There’s more negative fallout caused by baiting raptors than many are aware of and some of it affects our fellow photographers who don’t bait and never have. I’ve been stewing about this for a while now so I finally had to get it off my chest. Today’s post is a long read and I accept the fact that it may be a bit too much for some of my blog followers.
First some background. Back in the winter of 2008 when these photos were taken I was a novice bird photographer still learning the ropes – hell, I couldn’t even find most of those ropes. I was completely naïve and didn’t even know that some photographers baited raptors but when I first saw it happening (those doing it were sneaky about it) I instinctively knew it wasn’t for me. At the time baiting just didn’t feel appropriate for “nature” photography and it wasn’t until much later that I learned about the potential negative effects on birds some types of baiting could have.
On February 28 of that year I found a well known bird photographer who I knew personally (I’ll call him Donald for this narrative though that isn’t his real name) photographing Northern Harriers as they fought over a Mallard carcass on the ice at Farmington Bay WMA. So I joined in and I did so enthusiastically because without exception this was the most exciting action from birds I’d ever witnessed, much less photographed.
1/640, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender
The fighting was fast and furious involving multiple birds flying in and out of lighting that was constantly changing – conditions that overwhelmed my extremely limited skills and lack of photographic knowledge (as evidenced by some of my settings in at least two of these photos). But I took many hundreds of shots and with the combination of luck, perseverance and sheer grit (stupidly I was standing on the ice in tennis shoes and couldn’t even feel my toes or some of my fingers) I got quite a few photos that I still like a lot to this day.
Those harriers meant business! It had been a terribly harsh winter and many of them were starving so food was at a premium and they fought “tooth”, nail and claw over that Mallard.
1/640, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender
As you can imagine with my poor choice of camera settings (partly in a misguided effort to have enough depth of field to get multiple birds sharp) many of my photos were soft for lack of shutter speed but occasionally I got lucky. When another friend and fellow photographer saw a shot very similar to this one he called it “Kung Fu Harriers” and that name stuck.
1/1600, f/10, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender
The incredible quickness of these hawks simply blew me away, especially way back then. I didn’t even know that the bird on the right had imbedded its talons in the chest of its rival until I looked at my photos on my screen at home.
Somewhere in this same time frame of the winter of 2008 I learned that the aforementioned “Donald” was a habitual baiter. I was with him once when he baited harriers with dead carp and when I declined to photograph those particular birds it was obvious he wasn’t pleased. Later when photographing Bald Eagles feeding on dead carp he would often arrive on scene very early to arrange the carp in more photogenic locations before other photographers showed up. There are worse forms of baiting but I just knew it wasn’t for me so whenever I was aware of the baiting (or suspected it) I went shooting elsewhere and I had to do that for several winters. At first I didn’t have any real animosity about it, I just figured we had different shooting styles, but it did bother me that he always baited the best locations for eagles so I was excluded from those areas.
On one occasion I encountered him and two other photographers as they came out of a pond after moving dead fish around and rearranging an old photogenic stump in the water (it was late in the morning so most of the other photographers had already left) and I could tell he was unhappy with me for not openly approving of their efforts. In front of at least one other photographer he sarcastically said to me “Oh, so it’s OK for you to photograph baited eagles as long as it’s not you doing the actual baiting?” and then he walked away. That single sentence accomplished two things: It told me he’d likely been baiting at times I wasn’t aware of and I had been photographing baited birds out of ignorance. And it instantly and permanently ended our friendship.
The problem was I didn’t know which of my birds (mostly harriers and eagles) had been baited and which ones hadn’t. For years I thought these harriers fighting over the Mallard hadn’t been baited but now I suspect they may have been because I’ve fairly recently learned from a reliable source that they probably were (the dead Mallard had been picked up and placed in an open place on the ice in good light and at an appropriate distance from an accessible shooting spot). Donald was photographing these same harriers and he was there before I was.
So here’s the rub. Several harrier photos I took that day have won awards and I’ve posted many of them on my blog over the years but in none of those cases did I disclose baiting because I didn’t know it had been done. For me honesty in my photography is paramount and I feel awful about that.
My purpose here isn’t to bash Donald. He was old school and set in his ways so baiting just wasn’t an issue for him. Donald was actually quite generous about giving me and several other photographers tips about techniques in the field and for that I’m grateful. But he either wasn’t cognizant or didn’t care (most likely the latter) that his baiting affected other bird photographers who were dead set against the practice (I’m far from the only one who resented his baiting activities).
