Death in the National Park

Dave Parker · Jun 19, 2006

BruceN said:
Good one, Aggie. I was watching some would-be wildlife photographers close in on a small herd of buffalo near the Old-Faithful complex when a nearby tourist lady asked me "How come you're taking pictures of those people taking pictures of the buffalo?" She just gave me a disbelieving, dirty type look when I replied "It's for their obituaries."

Oh My God, I am rolling on the floor and my stomach is killing me, great one Bruce!!

LOL

R.

Shmoo · Jun 19, 2006

A while back I met a ranger who used to call these people "tourons" or tourist-morons. His belief was that it was everyone's right and privilege as an American to kill themselves in their National Parks...

DBP · Jun 19, 2006

BruceN said:
Good one, Aggie. I was watching some would-be wildlife photographers close in on a small herd of buffalo near the Old-Faithful complex when a nearby tourist lady asked me "How come you're taking pictures of those people taking pictures of the buffalo?" She just gave me a disbelieving, dirty type look when I replied "It's for their obituaries."

That's going into the quote collection I have been working on for the past quarter century. Can I get a last name, Bruce? It will match nicely with this one,

People sometimes ask what bears do all day in the high country. Mostly , I think they just sleep and dream about all the perspiring backpackers plodding up the trails loaded with prime steaks and ham, pancake mix and strawberry jam, nuts and raisins and chocolate bars. - ranger-naturalist Jon Kinney, National Geographic, Jan 85

kswatapug · Jun 19, 2006

Great quote. Jon was one of the best. His was the first program I ever attended in Yosemite way back in 1984.

Shmoo · Jun 19, 2006

DBP said:
That's going into the quote collection I have been working on for the past quarter century. Can I get a last name, Bruce? It will match nicely with this one,

People sometimes ask what bears do all day in the high country. Mostly , I think they just sleep and dream about all the perspiring backpackers plodding up the trails loaded with prime steaks and ham, pancake mix and strawberry jam, nuts and raisins and chocolate bars. - ranger-naturalist Jon Kinney, National Geographic, Jan 85

Jon Kinney's theory of how Yosemite Valley was carved included the "Giant Sierra Diamond-Toothed Granite Boring Gopher"...the man had a sense of humor...

Curt · Jun 19, 2006

So what have we learned here from this. I know poor grammer but according to Dr. Phil when asked why the chicken crossed the road:

The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on "THIS" side of the road before it goes after the problem on the "OTHER SIDE" of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his "CURRENT" problems before adding "NEW" problems.

And when someone makes a mistake it's someone elses duty to stop them and it's always someone else that is stupid and if they are usually out of towners.

Congratulations on the weight loss Aggie. After noticing that a lot of male photographers are over weight I started weight watchers. I am only one of two men in there with 25 to 30 women. I am very close to my proper weight now and can say that weight is a problem everywhere and anyone who thinks it's a joke should look in the mirror.

We have also learned that the National Parks in the US are a way to commit Park assisted suicide by Bear or Buffalo.

Are we safer in the car on the way to the park or in the park?

Curt

Wigwam Jones · Jun 20, 2006

Curt said:
I am very close to my proper weight now and can say that weight is a problem everywhere and anyone who thinks it's a joke should look in the mirror.

I also think that people who have lost a lot of weight should be proud of their accomplishment and keep their formerly fat noses out of other people's business. My weight is not your problem, society's problem, or anyone else's problem. And it is only a problem for me if I decide it is.

I'm a former smoker. I hate former smokers turned anti-smokers. If I choose to lose weight, I sure won't be telling others how fat they are and to look in the mirror. I'll be minding my own bidness.

Curt · Jun 20, 2006

Brings to mind my travelin' days. Seldom did an elevator in a big high-rise open up on the ground floor crowd that the ingress did not attempt to take place before the egress. Anyone can understand enough math to know that you can't get on a full elevator before you let someone else off - but try to explain that to morons in suits who took too long at lunch and now are in a hurry to get back. More than once, I missed my exit and had to ride up again. I finally learned that sharp elbows and small outrages committed upon the person of a stuffed suit in your way works wonders.

