Wildlife togs that DON'T inspire you!

[FourRingCircus]

Osprey nest with four chicks in the top (far) left of the tree......

Togs were hanging out of the basket to photograph the birds!

Pics are courtesy of Mike Fenton who is a friend and fellow amateur wildlife tog. Don't be surprised if you see these in the national media. The Virgin balloon fights home base is just a mile from the reserve and it's a well known Osprey site, so no chance of it being a hapless mistake by the pilot. Police have been informed......

 

[gramps]

It does make you wonder doesn't it

 

[admirable]

Saw these on the telly last night and in the press this morning, Mr Fenton has made a few bucks with being in the right place at the right time.

 

[Phil-D]

I find it hard to believe the balloon was there deliberately. I know absolutely nothing about flying hot air balloons but surely there's some legislation in place that says deliberately flying close to anything, never mind trees, a river plus endangering life.

Only my thoughts but if its proved deliberate, couldn't he loose his licence? ........and if it was deliberate, he deserves to loose it!

 

[boyfalldown]

I find it hard to believe the balloon was there deliberately. I know absolutely nothing about flying hot air balloons but surely there's some legislation in place that says deliberately flying close to anything, never mind trees, a river plus endangering life.

Only my thoughts but if its proved deliberate, couldn't he loose his licence? ........and if it was deliberate, he deserves to loose it!

I agree. It does seem a very odd place for the ballon pilot to put himself into. He'll be aware that has he done so deliberately he'll likely lose his licence, rightly so. However it may equally have been an accident he was there

 

[The W]

WPOTY have shared the first photo from the upcoming awards.

https://www.facebook.com/WildlifePh...055928681/1051514388235943/?type=3&permPage=1

Right to query circumstances?

 

[FourRingCircus]

I find it hard to believe the balloon was there deliberately.

I agree. It does seem a very odd place for the ballon pilot to put himself into.

The pilot guided the balloon to the loch site, virtually landed on the water, togs took their shots, then he turned the gas on and off they went.

Still find it hard to believe???

 

[Phil-D]

Still find it hard to believe???

Yes, I do still find it hard to believe, that's not to say I don't believe it didn't happen I just think that for the pilot to be so irresponsible and not get reprimanded by the powers that enforce such actions is even more unbelievable.

Regardless of what birds where/are nesting there, putting lives at risk is more idiotic. Who in their right mind is going to book a flight with someone who's prepared to put lives at risk for a few shots?

Just out of curiosity, any links to the news reports? cheers

Edit- found a couple

 

[boyfalldown]

The pilot guided the balloon to the loch site, virtually landed on the water, togs took their shots, then he turned the gas on and off they went.

Still find it hard to believe???

Yes. I do. Which isn't saying it didn't happen. But for a pilot to be putting his licence and career not to mention his life at risk seems crazy. After all an area of sinking air over the lock would have meant he ended in it with himself and all his passengers likely dead.Its a fair bet he will get reprimanded if it happened as you say. Piloting balloons with the degree of precision is also pretty hard/dependent on the weather etc etc

 

[sk66]

The pilot guided the balloon to the loch site, virtually landed on the water, togs took their shots, then he turned the gas on and off they went.

Still find it hard to believe???

That would be quite impressive... seeing as how you can't actually steer a hot air balloon...

 

[FourRingCircus]

You can see the last picture - the basket must have been about 25ft off the water. Pilot was quite skilled as the nest is on an island and there are trees on either side of the basket within about 30m. The balloon operating site is only a mile away and I can tell you for a fact that they didn't land in the loch. Go figure!

 

[boyfalldown]

You can see the last picture - the basket must have been about 25ft off the water. Pilot was quite skilled as the nest is on an island and there are trees on either side of the basket within about 30m. The balloon operating site is only a mile away and I can tell you for a fact that they didn't land in the loch. Go figure!

It's possible. But as likely the pilot at that point was desperately trying not to land in the loch. Still unconvinced it was anything but an accident.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Still unconvinced it was anything but an accident.

The police have the pictures of a very calm pilot and a group of togs virtually hanging out of the basket taking pics of the nest, otherwise I'd put them up here.

 

[BillN_33]

what a stupid thing to do - I am sure that most bird watchers would feel very guilty if they were involved in something like that and most would never do it...... and from a photography point of view you would be very lucky if you got anything other than an "average" shot

If you want a shot of an Osprey with a bloody great red balloon in the bg there is photoshop at hand

 

[boyfalldown]

The police have the pictures of a very calm pilot and a group of togs virtually hanging out of the basket taking pics of the nest, otherwise I'd put them up here.

You realise you can't steer a balloon? I'd hope the pilot atleast stayed calm regardless of circumstance

 

[gramps]

You realise you can't steer a balloon? I'd hope the pilot atleast stayed calm regardless of circumstance

Not quite true, you can make it go up and down if you happen to be over something you want to investigate.

 

[boyfalldown]

Not quite true, you can make it go up and down if you happen to be over something you want to investigate.

You're being pedantic and even making it go up and Down you still have no lateral control. As I said I'm amazed if a pilot puts his career, life and life of his passengers in that sort of jeopardy

 

[gramps]

You're being pedantic and even making it go up and Down you still have no lateral control. As I said I'm amazed if a pilot puts his career, life and life of his passengers in that sort of jeopardy

In this instance I don't think I'm being pedantic at all, since that was what was necessary in order to view the birds ... and you perhaps forget the attraction of money and its ability to affect the reasoning of even the most otherwise sensible person.
Not saying that any of this was the case here as none of us really know the facts but it is as reasonable to say it was deliberate as it was to say it was accidental on the facts/images provided.

 

[boyfalldown]

In this instance I don't think I'm being pedantic at all, since that was what was necessary in order to view the birds ... and you perhaps forget the attraction of money and its ability to affect the reasoning of even the most otherwise sensible person.
Not saying that any of this was the case here as none of us really know the facts but it is as reasonable to say it was deliberate as it was to say it was accidental on the facts/images provided.

I'm not forgetting anything I'm not saying it's not deliberate but that I'm surprised if it was

And yes. It's pedantry

 

[gramps]

And yes. It's pedantry

In which case it must apply to you as much as you think it applies to me but whatever, the Ospreys are of far more concern to me than your view of whether I'm being pedantic.

 

[Martin England]

Seen this on the news and totally unexeciptable not just the pilot also the ones taking the pictures