{"id":20268,"date":"2015-02-18T05:58:33","date_gmt":"2015-02-18T12:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?p=20268"},"modified":"2025-10-05T15:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T20:24:07","slug":"addressing-a-strange-comment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2015\/02\/18\/addressing-a-strange-comment\/","title":{"rendered":"Addressing A Strange Comment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AmericanAmerican Coot standing on thin ice<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyone who has worked on their own web site that allows comments knows that there are times you get comments that make you scratch your head.<\/p>\n

Some times they are just spam bots and they get deleted if they even make it through the spam filter.<\/p>\n

I really don’t know what the reason is for the people running those spam bots, they are simply annoying and fortunately I have plugins and applications that deal with those.<\/p>\n

\"strangeStrange Comment from “NatureGuy”<\/span><\/p>\n

But then there are comments that make you go hmmm. I woke up two mornings ago and found this comment waiting for approval from someone using the name NatureGuy who must be a real person because they know I post “even when on vacation” so I’d like to say hi NatureGuy, thanks for following my blog? But I’d also like to add my own two cents to your comment.<\/p>\n

I have never found any blog on the entire www except for this one, where posts show up every day; even when you\u2019re on vacation.<\/em><\/p>\n

I guess maybe you don’t view many blogs on line? I have some sites I follow that not only post everyday but sometimes make several posts a day. I can honestly say that I have never felt compelled to write to the author and comment on how many times a day they post on their blog. It is their business, not mine.<\/p>\n

My blog?<\/p>\n

It isn’t your business.<\/p>\n

“Even when you’re on vacation”. Well I do go on extended photo trips if that is what you mean by “vacation” but for me they aren’t really vacations. They are every bit as enjoyable as a vacation, I get to see new locations, and photograph the the things I love in nature and relax.<\/p>\n

My journeys into the field each and every time are because I am following my passion whether they are close to home or far away.<\/p>\n

I find that a bit sad.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, alrighty then.<\/p>\n

Not that it is any of your business, but there are instances where I schedule my posts to be published ahead of time.<\/p>\n

I don’t always sit at my lap top in the middle of a great wilderness area writing posts.<\/p>\n

Mostly I’m out enjoying the birds, the grand views, the fresh air, the stars in the sky, and embracing the wonderful world around me.<\/p>\n

Not that any of that is your business, either.<\/p>\n

Sure, once in awhile I’ll post from my phone or by using my lap top from the campsite but really… what is so “sad” about that?<\/p>\n

It is my life you know and you don’t dictate<\/em> anything I do. Not one thing.<\/p>\n

Even if I wanted to publish posts everyday while on “vacation” I don’t see why this should ever concern you or anyone else.<\/p>\n

It’s really not your<\/em> business.<\/p>\n

I’m not the least bit sad about living my life the way I want to.<\/p>\n

Do you truly photograph for yourself?<\/em>
\nIt would appear that is not the case.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m not even sure how to answer this last bit but I’ll try.<\/p>\n

I photograph because I love my subjects and I love what I do. I love being out in nature. I photograph because I am following my passion. I photograph because it brings me joy.<\/p>\n

Do I share what I photograph?<\/p>\n

Of course I do.<\/p>\n

Other people enjoy seeing birds & wildlife images. Some people might never see what I see in my journeys and if I want to share with them, that is my choice, not yours.<\/p>\n

You don’t have a choice about a single thing in my life.<\/p>\n

I share my techs (except for this post because it really isn’t about the images today, is it?) and I get emails from people thanking me for that because they want to learn.<\/p>\n

I share my journeys into the field because I want to.<\/p>\n

Yes, I photograph for myself. And I share it, so what?<\/p>\n

It is still not your<\/em> business.<\/p>\n

\"Double-crestedDouble-crested Cormorant portrait<\/span><\/p>\n

Thanks for your comment. Though I 100% know and believe that your comment says far more about you<\/em> than it does me, my work, passion, or what I do with my life.<\/p>\n

Your comment did make me think about how fortunate I am to do what I love doing.<\/p>\n

Oh, and bless your little heart. Did your mommy have you tested? Maybe you need to be.<\/p>\n

