After the Mandarin duck, native to eastern Asia, was spotted along the shores of Lake Michigan, bird lovers and wildlife photographers flocked to South Shore Beach to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive bird. It almost cost one man his life. St Francis Police say someone pointed a long gun at a man near St Francis de Sales School, asking for his camera equipment. Brent Balkin told WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys that he traveled to South Shore Beach from Appleton to try to find a mandarin duck to photograph, and “It’s not my job,” Balkin said, “it’s my passion.” But Balkin was almost robbed of his passion on Wednesday. “I couldn’t even focus today,” Balkin said. “And this guy stole that from me.” WISN 12 News was on the beach Wednesday, where Balkin snapped photos of a tangerine duck. It is believed that the robber noticed the expensive camera equipment and followed him to Lake Drive, near St. Francis de Sales School. This is where Balken has continued to take more pictures of wildlife. After he got out of his truck, someone was also getting out of his car behind him. “He closed the distance from his car to where I was standing. And he had his gun to my chest and said, I’m going to take your car,” Balken said. “I made a decision in that moment that I wasn’t going to go down without a fight. And I slammed the door on my truck and said, ‘No, you’re not getting that equipment today.'” Balkin said. Before he drove away, the thief asked if his equipment was worth his life. And, you know, I totally expected as I walked away, and I even Kind of annoyed in my eyes thinking, Well, that is it. And he didn’t,” Balken said. Before the thief got away in the car, Balkin said they got to his truck to try and grab an expensive piece of equipment. There was $40,000 worth of photographic equipment, Balkin said, but the robber was only able to grab an $80 camera bean bag before fleeing the scene. “I’m grateful for that. It won’t stop me from doing what I love to do,” Balkin said. St. Francis Police say they are looking for a man. He is described as being in his early 20s, wearing a camouflage bandana and driving a silver sedan.
After the Mandarin duck, native to eastern Asia, was spotted along the shores of Lake Michigan, bird lovers and wildlife photographers flocked to South Shore Beach to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive bird.
The chance to take a photo of the rare duck nearly cost one man his life.
St Francis Police say someone pointed a long gun at a man near St Francis de Sales School, asking for his camera equipment.
Brent Balkin told WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys that he traveled to South Shore Beach from Appleton to try to find a mandarin duck to photograph.
“It’s not my job,” Balkin said, “it’s my passion.”
But Balkin was almost robbed of his passion on Wednesday.
“Not being able to focus today. And this guy stole that from me,” Balkin said.
WISN 12 News was on the beach Wednesday, where Balkin snapped photos of her mandarin duck.
It is believed that the robber noticed the expensive camera equipment and followed him to Lake Drive, near St. Francis de Sales School. This is where Balken has continued to take more pictures of wildlife. After he got out of his truck, someone was also getting out of his car behind him.
“He closed the distance from his car to where I was standing. He had his gun to my chest and said, ‘I’m going to take your stuff,'” Balkin said.
A fight or flight has begun.
“I made a decision at that moment that I wasn’t going to go down without a fight. And I slammed the door on my truck and said, ‘No, you’re not going to get that equipment today,'” Balkin said.
Before walking away, Balken said, the thief asked if his equipment was worth his life.
“I said, God protect me. And, you know, I was totally anticipating as I walked away, and I even kind of got a look in my eye thinking, Well, that’s it. And he didn’t,” Balken said.
Before the thief escaped in their car, Balkin said, they pulled over his truck to try and grab an expensive piece of equipment.
There was $40,000 worth of camera equipment, Balkin said, but the robber was only able to grab an $80 camera bean bag before fleeing the scene.
“I’m grateful for that. It won’t stop me from doing what I love to do,” Balkin said.
St. Francis Police say they are looking for a man. He is described as being in his early twenties, wearing a camouflage bandana and driving a silver sedan.