Bear and Fox -

[Jaime Johnson]

One of our favorite experiences on this trip was a great bear interaction. We had decided to go to the extreme south end of the big green. Four of us left the ship in the skiff and were dropped on the beach. We had heard that a sow grizzly and her cubs were frequenting the area. We did end up seeing the sow and cubs (pictures will follow at some point I’m sure), but this interaction was with another sow grizzly that was feeding a few hundred yards away. We took several pictures and then we positioned to a different location where we assumed the grizzly would eventually feed.

We repositioned and eventually the bear fed towards our location. When the bear was about 25 yards away walking directly towards us, out of nowhere – a red fox appeared directly between us and the bear. The Foxes eyes lit up and the grizzly’s eyes lit up. The bear instantly took off on a dead run to catch the fox. The fox proceeded to run directly towards us with the grizzly in hot pursuit. They ran past us and then the fox turned around and headed back in the direction in which he came (with the bear on his heels).

I was lucky enough to have the camera on the tripod and managed to keep my head and keep shooting throughout the interaction. We got a few dozen pictures (and have attached three). It was totally apparent that the interaction was all in fun. Neither were taking it seriously. When the fox got too far ahead of the bear, it would actually wait for the bear to catch up!

They ran by us (closer than 15 feet because the lens couldn’t focus due to being too close) and past us. Then turned around and ran by us again. The chase continued for over a quarter mile! It was really a neat experience – they were just having a good time!

 

[Clayton Lofgren]

I was raised in bear country, but doubt that I would of got a shot in your circumstances. In this case a small sensor point and shoot would of been nice for the extra depth of field.
Or with your nerves, you might of swapped to an ultra wide.

 

[Cem_Usakligil]

Excellent Jaime, such a joy to see these pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

 

[Bart_van_der_Wolf]

Hi Jaime,

Great shots and story, thanks for sharing.

Are the grizzly bears comfortable with humans around, it seems so? Especially with cubs, I'd expect them to be more grumpy.

Bart

 

[Don Cohen]

What a story! What an experience!

Love the first shot especially - I think the bear being out of focus is actually preferred in this situation. If it were completely in focus, I think it would distract attention, and create confusion as to the subject. As is, it's a menacing presence, with enough detail to know just what it is!

 

[Jaime Johnson]

Hi Jaime,

Great shots and story, thanks for sharing.

Are the grizzly bears comfortable with humans around, it seems so? Especially with cubs, I'd expect them to be more grumpy.

Bart

Yeah Bart, they aren't harrassed like the bears you and I are used to in Yellowstone. The best way to describe the Katmai bears and human interaction is to compare it to interaction you would have with sea gulls. You really pay them no mind unless they are actually bothering you..

These bears have little interaction with humans (no bear jams and rubber bullets for these guys).

 

[Ron Morse]

Really nice shots and very interesting.