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Posted by Paul-the-other on 16:29:42 11/03/08
In Reply to: Re: Do we ever get a minute alone!! posted by Scott
I'll take Scott's information as a friendly reminder to the "gang" of me, PaulL, Trey, Larry, Holly and the scores of others that have tripped to see this bird and family. Of course "Least Grebe" is just a bird so probably can't read.
Now for some interesting views: I have been at Anhinga Trail as most everyone on this board has and I wonder how Rule 1(B) sets when the anhingas build their nests right next to the wooden handrail. The Park doesn't close down Anhinga Trail. And then we have Mrazak pond certainly an "important feeding area" if ever there was one; do we just drive by and ignore the special parking area built by the Park for our viewing pleasure. I was there in the 50's and the ibis, roseats, and wood storks almost made off with my lunch. At Pineland Camp the towhees, cardinals and crows are quite brazen. Obviously the picnic benches are a "feeding area" for them. Do we pack up and leave? And when the Red-shouldered hawk sits on the guard rail at eco-pond do we leave because we can't get by without disturbing the bird.
My lens of choice is 500 mm which is 750 with digital. As a point in fact in many cases that means I can't get too close (by my subjective standards) But I balance that with what the other people are doing the likes of Trey, Toe, Paul L.,
Holly, Judy and many more that I respect as being very mindful of the wildlife. Not one has ever spoken a cautionary word to me nor me to them. I take comfort and support that my conduct is no different with them or when they aren't there.
This rule to me is good, an ideal, but circumstances can change it. The palm warblers have hopped under my feet since I first began going to the Park. The feeding area was in the biden under my boots. Hmmm. Cheeky little fellows that don't seem to need protection. The rule is there, as a suggestion but obviously people aren't going to hop out of the way every time a palm warbler is underfoot. And etc., etc.
I'll add one more observation; if the standards of Yellowstone National Park were applied to Everglades no one would ever visit the park as you can't walk down Anhinga trail and not be within 100 yards of a dangerous animal (alligator). So, hurray for the rule but I for one keep it in the spirit and prespective it was written. All you other people that have visited the grebe can answer for yourselves.
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