My life is<\/em> good.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

American Coot image take in Utah in December 2009. Double-crested Cormorant image taken on Anclote Key, Florida in May 2005.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anyone who has worked on their own web site that allows comments knows that there are times you get a strange comment that make you scratch your head. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":159383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137,3341,27,144,25,709,26],"tags":[4010,4021,3342,149,4121,4173,3344,4035,3343,3345,3980,11922,4032],"class_list":["post-20268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-american-coots","category-anclote-key","category-avian","category-double-crested-cormorant","category-florida","category-salt-lake-county-utah","category-utah","tag-american-coot","tag-bird-photography","tag-blog-comments","tag-double-crested-cormorant","tag-fulica-americana","tag-nannopterum-auritus","tag-nature-guy","tag-nature-photography","tag-natureguy","tag-natureguygmail-com","tag-pinellas-county","tag-strange-comment","tag-wildlife-photography"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-ice-mia-mcpherson-8204.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p11Mom-5gU","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45213,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2017\/02\/24\/double-crested-cormorant-and-american-coot-in-a-snow-storm\/","url_meta":{"origin":20268,"position":0},"title":"Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in a Snow Storm","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"It was my photos of a Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in the snow storm that touched me the most even though both birds are small in the frame.","rel":"","context":"In "American Coots"","block_context":{"text":"American Coots","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/gruiformes\/american-coots\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Double-crested Cormorant and American Coot in snow, Salt Lake County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/double-crested-cormorant-coot-snow-storm-mia-mcpherson-9253.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/double-crested-cormorant-coot-snow-storm-mia-mcpherson-9253.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, 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Double-crested Cormorant drying their wings, Salt Lake County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/double-crested-cormorant-wings-mia-mcpherson-3146.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/double-crested-cormorant-wings-mia-mcpherson-3146.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/double-crested-cormorant-wings-mia-mcpherson-3146.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/double-crested-cormorant-wings-mia-mcpherson-3146.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43914,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2016\/12\/14\/american-coot-being-chased-for-its-food\/","url_meta":{"origin":20268,"position":2},"title":"American Coot Being Chased For Its Food","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"December 14, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The American Coot seemed to turn its head a few times to see if it was still being chased and when it saw that it was it it kept scooting across the surface of the pond and always kept its bill clamped down on its food.","rel":"","context":"In "American Coots"","block_context":{"text":"American Coots","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/gruiformes\/american-coots\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Coot being chased for the food in its bill, Salt Lake County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-being-chased-mia-mcpherson-2069.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-being-chased-mia-mcpherson-2069.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-being-chased-mia-mcpherson-2069.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-being-chased-mia-mcpherson-2069.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":115372,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2023\/08\/24\/baby-american-coot-images\/","url_meta":{"origin":20268,"position":3},"title":"Baby American Coot Images","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"August 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday morning, I spent some time taking photos of baby American Coots not far from where I live. It does seem late in the summer for coot chicks.","rel":"","context":"In "American Coots"","block_context":{"text":"American Coots","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/gruiformes\/american-coots\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Baby American Coot in Salt Lake County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/american-coot-baby-summer-mia-mcpherson-8459.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/american-coot-baby-summer-mia-mcpherson-8459.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/american-coot-baby-summer-mia-mcpherson-8459.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/american-coot-baby-summer-mia-mcpherson-8459.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4538,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/02\/26\/signs-of-spring-american-avocets-and-double-crested-cormorants\/","url_meta":{"origin":20268,"position":4},"title":"Signs of Spring ~ American Avocets and Double-crested Cormorants","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"February 26, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I was right on the ID and saw not just one but two of American Avocets in flying along the causeway. Wow, more \"spring birds\"!","rel":"","context":"In "American Avocets"","block_context":{"text":"American Avocets","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/shorebirds\/american-avocets\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Avocet in flight, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/american-avocet-flight-mia-mcpherson-5906.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6313,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/2012\/10\/10\/american-coots-on-thin-ice\/","url_meta":{"origin":20268,"position":5},"title":"American Coots on Thin Ice","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"October 10, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"The temps are dropping here in the Salt Lake Valley, two days ago it was below freezing when we went out shooting. Winter brings challenges and birds we don't see during the summer so I am excited about that.","rel":"","context":"In "American Coots"","block_context":{"text":"American Coots","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/category\/avian\/gruiformes\/american-coots\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"American Coot on slippery ice, Salt Lake County, Utah","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-ice-mia-mcpherson-1068.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-ice-mia-mcpherson-1068.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-ice-mia-mcpherson-1068.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/american-coot-ice-mia-mcpherson-1068.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}