird-call playback accompanied by a photo two men, one holding a camera and the other holding a smart phone in the air. More and more birders carry cameras and too many of them use playback to find and photograph “rarities” and other birds. It’s good to read your thoughts on the ethics
involved in photographing wild birds.
Kelly, I think electronic calls are often an ethical issue too. Thank you.
I think your magpie image is exquisite–twigs or no twigs.
Two years ago, my sister and I spent hundreds of hours watching a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks with a single chick. This was in Sacramento where temperatures regularly hit triple digits in late spring and early summer. When the hot sun was beating on the nest, the little chick would shelter under the few leaves that overhung the nest. The chick moved from one side of the nest to the other depending upon the time of day. If that little bit of shelter provided by the few overhanging leaves was not there, the chick would surely have died.
Last year, the nest was so covered with leaves that we only could see the nest for a week or so. Although I was sad to not be able to watch them, I was so grateful that this year’s chick(s) would have more shelter.
I’m so glad that you and Mia spread the word about responsible bird watching and photography. Thank you.
I can only imagine how hot it would have been for those youngsters without any shade, Sharon. I appreciate you relating the example.
Ron- I like your shot! I have been trying to capture a magpie in flight with good light showing the beautiful blue/green feathers that they have. You did well with this maggie- flying toward you does not show the colors- this is about the proper angle for their display. Many people put down magpies as too common but a good maggie image is a winner in my book. Thanks for posting.
Bob, I actually like shooting common species like magpies, especially when done well. Agree, their iridescence can be spectacular at the right light angle.
Totally agree and think the shot is GREAT as it is..!
Thanks, Bill.