I'd avoid out of respect. I would also like to think that I'd get that same respect back but sadly, it doesn't always happen.
I could tell many a story, especially regarding last year. I spent over 300 hours in the field (well, by the river) and came across many a character. Most were nice enough, some were curious, one interaction was quite threatening. In my case though, the folk I met weren't photographers, so maybe they didn't have that foresight or understanding of the situation I was in. Regarding wildlife, if I saw a photographer onto something a distance away, I would walk the other way.
It's not so bad with landscapes, which I also indulge in but even then, I'm uncomfortable with folk around, I'd rather be on my own (save for a buddy now and again). It's my time alone, away from the pressures of life and I like to make the most of it.
Last year, on the river, I was kind of forced into more public areas, closer to housing, a footpath and a car park. I never felt comfortable, mainly for fear of giving away a location but also, after my threatening encounter, I could never really settle. I forced myself to do it though, I know how to hide and I often had people feet away and they had no idea I was there. That in itself, made me nervous as if they did see me, they'd get a fright, which is something I have to consider too. I did get images in the end but it was a fraught mind game at times to sit it out.
I will still be watching that area this year, people and all but I have been granted permission on a field that a river runs through. It is ideal habitat for my target, absolutely primed for them, all I need, is for my target to turn up. The potential there is huge, I've already found a badger set during a foray and recce yesterday. I saw a big Roe buck too. It's a dream for me and there are unlikely to be people there, photographers or otherwise, as it's private land.
One concern I have, harking back to revealing a location, is that there are other photographers around my patch. Being blunt, most don't have a clue and also, no respect for the few that do and also, no respect for the wildlife. They just want the glory shot in many cases, of an animal or bird, usually at a distance but close enough to disturb it. The damage is done by then but at least they have their image, of a very distant and usually blurry subject to put on their FB group......and where it was.
Annoys me that one.
All that said, I did have to approach a guy a couple of years ago. He was at a Schedule 1 nest site, feet away from the nest. He was camoed up and under scrim but I knew he was there. He'd even painted himself a nice little 'No Fishing' sign and stuck it in the banking. I explained to him the situation, and apparently, he had no idea the nest was there
. I doubted his explanation but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and he agreed to leave the immediate area. That took a lot from me, it was right out of my comfort zone but he was doing potentially severe damage to the nest. It went on to have 2 successful broods that year.
Sorry, I digress a little but there is relevance.
In a nutshell, I would respect any wildlife photographer I could see in a situation where they have a target in sight and keep my distance. The other photographers in the know do often return that sentiment but sadly, they are few and far between.
My vigils are my time, it's a bit of a church for me, good for the soul and all that and maybe the guy I can see 1/2 mile away, with a camera, is in the same situation.
He/she would get my respect.
