Lots of folks ask me about what it like to photograph Brown Bears up close. I have been fortunate to have excellent field guides who have taught me about what to do and what not to do when around these animals. My first experience was in 2006 when I flew to Hallo Bay with Chris Day and her husband Ken, who pilots their wonderful old classic deHavilland Otter on floats. We landed on the bay and then waded ashore for a delightful day of viewing Brown Bears in their natural environment.

Then, this year, I flew out of Homer, Alaska, to Lake Clark National Park, and stayed at the Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, where I met and worked with Drew, whose experience with approaching Brown Bears is extensive. Drew did tell me of some encounters there were less than pleasant, when bears were aggressive and failed to stop approaching.

Nevertheless, after my first experience in 2006, I have had no fear of these creatures while on foot without weapons in very close proximity to them. On both trips I have been within 25 feet of Brown Bears. Yes, that close. And on my most recent trip, Drew had to tap me on the shoulder and remind me to move away from a young bear that had gotten with 15 feet of where I was. I was on my knees trying to get at the same level of the bear. Bottom line was, I was focused on getting photographs not on how close I was to the bear.

Just yesterday I was going through some photographs made during my latest trip. And I found this one.

And when I examined the shot, what I found was that the bear was very much focused on me! Not all together settling, now that I think about it. But, I go back to the time I was there and I remember the whole experience as somewhat enlightening, that is to say during my encounters what seemed to be occurring was that I was communicating to the bears that I meant them no harm, and they in turn were communicating to me that I was safe around them. Sure, you say, that’s crazy! But, the truth is, that is what I could sense.

And I truly believe, after all my years of being around animals in the wild, that we do share some strange form of communication that links us together. And perhaps it is the lack of fear and a clear communication that I mean no harm, that allows me to get very close to wild animals.

And, please understand, I do experience fear! But, the longer I live the more I realize that our brothers in the wild are very much aware of us and can sense from us our purpose and intent.