So here’s my point. Thankfully the ethics issues involved when raptors are baited are becoming more widely understood and accepted so fewer photographers are doing it (at least openly). But when photographers choose to bait their decision often affects their fellow photographers causing very hard feelings in the community (not to mention the negative effects certain types of baiting can have on the birds themselves).
So I hope that bird photographers think long and hard in the future before choosing to bait.
Ron
Notes:
- I’ve posted the last two images in this series previously but the first one is new to my blog.
- Baiting is a subject where opinions run hot and deep in the bird photography community. As long as any discussion remains civil and polite I’m fine with it if readers with views different from mine choose to comment about what I’ve said on the subject of baiting. Any inappropriate comments won’t be approved or will be deleted.
Ron, thanks for the photos and the dialogue. I’m not so much a photographer as a painter. The detail in your photos adds so much to the primitive photos a shoot so I appreciate that. I use my photos for painting because they have heart. I expect to use yours to study detail ( I could ‘make it up’ but reality is so much more interesting). I appreciate your values (not setting up a photo in any way). The truth will set you free.
Thank you for your advocacy Ron. I just started wildlife photography a few years ago after I retired, but have been an enthusiast of the outdoors ever since I was 8 years old. When I take a photograph of Nature, I wish to share the experience as if that person was right there to see it with me. Having an honest journey towards the end result, is something I hope my photographs convey to those I share with. I am not there to trap or trick nature, but instead reveal it in all its’ truth. Even though I’m just a beginner, I know the stories behind my worse photos are better and not tainted by tricks. This practice and viewpoint is my own but I just wanted to share and say thank you.
I’m late to this post Ron. You always make such posts and I enjoy reading your blog. I don’t know why, but I am not against baiting. I’ve read anti-baiting articles and they’ve never really convinced me one way or another. And because nothing internally or externally has caused me to develop a stance against baiting, I’m kinda meh. It’s not for me, I’ve never been around it nor do I know anyone that has done it. I have only read about it. I am not really a birder or a nature guy. I am an amateur photographer that just happens to take pictures of birds. And if using a set up, bird feeder or a call, I am fine with it…I feel no conviction on the inside (and I have done calls for warblers and such). For me, it’s about the photograph, not the bird. Sacrilege in our community, I know…it’s supposed to go the other way around! If I told you otherwise, I wouldn’t be honest…and we always have to be honest. I grasp that my stance makes me in the 1% of birders who might agree with me. I just don’t feel that excited about it. All this said, if I were to happen upon someone that was baiting, I think I would walk away. I don’t want to be painted with the stigma of being a baiter or photographing baiting. Once your name gets tarnished, it’s hard to get it clean as we all live in a small community of birders/photographers in our respective area codes. So while I may be meh, I still want to avoid any association with it. Thanks for posting your heart…I have posted mine. Keep on rocking it Ron…I enjoy my coffee in the mornings with your blog 🙂
I’m late to this discussion, but feel I have to put in my 2 cents.
I feel so strongly against baiting or any man made non-natural attributes to photography I will personally leave an area if I know this is going on. Dishonesty in photography is not a hit or miss situation in my mind.
It is a lot like birding. Case in point, Snowy Owls. Here in the east on particular years of abundant Snowy Owl population growth, young owls as well as adults move south to lower Canada and Northern US during the winter to find food. There is a fair amount of stress these birds go through traveling and finding food in areas they are not familiar with and environments they are not used to. In the ethics of birding one is supposed to stay a safe distance from these owls, a distance that will not disturb them unduely, but there are many people who feel that they need to get real close to the owl to get a decent picture. Many birders today will not divulge the location of an owl for that reason. Others will take pictures of the transgressors, especially if they have been asked to step back and don’t, and send the pictures to the local Wildlife Warden.
Whatever the situation, better education needs to be out there.
Just my 2 cents.
I remember these photos well. I also know how against baiting you are. I guess I never thought about the affect on raptors. To think of any bird being injured or killed because of another person’s selfishness is sickening. He may know how to take photos but he could care less about his subjects. Thank you for caring about your birds and for your beautiful photos.
Thank you, Debbie.
