A Bradenton man went for his regular paddle in Robinson Preserve in Manatee County recently when he he had the fortuitous opportunity to harass members of a heron rookery.

Doing so would have been illegal, but there was no one around to turn him in had he wanted to get one helluva shot for his Instagram followers.

But in an interesting twist overlooked by local media, he gave them plenty of space and observed them from an appropriate distance.

He didn’t chase them. He didn’t take any selfies. He didn’t try to pet them, climb any trees, or poach any youngsters to keep as a pet.

He also didn’t get a hefty heron bill through his eyeball.

Instead, the birds carried on with their regular activities without feeling threatened. They preened, napped, fed their young, and pooped on stuff per their usual routine.

Also of note, he has observed a number of other wild animals during previous outings. Yet he didn’t poke them with his paddle, try to pet them, or feed them the rest of his PB&J.

He simply left them alone.

Our nation’s conservation lands see millions of visitors each year, and while we rarely hear their stories, the majority of them (like this man in Bradenton) respect the land, its rules, and its wildlife.

If you’re planning a trip outdoors, please remember this first and most important rule: don’t be an asshole. Not only to protect the land, but to avoid becoming one of the unfortunate few who ends up making headline news.

If you want to learn more about staying safe outdoors, please check this list of handy tips.