By Mia McPherson, on February 9th, 2012% Last September I visited Flaming Gorge National Recreation area for the first time. Wow, nature never ceases to delight and amaze me.
My eyes had trouble keeping up with all of the fantastic sights that I saw from the brilliant red walls of the Flaming Gorge Canyon, the stunning blues of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the gentle slope of Antelope Flat and the rugged mountains of the Ashley Forest. I had heard about Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area but nothing that I had heard prepared me for the grandness of this area.
Flaming Gorge from above Sheep Creek Bay
Nikon D200, handheld, f/16, 1/160, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm
John Wesley Powell; whose mapping party was the first known to make passage down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, discovered this area during his expedition in May of 1869. This canyon was named because of its “flaming, brilliant red” color and I can truly understand why. The image above was taken after the sun had risen, at different times of the day the red is much more vivid.
Flaming Gorge Dam
Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm
In 1964 a 500 foot dam was placed in the Flaming Gorge Canyon to harness hydroelectric power from the Green River. Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 91 miles in length and this National Recreation Area; established by Congress in October of 1968, is shared by the states of Utah and Wyoming. To get from one side of the canyon to the other there is a road that goes across the top of the dam.
View from above the Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Nikon D200, handheld, f16, 1/125, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 31mm
Recreation in the area includes boating, fishing, hiking, camping, looking for petroglyphs, backpacking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snow-mobiling. I haven’t found a site yet that lists birding or bird photography for recreation within the area but I’d say that the area is rich in birds and wildlife.
The dam is just out of view on the left side of this frame. In this location while I was there I saw huge flocks of Turkey Vultures soaring near the white bridge in the photo and several unoccupied Osprey nests. There were also Bald Eagles in the area.
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) ewe
Nikon D200, handheld, f9, 1/80, ISO 320, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm
We spent the first night camped near the Red Canyon Visitor Center in the cliffs about 1300 feet above the surface of the reservoir. Birds seen there included Turkey Vultures riding the thermals along the cliffs, Northern Flickers, Ospreys, Clark’s Nutcrackers and more.
I was super excited that there were herds of Bighorn Sheep in the area near the campsite, sometimes coming within 40 feet of the campsite and even closer to the truck. I didn’t see any rams unfortunately but I was able to photograph the ewes and their young. More images of the Bighorn Sheep can be seen here.
View of Flaming Gorge from the Dowd Mountain Overlook
Nikon D200, handheld, f16, 1/250, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 29mm
Another location where I spotted flocks of Bighorn Sheep was driving up to the Dowd Mountain Overlook which has expansive views of Flaming Gorge Canyon and Reservoir from an elevation of 8087 feet. Clark’s Nutcrackers also seem to love the abundant Pinion Pines in that location as I spotted many of them flying overhead. Of course I had my D200 with the wide angle lens in hand when they flew over, not when I had my 200-400mm VR within reach! It figures, right?
I’m not much on heights but walking along the edge of the overlook and looking down into the canyon was dizzying in a good way. My knees still wobbled some though.
Looking down on the Swett Ranch Historic Site
Nikon D200, handheld, f18, 1/250, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 80mm
Not far from the Red Canyon Visitor Center is an overlook that has great views of the Flaming Gorge Canyon and the Swett Ranch Historic Site. The ranch was occupied by Oscar and Emma Swett plus their nine children through most of the 1900′s. The U.S. Forest Service now operates the ranch as a working historic site. The ranch closes on Labor Day so I didn’t go down to get a closer view, I’m sure it is very interesting though and I adore photographing old buildings.
 Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) doe
Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
Mule Deer thrive in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Ashley National Forest, it is not uncommon to wake up and see Mulies grazing not far from a campsite or see herds of them feeding on the grasses in open areas. Their eyes and long lashes enchant me.
