It’s most obvious in a setting like that, but park visitors have no monopoly on stupid or ignorant acts that can get them killed or suffer serious health issues.
We see that demonstrated all the time in the content of Internet posts:
“You should know better.”
“Yeah, but it’s what I want to do.”

Last time we were in Yellowstone, we came on a herd of moms and their newborns. We stopped, warm, dry, and weren’t getting out of the car.
Then three tour buses arrived and vomited tourists. They started for the herd, looking through their cameras. The herd matriarch looked, then started moving. Finally the mob realized they were in danger.
It was amazing how many people could squeeze a bus door at the same time.

If you were to graph the stupidity of these people you would see that the curve is asymptotic to the idiot axis.

Just like people with their dogs. It's their children. I've had many dogs. Loved them all but they are dogs, my pet and thats it. The crap on TV humanizing animals gets alot of blame . Kind of creates a Timothy Treadwell mindset in these people. "I'm ONE with nature".

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
People are stupid. Part of me wants to feel sorry for her but nope, come on your a 70 something-year-old and think getting that close to a bison is a good idea.

I have seen brown bears in the wild and sure I wanted a good picture but guess what. I don't have a great picture because I didn't get close. Seen a mother Elk with very young babies. Again could have tried for an epic picture but nope.

Aw well, stupid people as least provide some entertainment.

I’m not all that much of a photographer, but if I wanted to take an epic picture, I’d get a super epic long lens to make it look like I got a whole lot closer than I have too much sense to get. The wife happened upon the work of Thomas D. Mangelsen who has the “Images of Nature” gallery. In googling him to make sure I spelled his name right, a collage of images popped up. One was his “Bad Boys of the Arctic” image which looks like several polar bears watching a Sunday football game. The only things missing were the beers and the remote. Another image was of him with a hellaciously long lens. Dude didn’t get all those “close” shots and survive by being a moron.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
“Bad Boys of the Arctic”

The Denver airport used to have a gallery of his photos. I chuckled when I first saw that photo, and it still makes me smile to think of it.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
People are stupid. Part of me wants to feel sorry for her but nope, come on your a 70 something-year-old and think getting that close to a bison is a good idea.

I have seen brown bears in the wild and sure I wanted a good picture but guess what. I don't have a great picture because I didn't get close. Seen a mother Elk with very young babies. Again could have tried for an epic picture but nope.

Aw well, stupid people as least provide some entertainment.

I’m not all that much of a photographer, but if I wanted to take an epic picture, I’d get a super epic long lens to make it look like I got a whole lot closer than I have too much sense to get.

You can't always get long enough lens. I was in AK last year. When preparing for the trip one thing I heard over and over was you can't bring a long enough lens. I brought a Sigma 150-500mm as it's the biggest lens I have. Yep more then once I found it not to be big enough. I still got some epic pictures but more than once I found 500mm to be seriously lacking. Granted a good long Nikon lens would have helped but then we are talking new car prices for a lens.

Lived on our Family Farm in the 40’s and 50’s we didn’t even trust the cattle we raised, hogs were the worst, their land sharks. Blood from a farmer being injured around would get a reaction that you get away from them.

Most of you guys are from, and talking about out west, but it is just as bad here in the Smokies with the Bears and Elk.
I see it every time I get over there.
The rangers will be on your ass here for sure but they are few and far between. I believe they can ticket you if you approach to within 500 feet OR if you "Effect the behavior of the animal."

This sad event below resulted in the decision to put down this young Elk.






Link to original video: https://youtu.be/bdA0vw3M5_0

So, the Minnesota Fish and Game folks are going to have to euthanize 100 bears when that old geezer dies. Who else would take over the risk and expense of such an endeavor? Why would we allow it, AGAIN?

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
People are stupid. Part of me wants to feel sorry for her but nope, come on your a 70 something-year-old and think getting that close to a bison is a good idea.

I have seen brown bears in the wild and sure I wanted a good picture but guess what. I don't have a great picture because I didn't get close. Seen a mother Elk with very young babies. Again could have tried for an epic picture but nope.

Aw well, stupid people as least provide some entertainment.

I’m not all that much of a photographer, but if I wanted to take an epic picture, I’d get a super epic long lens to make it look like I got a whole lot closer than I have too much sense to get.

You can't always get long enough lens. I was in AK last year. When preparing for the trip one thing I heard over and over was you can't bring a long enough lens. I brought a Sigma 150-500mm as it's the biggest lens I have. Yep more then once I found it not to be big enough. I still got some epic pictures but more than once I found 500mm to be seriously lacking. Granted a good long Nikon lens would have helped but then we are talking new car prices for a lens.

And a car to mount it on.

When I went to Africa (Kenya) last fall I did have a camera equipped with the Nikon 200-500VR lens. It laid in the seat next to me until I wanted to use it--there was no way I was going to carry that piece! I plan to do the same when (if) I do my scheduled Alaska trip this August.

That lens on a DX camera (D7100) is the equivalent of a 300-750mm lens.


flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
That lens on a DX camera (D7100) is the equivalent of a 300-750mm lens.

flashguy

It's just smoke and mirrors illusion because the DX sensor is smaller. It still only gives you a maximum 500 mm focal length. It won't give you any increased "range" on a DX than it will on an FX.

My longest lens is a 300mm FX lens. It's about as long as I can handle and still be able to get out and be mobile. I've toyed with the idea of a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR. 200mm of extra focal length over what I'm carrying now would be great. But carrying is the operative word. Carrying my D7200 with the 200-500 mm is is like carrying a mountain howitzer.

quote:

Originally posted by Micropterus:
Carrying my D7200 with the 200-500 mm is is like carrying a mountain howitzer.

Yet another wizard. This is almost exactly what we saw when there - people wandering out into fields amongst the herd, yards and yards away from car, building or any other cover.




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/QGM0kcOCbkw

Play dead indeed. She came very close to not having to act.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
They should make a sign.

When we were thru there a few decades ago, they had lots of signs. The first one at the gate guard shack! Signs only work for people with a mental capability above that of a hamburger. Or maybe a hot dog.

The key phrase to your question I:
" What is it that makes people think"

In reality , they are not thinking of any thing.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
Yet another wizard.

Love the screaming of her friends. "Play dead."

What did she say to her kid when she was gored and thrown 15 feet ?

Bi son.

Paisan -- Italian buffalo

People today have been quietly indoctrinated to think of animals as friends , family. Watch enough TV and the whole animal world loves us and wants to be our friends. Just ask Timothy Treadwell. Oh wait you can't , a bear ate the delusional fool.