It’s that time of the year again! And no, I’m not talking about the start of the major league baseball season. Last Friday was a significant Opening Day in both local national parks. That morning, Yellowstone’s South Gate opened, which means with the exception of Beartooth Highway and Dunraven Pass, YNP is now completely ready for the high season.
On the same day in Grand Teton National Park, the campground, lodge, coffee shop and restaurant at Signal Mountain opened. (The marina will open this Saturday.) Signal Mountain is my preferred place to camp, so once it’s back in business all is well.
Colter Bay will bring up the rear, with the campground opening on the 21st and the marina opening the following day.
I was working in both parks last week: they were still reasonably quiet, but that won’t last long. By Memorial Day the throngs will have arrived.
Unfortunately, even when the vibe is laid-back, it’s not hard to find bad behavior.
Bad Behavior in the National Parks
In Yellowstone, I encountered a bison jam that was created by two vehicles, one in each lane, who decided to stop right there in the middle of the road to look at the animals that were standing among the trees a dozen or so yards away. They were gawking, taking photos, and completely oblivious to the fact that cars were lined up behind them – or perhaps they were well aware of the traffic backing up but just didn’t care. They wanted to look at the animals. From right there. As for the others who actually wanted to use the roadway for its intended purpose, i.e. driving, too bad.
If you’ve visited Yellowstone you know this is not uncommon. It’s also one of the reasons I avoid the park during the summer months.
Earlier in the week, two hikers in YNP were attacked after having apparently surprised a mama grizzly and her two cubs-of-the-year. Both survived. I'm not suggesting that this was "bad behavior." No further information has been made public so it's impossible to say. It’s a reminder, though, that this is grizzly country: you must bring with you a heightened sense of awareness – especially in the early spring. If you see tracks (and there were tracks, which is how the rangers knew there was an adult and two cubs) maybe you ought to avoid that trail.
The following day, Cowboy State Daily reported that park rangers were trying to move a crowd away from three grizzlies and four wolves who had gathered on the bank of the Yellowstone River around the carcass of drowned bison. The animals were becoming aggressive as they clashed over who would get the meal, and the tourists were getting way too close.
Rather than recognizing their error, realizing they were putting themselves in danger, and complying with park regulations, the people yelled at the rangers and told them to leave.
Can you imagine what it’s like at the height of tourist season when this type of bad behavior multiplies exponentially?
People routinely speed through Grand Teton National Park. Each year, car strikes kill wildlife at an alarming rate.
Also in Grand Teton National Park, I’ve watched as parents let their children pick handfuls of wildflowers – after they’ve trampled over countless other plants. Two kids picked until they couldn’t hold any more, then dumped them on the ground and began picking more blooms all over again.
If you say anything to these people, you’re the bad guy.
Bad Behavior Elsewhere in Nature
Bad behavior isn’t limited to national parks, of course. At the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon last month, despite multiple signs requesting visitors stay out of the tulips, people were routinely stepping over the rope lines and walking among the flowers in order to get that perfect selfie. Some brought changes of outfits.
On my last afternoon there, a farm employee told me there had been significant damage on that day because so many people had trampled on the tulips.
In New Hampshire’s White Mountains, bad behavior has put a damper on the annual Lupine Festival. Some of the flowers are located on private acreage. One person told me people were routinely trespassing through their property at 4am, making noise and crushing blooms. They made the difficult decision to mow their fields under to eliminate the flowers rather than deal with the onslaught.
The list could go on and on.
Be the Good Example
What bothers me the most about bad behavior in the parks and elsewhere in the natural world is that photographers are too often guilty of it. Shouldn’t we be able to count on nature photographers – of all people – to respect the environment?
Make it a point to do things the right way. Maybe – just maybe – your example will be followed. At the very least, you won’t be adding to the problem.
Obey the Speed Limit
I am frequently out well before dawn in Grand Teton National Park. At daybreak, wildlife are especially active. It’s difficult to see in the darkness; you’ve got to be very cautious. Yet I cannot tell you how many times I’ve spotted headlights far off in the distance in my rear view mirror – and before long they inevitably overtake me. If I’m going at or just under the speed limit, how fast must they driving to catch up (and then pass me)?
Vehicle strikes are one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths for wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Between 75 and 100 large animals are struck each year in Grand Teton National Park. The rate is even higher in Yellowstone.
Slow down, especially at dawn and dusk. Obey posted limits.
If the only way you’re going to make it to your sunrise shooting location in time is to drive recklessly through the park, you’re not getting up early enough.
Respect Private Property
Unless you’ve been given permission to access it, private property is just that…private.
Respect the Environment
Obey signs. Don’t stray from the trail if the sign indicates you shouldn’t. Avoid stepping on vegetation, and be especially mindful not to walk on very fragile environments, like desert soil or bacteria mats in geyser fields.
Give Wildlife Space
Getting too close can cause significant harm to wild animals. It can induce stress and disrupt feeding and resting, and can lead to habituation, which almost always ends badly for the animal. Getting too close can also cause significant harm to you! Encounters can be dangerous and sometimes fatal.
Stay at least 25 yards away from large animals like moose, elk and deer. Stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If an animal changes its behavior (stops eating, watches you, makes noise, etc.), you are too close.
Be Courteous
Nobody “owns” a location, but if you’re shooting around other people, be aware of those who arrived before you. Make sure you’re not in their shot and that you’re not blocking their light.
Our Actions Have Impact
No photograph is worth more than the well-being of the subject or the integrity of the land. We are visual historians of the natural world; let’s make sure our legacy isn't one of degradation, but of stewardship.
As the gates swing open and the season begins in earnest, remember that we are guests in treasured spaces like the Tetons and Yellowstone. The best way to honor the beauty of such places is to respect the animals who live there, and leave the landscape exactly as we found it.