Other large animals that might be seen are elk, moose, wild horses, mountain lions, and bears. I must admit that on the second night spent camped inside the tall pine forest I was cautious about walking around late in the evening or early morning because I didn’t want to meet up with a bull Moose, bear or lion. It was probably a bit too close to the road for them to visit, but you just never know.
Green River
Nikon D200, handheld, f11, 1/350, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm
Below the Flaming Gorge dam the Green River provides great fishing opportunities in areas such as Little Hole, Red Canyon Stretch, Brown’s Park and Devil’s Hole. A 30 pound Brown Trout was caught in this area in 1996. The scenery alone is spectacular!
In case my mother reads this, no, I didn’t have my fly rod but I know you would love to fish on that river!
View from the camp site towards the Flaming Gorge Canyon
Nikon D200, handheld, 1/200, f16, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm at 18mm
After being primarily up in the higher country of the forest for two days it was quite a change to move camp down to Antelope Flats and the wide open, grassy plain along the reservoir. The quiet was amazing, the view tantalizing and a wonderful peaceful feeling enveloped me. There were small flocks of ducks that would fly by, gulls dipping their bills into the water and Common Loons floated on the gorgeous blue water. There is a loon in this frame in the water just above the Russian Olive but it is too small to see at the size posted.
View from the Antelope Flat camp site
Nikon D200, handheld, f22, 1/80, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 44mm
I won’t soon forget how wonderful it was to cook and eat garlic sautéed Shrimp and Cheese Ravioli smothered in Alfredo sauce while looking out at this view. I am certain that a Five Star Restaurant could not have topped this, not even close! Ah…
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) lift off
Nikon D300, f5.6, 1/400, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 235mm, not baited
While camping at Antelope Flat birds were not terribly abundant, I spotted Turkey Vultures, Horned Larks and several Golden Eagles along with the other birds I mentioned earlier. The Goldens weren’t very cooperative, they always seemed to be perched in areas where I couldn’t get good light on the birds or they would fly right towards the sun. I kept this image to inspire myself to get better images of them.
Even though birds are my primary focus and passion in photography being in places like Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area does smooth out the disappointment I feel when missing a great shot of a bird, it is just such a fantastic location. I think visiting earlier in the year might have increased the chances of seeing more birds and getting better shots of them.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) buck keeping an eye on his does
Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
There seems to be a good reason that this section of Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is called “Antelope Flat”, it is much flatter than other areas closer to the canyon and dam plus there are plenty of Pronghorn there. Pronghorns are not technically “Antelope” but that is what they were called long ago and the name Pronghorn Antelope is still used today by some people.
Even though my visit may have been a little late to see larger numbers of birds it was very well timed for the Pronghorn because it was rutting season and this buck was trying to keep control of his does while chasing off interloping males. They must burn tons & tons of calories during rut because they are on the run all the time.
Pronghorn does on a hill in evening light
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
Every morning and evening the Pronghorn were close to the campsite in beautiful light watched over by the buck. He had over 25 does and young in his harem and they kept him on his toes; or more correctly his hooves, constantly plus there always seemed to be another male lurking just outside of his territory in the hopes of whisking away a few females of the dominant buck’s harem.
 A herd of Pronghorn on a ridge at Antelope Flat
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm
It was fascinating to watch the interactions of the Pronghorns as the buck would herd his harem up the ridges and how they always seemd to keep one eye on him while grazing, resting or looking towards me. Besides, they are beautiful, sleek and interesting creatures.
Evening Pronghorns
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO 1000, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Ashley National Forest and Antelope Flat are all spectacular locations for photography plus it is simply a marvelous place to relax and enjoy the astounding beauty of nature.
Mia
By Mia McPherson, on January 24th, 2012% This is part 2 of my three part series on Wild and Wonderful Antelope Island State Park and it covers some of the wildlife that can be found howling, grazing, buzzing, napping and posing for my camera.
