Shot of Bald Eagle (read the story) by Chris Cox

Chris Cox | all galleries >> 2010 Photo Galleries >> Birds of Louisiana 2010 > Shot of Bald Eagle (read the story)


21-FEB-2009	Chris Cox

Shot of Bald Eagle (read the story)

America - Land of the Free !

Well I have joined the ranks of Homeland criminals like Coleen. (her spillway incident)
I saw this Bald Eagle in a tree while riding around all day taking pictures. I pulled safely off the side of the road and began taking pictures of this fine bird from the drivers seat of my truck. After about 75 pictures, I decided to pull up about 50 yards to see if I can get another angle. After doing so, and parking safely off the road again, I was just about to shoot again when I saw this guy in a pickup pass going in the opposite direction on River Road. When he saw me as he passed me, he immediately whipped his truck in a sliding 180 degree turn, but missed a little, ran thru the ditch and onto the levee, then gunned his truck as he was getting stuck trying to get back on the road. He put his flashing lights on to make sure I wouldn't go anywhere while he spun his tires and barely made it back onto the shoulder of the road. He carefully approached me, and then asked me with my D3 and 400mm lens resting on my bean bag on my window and asked . . "Can I ask you what you are doing besides the obvious?" I stated "the obvious, I'm taking a picture of that Bald Eagle in the tree across the street". He went on to tell me I could not do that because of the Homeland Security Act, and I said, I didn't know I couldn't take wildlife pictures because of the Homeland Security Act. He asked if he could see my pictures, and I started showing them to him, but when I told him I had more than a hundred or so, he walked away, grabbed a clipboard and said he was going to report me to the Sheriff's office. I told him that was no problem. He took my truck license plate number, then asked for my drivers license, which I gave him, after starting to get a little aggravated. He then asked if I would go with them to the plant (BASF) and they could look at my photos, but since I tried to show him and he walked away, I told him HELL NO I'm not going. And I'm taking wildlife pictures and that's not a crime, I understand the intent of the Homeland Security Act and I wasn't committing a crime. He went back to his truck and called the police. I didn't give him the pleasure of staying until they came, at that point I had enough of this "Barney Fife" fellow.

Isn't this country SAD for stupid shit like this!

Nikon D3 ,Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
1/250s f/11.0 at 650.0mm iso200, TC-17E-II full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Chris Cox		23-Feb-2010 16:18
Here's the Happy Ending. I talked with a Louisiana State Trooper from the Bureau of Investigations today. (I won't publish names, but can share personally with each of you) This guy was very polite and professional. He appreciated very much that I had written a very detailed email about the event, who I am, what I do, my personal history and background. He had done the "mandatory" background check on me just before he read the email and was about to call me when I contacted him on my third attempt. Long story short, what I did was legally OK, no problems. The report from BASF said that I became irate with the security guard and refused to show him the pictures. He understood my side of the story and thanked me for sharing it with him. He was going to alert the Coast Guard, who became involved also, that I am a "legit" and law abiding citizen with no need for any further review of this incident. He said he was glad to hear that we are always cooperative on such events, and ask that we continue to do so, and be patient, because these people are seemingly trying to do the correct thing, but some have little or no expertise on how to handle these situations. His suggestion is that we try to notify any company or site ahead of time when taking pictures of nature and wildlife near their facility to reduce the impact of such events like I experienced. He did state this was not necessary, but helps ease fears and tension on all parties. It is absolutely legal to take any pictures from public land. Again, this guy was great, very professional, appreciated that we are cooperative, and offered to answer any questions we might have. I couldn't have asked to talk to a better person.

Chris Cox		22-Feb-2010 23:07
And the Saga continues. When I arrived home today my wife said she found a business card on the front door. It was from a Louisiana State Police Trooper First Class from the Bureau of Investigations division. (No names being published here) A note on the card said to call, but it was after hours when I called, so I left my name and number to receive a call tomorrow. I'm sure it his job to follow up on any reports, so I have no problem answering to him. I will tell him the story, show him the photos if he likes, and ask what we can do, as nature and wildlife photographers, to minimize this impact, and the waste of their time for "known" photographers in the area. Hopefully he is reasonable and can offer some insight. I will ask him about the legal document that Ronnie dug up last night and see what he says about it. I might even send him an email tonight so that he can read all the info before giving me a call. Again, hopefully that helps. Lets hope there is some way we can create a list of all of us "locals" so that if we do get stopped, we can tell them to call the Sheriff's office and check that we are on a "list" of known local photographers? Any other thoughts? CC

Ann Shapiro		22-Feb-2010 02:04
Fabulous shot and crazy story...gosh I never thought about stopping to take pictures and getting interrogated by someone - I too understand Home Land Security - but that guy was a little crazy!

Chris Cox		22-Feb-2010 01:30
Thanks Ronnie, my research over the Internet the last few hours have turned up similar information on more than a dozen sites. If you are on public land, you can photograph anything you want except classified military establishments and airport security areas. Violators of YOUR RIGHTS (people who harass you) can be prosecuted. Now I will always try to cooperate with situations like this to tell them who I am and what I am doing, but it will now have a little different twist at the end, knowing this information. I don't want to tie law enforcements' hands with loopholes where they can't ask us a question, but after we show them who we are and what we're doing, that should suffice. Thanks Ronnie, CC

Coleen Perilloux Landry		22-Feb-2010 01:24
I printed out the Photographer's Rights document from Ronnie Gaubert and will run it by the Sheriff of the Parish where I was detained TWICE. If it sticks, I shall laminate it and carry it with me at all times. Coleen

A J Adams		22-Feb-2010 00:54
Great shot Chris.I guest it is only a matter time before I get the treatment,I like hanging my 500mm out my truck window.

Guest		22-Feb-2010 00:37
To all photographers. Some info on taking pictures on public and private property. http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

Guest		21-Feb-2010 23:43
Hi Chris, Yes, slowly our freedom is being taken away and one person can't make a stand. The reason photographers are at the forefront, more than the average citizen, is because we are very obvious. Especially with a large lens hanging out of your truck's window. I did some research and it appears that most terrorist are using 400mm & 500mm lens and hide inside of their vehicles, mostly on public highways, to capture images of their next target. I have no fear of terrorist because I know Barney Fife is on the job :) I could write a book here on how angry this makes me but I will stop here!!!!!!!! Ronnie G.

Ann Shapiro		21-Feb-2010 23:31
Fabulous shot and crazy story...gosh I never thought about stopping to take pictures and getting interrogated by someone - I too understand Home Land Security - but that guy was a little crazy!

Coleen Perilloux Landry		21-Feb-2010 23:29
Excellent photo, however. Gets my vote.

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