When I photograph shorebirds on a sandbar or mudflat I like to get down to their level. The birds are less threatened and behave normally, and I think the photos are better. I often use a floating blind for my camera and I get in the water. My profile is low, my camera is low, and the shorebirds don't seem to be bothered by my presence. When the tide is low and my platform will not float, I lay on the mud with my camera resting on a boat seat cushion and then let the birds come to me. Again, they don't seem to be disturbed by my presence.

I was out recently and had worked hard to ease near shorebirds in my floating platform. The shorebird group had Greater Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitchers, Dunlin and a couple of Wilson's Plovers. I slowly moved the floating blind into position. The birds didn't change their behaviors. Some were preening, some were feeding, and some were sleeping. They accepted me in their space.

And then it all changed. They went on alert. And then I heard a male voice repeatedly yelling the name of a dog. It was not hard to know what was happening behind me and what was about to happen in front of me. A dog was running loose on the mudflat. The shorebirds bolted. My photography ended.

Photography interrupted is not a big concern. It happens. The impact on the shorebirds is more of a concern. Resting, feeding, and preening are important behaviors that enable the birds to migrate to the boreal forest or the arctic where they will nest. They need to arrive in good condition because the challenges of raising chicks during the short northern summer are many. Too many disturbances can affect their health and body condition.

My goal as a photographer is to put the well-being of my subject as my highest priority. It's best for the birds and it's best for photography.