Thank you for posting these photos & this information. When I first started going to your Blog, I had know idea what you meant by “not baited”, but just awhile ago you mentioned this kind of thing happening which I found upsetting then. In my stupidity, I had know idea that people would do such a thing. Then I started to wonder if some photographers would actually kill another bird or animal to toss out to attract a Raptor just so they can get some good shots. Thank you for your honesty and your being a good photographer with a great amount of integrity & respect for what you do. I noticed here that road kill during the winter is often pushed over an embankment where crows, eagles & other wildlife have a feed I will not take pictures of these birds eating the road kill, I just leave them alone knowing this is a time for nature to take it’s course & no time for picture taking. Thank you again Ron, for being you. You may not see this as it is late and it was a long work day for me but had to get my two cents in too!
I appreciate your two cents no matter the time, Shirley. I barely saw it though because I had actually reached up to turn my computer off when I heard your comment come in. Yup, it’s bedtime for this old bird photographer…
Thanks for bringing this forward Ron. I have similar images of harriers in “combat” images from Farmington Bay — probably the same birds on the same duck. I think I photographed them two years in a row before I became suspicious. Why were they fighting over a carcass, was it really a duck carcass or a frozen chicken? Why each year did there happen to be a carcass in the same convenient location? I never saw anyone bait the harriers in this location though. I can only assume they were baited, and therefore careful on saying anything more. It was exciting to see such action at first, and be able to photograph it. Then looking at the intensity of the fights between the harriers I became concerned about injuries between the birds. Out in nature wildlife does fight over food, however I think when intentional baiting occurs the fights are more frequent and involve more birds — especially when bait is reapplied to the same area, raptors will learn and more will come.
I also participated one year in photographing Bald Eagles fighting over dead carp from Eagle Day at Farmington Bay. At first I was over-joyed with the action and photos. However, I knew what the context really was and that took the experience and personal value away from these images for me. There are all kinds of arguments regarding the pros/cons of Eagle Day. The argument that affected me the most was truth in reporting. Knowing the true story of how I could get 5 or more eagles entangled in a fight on the frozen ground, versus a non-baited lucky moment in nature when you were at the right place and time and it all worked out. That purely wild image has a much more meaningful story to it for me.
Now I really do not know what to do with these “tainted” images. So I tend to not promote them.
This topic has many facets. Each person has their own views on what is right and wrong. I have changed my initial views (if the bait is already there, then why not take photos…) to now looking more at the overall experience and story behind the photo. I want to believe that others have, or will, learn as I did to look at the story behind the photo more. What is genuine, and what is setup.
The end goal for me now is the welfare of the wildlife. Instant gratification, social media attention seeking, and competition between photographers will unfortunately motivate some to take extra (un-natural) steps to getting wildlife photos. The key is to highlight the ethical photographers who show that great images can be had without baiting. The real heroes.
As an old-washed up Yosemite rock climber I am reminded of the times in rock climbing where climbers would rappel down a cliff, put in expansion bolts or preset protection, then do a “first ascent” from the ground. The Yosemite climbers were hard core traditionalists and we were against this new type of climbing occurring elsewhere in the world. Then every decade or so a new rock climber would arrive who was able to do the “impossible” and advance the climbing world in a purist and ethical manner (look at Alex Honnold’s free solo of El Capitan this year as an example). I think it is respectful and smart to leave some of the big challenges there, so one day someone might just come along and concur those challenges.
In wildlife photography there might be a photographer who captures a kingfisher entering the water perfectly on an un-baited, natural, non-setup situation. Leaving that as a future milestone is good. Diluting that accomplishment with lots of baited images takes away from the entire field of nature photographers.
“In wildlife photography there might be a photographer who captures a kingfisher entering the water perfectly on an un-baited, natural, non-setup situation. Leaving that as a future milestone is good. Diluting that accomplishment with lots of baited images takes away from the entire field of nature photographers.”
I like the way you said that, Ed. You and I are two peas in a pod.
I was always much more suspicious of some of my eagle shots being baited by others – much more than I was about these harrier photos. So I was surprised to learn that they almost certainly had been baited. Shouldn’t have been but I was.
Yes, photographers at Farmington have actually used store-bought chickens as bait (have to wonder if it was “Donald”) and during harsh winters almost anything will eat them. I’ve even photographed coots eating them which surprised the hell out of me. And I once photographed a starving Song Sparrow eating carp!
Baiting raptors is an unforgivable travesty IMO. It often has negative effects on the birds and it’s a lazy, selfish and unethical practice.
