Mike already posted the video, but I figured I would post and give a little more background. When I arrived 4 or so birders/photographers were already set up photographing the GGOW which was perched in a small tree maybe 15' from the road, close enough anyone could have gotten a great shot with even a point-and-shoot camera. Two photographers from Illinois thought it would be advantageous to use mice to draw the owl in closer. The first two mice were dropped and the bird picked them up and flew a short distance to devour them. The next two mice were used essentially as tools to torment the bird while getting photographs. One of them tried putting a mouse on their head, then their arm, and other on their boot in an attempt to get the owl to land on him. One birder/photographer spoke up about the behavior but they continued on using the mice as tools to get the bird in close. To them, the owl was nothing more than a toy - they both had huge lenses and were obviously getting great shots without the need to bait. It was very clear the entire time that the owl had no fear of people and when it wasn't being baited was perched very near the road and nearly landed on my camera at one point while flying across the road. Here's the video again: http://youtu.be/p8MNvJe0oN0 And some pictures: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8516797349_2a4f985d0d_o.jpg<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8521%2F8516797349_2a4f985d0d_o.jpg&h=IAQEEv_5K> http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8516797375_c849de1c5e_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8517913070_008dff58a6_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8516797519_1b450c5604_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8516797485_2da90b1b71_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8516797577_db6c9f4dbe_o.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8516797591_a870c18813_o.jpg Please share if you feel the urge/need. Best, Scott Weberpal Walworth County #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn
