Missed wildlife op. at DVinfo.net

Tim Cool · June 6th, 2006, 05:48 PM

ALMOST had an excellent wildlife shot. Near my house is a greenbelt with a 'holding pond' or some thing like that. A red-tailed hawk had nabbed a bunny, and was sitting on the fence that encircles the pond, enjoying his dinner. The red-winged blackbirds did not take kindly to this intrusion. Three males were trying to chase the hawk away, without success. They would actually LAND on the hawk and peck at him, but he was oblivious.
Mind you, this fence is right next to the road! As I passed in my car I slowed, but went around the corner to bring back my camera. While setting up, across the street in my car, a neighbor stopped not 5 feet from the bird and rolled down the window gawking, and her dog did the same!
Needless to say, the hawk took dinner to go...and the driver looked at me blankly, then went shopping, I suppose.
Oh well, I'll have the camera ready next time...

Ron Fabienke · June 7th, 2006, 01:46 AM

That sucks and is too bad you lost it, but it's understandable in this situation, because of the person and their dog being in a car and probably oblivious to what it was you were doing. But in the field of ENG or event shooting it is amazing just how oblivious people can be even up close and personal. Anyone who has covered events and done on site candid interviews can tell you stories about the people who just wander on through the live shot, even at night when there is a light on the camera and it is illuminating a person with a microphone in their hand, less than 10 feet away.

Peter Ferling · June 7th, 2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Fabienke

.. people who just wander on through the live shot, even at night when there is a light on the camera and it is illuminating a person with a microphone in their hand, less than 10 feet away.

...then they give pause, turn, look at you and say: "Oh, your video taping?" (another pause), "I'm sorry."

Of course, thinking of about dozen forms of a four letter word, you respond. "Oh, it's OK."

Ah, that's being a pro.

June 6th, 2006, 05:48 PM	#1
Tim Cool New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 18	Missed wildlife op. ALMOST had an excellent wildlife shot. Near my house is a greenbelt with a 'holding pond' or some thing like that. A red-tailed hawk had nabbed a bunny, and was sitting on the fence that encircles the pond, enjoying his dinner. The red-winged blackbirds did not take kindly to this intrusion. Three males were trying to chase the hawk away, without success. They would actually LAND on the hawk and peck at him, but he was oblivious. Mind you, this fence is right next to the road! As I passed in my car I slowed, but went around the corner to bring back my camera. While setting up, across the street in my car, a neighbor stopped not 5 feet from the bird and rolled down the window gawking, and her dog did the same! Needless to say, the hawk took dinner to go...and the driver looked at me blankly, then went shopping, I suppose. Oh well, I'll have the camera ready next time...

June 7th, 2006, 01:46 AM	#2
Ron Fabienke Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 184	That sucks and is too bad you lost it, but it's understandable in this situation, because of the person and their dog being in a car and probably oblivious to what it was you were doing. But in the field of ENG or event shooting it is amazing just how oblivious people can be even up close and personal. Anyone who has covered events and done on site candid interviews can tell you stories about the people who just wander on through the live shot, even at night when there is a light on the camera and it is illuminating a person with a microphone in their hand, less than 10 feet away.