Okay, so it’s a code…  Grizzly Bear obviously, but the specimen bit refers to the location at which we found this, well, specimen, of Ursus arctos horribilis.  Said location was indeed on the lower flanks of Specimen Ridge in Yellowstone National Park.  Griz can frequently be observed higher up on this massif, in or near the treeline, but rarely right along the Grand Loop Road, which is where we encountered this animal.  A land shark on patrol in a sea of sage.

BTW, this is too close.  The EXIF data recorded that the subject distance for the image above to be about 40 meters.  I seriously doubt the data, since as I recall, the distance seemed more like 40 feet…  Park regulations specify that ‘Approaching on foot within 100 yards (91 m) of bears or wolves or within 25 yards (23 m) of other wildlife is prohibited.’  Park regulations do not specifically address what happens when the wildlife approach you, but retreat whenever possible is naturally the best course of action. In this case, we were definitely retreating while the shooting continued.

Some folks believe that the taxonomic designation for Griz is unfair to the nature of the animal.  I dunno, but if you were standing as close as we were when this image was recorded, I’d bet you would agree that U. a. horribilis is pretty much on-target.  A most impressive creature, huge but remarkably agile, and definitely worthy of respect. As the bear strode past us, we had a rare opportunity to observe just how powerful this creature is.  I’d estimate that the strolling bear was moving a pace well above 5 mph, and that a person would have to jog at brisk pace just to stay ahead of the bear.  We’ve seen Griz move at full speed too, which is a bit better than 30 mph (for an average bear that is).  Compare that speed with that of the fastest humans, who move along at just over 20 mph, and you get an important suggestion – don’t get into a foot race with Mr Speedy.

Images in this entry were recorded at around 13:00 MDT on May 16, 2011 using the Nikon D3s and the AF-S NIIKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens.  Exposures were f/8.0 and either 1/1000s or 1/1250s, ISO 1600.  I’d have liked to use a larger aperture, but the bear was moving so swiftly towards us that I thought it best compromise in favor of just a bit more DOF.  Was 600mm necessary?  Yeah, absolutely no doubt.  I do get a lot of comments in the field… ‘Boy, I bet my pictures would be a whole lot better if I had *that* lens…’  Well maybe, and while I’m definitely privledged to be able to get my mits on the lens, I issue the fair warning that using big glass effectively is one helluva lot harder than it looks…

A Google Earth image of the area where we encountered this bear is provided below:

Copyright 2012 Peter F. Flynn.  No usage permitted without prior written consent. All rights reserved.