Paul Mc said:
Can't comment on the thinking around moving the foliage tho???
I wasnt going to make a reply to this yet because as sure as God made little green apples it will turn rapidly into a non productive "discussion"
However the above comment has forced me to do so.
Paul -
I NEVER moved ANY foliage
As innocent as your comment was it will soon be a case of Chinese whispers and before long I will have taken the nest out of the tree, taken it home and photographed it under studio conditions.
As was elequenty put to me earlier on the phone - I know nothing about birds. I agree and have always stated that. I have tried to learn more though by asking questions only to find, in general those, questions are ignored.
I do however know how to conduct myself around wildlife and would never knowlingly do something to compromise any creatures well being.
I can only repeat the circumstances around the taking of the nest photo.
The nest was in full view from the path leading to the feeding station, no foliage in front of it, no long grass - nothing.
The colour of the nest meant it was very easily spotted.
I setup my little chair, tripod etc on the path 50 yards away from the nest and took the photos.
I
DIDN'T approach the nest before hand and I
didn't move anything to make it easier to get photos. I took photos exactly as the nest was.
It was after I had taken the photos I wanted that I decided (rightly or wrongly) to at least try and make the nest a little less obvious, and it is this action which I presume has annoyed certain people immensely.
I made the decision to stick 3 bulrushes into the ground a yard or so in front of the nest site and in line with position it could be seen from the path. I felt that at least that would hide the nest a little. I did this when both birds had left the nest and afterwards I returned to my chair and watched until I was sure the birds returned - they did.
Now I am content in my own mind that what I did in no way disturbed or worried the birds. Nor do I feel I did anything to compromise the nest. If others are shocked or angry at those actions then I can only apologise for doing something they find objectionable.
I now find myself in a situation where I have people phoning me and PMing me saying I did nothing wrong and at the same time reading posts from people who genuinely feel upset and angry.
The knowledge on this forum is staggering and I dont share any of that in any shape or form - what I tried to do was simply be part of the community by sharing the only aspect of birding that I can do reasonably well and that is take photos.
If the integrity of the photos then becomes an issue then obviously I'm quite happy not to participate.
To be honest I would rather anyone wishing to condemn me or speak their mind did so via PM as I really dont see why the forum in general should suffer.
I'll happily take your comments on the chin if you wish to express them.
