There’s nothing quite as special as the first one.

I kept searching the landscape on our swing through Kananaskis in Alberta but was not successful. I found some wildlife but not what I looking for – bears!

On our second day, we headed up Highway 1A toward Lake Louise to get to our cabin. Suddenly there was our first beautiful black bear, power eating at the side of the road. With muscles rippling in near continuous motion, this bear was on a clearly defined mission!

I knew that hibernation brought on a healthy spring appetite but it’s much more impressive to see it in action. The total vegetation the bear consumed with 10 bites wasn’t that large. However, each 10 bites were followed by another and another as the bear walked and augured in the food. It didn’t take long before my volume calculations were adding up.

This predictable behaviour added to the photography challenge. Eating photos are fine but I wanted some images with the bear’s  head up. This meant I had to keep watching for extended periods before the bear would lift its head, only to see some shrub covering its face.  At the same time I had other challenges like paying enough attention so that the bear wouldn’t eat its way to my feet!

Thankfully the bear worked its way through a few clearings so I could get a few shots and enjoy watching this beautiful creature. The first bear on the trip was special and it turned out to be the only one of 14 sightings when it was dry. Interesting weather was coming and I’ll explain more in a future post.

Here’s a few photos I enjoyed taking. And not to worry, the bear didn’t get nearly close enough to sniff my boots.