09/04/2026
Two of my all time favourite Grizzly bear images I’ve ever created. Each time I look at these I’m transported right back to this very moment in time. Photography has helped me through plenty of hard times and this was one of those days. 2018, 6 months after losing my Mom unexpectedly, my friend Murray O'Neill took me under his wing and said follow me, I know a spot that this Sow and her cubs come through daily to get to the river. We waited and like clockwork these two came and looked down from the banks of the river pausing to make sure it’s safe before taking to the river to feast on Salmon. Every thing lined up perfectly, the light, the background, I can even recall my inner voice begging the grasses in front of the cubs face to get out of the way so I can manage to get focus lol. I’m not sure how long the moments lasted, it felt like time stopped, but I can remember as they moved on to the river we looked at each other and just smiled, laughed, gave each other high fives and exhaled sighs of joy and disbelief. I still get glossy eyed just recounting this experience and I could not help but feel that for a few moments my Mom came to say hello via these bears. I guess my point is that I believe there is some other worldly connection with nature that we all have. I have a number of friends that have recently lost a parent, for me it was and still is one of the biggest hurdles I’ve ever faced in life. I just want those friends to know that if you pay close attention there will be moments when they come to encourage you and give a little boost to your day. Thanks for reading and feel free to weigh in if you have ever had a similar experience.
