Bond

A kiss for Mom! I think the cub was actually licking the leftover fish slime from around her mouth, but no one needs to know that. This was a mother grizzly with her first year cub in a secluded inlet in the Great Bear Rainforest, BC. This was on the last afternoon of the trip, and it seemed that everything just came together. We had worked with this pair off and on over the three days we were at this inlet, mostly from a zodiac. Over the few days, she would allow for a bit closer approach each day, but always maintained a safe distance. On this afternoon however, it was if she decided we were "ok" and actually approach quite close to us with her cub. They would lay around, eat fish, take a little stroll, and the cub would generally try and irritate mom. About the time these two began getting a little closer, that warm toned late afternoon sun decided to pop out. Needless to say the sun, it is a RAINforest, put this scene completely over the top. I feel lucky to even have captured this image, because I recall most of us were so awed by everything that we just watched in amazement.

Nikon D700, 600mm f/4, Gitzo Tripod, Wimberly Head

ISO 450, shot at f/6.3 1/320sec