Likewise, whoever decided that the poles in the subway car were for leaning upon? When ten or more people have to hold on to them to keep from falling down, there is always one lout who thinks it is his personal scratchin' pole. Again, violence in small ways became my friend. A hand wrapped around the pole regardless of the lout's proximity with my knuckles and a sharp twist of same often elicited a gasp and a rapid re-establishment of diplomatic relations.

Mr. Wigwam Jones,

Thank you for making us aware of how much anger and hatred you have toward the human race.

coriana6jp · Jun 20, 2006

Pinholemaster said:
It's important to never overestimate the intellegence of people.

I've witness countless people doing exactly what this woman did. It's as if in the American culture rules no longer apply to "ME", they are simply for everyone else.

Similar to the drivers of Washington DC. If a street sign reads "No right turn on red" they do it anyway. Usually while talking on a cellular phone. I believe 80% of DC drivers don't know what the word "Stop" means on street signs. Not that they actually stop before making a right on red.

I.

Just remember 'STOP' is only an acronym for "Slow Then Optional Pause", at least it seems that way most places.

Gary

BruceN · Jun 20, 2006

Wigwam Jones · Jun 20, 2006

Curt said:
Mr. Wigwam Jones,

Thank you for making us aware of how much anger and hatred you have toward the human race.

Curt, I'm sorry I was so harsh in my reaction to your statement about having lost weight - it sure looked like you were one of those who, having lost weight, now feels compelled to tell other people that they need to lose weight. Perhaps you didn't mean it that way, and if not, I apologize. It was late and it hit me the wrong way.

I might be overly sensitive - when I was a smoker, I was always getting input from people whose business it was not. Same with the weight. What prompts a total stranger to tell me that I need to lose some weight? What makes it their business?

BrianShaw · Jun 20, 2006

So what is it about folks from Wilson NC... I've now encountered two on the internet (both photographers and both participants in photo-related forums) and they seem to share a common trait: speak (write) loud, speak (write) often, speak (write) rudely/harshly. Is is Wilson, is it NC, or is it photographers that I'm starting to get a bad impression of?

Curt · Jun 20, 2006

Wiggy, this was the first time I mentioned it and only after hearing of Aggie's weight loss. I don't talk about it because it's not a vanity thing, the doctor said loose the weight or face diabetes or worse. What other people with their lives is their person business.

Regards,

Curt

Aggie · Jun 20, 2006

Curt said:
Wiggy, this was the first time I mentioned it and only after hearing of Aggie's weight loss. I don't talk about it because it's not a vanity thing, the doctor said loose the weight or face diabetes or worse. What other people with their lives is their person business.

Regards,

Curt

And I Wiggy only mentioned it because someone else was citing that being fat was a problem and he tried to take this thread in the direction you didn't like. I wasn't telling anyone to lose weight, I was angry at a person who was being a fat head for saying what he did.

Wigwam Jones · Jun 20, 2006

I can't unsay it. I've apologized. How many more apologies would you like?

cdholden · Jun 20, 2006

Wigwam Jones said:
What prompts a total stranger to tell me that I need to lose some weight? What makes it their business?

While on the subway/train, were you standing on their toes?

Chris

Terence · Jun 20, 2006

One of my favorite books: "Death in Yellowstone : Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park" by Lee Whittlesey. Always a fun read if you want to know what it's like to be boiled alive. Or trampled by a buff'. It's not like they DON'T warn people either. When you enter the park they hand you a nice bright yellow warning talking about the dangers of buffalo (It's my favorite souvenir, actually.) and another talking about the dangers of thermal features. The first time I was there I watched parents let their kid throw rocks at a buffalo about 30' away with only a split-rail fence in between. To my chagrin, the buff' didn't stomp him into the ground.

Working in high-rise construction, besides the OSHA rules, we try to live by the rules of:
NEVER step backwards.
NEVER pick up plywood (it's usually covering a hole, which people who pick up the plywood often fall into).
NEVER trust a safety cable to be secured.
When climbing ladders, have three points of contact at all times, ie. don't carry things up a ladder.
DON'T stand next to a column and if you do, DO NOT look up. Ironworkers on the floors above often relieve themselves on the columns.

