Vision Bear
Black Bear
“Bears have a mystery about them that has captivated humans for centuries.”
― Chris Packham
It's a beautiful summer night in 2022, we are out camping at One Island Lake Provincial Campsite and sitting around the fire with the camp manager - a local resident of Tumbler Ridge, Harry Prosser. The night is pitch black beyond the glow of the campfire, there are 5 of us and our two dogs nearby.
Harry telling us stories of his experiences with Polar bears during his work in the Arctic, his close encounters that left an impression. He is a wonderful story teller and we were all relaxed and engaged in his tale.
Suddenly the dogs begin to bark, and strain at their leashes looking into dark. We peer out past the edge of our campsite to see this large black mass - a black bear. He did not stay, or come closer as the dogs were too much to bother with, and really he was just ambling through his normal walking route. But it left an impression - not of a fierce predator but of a noble resident of the woods.
“We read our children stories starring elephants and monkeys and bears to teach them about nobility, curiosity and courage, to warn them against selfishness and stubbornness.”
— Lydia Millet
This image was inspired by that event and an amazing close up bear photograph taken by Marc-Olivier Jodoin of Quebec who was kind enough to share his image on Unsplash.