Wildlife of Antelope Island:
A Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)
Nikon D200, f13, 1/500, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 278mm
One of the first furry critters I saw on my original visit to Antelope Island was a Black-tailed Jackrabbit and I was thrilled because I had not seen them for the five years that I had lived in Florida. I love their huge ears, the soft brown of their eyes and how they wiggle their noses.
This jackrabbits’ pose reminds me of the chocolate Easter bunnies I used to get in my basket as a child. A sweet memory for sure!
Bison (Bison Bison) Bull feeding
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm
In 1893 twelve Bison were taken by boat to Antelope Island, there were 4 bulls, 4 cows and 4 calves that provided the foundation for what is now the oldest and largest publicly owned Bison herd in the U.S.. The numbers of Bison on the island vary between 550 and 700 and the reason for that is that in October there is a yearly round up where the Bison are counted, inoculated and culled to keep the population under 700 which has been determined to be the holding capacity of Bison for the island. Some of the Bison from the round up are sold for meat or for breeding stock.
Huge herds of Bison will often make their way down to the shoreline during the warmer months to drink at the natural freshwater springs that are found there. It is amazing to see several hundred Bison all at once.
Photographing Bison can be a challenge to get the exposure right because they are so dark and quite often the surrounding pale golden grasses are in such stark contrast with each other. I’m still learning.
Tourists getting too close to the wild Bison
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1500, ISO 250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm
The Bison on Antelope Island are wild creatures that roam freely to graze, they are used to traffic and having people view them. They aren’t tame cattle though and they will charge when people get too close. On March 31, 2011 I saw not one, but two incidents that could have ended tragically for the people involved in getting too close to these huge Bison. I was up high and looking down towards the Bridger Bay Campground when I saw two men approaching a bull through my viewfinder, one of the men approached too close and the bull charged at the man. Fortunately the bull was just letting the guy know who was the boss because he stopped shortly after he charged.
Later I was down at the campground when these women tourists got out of their vehicle and approached two bulls within 15 feet. I’m really grateful those bulls did not trample these women and that I didn’t have to witness that type of event.
It pays to stay safe and keep a healthy distance from these huge Bison.
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) buck in velvet
Nikon D200, f8, 1/2000, ISO 320, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
There are herds of Mule Deer that also roam the island. They are more skittish than the Bison but I see them often while out looking for birds and wildlife to photograph. I recently saw two bucks fighting with each other while they were in rut. Oh, how I wish they had been closer so I could have gotten images of the great action.
Porcupine (Erethizon doratum) in a tree
Nikon D300, F6.3, 1/1250, ISO 800, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
There are two animals on the island who have thus far eluded me that I have my heart set on getting great images of, they are Badgers and Porcupines. I’ve seen Badgers on the hillsides and once saw one along the causeway but I have been unable to get close enough, fast enough to get the images of them that I would like. The same could be said about Porcupines, they are always too far away.
Last fall I saw a Porcupine on the rocks while driving towards Frary Peak, the setting would have been stunning but I didn’t get there fast enough and the Porcupine hid under the rocks.
She (or he) who hesitates loses the shot. I still can’t go by those rocks without thinking of the shot I missed.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) buck portrait
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm
I would be remiss if I didn’t include images of the animal that Antelope Island is named after even though Pronghorns are not true Antelopes. Pronghorns used to be nemesis animals for me but since moving to Utah I have been able to fill out my portfolio with many images of these lovely, powerful creatures. I just can’t see or photograph them often enough for my tastes.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) buck in rut chasing another buck
Nikon D200, f8, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 22omm
When male Pronghorns are in rut they expend enormous amounts of energy chasing off rivals and in keeping their harems under control. I haven’t seen any physical contact between two competing bucks but I understand that does happen. I always look forward to photographing Pronghorns when I am on the island.
Coyote (Canis latrans) in the early morning
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 350mm, not baited or called in
Some people have a fear of wolves, coyotes and even domesticated dogs, ranchers don’t like wolves or coyotes because of their concern for their livestock. I believe that healthy populations of wolves and coyotes are a benefit to the natural world. Coyotes keep rodent populations down and Wolves cull out the weakened animals of herds such as Elk and Deer.
Coyote (Canis latrans) in the icy shoreline of the Great Salt Lake
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 315mm, not baited or called in
Personally I think Coyotes are fascinating and beautiful and I enjoy observing and photographing them when any opportunity is presented to me. Like Antelope Island itself, they too are wild and wonderful.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on a Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/60, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm
I don’t want to forget some of the insects that are found on Antelope Island though there is one species I wish didn’t exist there AT all, and they are the Biting Gnats or No-see-ums that typically come out the later part of spring and make everyone miserable for weeks at a time. Those little buggers will find the one spot that was missed when applying insect repellent and bite it over & over again. They are NOT nice but I keep paying their price to photograph on the island when they are out.
There are less aggressive insects on the island like the Monarch Butterfly in the image above feeding on the nectar of a Showy Milkweed at Fielding Garr Ranch.
Western Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona oaxacensis)
Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm
During July and August on the island there are spider webs everywhere and this is the spider that makes those webs, the Western Spotted Orbweaver. Some folks might be frightened by them but I think they do a great job with the bugs and they are also food for the birds.
Brine flies in flight with pupal casings on the rocks
Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
Speaking of food for the birds… Brine flies are a great source of food for the gulls and shorebirds that inhabit the Great Salt Lake and along the shoreline of Antelope Island. They number in the billions are certain times of the year and swarm along the shoreline. California Gulls are great fun to watch and photograph when they are feeding on the flies. You can see one of my posts about that here.
A swarm of Brine flies
Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm
Unlike the Biting Gnats (aka no-see-ums) Brine flies do not bite. They do form thick swarms right along the shoreline that might be distressing for people who are afraid of bugs but they don’t go far from the shoreline. The flies spend a portion of their lives under the water in larval form then they hatch from the pupal casings and provide protein for the birds. Brine flies are a very important part of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
My next and final post in this three part series is Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Birds
Mia
By Mia McPherson, on May 9th, 2011% 
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) along the causeway
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/160, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm with 1.4x TC at 220mm, natural light
Last week I spent some time camping in southern Utah hoping to find birds to photograph. Well it did not pan out as far as birds go (a little too early in the year for the species we wanted to photograph) but the scenery, weather and the company was fantastic.
The next day after returning to Salt Lake due to the lack of birds we headed to Antelope Island State Park where the birds are not lacking. I admit, I was having “withdrawls, I needed a bird fix.
On the causeway the Mule Deer was running away from the island, I should have known it might have had a reason to do that. The doe paused long enough for a few photos then on towards the island we went.
Willet (Tringa semipalmata) lifting off from a sagebrush
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
The first bird close enough to photograph was a Chukar (common on the island), I got the window rolled down and rested my lens on my noodle and got ready to photograph the bird.
Almost immediately I could feel a stinging senation on my cheek, then my hairline followed by my wrist. I groaned “The biting gnats are back!”. It is amazing how much difference a few days can make. The biting gnats come out around the end of April on Antelope Island and they last for weeks. And weeks. For what seems to be years.
They are tiny, little buggers but their bites are big. They don’t take a huge chunk out of you or anything but the bites do make thier presence known. I’d written about the need to “Buy cases of insect repellent” in a bird photography blog post here in February and maybe people thought I was joking but you do need those cases of insect repellent for those biting gnats. Even after using the repellent those nasty gnats still find unprotected areas to bite. They are a scourge. After the biting gnats appear there are signs at the park entrance noting the presence of gnats and just how bad they are. “Biting gnats are present” and “Biting gnats are very bad”.
Male Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
So, just at the time of year when the Pronghorns and the Bison will have their young, the Willets are returning to call on the rocks, when Black-billed Magpie chicks should be hatching, when the Long-billed Curlews are on their nests and bird activity really picks up on the island… the biting gnats come back.
