In the last few days, I have had a memory of Warren that I will share, given Sparky's mention of his Yellow Rail photos and his humility. Others too have mentioned his kindness and humble character.
I didn't know Warren well, but I first met him at the MOU meeting many years ago when he gave a presentation on the YERA's of McGregor marsh. He had photos of this species at the nest--- maybe the first at the time. I visited Aitkin Co regularly in subsequent years and Warren was always ready to pinpoint locations of owls and other species over the telephone. He also offered to meet us when possible in case we might miss a bird. About this time I got on the mailing list for "Birder's World" magazine (now "Birdwatching"). I submitted photos for a few years to BW. (The closest I got to publication was "hold for later consideration" and also the change-to-article-schedule followed by a return of now season-inappropriate images.) One month the photo editor needed images of YERA including breeding. I called him about 'someone' who had these images. He was interested. So I called Warren and provided him the name and phone of the editor and encouraged him to call him soon. I told him this was an almost guaranteed national publication photo credit. He was not very excited. With Warren's permission, I also gave the editor his contact info. But I suspected he was not going to call the photographer. I called Warren some time later and, sure enough, he had not made the call or submitted any photos. As a photographer I was disappointed and also I thought I was reciprocating his kindness with this great "lead". Based on others recent comments, I now realize he didn't really care that much if he saw his photo credits in a big national magazine (and got a check). As several have shared, he was very happy to share info with other birders about sightings in Aitkin Co. And altho he had photo publications and a good reputation as a bird photographer, he didn't really look for such credit or look for his name in print. That is a special humility. GAndersson -----Original Message----- From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of sparky stensaas Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 10:38 AM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: [mou-net] Warren Nelson obituary and Long-billed Curlew story Echoing Kim and Father Paul's sentiments, Warren was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet...and incredibly humble!His bird photography is stunning...and his Yellow Rail photos were some of the best ever taken of this species.Incredibly generous with his time and sightings. I seem to remember a story Kim Risen told me from a few years ago...(those involved can correct details).It was Warren's birthday breakfast celebration with Risens (and Blanich's?) and someone asked what bird he'd like to see in Aitkin County today...He answered, Long-billed Curlew, and everyone laughed.Well, they all went birding and, lo and behold, they found a Long-billed Curlew! ...a second County Record. The Loon report here:http://moumn.org/loon/view_frame.php?block=231&year=2005 ObituaryNelson, Warren E. 65, of Aitkin, died Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. He received the Thomas Sadler Roberts Award in 1990 for lifetime achievement in ornithology from the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union, the state's highest award. Funeral service will be 2 PM Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at First Lutheran Church in Aitkin. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Monday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and will continue 1 hour prior to service at the church. Sparky Stensaas2515 Garthus RoadWrenshall MN 55797218.341.3350sparkystens...@hotmail.com www.ThePhotoNaturalist.comwww.KollathStensaas.comwww.SaxZim.org ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