That is as bad as some hunter getting on his ATV and hazing the elk herd so they would go in where hunters were waiting for them. It’s like cheating with drugs in sports. It seems that there are lots of folk who like to be number one, regardless of what it takes to get them there. I can’t see how people could have any fun when they lack integrity. Although I was aware of people doing the same thing in fishing I had no idea bird photographers practiced it. Thanks for comments on this. While the images are adrenaline-producing they lose their value when one knows how it was an unfair set-up for the birds.
“I can’t see how people could have any fun when they lack integrity”
That’s EXACTLY how I feel, Jane. But apparently for most folks these days fame and/or fortune trump (I despise that word) integrity and ethics every time.
It is despicable for people to interfere with natural hunting. They want to get a photo of raptors that they admire, so they sacrifice other species that they deem unimportant – such as poor mallards and chickens. Totally screwed up and so very, very human!
🙂
I appreciate this. Baiting causes more harm than good in my view. Yes, I love seeing the amazing pictures, but the animals can become dependent. Also, what if the carrion left for bait is diseased or carrying poison? Ugh. SO many things to worry about. I’d rather see your photos, professor.
Thanks, Arwen.
I so appreciate your scruples. Amazing Harrier pictures. I cannot imagine baiting, and share your opinions completely. I had a funny thing happen once that I would not have felt bad about had it worked out. I was out walking my dogs one day and suddenly a dead female mallard dropped out of the sky and landed about 20 feet ahead of me on the trail. I looked up and saw a peregrine flying away, apparently having just dropped its prey. I hurried the five minutes back to my house to get my camera and returned to a natural blind about 50 yards from the duck. I hid out waiting for the bird to come back and get the duck. Alas, it never came back. That was as close to baiting as I have ever come.
Thank you, Ann. I don’t think the situation you describe would have been baiting at all.
Ron, I do not approve of baiting as it has been described by your experiences. But it can be confusing about what is really going on at first, but when you look closer you can see it for what it is. There is a locally acclaimed event a few miles from were I live in which a chicken farm/factory throws hundreds of chicken carcasses into an open field to attract numerous Bald Eagles and subsequently, very many enthusiastic ‘nature’ photographers who show up the annual feeding frenzy. I do not know how many are professional or amateur photographers attend, and how many may be excused for lack of field experience or simplemindedness about their complicity. One could argue, and some do, that the Bald Eagles are being fed and that photographing them is an exciting by-product of a humane activity. But I don’t buy it. I don’t think any photograph gained under that pretense has any value as nature photography even if they do win awards. It is fakery and fraud. I have never attended the event and never will. It seems to me that there is nothing natural or humane about setting the stage where possibly 100 lethally equipped raptors have to duke it out for a factory produced meal. With human spectators in attendance, it just says blood sport to me. And there is something demeaning when an animal’s natural instinct for survival is manipulated and popularized in this way. I have so much respect for what you do, Ron. There is nothing cheap about it. There is real commitment and love for the birds and animals you photograph, with all of that field work going into understanding their true natures and in doing them justice. When you fail or succeed, you do it honestly and with integrity. That’s what makes your goals and views worthy of sharing. And I am grateful that you do. On a smaller scale, do you consider bird feeder photography a type of baiting? We do like to feed and observe birds in winter and I sometimes sketch and photograph them from our kitchen window. I guess it is baiting, isn’t it? Where does the ethical line get drawn in this case? Hmmm. Maybe more authentic field work is the answer.
Robert, I have no ethical problem with photographing birds at feeders. I don’t photograph them at feeders because that would be considered a setup and I don’t do setups but for me it isn’t an ethical issue it’s just something that doesn’t appeal to me personally. I often have a feeder out but unless I’m just practicing photography technique or testing my gear I don’t photograph them there.
For me photographing songbirds at feeders is a completely different animal than baiting raptors.
I’ve heard about that chicken carcass practice you describe. It’s something I wouldn’t participate in either. I learned that lesson a few years ago when Farmington Bay WMA deliberately trucked in loads of carp in order to make a big spectacle about eagles feeding on them. It was a disgusting mess in more ways than one.
