Audubon Sanctuary Manager Mark Rachal posts a new sign on the beach of a small island in Hillsborough Bay, in an effort to protect the nesting Oystercatchers. Photo: Melissa Lyttle

All bird photographers want that perfect shot, and sometimes they’ll go to great lengths to get it (read our magazine's feature on the subject). The problem comes when that pursuit jeopardizes the welfare and safety of the birds themselves.

At Audubon we try hard to avoid using bird photos that were taken in an unethical way. While that might sound easy, it’s often a challenge to distinguish a photo that’s been taken responsibly from one that hasn’t.

The guiding principle: Place the welfare and safety of the birds and their habitats above all else and avoid disturbing them in any way. Here are some tips to to help you do that.