05/26/2026
I was a little apprehensive to post these shots but I love them. Over the weekend I took some time to hit one of my favourite National parks. I was in a parking pullout when a brown phased mama black bear and her cub came strolling by. It wasn’t long until pandemonium ensued, people parking in the middle of the road and getting out. The worst part was even other professionals with their telephoto lenses getting out and down low onto the road.
I know why they were doing it, so they could get shots at an angle that avoided capturing the edge of the road. As you can see from my shots it wasn’t impossible from in my vehicle and without participating in crowding the two bears though.
So for a moment it was a really nice experience but when it got out of hand I didn’t want to be apart of it anymore and it became really difficult to leave.
It’s exciting to see a bear and sometimes you have to be content with not having anything to share. Earlier in the day I found a massive grizzly while driving but in order for me to get a shot I would have had to be an as***le and block the road and probably get out to get a view of it below the bank, I declined. Seeing him was still awesome! Sometimes you need to just practice some patience and for those with phone cameras, I’m sorry but you’re not going to get that nat geo shot so don’t be an idiot. And for the pros that do the same BS on roadside encounters with bears, you should know better.
Anyway, the Mama was really itchy and found herself a stump to scratch her face and roll around on. Next thing I know the cub is crawling all over her, creating the perfect moment to capture their bond.
As always these photos are genuine moments in time captured by me and not created or enhanced by any AI Bullsh**.