Thanks! I am glad your did not think it silly for me to ask about photographing birds at feeders. I know there is a vast difference in scale and intent when raptors are baited or set up, and the consequences are different. Once though, I felt very badly when a Merlin swooped in and took a Bluejay off one of our feeders. I didn’t know what to do at the time, since it was an totally unintended consequence of having set the feeder out. The Merlin spent several minutes dispatching its kill a few feet away, while I deliberated over my feeling of responsibility. Nature is opportunistic that way, and deadly quick, but it was a bit too much in my face, the predator/prey thing. If it happened out in the field somewhere I think I would be more at ease with it.
Robert, Baiters have been comparing what they do to photographing songbirds at feeders for decades. Personally I think the comparison is an inaccurate one, a red herring of sorts.
“Donald’ made his decision. You made yours.
Without question the Donalds of this world capture some stunning images. So do you.
One of them is a decision which would let me sleep at night. One of them is not.
Sadly the numbers of people/professions on old Mac Donald’s farm are high, but I think/hope that the tide is turning. I have to.
Thank you. As always.
EC, that issue of sleeping at night is a literal one for me, For that reason any ethics I may have are at least partly due to my own self interests.
I am not surprised. And also totally unsurprised that issues which keep you awake at might relate to the well-being of other things. The very best kind of self interest.
Come for the photos. Stay for the integrity. That’s why many of us are here every day! 🙂
Greed winning out over ethics is a sad commentary on the times in which we live. Yes, there have always been those for whom the attainment of money/power/fame is the goal regardless of the means. However, these days those people seem to be much more proud, “in-your-face” and gloating about it all. And yes, I’m including the other Donald and certain members of Congress as evidenced by recent votes. I also wonder about the person who spent $450 MILLION on a painting this week, given what else could be done with that same vast fortune.
Now that I’ve totally depressed myself and everyone reading this, I’m going to go play with my 4-week-old foster kittens whose only “greed” is to see who can climb “Marty the cat tree” the fastest.
I hope you don’t end up like a pin cushion with all those cats climbing you, Marty! Thank you.
“Teh cyoot” makes it all worthwhile. Well, that and wearing jeans and long sleeves.
I have always loved these pictures!! And I would hang on to them because you really don’t know for fact they were baited .. and you grew and don’t condone it .. so if people have baited in past out of ignorance and mended they’re ways I don’t think they need to get rid of those pictures taken previously.. I have never even thought of baiting but mainly because it never occurred to me and wasn’t aware of practice till you brought up the subject some time ago in another blog
You’re right, Marina. I don’t know it for absolute fact. And I’ll definitely hang on to the photos.
“Donald’s” comments to you indicate to me that underneath itcall he knew it was deceptive and wrong….
I have no doubt about that, Patty.
I was thinking the same thing, Patty. He wouldn’t be so defensive if he didn’t think there was anything wrong.
Great post, Ron! Jeremy’s comment about this was “It’s easy to make money, if you don’t have ethics (just look at drug dealers and cheats). It’s easy to win awards, if you don’t have ethics.” I’ve not ever come across a photographer that was baiting or “rearranging nature” so I hadn’t even considered that some of the big-name respected nature photographers might be doing it. Your integrity is beyond question and it’s one of the things I love about you and your work.
Sharon, I’d add politicians to Jeremy’s list.
A big part of the reason the general public usually isn’t aware of baiting is because baiters are nearly always surreptitious about what they’ve done. They try to hide it because they know it’s shady behavior and often illegal. And because bird photography contests and magazines generally don’t allow the practice.
I realize that it’s much harder to find birds, let alone get good shots of them, when they aren’t baited, but baiting really bothers me. I don’t care if one is “old school” or not, it just seems wrong to me. If nothing else, it’s not what you’d find in nature. And I have always had issues with deception. I would be interested to learn about the effects baiting has on birds.
“I would be interested to learn about the effects baiting has on birds.”
Susan, if you google something like “bird photography ethics of baiting” the resources are vast.
Hi Ron,
If your rant were a Facebook post, I would “like” it. With LOTS of smiley faces😀😀😀😀
I have referred many people to your blog over the past few years. To view your wonderful images, yes, but also to read what you have to say.. As you know, I am not a photographer, but I do relate. I have been advocating “Mindful Birding” for the past few years and have written guidelines for two birding festivals. Those guidelines begin with the words, “The birds’ welfare is the highest priority…”
But, I’m rambling. Thanks for sharing your thoughts a swell as your images!
Cheers,
Dick.
