Re: [cobirds] A situation (Boulder)

I stopped to see the owl yesterday afternoon. At that time, there were nine people at the site, all were friendly, and the parking seemed light. I got several nice photos and left after about 20 minutes. This morning, on my way to RMNP, I made another stop. This time there were about 15 or more people, most with cameras, and parking was much more dense. I took ~25 photos over a 4 minute stretch, but it was overwhelming. I was putting away my gear when your friend who lives across the street from the site came over and spoke to the group. I would say that his talk was less of a complaint and more like a strong opinion. I've got to say that I agreed with him. Things were out of hand, numbers wise. Some of the group expressed that they understood his position, but made no move to leave. I get it that everyone with a camera wants to get THE photo that'll make it on the cover of National Geographic, and so stay for a very long time. Your friend suggested that only a few come at any one time. Unless there is some way to meter the number of people, that won't happen. I would suggest that we act responsibly, find the bird, shoot a few photos and leave after 20 to 30 minutes. Will someone else get lucky and get that great photo? Maybe, but that's just going to be what will be. Personally, I will not be going back. I've been lucky to see and photograph the owl, and that's all I need.

Dan

Dan O'Donnell
djod@me.com

On Mar 3, 2022, at 11:42, DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman@msn.com> wrote:

It has come to my attention that photographers, some of whom may be birders, are causing a problem west of Lyons in their lust for a pygmy-owl.  At the risk of pissing some of you off, and causing even more people to seek this bird by publicizing it, I ask for restraint.  The person who called me is not a birder but a guy I used to work with who knows I am into birds.  He owns property bordering Route 7 w of town where he says 16 cars full of loud-talking people pointing big cameras, rutting the right-of-way that he maintains are back again today, the way they have been in numbers for days (weeks?).  He is upset and I don't blame him.  He says that whoever these people are, they don't really care about the bird, that they act very entitled, that this is all just about getting the photo and social.  In short these sorts of situations give birders a black eye and they are becoming more commonplace.  If anyone reading this knows about the situation first hand, has been there, has a comment or rebuttal I can pass on to my friend, I am all ears.  My friend hasn't called the sheriff yet but is about to and it makes me sad to think "we" might have caused a reasonable person with deep sentiments for conservation and the natural world to be so upset.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

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