More then likely, this big boy is enjoying his winter nap at this time. Only two days from our previous interaction, I got to see him face on at the start of this month. I in the comfort of my car and he slowly walking on an animal trail. What do you do when you see someone who is on the top of their game, you take a picture if you can and on this occasion not ask for an autograph.
Sometime you're forced into a situation of having limited tools and trying to come up with something worth keeping. Few weeks back I had just my compact camera and I was looking at a grizzly bear. Not having more then three time zoom on the camera, I decided to show the sense of scale of this beautiful bear to its surroundings. Other then during mating season and the odd encounters with other bears, this grizzly lives in isolation, travelling throughout the mountains.
Until next moment,
Amar
One way to keep cool during warm weather, this grizzly was taking a roll in a small pool of water next to the road.
Until next moment,
Amar
For the first few years the grizzly bear cubs don't have a care in the world, their mother providing the protection and the food needed to grow big and strong. But eventually a day arrives when they have to face the world on their own. This might be the case for this cub, all along, looking very nervous and frighten. But if the mother did a good job, it will slowly gain strength and courage by applying the lessons learned.
Surrounded by a world of challenges, this mom has been providing everything her three cubs need to have a bright future.
Until next moment,
Amar
It's not the best of pictures, but it was great seeing this popular female grizzly with her three cubs in Banff NP. After a mid-day nap they decided to swim instead of walk on dry land to reach their destination. Their destination was a small forested area where they might find elk calves.
Until next moment,
Amar
The grizzly cub was having a lovely dinner in the shade, with its mother and sibling nearby doing the same. End to the day was not far off, just watched them from a distance for a while. The cub stood up on its hind legs when loud noise was head from nearby. Seconds later it was back eating after realizing no harm was coming its way.
Until next moment,
Amar
What a sight it was, watching a beautiful bear walking along the river, bottom of the valley. Searching for food and being that time of the season, searching for a mate. They are by far the top-of-the-food-chain predators, but much of what they eat are the likes of berries, fruit, leaves and roots. Watched this bear for half and hour digging and finding food. Darkness was moving in, it was time for me to leave the sight of this impressive solitary animal.
Until next moment,
Amar
Garter Snakes are common across North America due to their adaptability to the various landforms. Being heterothermic, garter snakes take in the heat from the sun to control their body temperature. They use a system of pheromonal communication, finding other snakes by following their pheromone scented trails. With their carnivorous diet, they will eat almost anything they can overpower. But on the day the attached picture was taken, few garter snakes were being overpowered by omnivore grizzly cubs.
Until next moment,
Amar
Male and Female Grizzly Bears
Still coming across bears, Black and Grizzly Bears. Just the other day saw 9 bears altogether, I'll never get tired of them. Gives me a chance to get better and better pictures. Always making sure the bears are safe and I'm safe, then going ahead and taking the pictures. As more snow melts, they will be moving away from the valley to find food higher up. Last week I git to watch black bear cubs at play, this time watching little bit of the grizzly mating ritual.
Large Male Grizzly
Female Grizzly
Cinnamon Black Bear
Black Bear
Until next moment,
Amar
It was a young adult grizzly, looking for grain on the railway tracks. It took a quick look at me and went about its business, while I looked around making sure I had my exit planned. There was good amount of space between us, I settled down and snapped few pictures of the grizzly until I heard the west bound train whistle. Train, grain and grizzly are not a good combination. Hoped the bear would be off the tracks soon, train got closer and the bear not even taking a look in the direction of the coming train. I move back in case the bear makes a run for it in my direction, but the bear still looking for grain. I had walked that section of the track, not much grain to find, but this bear was finding what it needed. Train is getting closer, ripples in the water from the vibration, geese can't be heard, I stop looking at the bear through the camera and now the bear looks toward the train. Then it turns away from the coming train, takes few quick steps on the tracks before getting off. Within few seconds of getting of the tracks, the train comes through.
I called dispatch regarding the bear, before taking more pictures of the birds.. About ten minutes later the bear was back, bottom half of it wet from where it ran to. It went back looking for food as it walked along the tracks, I started to walking toward my car after I lost site of it behind bushes.
This bear survived another day, hope it has a long life. Sadly we lost one of these beautiful creature to the train just few days ago. Work continues making park safe for bears and other animals that call the mountains their home.
Until next moment,
Amar