The first time I went camping, I was blindsided when I was told we had to bundle up and hang our food high up into the tree. “Whatever on earth for?!” was my first reaction. I guess I momentarily forgot we were deep in the woods, far away from our home and in the home of another bunch — bears, that’s why! These big, hungry and fear-provoking animals like to make contact with humans from time to time. We hung our food extra high that camping trip!
I love, and respect animals (especially ones bigger and stronger than me) but to come face to face with a bear is a next level experience. How this brave photographer kept his cool is beyond me. But I must say, this looks like one exceptionally cool bear.
There’s nothing like venturing out into the great outdoors. Even the fresh air alone is worth it, but add in the largest gathering of brown bears in Alaska’s McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, and you’ve got one heck of a show put on by mother nature herself! Between June and August, the whole sloth comes together to go fishing for salmon. It’s the perfect time for a select few to visit the spot and sneak a peek.
Or have a full on conversation with a human, which is what happened to Drew Hamilton, a tech worker at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the sanctuary. Drew was in his camping chair with a camera when a bear meandered over to say hi – and stay a while! It was as if an old acquaintance wandered over, tried to strike up a conversation, felt kind of awkward because too many years had passed, then wandered away. As Drew turns the camera while the bear makes his exit, you can see dozens of other bears in the river! Drew is one lucky man to have gotten away with this one!
Click below to watch this terrifying, but really kind of adorable interaction. This is a rare occurrence to be caught on camera. Poor bear just wants a river watching friend!
