Gatorland in Orlando FL (no images)
I thought I would pass this on as it was posted on a number of photography sites.
"Greetings Friends and Photographers,
As most of you are now aware, Gatorland has discontinued it's photographer program and I am no longer with the company. What you may not be aware of are the real reasons behind this closure and my termination from the family business.
Contrary to public comments and emails from Gatorland's CEO and management, the Gatorland Birding and Photography program was a great success and last year the program made a very healthy profit for the company... so well in fact that I had planned to open the Rookery in 2011 for extended hours 7 days a week. So why the misinformation and cover-up from Gatorland?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the real reason, Gatorland is building a zipline venue through the Breeding Marsh. Despite my concerns over the impact to the native wildlife that inhabit the Breeding Marsh, Gatorland's management and Board of Directors approved plans to route the zipline directly through the middle of the Rookery and directly over the nesting Wood Stork colony. The message of conservation and wildlife appreciation that I had touted for the past several years suddenly became an inconvenience... as did myself and the birds.
Through the efforts of the Audubon Society, USFW and FWC the route was changed from the middle of the Rookery to the south end, however this delayed Gatorland's construction plans and now they will be doing the zipline construction during the 2011 nesting season. Any impact upon the birds would be easily identified and probably reported by the photographers who visit, so why encourage photographers at all?
I would like to thank all of you who participated in Gatorland's Birding and Photography program, it was my greatest pleasure to host you all and watch the fabulous show of nature put on daily within the Rookery. I apologize for my families lack of concern over the impact of running an entertainment venue through a Bird Rookery, unfortunately the lure of increased revenues from a zipline outweighed any conservation agenda or concern over the wildlife in the area. It's such a shame...
Mike Godwin
President - Orange Audubon Society"
I have always preferred shooting at the rookery at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine. I was going to check out Gatorland this year because of the work Mike had done last year. Looks like that's not going to happen now.
"Greetings Friends and Photographers,
As most of you are now aware, Gatorland has discontinued it's photographer program and I am no longer with the company. What you may not be aware of are the real reasons behind this closure and my termination from the family business.
Contrary to public comments and emails from Gatorland's CEO and management, the Gatorland Birding and Photography program was a great success and last year the program made a very healthy profit for the company... so well in fact that I had planned to open the Rookery in 2011 for extended hours 7 days a week. So why the misinformation and cover-up from Gatorland?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the real reason, Gatorland is building a zipline venue through the Breeding Marsh. Despite my concerns over the impact to the native wildlife that inhabit the Breeding Marsh, Gatorland's management and Board of Directors approved plans to route the zipline directly through the middle of the Rookery and directly over the nesting Wood Stork colony. The message of conservation and wildlife appreciation that I had touted for the past several years suddenly became an inconvenience... as did myself and the birds.
Through the efforts of the Audubon Society, USFW and FWC the route was changed from the middle of the Rookery to the south end, however this delayed Gatorland's construction plans and now they will be doing the zipline construction during the 2011 nesting season. Any impact upon the birds would be easily identified and probably reported by the photographers who visit, so why encourage photographers at all?
I would like to thank all of you who participated in Gatorland's Birding and Photography program, it was my greatest pleasure to host you all and watch the fabulous show of nature put on daily within the Rookery. I apologize for my families lack of concern over the impact of running an entertainment venue through a Bird Rookery, unfortunately the lure of increased revenues from a zipline outweighed any conservation agenda or concern over the wildlife in the area. It's such a shame...
Mike Godwin
President - Orange Audubon Society"
I have always preferred shooting at the rookery at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine. I was going to check out Gatorland this year because of the work Mike had done last year. Looks like that's not going to happen now.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Comments
http://rckimaging.smugmug.com/
http://staugustine.firstcoastnews.com/content/alligator-farm-unveils-zip-line-over-deadly-alligators
I was shooting at the St. Augustine rookery on Tuesday and it looks like construction of a zipline is in progress there as well. Hope I'm wrong.
Jack
(My real name is John but Jack'll do)
Nope you're not wrong. They are building a zip line too. I'm in St. Augustine tonite and tomorrow.
I asked and they said that their zipline won't go through the rookery.
http://www.alligatorfarm.us/newatthezoo002.html
The map shows it ending before the rookery.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thanks Harry. That's good to know. They have a very nice rookery there.
Jack
(My real name is John but Jack'll do)
Well at Bolsa they are turning it into homes [they cost a lot but are not selling well ] they put up a glass fence to protect the nice rich folks but not block their view . When they found raptors dead at the bottom of the glass fence it was just coincidence, they just died there
With luck the birds will make it through the year of constrution --I hope
“PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”
http://jwear.smugmug.com/
I heard he was at odds with management over the zipline. Sadly, I new he had lost the battle when the early morning photography hours were canceled this year.
What a loss. Where else could you shoot nesting birds from a lovely boardwalk with an 85mm lens? That place will be missed by the birds and local photographers. :cry
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
My website | NANPA Member