[aslyfox]

You Tube

You Tube

To help raise awareness, the National Park Service published a guide to safe photos, and Yellowstone National Park created a pledge that people can take to protect themselves and the park. One way to practice that pledge, park officials state, is to practice safe selfies. “No picture is worth hurting yourself, others, or the park. Be aware of your surroundings whether near wildlife, thermal areas, roads, or steep cliffs,” the website says.

A checklist for taking safe selfies - The Washington Post

Cruise company bans passenger for life after she ‘recklessly’ stands on railing for a photo

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2019/10/20/cruise-company-bans-passeng...railing-photo/

it isn't always " selfies "

the old fashion one step forward, one step back " zoom " when using a prime lens

not paying attention to your surroundings

or the situation

etc, etc, etc,

[reduno]

not paying attention to your surroundings

I think that goes for a lot of smart phone users, even when not taking a selfie. At work, we are even encouraged to stop people who are looking at their phones while walking in the corridors.

[UncleVanya]

I read statistics like the article linked where fewer than 300 people die due to this and maybe I'm heartless, but my reaction is to think this isn't really a problem. There are far riskier behaviors that go without any public outcry. If anything the dangerous selfie and the Instagram risky shot are culling the herd.

I do think in some locations a reminder to look outside the viewfinder for dangerous conditions is reasonable. The Grand Canyon rim is a prime example.

But when someone yells, "Hey Bubba watch this..." I'm more inclined to let them fail.

[aslyfox]

the last time I was in Yellowstone, I stopped and started to take photos of a bison group between the road and the lake

they were ahead of me

there was a vehicle parked closer to them with individuals out with cell phones

I watched as one young lady started to pose with one of the bison 20 feet or so behind her

she then started to back closer to the bison

I yelled stop as loud as I could and told them all to get the vehicle between them and the bison

as they did I drove up to them and stopped, explained how fast a bison could move, what would happened if it trampled her or chose to gore and toss her into the air and that she was leaving it no escape route.

as I drove away, they were still there out side of their vehicle

[lesmore49]

the last time I was in Yellowstone, I stopped and started to take photos of a bison group between the road and the lake

they were ahead of me

there was a vehicle parked closer to them with individuals out with cell phones

I watched as one young lady started to pose with one of the bison 20 feet or so behind her

she then started to back closer to the bison

I yelled stop as loud as I could and told them all to get the vehicle between them and the bison

as they did I drove up to them and stopped, explained how fast a bison could move, what would happened if it trampled her or chose to gore and toss her into the air and that she was leaving it no escape route.

as I drove away, they were still there out side of their vehicle

I know how you feel. We saw the same things when we were at Yellowstone about 3 years ago. Saw very similar things. The Park Rangers are run off their feet trying to cope with these unfortunately not uncommon situations.

[aslyfox]

I know how you feel. We saw the same things when we were at Yellowstone about 3 years ago. Saw very similar things. The Park Rangers are run off their feet trying to cope with these unfortunately not uncommon situations.

I just couldn't stand by and do nothing

and my emergency first aid training was years ago

so I gave up the possible opportunity for some action shots of the interaction between bison and tourist

[UncleVanya]

the last time I was in Yellowstone, I stopped and started to take photos of a bison group between the road and the lake

they were ahead of me

there was a vehicle parked closer to them with individuals out with cell phones

I watched as one young lady started to pose with one of the bison 20 feet or so behind her

she then started to back closer to the bison

I yelled stop as loud as I could and told them all to get the vehicle between them and the bison

as they did I drove up to them and stopped, explained how fast a bison could move, what would happened if it trampled her or chose to gore and toss her into the air and that she was leaving it no escape route.

as I drove away, they were still there out side of their vehicle

The Lazy 5 ranch in my area is a private zoo that you drive through. Most of the animals are harmless and you are allowed to buy buckets of feed to toss out at them. They do however warn you to stay away from the Watusi and not to feed them. There haven't been any injuries I know of but I do recall an incident where a friend of ours fed one and it got stuck inside the open doors of the van. (turned head, put head inside ate from the bucket, tried to back out, horns too wide for the door. ). The friend had to take the "bull" by the horns and manipulate the head to free the animal. She's lucky she wasn't hurt.

[aslyfox]

The Lazy 5 ranch in my area is a private zoo that you drive through. Most of the animals are harmless and you are allowed to buy buckets of feed to toss out at them. They do however warn you to stay away from the Watusi and not to feed them. There haven't been any injuries I know of but I do recall an incident where a friend of ours fed one and it got stuck inside the open doors of the van. (turned head, put head inside ate from the bucket, tried to back out, horns too wide for the door. ). The friend had to take the "bull" by the horns and manipulate the head to free the animal. She's lucky she wasn't hurt.

I can imagine that the animal wasn't troubled by being caught

and was very calm

at least I hope that was the situation

[DeadJohn]

It doesn't matter if it's a selfie, landscape, or urban photo. Watch where you are walking when stepping around to get a different composition. Maintain situational awareness for wildlife, thieves, falling, and drowning hazards.

...There are far riskier behaviors that go without any public outcry...

Driving immediately comes to mind. Roughly 100 people in the USA die in car crashes every day. That barely makes news, while deaths via much safer forms of transportation get excessive attention, encouraging people to abandon safe mass transit for less safe personal cars. Staircases are another surprisingly common cause of death.

[DeadJohn]

I just couldn't stand by and do nothing...

I've generally given up trying to correct stupidity. Most people do not accept unsolicited advice. If an adult is not already aware that a bison or 100 foot fall can be fatal then no amount of my lecturing will remedy their behavior. These people will either be lucky, or have a smaller incident make them more aware of the danger, or die.


There's a large waterfall where fatalities and life-changing injuries are a common occurrence. I've been there twice, and both times dozens of people were playing in the water near the top, or dangling their legs over the edge.

[aslyfox]

not a judgment or criticism of your decision

I can understand it

every one must choose what to do

[lesmore49]

I just couldn't stand by and do nothing

and my emergency first aid training was years ago

so I gave up the possible opportunity for some action shots of the interaction between bison and tourist

When we were there we rounded a corner on the road and an older woman who was approaching an elk , offering it something from her lunch it appeared. The Elk was about 10 feet away and looked to me as if it were 'disgruntled' .

Where we come from large wildlife isn't uncommon in the countryside and the cardinal rule is to NOT approach it, unless you want a tangle which will not end in the person's favour...generally. I see deer, moose, black bears during our tours throughout the province. I admire them from a great distance. ...somewhere safe.

[aslyfox]

When we were there we rounded a corner on the road and an older woman who was approaching an elk , offering it something from her lunch it appeared. The Elk was about 10 feet away and looked to me as if it were 'disgruntled' .

Where we come from large wildlife isn't uncommon in the countryside and the cardinal rule is to NOT approach it, unless you want a tangle which will not end in the person's favour...generally. I see deer, moose, black bears during our tours throughout the province. I admire them from a great distance. ...somewhere safe.

. making sure they have an escape route is very important

[timb64]

Phone zombies,I've said it before,Darwinism at work

[StiffLegged]

Phone zombies,I've said it before,Darwinism at work

And where better to read more than the Darwin Awards!


2018 Darwin Award: Focus On The Bear