Close Encounters of the Bear Kind
There are good days and there are bad days. And then there are days like today.
The day started out poorly, as inclement weather kept us grounded until just before lunch. The skies began to clear and we sailed north along the Dempster Highway, tracking reports of grizzly bear sightings near the border with North West Territory. Along the way we stopped for some landscape images right at the Arctic Circle (click on the images to enlarge).
Proceeding north from there, we didn’t have to wait long before we sighted a gorgeous grizzly specimen. This was one well-fed brute, but his markings were also particularly beautiful, with a striking black stripe down his spine, light fur and a pronounced hump. We stopped and began to photograph him, even though he was quite a distance away. Our hope was that he would continue to graze on berries and dig up roots and work his way closer to us. It took two hours before he came close enough to us for some great images.
Inquisitive, at one point he warily stood up to sniff us, not more than 25 feet from us. At this point he was considerably taller than either of us.
Now I was getting a bit anxious. Bears usually have a goodly fear of humans, especially when they see us in advance. But this bear was getting a bit too close. I got my bear spray out of the holder, just to be on the safe side.
Just then a passing RV spooked him and he ran away and crossed the road about 50 yards from us. He resumed his feast, all the while ambling closer and closer to us. By now Richard Hartmier, a fellow pro photographer, and I were shooting frantically. Still he came, creeping closer, head bowed and shoulders down, as would a large feline.
Finally, we could wait no longer. We backed away, but he kept on advancing to within ten feet and we were forced to leave our tripods, cameras and long lenses and jump into the car.
My heart sank to my stomach as I watched him tip over my tripod with one little swat of his huge paws. He sniffed at it, totally ignoring us as we screamed at him. I pointed my bear spray, but did not press the trigger. After all, the damage had already been done and now he was doing what bears do and that is to explore.
He dragged my $10,000 rig to the side of the road and began to eat the foam on my tripod legs. I suspected my brand new Nikon lens was now a doorstop and the camera a paperweight, but he would not leave, so I gave a quick spritz of the pepper spray. He sniffed the air and when he sensed the sting in his nostrils, he left immediately.
In the meantime, Richard had also gotten out of the vehicle and very, very carefully took some shots of the bear near my photo rig. The bear wandered away nonchalantly.
Richard Hartmier photo
With much trepidation, I examined my gear. The lens was in perfect working order, even after having survived a 6-foot fall onto the hard-packed gravel road. My camera had a minor injury; the battery compartment door had snapped off from the impact. A little duct tape later and it worked just fine.
Me with the bear snack (Richard Hartmier photo)
With that established we did what any other self-respecting photographer would do, and that was to continue to photograph this magnificent animal, which we did for another hour or so.
Just a couple of final remarks. First, Richard and I never felt in danger and we continuously checked with each other to be sure we were in agreement on that score. The bear did not appear to be aggressive at any point and after tracking it for three hours, we felt that we saw enough of its natural behavior to be alerted if it became aggressive. In fact, right after it chewed on my tripod, it immediately began to dig roots from the roadbed. Richard has lived in the Yukon most of his life and is experienced photographing bear. Besides, he’s slower than I, so I probably felt more secure than he did.
Finally, hats off to Nikon. Their pro line is durable, that’s for sure. Also, a big nod to the folks at Really Right Stuff. The tripod ball head they make is widely considered the best in the industry. It held the camera fast, which is a major reason I feel the camera and lens did not shatter. Add “bear-proof” to your list of features, guys.
Oh, one more thing… bear spray works!
Wow! Awesome photos, but happy you are safe!
Wait till your wife reads this one!
I see a Nikon endorsement coming…..
Wow,you and your camera bearly made it ?
wow! That is a fantastic adventure. I can’t wait to see the rest of your shots. You should contact Nikon with the story.
Too bad he didn’t you! I’m in your will for all your camera gear!
Nice guy! I just removed you from my will.
Thanks, Sherif. I do plan to contact Nikon when I return home.
Jay:
I can’t bear your jokes!
Ditto for the bear spray!
oops!
Les
What an amazing adventure. 10 feet- It’s hard to imagine that. Looking forward to hearing more.
Wow. Fantastic shots Les and what a story. Good job the Nikon is not to everyone’s taste.
[...] Actually my buddy Les Picker had his camera rig attacked by a bear when he was out in the wild photographing landscapes, nature, and other subjects that I try to stay as far away from as possible. Here is the full scoop. [...]
[...] D300 and 200-400mm zoom lens survived an encounter with a grizzly bear in Canada’s Northwest Territories. “He dragged my $10,000 rig to the side of the road [...]
[...] scads of pockets to store virtually every gadget we typically use. In fact, in my recent blog on my bear encounter in the Yukon, you can see that I was wearing my “uniform,” a ScotteVest Fleece 5.0 [...]
Great shots Les!! Wow! nice Griz …like that there is no mention of the possible use of a firearm. Had lunch & super with Richard today and really enjoyed his take on this story. Keep shooting & stay safe!
Thanks Daryl. Here’s a word of advice, though… never believe a word that Richard says!!
Wow Les, what a great experience. To see a bear that close is amazing. Your photography is fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
Sometimes, you have to run…
I read a story today about a photographer who had a close encounter with a bear near the Arctic Circle. It brought two things to mind: First, be aware of your surroundings at all times when you are out shooting. That goes from watching where you step…
[...] of the Arctic Circle and hunted bears with our cameras in Alaska. Once, in the Yukon, we were even pestered by a grizzly while photographing. Richard, of course, ran for the safety of his vehicle, leaving me and my camera gear to fend for [...]
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