Golden Opportunity 0819
A Kori Bustard takes an opportunity to scour the golden meadow alongside a herd of zebra. Zebra's will flush out some of the meadow's insects making the bustard's hunting a bit more profitable. Rarely does a day pass that time taken in the field to observe and photograph nature does not lead to a lesson learned. But some lessons learned are not always the most pleasant.
I recently learned of several photographers, who while in the company of other photographers saw fit to send the others off on a promise of finding a "golden goose." It was a golden goose that they claim to have photographed earlier in the day. They did so in order that they might have the present photographic opportunity all to themselves, and they did so with pleasure. In fact, the golden goose never existed at all, but it provided them with a means to an end. I never saw wildlife photography as a competition. Rarely do I enter my photos into competitions for that reason. My edification and enjoyment has little to do with the beauty of someone else's picture. I bring my photos home so that I may remember the events and share them with friends and nature lovers. I can enjoy an excellent photo by another photographer not feel slighted or cheated. I can applaud the accomplishments of others without feeling envy. Sending someone off on a wild goose chase or purposely disrupting a photo opportunity so that no one else "gets the shots" is, at the very least, unethical, likely immoral, and without a doubt, loathsome. We who enjoy nature know who you are. We are able to share the golden opportunities that nature provide with all who are willing to observe, respect, and enjoy. #respect #honor #truthnotlies
Golden Opportunity 0819
A Kori Bustard takes an opportunity to scour the golden meadow alongside a herd of zebra. Zebra's will flush out some of the meadow's insects making the bustard's hunting a bit more profitable. Rarely does a day pass that time taken in the field to observe and photograph nature does not lead to a lesson learned. But some lessons learned are not always the most pleasant.
I recently learned of several photographers, who while in the company of other photographers saw fit to send the others off on a promise of finding a "golden goose." It was a golden goose that they claim to have photographed earlier in the day. They did so in order that they might have the present photographic opportunity all to themselves, and they did so with pleasure. In fact, the golden goose never existed at all, but it provided them with a means to an end. I never saw wildlife photography as a competition. Rarely do I enter my photos into competitions for that reason. My edification and enjoyment has little to do with the beauty of someone else's picture. I bring my photos home so that I may remember the events and share them with friends and nature lovers. I can enjoy an excellent photo by another photographer not feel slighted or cheated. I can applaud the accomplishments of others without feeling envy. Sending someone off on a wild goose chase or purposely disrupting a photo opportunity so that no one else "gets the shots" is, at the very least, unethical, likely immoral, and without a doubt, loathsome. We who enjoy nature know who you are. We are able to share the golden opportunities that nature provide with all who are willing to observe, respect, and enjoy. #respect #honor #truthnotlies