Friendly Bear

Arthur Morris · Sep 10, 2009

This is an image of two-time Bear Boat IPT particpant George Brunt and a friendly Katmai coastal Brown Bear, aka, Grizzly bear. George who is from Canada is a really nice fellow, helpful as can be, and a fine photographer. When I say something that he agrees with he says eggs-ZACT-lee with a huge emphasis on the ZACT syllable. It cracks me up every time.

Arthur Morris · Sep 10, 2009

ps: That is a look of fear on George's face.

Alfred Forns · Sep 10, 2009

.. he is frozen

... too close for comfort and I think the bear is laughing !!!

Axel Hildebrandt · Sep 10, 2009

What happened next? Did he share his breakfast with the bear?

Gus Cobos · Sep 10, 2009

I think he's frozen in time...

...so what happened next???

Joerg Rockenberger · Sep 10, 2009

Insane. And so fascinating. How do you avoid that bears start associating people with food? Is everyone instructed to not carry any food with them in the field? JR

Arthur Morris · Sep 11, 2009

As the bear kept getting closer our guide stood and walked slowly towards the bear talking to her. The bear sniffed a bit and kept on going. The guide carries pepper spray but never reached for it in this case.

No food at all is permitted in the field. (As a diabetic, I take a small bit of cheese in a sealed plastic bag). The bear had a cub and was just curious. It is possible that it was attracted to the smell of halibut on our clothing.

Kerry Perkins · Sep 11, 2009

Guess he didn't have time to change to the macro lens... That's a little too close for a grizzly. Hope he hadn't been cutting bait!!

Geurt Bloem · Sep 11, 2009

I do not think George had egg-ZACT-lee this in mind when he saw the bear coming closer.

For me, the distance between him and that bear is such that no matter what pepper spray or "bear-talking" ability the guide had, if that bear decided she did not like George's smell, George would have been seriously compromised. A very high risk distance between George and a wild predator I'd guess, but then I have no experience of your bears and their general demeanour at all. Here in Africa, you should never try that with a lioness with cubs

Thanks for showing the image Arthur.

Tell Dickinson · Sep 11, 2009

Now that is living dangerously - you must have used a very fast shutter speed Art as I can not detect any movement blur in George's knees

Tell

LouBuonomo · Sep 11, 2009

Well I would have wet myself... I guess the old adage Never Run applies here... Food Runs !

Grady Weed · Sep 11, 2009

I agree with Kerry and Lou! Close one!

Arthur Morris · Sep 11, 2009

Geurt Bloem said:
I do not think George had egg-ZACT-lee this in mind when he saw the bear coming closer.

For me, the distance between him and that bear is such that no matter what pepper spray or "bear-talking" ability the guide had, if that bear decided she did not like George's smell, George would have been seriously compromised. A very high risk distance between George and a wild predator I'd guess, but then I have no experience of your bears and their general demeanour at all. Here in Africa, you should never try that with a lioness with cubs

Thanks for showing the image Arthur.

Thanks for dropping by Guert. I have the utmost confidence in our guide. He has been taking folks to see and photograph the bears for more than 20 years with zero attacks and zero incidences. Such close encounters usually happen several times in a week but the bears are just curious. And there is lots of salmon in the fall and there are lots of clams and grass in the spring.

Only two folks have been killed in Katmai by bears: Timothy Treadwell who got what he was asking for and his unfortunate girlfriend. Have you seen the movie or read the book?

denise ippolito · Sep 11, 2009

Artie, A little too close for me too!

I saw that movie and agree w/ you they were asking for it.

Arthur Morris · Sep 12, 2009

Hi Denise, Actually, only he was the one asking for it.

denise ippolito · Sep 12, 2009

Artie, Yes, but what was she doing there?She was a grown woman responsible for her own decisions. He did not have her tied to a post. She knew full well of his intentions and his lack of concern and true respect.

Arthur Morris · Sep 12, 2009

denise ippolito said:
Artie, Yes, but what was she doing there?She was a grown woman responsible for her own decisions. He did not have her tied to a post. She knew full well of his intentions and his lack of concern and true respect.

I agree. But sometimes folks have a way of coercing others into doing what they do not want to do. I consider her a victim, him a whacko.

denise ippolito · Sep 12, 2009

Artie, I agree w/ that. After the movie, I considered her a victim and him a wacko. It is just very hard for me to understand.

Arthur Morris · Sep 12, 2009

Agree; it is hard to understand a nut-job.

James Shadle · Sep 12, 2009

Talk about baiting!
I've never thought about using a workshop participant as bait.
You are cutting edge and I can't wait to try it myself.
James

Friendly Bear

Help Support BirdPhotographers.net:

Publisher

Attachments

Publisher

Alfred Forns

Guest

Axel Hildebrandt

Guest

Gus Cobos

Guest

Well-known member

Publisher

BPN Member

Well-known member

Tell Dickinson

Guest

Well-known member

Well-known member

Publisher

Well-known member

Publisher

Well-known member

Publisher

Well-known member

Publisher

Co-Founder

Similar threads