If you have never been bitten by the gnats on Antelope Island, thank your lucky stars and be glad. The itching doesn’t start right away but when it does, you will sure know it! I have to wonder if the gnats bite the birds and animals on the island or if they just prefer humans.
I hereby put the millions of biting gnats on Antelope Island on notice: No matter how many times you break through my insect repellent shield, I am still going to photograph birds on Antelope Island. No matter how much you make me itch or make me gasp from the fumes of the bug juice, I am still going to show up on the island. You might bug me (literally) but you won’t stop me either. And every chance I get I will squash the snot right out of you. You can bite me but you won’t win!
The biting gnats seem to go away once the temperatures hit the 90 degree mark, not soon enough if you ask me.
I wonder if Calamine lotion would help with the itching in my scalp? Pink hair does seem to be in fashion…
Yes, I am addicted to bird photography.
Mia
By Mia McPherson, on October 24th, 2010%  Wild Mule Deer in velvet, Antelope Island State Park, Utah
D200, f6.3, 1/100, ISO 400, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm,
natural light, not baited and not a setup
Yesterday I was getting caught up on local, US and World news when I came across an article titled “ND Vote Could Ban Big Game Hunting On Fenced Land” on cbsnews.com. I mainly photograph birds but I also enjoy photographing other animals so I clicked on the link to read the story. I was stunned. Yes, I think I have had my head in a hole in the sand up until now about this hot topic. I’ve done some research on this and the more I read, the sicker I felt.
Measure No. 2 on the November 2, 2010 general election on the North Dakota ballot seeks to abolish fenced preserves where people pay to shoot big game such as deer and elk.
The Mule Deer above isn’t a dumb animal.
The truly dumb animals are the people who install high fences on private property to cage large game animals inside and then for enormous fees encourage and allow other dumb animals to shoot captive animals and call it hunting.
I can’t call those people “hunters”, there is NO sport in killing a captive animal. It takes NO skill to execute a deer that cannot escape. It only requires cash to end the life of a majestic Moose or Elk.
All it requires is a thick wallet.
I’m not against hunting fairly. These are not fair hunts.
They call these places ”Game Preserves”. Preserves?? Make no mistake, these fenced in, large game captive animals are not being preserved. They are being killed with high powered weapons with NO chance of escape. To borrow a worn out phrase this is “shooting fish in a barrel”.
The definition of “preserve” from Merriam-Webster.com:
Definition of PRESERVE
transitive verb
1: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect
2a : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay
2 b : maintain
These game preserves are not keeping the large game animals safe from injury. The animals are not being kept safe from harm. These animals are not being protected or kept alive.
These large game animals are being RESERVED for the rich not preserved for everyone. The wealthy take a number, select which animal they want to shoot, hand over the cash, sit on thier butts, fire at their target and have the trophy mounted so they can hang it on their walls. These animals are being exploited for profit.
Wild Bull Elks resting
D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/250, ISO 200, 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light, not baited and not a set up
A quote from President Theodore Roosevelt, a conservationist who helped to preserve public lands, the animals on those lands and the natural resources contained on and within those lands:
“We need, in the interest of the community at large, a rigid system of game-laws rigidly enforced, and it is not only admissible, but one may almost say necessary, to establish, under the control of the State, great national forests reserves which shall also be breeding-grounds and nurseries for wild game; but I should much regret to see grow up in this country a system of large private game-preserves kept for the enjoyment of the very rich. One of the chief attractions of the life of the wilderness is its rugged and stalwart democracy; there every man stands for what he actually is and can show himself to be.”
Theodore Roosevelt
I’m sorry President Roosevelt, your regret has come to fruition. I am glad you are not around to see what is happening today. It would sicken and incense you.
