A couple of years ago my travels took me on the back loop from Teton National Park to Jackson.  A narrow road with vegetation to both edges.  The last place that I expected to run into a black bear.  There she was eating berries like there was no tomorrow.  Very little traffic made it possible for me to get out and shoot from the hood of my car.  (please note that the car was between me and the car.  And a window shot was not possible) I had one of my longer lenses on the camera.  Other than when I was charged by a Grizzly I have never been so close to a bear in the wild.   Not a good thing to see how close I can get to a bear.  That’s why I pay the big bucks for extra long lenses, i.e. 600mm, and 200-400mm.  To keep a lot of air and grass between me and those teeth.

A whole day with this mother.  The Black Bear had two new cubs the year of this photo.  A very long lens made it possible to watch and photograph from a safe distance.  With her several nursing’ and multiple naps made for an interesting day as a photographer/admirer.  Here attention never left me for long periods.  This nap on the rock was a true expression of how tiring it may be raising and protecting two new cubs.