Despite drilling this into people, I'd say these things account for half our injuries.

Palantiri7 · Jun 20, 2006

The worst scenario is, of course, that a precipice is invisible. The crater edge of La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent is just that. Without a guide, you could be walking happily along one second, and then proceeding at 9.8 meters per second squared straight down in another second. The volcano crater is frequently enshrouded in fog and it's a 1500 foot drop to the bottom. Accidents have occurred. Attached is a picture of fog with the crater rim just beyond.

Aggie · Jun 20, 2006

We need the equivalent of the Darwin awards for the National Parks/forests

tommy5c · Jun 20, 2006

I think they have their own awards for idiots. After growing up in wyoming I thought it was common sense to - not walk up to a 2000 pound animal that had horns, and cant see so good. But every year it happens. I was even more shocked to see the huge sign going into yellowstone " do not molest the animals"
All I can say is I really feel bad for the family of this lady, but it seems that all it takes is one accident and then other people seem to be more cautious.

cdholden · Jun 21, 2006

tommy5c said:
I think they have their own awards for idiots. After growing up in wyoming I thought it was common sense to - not walk up to a 2000 pound animal that had horns, and cant see so good. But every year it happens. I was even more shocked to see the huge sign going into yellowstone " do not molest the animals"

When I lived in south Florida, I saw, more than once, signs that read "do not molest the alligators." Despite the fact that it usually gets several laughs and comments by tourists, it's sage advice however you look at it.
Chris

Ed Sukach · Jun 21, 2006

Terence said:
Working in high-rise construction, besides the OSHA rules, we try to live by the rules of:
NEVER step backwards...

I can add one, although a little off-topic... especially valuable for those working in zoos:

NEVER "moon" a rhinoceros!!

leeturner · Jun 21, 2006

At a lion park near where I used to live in Jo'burg there are signs all the way around the entrance and inside the lion enclosure warning you to keep your windows closed and not to get out of the vehicle.

A few years ago a bunch of tourists left their vehicle to get a better photo of a pride of lions. One ex tourist. The crazy thing was that some people demanded that the lions be shot because of this. Thankfully the owners ignored this.

Aggie · Jun 21, 2006

On a private tour in Venezuela's Llanos region our guide in the middle of the night along with the boatman did something incredibly stupid. We were on the Apure river which is the third largest in So. America, in a dug out canoe thankfully with a motor. The guide and boatman stopped us on a large sandbar in the middle of the river. They got out barefooted and started chasing Cayman (crocodiles) with flashlights. What they wanted to do was catch about a 3 footer (baby) to bring back to the boat so we could all play with it. While these idiots were out there in the dark, I kept thinking of what could happen. None of us knew where the small town was that we were staying in. None of us knew how to run the boat. It was about 11 PM in the middle of a river the width of the Mississippi. None of us were about to get out of that boat to go help if anything happened to the idiots. We were lucky and nothing did happen. The next day I was sent off with a driver and two body guards with rifles to photograph while everyone else went horse back riding. I saw some of those Caymen up close and personal. That is with a nice telephoto lens. Some of those suckers were a lot longer than the Toyota 4x4 we were in. I watched on yawn then eat a huge heron as if it were a small snack in one bite. There is no way in hell that I would get close enough to molest one of them. Fear is a good thing!

anyte · Jun 21, 2006

I hate driving because people have no respect for their own lives let alone the lives of others. People just want to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. People think freedom means enjoyment 24/7 - which means not respecting the rights and the lives of anyone.

You wouldn't believe how many people have given me stupid advice about geting shots that I would like to get. I ask, "what lens do I need" and they say to just go out there and get it without the long expensive lens. Are you freaking nuts? I don't hang off cliffs. I don't even stand on the edge of cliffs. Hell, I don't even get near the edge of the cliff. I'm not about to piss off any animals by invading their territory. If I can't see the ground then I'm not about to leave the trail. I don't know what snakes and critters are hiding in the four foot high grass and I'm not about to risk finding out the hard way. I may miss many opportunities but I can live with that. I'd rather play it safe, it helps me to sleep better at night.

Death in the National Park

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