Posted by John Robinson on April 10, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Whilst nest photos are out nowadays , you might like to look at this old one and then instigate prosecution proceedings, !!
This is the first picture I ever took of an owl It has been hand coloured ( or computer coloured ) in Paint Shop Pro.
It was taken in the 60's on Ilford FP4 It was taken on the old upstairs section of a ruined house in the outskirts of Scunthorpe in north Lincs.
JohnR
Posted by David Sewell on April 11, 2009 at 7:44 AM
It is a lovely shot, John, and I am amazed that it is a recoloured b&w. As for the prosecution, I am not certain that barn owls needed a licence back then, wasn't it the 70's before they became schedule 1?
David
Posted by Kim Connolly on April 11, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Very difficult to believe it was ever black and white. Beautiful shot,
Posted by Brian Davis on April 11, 2009 at 2:59 PM
John, you were inviting a prosecution by giving us all that info re: location. But as Dave says I think you're safe. Nice shot too.
Posted by John Robinson on April 11, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Thanks
Interesting to see different reactions.
Craig
The website is at least 10 years out of date so it sould read "61 "years.
The owl in this case , with "fear in its eyes "went on to rear all the 4 chicks and in fact I got the planned demolition of the house held up in the nick of time.
We didn't have 1000mm lenses in those days either.
As far as the picture being in the public domain etc - what do you want to do ? - destroy every book or publication that shows a picture of a bird at the nest. I suggest you go through a few of the old RSPB mags for starters. Some of us were actually commissioned to do stuff at the nest In those days as it was often the ony way .Nest photography is taboo these days ,(as I made sure to point out ) so people do them a couple of foot off the nest. It is still didturbance but you don't see it.Just look at the number of bird shots with food in the bill which will start to appear shortly
I had one desertion in all those years - a Coot, and I am not too sure that was my fault. I am still today very proud of that record as I feel my contribution in helping to make more people aware of our birds was considerable.. In those days bird watchers and naturalists were thinner on the ground
The picture was only put on to show a blast from the past and the hand colouring.
As for my "contemptuous , arrogant, conceited opening sentence" - I think you've made your point very diplomatically.
Cheers
JohnR
Chill out. There is nothing wrong with John's photo. It was taken at a time when there was a very different outlook on wildlife and natural history photography - by everyone, Naturalists and the 'societies' themselves. The clue was in John's comment about the 1960's. I'm quite sure John has a different view on nest photography now - although it can still have a place when done carefully and with respect for the subjects.
Take John's images for what they are - a retrospective look at things from the 60's and 70's. If you like... from a more 'innocent' time.
If you want to see 'real' naturalists, then go back to the 1800's and read about what they did back then. Take a look at some of Audubon's writings.
OK his comment on Sched 1 was a touch insensitive... but people do have a tendency to end up with egg on the face by overreacting and jumping down others throats when they see an image like this.
As it's a holiday weekend, I think you should both get out there and enjoy a bit of photography instead of arguing over a silly computer.
Posted by John Robinson on April 12, 2009 at 6:56 PM
A lot of people have looked at this picture
Thanks
JR
My nature photography began many years ago with a home - made telephoto lens
and has progressed somewhat since then.' - This is off your website, so its with great distaste that you post yet another repugnant,unpalatable nest shot, and in your opening sentence make a joke of it!!!, you were only on about dipper nest's the other day being abandoned by this sort of 'hounding', dont you see whether this was the 60s,70s,or yesterday just having these around in the public domain endangers wildlife as birds of prey are protected(sched 1) now alongside alot of other birds and your contemptuous, arrogant opening sentence is conceited beyond belief!!, can you not see the fear in the owls eyes? Disgusting!!!!!!-this should be removed and your nesting short-eared owl one too!you
posted on 14/02/09
Blimey! and I though I was over the top! As Nick said these were different times....and as they say in Liverpool I think,calm down,calm down,calm down.....
Best wishes
Frederic
There is a Coots nest on my local patch about 30-40 feet away from a path & the main road. Over the bank holiday weekend hundreds of people (mostly birdwatchers) must have walked past & stopped for a look. I have seen this happen & the bird does not flinch one bit so would it be so bad if someone took a photo of it, the bird is clearly unfazed by human presence?
Posted by David Kjaer on April 15, 2009 at 2:52 PM
We all know John to be a talented and responsible photographer and the law in this country does allow nest photography! I accept that some do not agree with it and I know John does very little of it these days and I know he wouldn't do it if he thought real harm was going to be caused. That said the comments from Craig Jones on this post are bordering on the offensive and unecessary as there are more polite ways of expressing your views!
David
Posted by Kim Connolly on April 22, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Having met John - I know what a careful and considerate photographer he is and how responsible he is in his awareness of our natural habitat, apart from being a really nice bloke!. Have just returned from holiday and was horrified by the comments -made by Craig - and surprised and disappointed that such offensive and unnecessary comments could be made on what - otherwise - is a very friendly and helpful site.
Discussion
10 repliesThis is the first picture I ever took of an owl It has been hand coloured ( or computer coloured ) in Paint Shop Pro.
It was taken in the 60's on Ilford FP4 It was taken on the old upstairs section of a ruined house in the outskirts of Scunthorpe in north Lincs.
JohnR
David
Interesting to see different reactions.
Craig
The website is at least 10 years out of date so it sould read "61 "years.
The owl in this case , with "fear in its eyes "went on to rear all the 4 chicks and in fact I got the planned demolition of the house held up in the nick of time.
We didn't have 1000mm lenses in those days either.
As far as the picture being in the public domain etc - what do you want to do ? - destroy every book or publication that shows a picture of a bird at the nest. I suggest you go through a few of the old RSPB mags for starters. Some of us were actually commissioned to do stuff at the nest In those days as it was often the ony way .Nest photography is taboo these days ,(as I made sure to point out ) so people do them a couple of foot off the nest. It is still didturbance but you don't see it.Just look at the number of bird shots with food in the bill which will start to appear shortly
I had one desertion in all those years - a Coot, and I am not too sure that was my fault. I am still today very proud of that record as I feel my contribution in helping to make more people aware of our birds was considerable.. In those days bird watchers and naturalists were thinner on the ground
The picture was only put on to show a blast from the past and the hand colouring.
As for my "contemptuous , arrogant, conceited opening sentence" - I think you've made your point very diplomatically.
Cheers
JohnR
Chill out. There is nothing wrong with John's photo. It was taken at a time when there was a very different outlook on wildlife and natural history photography - by everyone, Naturalists and the 'societies' themselves. The clue was in John's comment about the 1960's. I'm quite sure John has a different view on nest photography now - although it can still have a place when done carefully and with respect for the subjects.
Take John's images for what they are - a retrospective look at things from the 60's and 70's. If you like... from a more 'innocent' time.
If you want to see 'real' naturalists, then go back to the 1800's and read about what they did back then. Take a look at some of Audubon's writings.
OK his comment on Sched 1 was a touch insensitive... but people do have a tendency to end up with egg on the face by overreacting and jumping down others throats when they see an image like this.
As it's a holiday weekend, I think you should both get out there and enjoy a bit of photography instead of arguing over a silly computer.
Thanks
JR
Blimey! and I though I was over the top!
Best wishes
Frederic
David