Ha, it actually IS a FB post, Dick.
https://www.facebook.com/ron.dudley.92/posts/1636493596415983?comment_id=1636584673073542¬if_id=1510931285548577¬if_t=feed_comment
Mindful birding applies to bird photography too and I’m very happy that you promote it (I knew you would…).
Ron, I’ve been following your blog for awhile and the thing that always shines through about you is your integrity. It has always been clear how much respect you have for the creatures (and scenes) you photograph. I’m so glad you’re not a “Donald” (not lost on me that you chose the name Donald for this “asshat” 🤣🤣👍🏻) and I respect you so much for sticking to your guns and refusing to bait or knowingly capture images from a scene that has been “altered.” The fact that you would share this story with all of us speaks volumes for who you are- one of the good guys! Keep doing you, Ron! It’s why so many of us tune in every single day.
Your vote of confidence means a lot to me, Emily. I’ve found this stance of mine to be a difficult one to promote publicly because it would be very easy for me to come across as being sanctimonious but the only alternative would be to ignore it altogether.
Well, the good thing is your readers know who you are. You couldn’t come across as sanctimonious if you tried. 🙂
🙂
IMHO– if the situation photographed didn’t occur naturally ( i.e. without human intervention ), then as a matter of semantics, let alone ethics, it shouldn’t be described as “nature” photography. It grieves me
to think of animals weakened by near-starvation injuring each other –opening the way for infection–because some dude just couldn’t be patient and wait and watch for a good opportunity . You have my
permission to forward my comment to the dude in question…….please keep on upholding the authentically natural standard.
I absolutely agree with you, Kris – it isn’t nature photography!
Around here baiting will get you busted. And if I catch you, I will personally see to it that the bust is fast and recorded and the fine is serious. State fish and game code, federal law, and local regulations give me leave to make these assertions.
Martha, there are many forms of baiting, some of them legal and some of them not and that can also depend on where the baiting is done. Whenever I see illegal activities I try to document it and report it too.
Thank you.
🙂
Mornin’, Ron–I applaud and respect your stance on baiting. I have friends that bait and friends that don’t bait, matter of fact, one of the finest photographers I’ve ever met uses bait on raptors. It’s a hotly contested topic and for the most part, I try to stay out of it. I know that’s not very courageous, but for me, that’s just the way it is. That said…I don’t bait.
I’m sorry to hear that your relationship with “Donald” sounds like it’s over, but that’s just life, too. I can only imagine how it must bother you to know that the “Kung Fu shoot” was shot over bait, but I feel that you can still present those shots with a clear conscience. You didn’t know they were baited (if they were), and you’ve now publicly stated that they “might” have been shot over bait. What’s a guy gonna do?
I recently watched four Harriers working a bean field that was being harvested, and it was a sight to behold. I was excited when I got home and made a few phone calls and emails to friends, some of whom had never seen a Harrier here in Central MO, so I linked them to my favorite source of Harrier shots, which would be….yours. I send those links to friends each year that are bird lovers or photographers and are in the process of building some love for those beautiful babies. Thanks for the images, Ron!….Mitch
Mitch, as you allude to baiting can have significant but often subtle implications in the bird photography community and dealing with it can be ticklish to say the least.
I appreciate your confidence in my harrier photos – to the point that you’ve sent the links to your friends. Thanks for that.
Hey Ron
I feel your pain. It’s damned hard to be a deeply ethical person in a world that, sadly, lacks that quality
so much of the time. I appreciate your hardcore ethic and honestly AND your stunning and educational photographs.
Be well and be gentle on yourself.
I appreciate your VERY kind comment, Karen.
What “Donald” was doing was certainly the least of it from what bits I’ve read on the subject. It certainly isn’t fair to those who don’t bait and a slippery slope from “rearranging” some dead whatever to more actively providing “food” a.k.a. bait in a dramatic manner to hungry raptors possibly injuring them in the process – a.k.a. baited hooks. You, no doubt, aren’t the only photographer unaware they were shooting baited birds. I’m not for it – guess some like Donald consider it no different than another photographer “arranging” a model for a shoot….:( Great topic and food for thought for all of us photographing wildlife of any sorts.
You’re absolutely right, Judy. There are other forms of baiting that have negative effects on birds that didn’t exist here and that makes them much worse. My point was simply to point out that baiting can also cause other problems within the bird photography community. The entire subject is a can of worms and one I was hesitant to open but in the end I had to…