I'll be out there looking at some wild animal and that's when somebody's annoying kid will come running up screaming his head off. The animal always disappears as soon as it hears this little jerk. His moronic parents almost always come walking by afterwards with the proudest looks on their faces. Maybe instead of a prideful stare they should give little Jimmy a short leash before he starts rolling around in the poison ivy!
And then there's the groups of people who think everything out there belongs to them. These idiots think just because they're in a group of six they should hoop and holler up a storm. Each one of these losers sounds like they're trying to compete with each other on who can be the loudest. Why do they even go out there? Don't these dimwits know that all of their yelling is going to scare away every animal for miles around? I think they're just trying to ruin it for everyone. Jerks!
Another thing I hate is the people that come out here alone, but have to be on the cell-phones. How those phones work out here, I don't know, but these lamebrains are still on the things chattering away at the top of their lungs. Why? I thought these parks were there to enjoy the solitude. Can't these halfwits exist for at least one moment without one of those things pressed to the sides of their stupid heads?
What about people and their dogs? I like pets just as much as anybody else but when I'm enjoying nature I don't want your pet barking in my ear. You bring little Cujo out there and let him off the leash and think his barking and howling are fun! It scares the animals. It scares the people. And it makes me mad! How would you like to be the one on the wrong side of an encounter with your unleashed giant little darling?
I quit writing on here last year because they didn't want me to say any of these things, but now things have changed. I'm back and nobody's going to stop me now! This place is normally focused on a gentle peaceful look at nature, but it also needs somebody like me to give it to you straight. Some people just don't respect nature, and I'm going to tell you about it.
And that's all I have to say about that!
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The statements of this contributor are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Nature Center Magazine and its other contributors. All responses and queries should be directed to the author and not to Nature Center Magazine.
=) It does seem that many people don't really get the whole nature thing.
ReplyDeleteOnce my husband and I were birding (standing, silent, looking into trees), a loudish group appeared, the birds disappeared, then they asked us "where are all the birds?"
My darling, PATIENT husband gently explained to them that if they move through the area QUIETLY, they'll see much more, and that we'd just seen a bunch of birds, but they were scared off by the noise. He was very polite, because that's who he is, but also, that way they'll actually listen and possibly absorb the information.
I really think some people just don't know.
I also have concerns about dogs in parks that are wildlife/habitat preserves, 'cause a) a visual of a dog will frighten 99% of the wildlife, b) the smell of the dog on the trail will prevent many species from using that trail for some time, c) diseases in their poop can affect wildlife, d) dogs off leash in a nature preserve should never be allowed, IMHO. Way too much risk for wildlife and people.
I understand where you are coming from, but there are instances that noise is a necessity in the trail, and is really recommended by National Parks and State Parks site, especially for trails that have the risk of bear encounter. Some points why making noise is necessary in the trail:
ReplyDelete1. you do not surprise an animal and scare them. It is when animals are surprised that their first instinct is to attack! However, bears (black bears, grizzly bears), mountain lions and other wildlife are known to silently walk away from human's noise. As such, in parks where there is a risk of encountering this kind of wildlife attack, we purposely make noise, by talking to each other, by ruffling the leaves with our trekking poles, or make a rhythm of clapping our hands once after 5 or 6 steps. If alone, they encourage bear bells, however, research have shown that bear bells have lesser effect to wildlife especially bears than human noise. Thus, if I see some people hiking alone and talking to themselves, I know they are not crazy or have no respect to nature, but actually doing it out of respect to nature. Wildlife don't always attack people, only when they are caught off guard.
However, I do get your point where there are trails where silence is most needed and welcome. I too get irritated sometimes when people just talk too much in nature, we go there to listen to the therapeutic sounds of nature.
Being a female, in urban hikes (females are least likely be attacked by rapists in wilderness trail because they are not there, but in urban trails, the risk increases), I pretend I am talking to someone in my cell phone when I hike alone. This will scare the criminals because the cell phone these days have built in satellites that would make it easier to identify the location of crime. Though I don't do this anymore, I hike often with my husband now, and we do love serenity and peace in nature.
Maybe the 'noisy' visitors should see what they missed.
ReplyDeleteA Wild Year-Banff National Park on youtube can give them an idea.
As well , the animals usually have simply slipped out of obvious sight. Some animals ( moose , wolves , coyotes , cougars)will often come from far afield to see who/what is making the racket. Careful observation into the shadows under the trees may surprise even the noisiest visitors.
It's a frustrating situation when you want to enjoy the serenity of nature, or taking photos of its beauty for us bloggers.
ReplyDeleteHowever, those noisy people, dogs, and kids have their own agenda too. We just have to find the best time to be in the park when no one is around.
As a female, I like the security of having people around to scare off bad guys when I'm in the park alone.
Hi just dropping by to adgitize you.
ReplyDeleteA Wild Year -Banff National Park came to me through the David Suzuki Foundation Facebook page which I follow...It is a real gem that shows what is missed and what is shared on those trails we use in the wilds.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your well thought out and intelligent comments. I hope you appreciate them as much as I do, Rob.
ReplyDelete@thepowmill
Thanks for the information. I'll most likely post the video in a few weeks. I'll include this part in the credits as well.
I can see both sides of this argument. I could add loud music, loud bikes, trikes etc. We live in an area with a lot of wilderness trails that have been taken over by this.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it would work to set aside areas where quiet needed to be observed - an observation area separate from a play area?
Some viable concerns. I have dogs. Yes, I do bring them to parks to hike, but unlike the little miniature yapper dogs I detest, my wolf and Pharaoh hound are much too civilized to disrupt nature.
ReplyDeleteI really hate it when kids run around shouting and screaming in the forests and stuff....sure they are kids but there is a time and a place for everything....but really the parents are at fault...they need to teach there children to respect their environments and be more aware of their surroundings.
ReplyDelete