Quote:
Originally Posted by N.V.M.
"The judicious use of flash in completely dark situations causing a brief vision alteration must be offset by the educational value of the photograph made. Technically excellent pictures of owls and other animals in their natural environment made at night with flash may, in the end, benefit the species as a result of increased public awareness. In select situations, the use of flash may be justified."
"Many nocturnal species rely upon other senses in combination with vision during dim or dark conditions; for example, the auditory capabilities of owls at night are probably far more important for hunting as compared with the visual sense."
"In summary, to produce phototoxic retinopathy, or permanent damage, a focused intense light must be held in one location on the retina for a time several magnitudes greater than the duration of a camera flash."
"Cell phone and radio towers, feral animals, air and water pollution, automobiles, and habitat reduction may be issues of much greater importance confronting bird and animal subjects than any temporary vision changes associated with the use of flash in dim or dark light. By limiting our nighttime use of flash and using fill-flash primarily to enhance ambient light photography, we hope to produce images of animal and bird subjects that will increase public awareness and appreciation of nature subjects. By calling attention to the importance of maintaining a diverse population of birds and animals on this planet, we may ultimately be able to improve the survival and quality of life of the subjects photographed."
Now what i'm really getting at is that nobody here DARE tell anybody else what is right or what is wrong. You can state you own policy of ethics, that's fine. But i'll tell you again, saying somebody is doing it wrong, especially without real facts, all i can say is go back to your tree and give it a hug. i'm going to get ostrasized by serious birders? are you fucking kidding me?
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Wow...it took you a whole week to research this on the all knowing internets? ...and no sources? All this because your ego couldn't take me using one exclamation mark? Did/do you blow up at your parents when they told you not to do something? Did you even bother to read my post where I explained why I wrote what I wrote? I did apologize to you on some points, you know. My point of view stems from a conversation I had a few years ago with two people who worked at O.W.L, the (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehabilitation Society.
I'm going to overlook your last two sentences, as I know you're still fairly new at this - but yes, you will lose respect with the other regular birders who frequent the most popular birding spots in the Lower Mainland. I'm just trying to be nice to you, because I saw your passion with birding - I didn't want you to be another one of those "That guy who _____" people who are made fun of within the circle. They'll never respect you - they're a hard group to get into. I thought maybe you'd want to join us (not that I'm in the core group myself) one day...