Some days are less productive than others in the “workday” of a wildlife photographer.  Each Fall season, I head to the Canadian Rockies to check out the Elk rut, Big Horn sheep, Grizzly bears, Black Bears and a host of animals all on the move to settle in for winter.  The weather can be cold and miserable, but I look forward to this trip every year, and wouldn’t miss it.  For these types of trips, I take my truck and camper, and tow a cargo trailer with my quad and gear. 

Some of my favourite Grizzlies hang out in the Rockies. The Grizzly you see on my home page is one of them. On every trip to the Rockies, I hope to capture another spectacular shot of these magnificent bears. 

On this particular trip, I was accompanied by my partner (and Wildlifer-in-training!), Jeannie. On our second day, we made our way up, deeper and higher into the Rockies, in search of grizzlies that had claimed more remote feeding areas at the higher elevations.

Not much was happening; just a few elk in far-off valleys. Still, we enjoyed the scenic hike, surrounded by breathtaking mountain peaks. The sun was setting on a great day in the outdoors, but a relatively slow day for wildlife photography. 

Then along comes Whiskers.

Whiskers got his name not only for his obvious, good-lookin’ bunch of black whiskers, but also for his playful, happy-go-lucky, not-a-care-in-the-world attitude.  He popped, and I mean popped, out of the woods.  He could have been launched off a springboard, bouncing into a clearing just 20 feet in front of me. 

He gave me a quick glance to assess this two-legged creature in front of him.  He sensed no threat, but rather a potential playmate.  Whiskers accelerated to full speed as he completed a half dozen laps around us.  He rolled in the grass, bowed as a canine does to entice their partner to engage in playtime, chased his tail, pounced on imaginary prey, posed for pictures (okay, not really, but as you can see I captured some great portraits of him), and even proceeded to have a nap — with one eye open and watching my every move. 

In this product image, you can imagine curling up with Whiskers in your own bedroom (and click for purchasing details)!

Our day began with a search for the mighty Grizzly, and ended with a very different experience — a special encounter I will never forget. It was an unexpected gift, but nature likes to surprise you that way. In the face of that generosity, all we can do is be open, respectful and grateful.