Prices to extinguish the lives of large game animals varies by the size of the rack and what they call the Safari Club International (SCI) scoring system. Not only are there native large game animals these High Fence Shooting Galleries import exotics from other countries. A few links to check prices:
Red Butte Elk
Hazen, ND
http://www.redbutteelk.com/
Heavy Horns Shooting Preserve
Fullerton, ND
http://www.heavyhornsshootingpreserve.com/index.html
BattenKill Hunting Preserve
Salem, NY
http://www.battenkillhunt.com/
Pretty disgusting, isn’t it?
Some of these places call it “harvesting” which I think is laughable and sick. These are warm-blooded animals, not potatoes in a field, apples in a tree or barley growing on 2000 acres. They also claim these captive animals are as wild as any free roaming animals. Give us all a break, we don’t believe you. They may as well be shooting animals in a zoo.
Bobbing for apples would present far more of a challenge.
Many of these high fenced shooting galleries guarantee success or the “hunt” is free. It isn’t a hunt, this isn’t a sport, this is some rich person driving a vehicle within a few yards of a captive animal to plug bullets in it. Then they can hang their “trophy” on a wall and act like a “big man”. They are not hunters, they are simply the very rich people that Theodore Roosevelt spoke of. They are too lazy to hunt the way our forefathers did. They don’t want to be cold, uncomfortable and they surely do not appear to enjoy nature or the rigors of truly being a hunter.
Some of these “hunters” never touch what they have killed except to have their picture taken, they hire someone to gut and quarter the animal. What’s the matter, are they afraid to get their hands bloody?
This is about EGO
Some of the areas where the large animals are released are no larger than 20 acres which is about the size of 16 football fields.
Whoopee! They want to call it a hunt? Let’s call it what it is. A shooting gallery for the rich. My advice for those rich trophy seekers is to go to a carnival where they have those little yellow plastic ducks mounted on the tent wall that they can shoot and get a prize.
It really isn’t any different than shooting animals trapped behind a 9 foot fence except at the carnival no blood is being spilled. No animals lives are lost.
These places also state that YOU won’t feel fenced in. How could you not with 9 foot fences surrounding the perimeter? Big freaking deal, the animals are fenced in, they are imprisoned. Where is the sport in that? They justify by saying they want a 100% chance at getting the animal they are after. I want a 100% chance of winning a huge lottery prize but to do that cheating would have to be involved. Like I feel it is 100% cheating to shoot captive wild animals.
Yearling male Moose
D200, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 400, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 260mm, natural light, not baited and not a set up
In case you are wondering why a bird photographer is so incensed about this issue it is because I am not just a bird photographer.
I am a nature lover. I am someone who wants to preserve, to protect and conserve wilderness areas, the flora and the fauna so that future generations can see and enjoy nature. I’m also a mother who has taught her children to enjoy, respect and cherish wildlife. I am someone who cares.
Many of these so called private “Preserves” and Game Farms offer packages where photographers can visit and for a fee photograph the animals. Unscrupulous photographers then sell or exhibit the images without disclosing that they are captive animals.
Ted Williams at Audubon.org has written an excellent article about game farm photography here. It is a very interesting, thought provoking article. It also lists some publications who reject game farm images. I personally applaud book and magazine editors who will no longer print or publish photographs created using game farm or private preserve animals. Bravo, well done. Thanks for taking a stand.
I want NO part of photographing on private preserves or game farms. That isn’t my definition of nature photography.
Mia
Reading Material:
Measure 2 is about standards, moral credibility of our sport – By: Theodore Roosevelt IV, INFORUM
http://northdakotafairchase.com/ - This site had tons of information it has been taken down since November 2, 2010
Point of View: Game Farm Photography - by Thomas D. Mangelsen
Picture Perfect - From AudubonMagazine.org
Why We Need the Captive Exotic Animal Protection Act – The Humane Society of the United States
Canned Hunt - Wikipedia
Stop Canned Hunts - The Humane Society of the United States
Canned Hunts – The Humane Society of the United States
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Photographing a Tricolored Heron from a tidal lagoon
Focusing on Wildlife Contributor
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