photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Seventy Four: Lightchasers -- nature and landscape photographers at work > In harm’s way, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2010
previous | next
25-MAY-2010

In harm’s way, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2010

Tourists are not supposed to get out of their cars to photograph Yellowstone’s wildlife at close range. But some photographers do not follow such instructions, including this pair of tourists who have left the safety of their car to get a closer shot of a bison crossing the road in front of them. I made this image through the front window of our own car, which was stopped in traffic to allow the bison to pass. This couple has just finished photographing the bison and are rapidly retreating to their car. They were fortunate that this bison had other things in mind – such bison can weigh 2,000 pounds and can run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. They stand within a few feet of the oncoming bison at this moment – a dangerous risk to take for a photograph.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
1/320s f/4.5 at 56.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
share
Phil Douglis12-Apr-2013 05:55
Thanks, Bob, for verifying my own impressions of this situation. It happens all the time at Yellowstone. Some people like to show off, others are oblivious to their own danger, and some are so fixated on getting a closeup view that they forget entirely about personal safety at such moments. As for me, I think that people who deliberately invade the territory of wild animal to make a picture are essentially irresponsible, selfish and foolhardy.They show no respect for nature itself.
Phil Douglis26-Jun-2010 20:12
Not only is this behavior irresponsible from a safety standpoint, but it also shows a disrespect for nature itself. Photographers should never intrude on the natural behavior of wildlife. They should always keep a respectful distance. According to the official rules of Yellowstone,"it is illegal to get within 100 yards of bears or 25 yards of other wildlife or within any distance in which harassment occurs." In this case, the photographers are certainly well within 25 yards of the bison.
Tim May26-Jun-2010 17:29
How often we saw people doing this - so stupid.
Phil Douglis18-Jun-2010 00:48
Yes, they could have made the shot from a lowered car window, Carol. But the fact remains that they jumped out of their car and stood in the path of this animal. This image asks a simple question. Is getting out of your car and making a photograph worth such a risk?
Carol E Sandgren17-Jun-2010 18:49
Okay, as per my last comment, risk taking is important but stupidity in doing that is just, well, plain stupid. As is evident with this couple's. Actually I really think YOUR shot of them speaks volumes, with the two of them, seemingly rushing back to the safety of their car. Could just as easily snagged the shot from a lowered car window.
Phil Douglis17-Jun-2010 00:24
He sure didn't need a 300 mm Canon lens to get a shot of an angry bison staring him down from ten feet away! It would be amusing if not for the risks these people are taking.
sunlightpix16-Jun-2010 23:18
LOL, look at the long lens that guy has!
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment