Bears Doing Bear Things

Bears. Everyone loves the bears. They can be the most challenging to find, and get good photos of, but so nice when you get that chance. It’s definitely right place, right time with them. They move around, people move around, and sometimes our paths cross. There are areas where your chances go up though, areas where bears are known to be.

Then you just have to hope they cooperate.

“I’m not coming out, it’s too peopley out there.”

We were walking on a trail we enjoy, and saw this bear clear out on a limb getting hawthorn berries. This is the time of year when they focus on getting fat, hyperphagia, and the berries are a prime source of food.

This was a pretty good sized cinnamon black bear, so I’m assuming it was a male. That and no cubs nearby. He was sure skilled at walking the tightrope branch though.

He got his fill, climbed down out of the tree and away he went deep into the forest.

Last night we were headed to the inner park road in Teton and as we drove across the snake river I looked down and saw a black bear on the edge of the river. Al pulled down a side road, slammed on the brakes and we ran out cameras in hand. He was half way across the river at this point. No time for a tripod or anything like that, we just shot photos of him as he swam across and downstream towards us.

He got out and glanced our way.

Look at all the water that fur can hold.

Then he proceeded to shake out all that water.

He then walked down the bank a little ways, and turned and went into the bushes.

I was thrilled to say the least. I sure wish I could have grabbed a tripod though, as he was kinda far away and that would have helped my photos for sure. Oh well, it was simply amazing to see anyway.

We were actually going for sunset shots, and I did get some beautiful stuff.

These huge storm clouds were to the east, and the colors and textures were just gorgeous.

It was a very nice ending to the day.