Drone Photography

[Richprins]

What do you mean exactly, PetCon?

[Scipio]

Da Biiiiig birdies mess up the flying machine for the fun of it. I lost a Phantom2 in Kruger, now flying a MavicPro.

RP, get with the new generation,

[H. erectus]

Hi Sprocky,.....
great admiration from me in the manner that you
grasp technology to good use. ,...

Drone tech, like spotting apps can and will be a manner
of management for better management of wildlife sanctuary.

However, with all due respect, please refrain from use
in Kruger!!~!.

Please my friend, Kruger stands as a symbol of self
reliance without interference!! A moral cause maybe.
Lets not question it by implication of technology, the
very situation society thrives upon, supposedly guaranteed.

Please my friend, as is, there is far to much technological
interference in a pure existence.

[H. erectus]

After all why do we all rave about, "switching off" when there!!

[Peter Connan]

@Richprins, on the 29th April last year I took a day-trip through Kruger, leaving the reserve through Malelane gate.

At this point the river actually forms the boundary of the reserve, and the gate is effectively inside the reserve. You are allowed to park and exit your vehicle on the bridge.

I did so as it was not quite dark yet. On the far side of the bridge, there was a guy flying a drone. He was flying pretty low, backwards and forwards across the river.

What very soon became apparent was that, every time he flew across the bridge, all the birds on that side would fly up in panic, and keep circling until he went back across the bridge to the other side.

Scipio, and everyone else who thinks this is fun, please note that flying a drone over a national park is illegal. Please be assured that, if I see you doing so, I will photographically record and report you. I urge all others to do the same.

It is also illegal to fly drones in the park in front of my house (it is within 10km of an airport), but the owner of a local hobby shop uses it as a training venue, and is there most afternoons in summer. Once again the effect on the birds is clear to see. However, in this case I am prepared to leave them alone.

[okie]

Interesting Peter Birds can indeed be scared off by suspending just the mere shape of a raptor' silhouette cut from board . I have tried it out in the vineyard and it works very well So therefore it stands to reason that a drone swooping around may also scare and upset birds

[Richprins]

Thanks, Peter!

Does it make a difference if it is higher up?

[nan]

What very soon became apparent was that, every time he flew across the bridge, all the birds on that side would fly up in panic, and keep circling until he went back across the bridge to the other side.

[Peter Connan]

Rich, i am sure if it is very high it will be fine.

But most guys use it for photography or video, and obviously the results will always be better the closer you are...

I guess it's obvous that i am not a fan. I believe that, used responsibly it may be a wonderful tool, possibly with great applications in the war against poaching and other areas of conservation, but we humans have a bad track record when it comes to using techno toys responsibly...

[H. erectus]

I admire your opinion here Peter Connan,..

leaving much room for both, technology but
first and foremost ecology!! Thank you!!