Im a few days behind on my 365, so I wanted to do a catch up day, besides, what happened yesterday was pretty amazing.
About 2 hours after the river picture (see Day 201), I am driving through Montana, minding my own business, listening to the newest Borne Identity Audio book and I catch a glimpse of what appears to be….a FREAKING BEAR maybe 50 or 60 feet on a hill not far from the road. I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing games on me or not- just the chance of what I thought I saw might be real….was worth pulling over (immediately) and getting some proof, because if you dont have proof, you cant really believe what you hear. Im sick people saying they saw a bear or big foot or the actual JAWS and they never have any pictures!! Not me…Im all about what you can or cannot prove and thats all that really matters in the end.
I grabbed the 5DII, slapped the 70-200 on it, and started heading back to the general area I saw him. Normally, Id like to use a 1.6 body for zoom shots, but the battery on the T1i was a little low and didn’t want to risk it dying on me.
I knew getting out of my car and walking on foot back to the place I saw a FREAKING BEAR probably wasn’t the keenest of ideas, as I would probably just be a giant meat marshmellow for this guy, but I really REALLY wanted to get the shot so I threw precaution out the window and laughed at it too. I walk back about 100 yards and lo and behold, there he was! I couldn’t believe it!!! He was just out there chillin by the road, so naturally I start taking pictures! I mean…we are just two creatures in our elements, he is out hunting for something to eat…Im a photographer, this is what happens when talent collides!
The amazing thing is…..he sees me and then starts walking towards me!! Im thinking….“Is this really happening? THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!” . The distance between us starts getting smaller and smaller, down the hill….still towards me and stops just before the ditch that leads up to the road, I would say it was less than 20 feet from where I was standing. Mr. Bear stops, shifts his weight to his back legs and gets an eye lock on me…like some kind of staring contest and then he starts to make this growling sound….20 freaking feet away from me!!
Now, not to worry….Ive seen this before and I decided to let my experience just take over, which it did. I know when first time models get in front of the camera, its natural for them to be a little nervous, so I figured maybe this was the case with my bear friend, and I just started talking to him as I continued to snap away. “Mr. Bear you look awesome! What have you done with your hair-its FABULOUS!! Have you ever considered a career as a professional model?” and just keeps on growling at me so I keep on taking pictures and keep on talking to him: “Hey Mr. Bear…could you turn your head a little to the left, the light is giving you some really flattering shadows on your face.”
The amazing thing is after I say this…he stops growling, and he DOES IT!! Turns his head this way and that way, being a little bear diva-model he is, like it was some dream or something (which I might add is a very typical type dream for me).
After a good minute or so of shooting, I couldnt be happier with the shots I had so I gave him a thumb up and say “Dude…you rock! Great shoot! Ill have my people call your people”. And I put the camera down. This was a mistake because he then stands up on his hind legs, puts both claws into the air and lets out this thunderous freaking roar and I can smell an awful stench of what smelt like dead meat. At this point, I was getting a little nervous but what do I do? I pick up the camera to get him in this truly awesome “im-going-to-eat-you-now” pose and right as I get the camera up, he gets down on all fours. I missed it!! Man I was sooo bummed about this as, obviously I cannot ever prove that it actually happened- but the whole thing was so surreal, I was thankful for the proof I did have. He looks at me for another 10 seconds and then starts walking away.
Im thinking, “wow-I just had a bear pose for me”. I walked back to the car and was so happy that I took this in lay picture for a 365, this is me reviewing the bear pictures literally 5 minutes after this all went down. I never felt like I was ever in any danger, though I couldnt help to keep my eyes peeled for a pack of them coming out of the woods, attacking me, and dragging me off for dinner, which if happened- I assure you, I would have gotten some great pictures! 🙂
I was a little disappointed I didnt have someone else there with me to see everything I just told you because I realize it may be hard for you to believe. Heck I wouldnt believe it if I wasnt there. In any event, I do have plenty of pictures and plenty of PROOF! ya BaBy! 🙂 Check out my favorites!This below picture is when the bear started to approach me coming down the hill…..
Getting Closer….
This was my favorite of Mr Bear when we were having our stare down contest. Mano-a-Mano…
This is when he turned for the camera….
This is when the Bear realized he had just lost the stare down and put his tail between his legs, metaphorically speaking.
This is where Mr Bear shows us his tail between his legs in actuality, as he crawls shamefully away into the lonely dreary wilderness after losing his battle with Michael Andrew. 🙂
Michael how far away have you been from the bear?? what lens did you use to get him
Incredible!
You don’t seem like a person who would need to lie, so I have to say that was the craziest thing you ever could have done getting that close to a bear! Great story and fantastic photos. That wasn’t a small bear either! You do make a great story teller.
I wasn’t going to turn around and start running….there is no way I would have out ran it, well on second thought I am pretty quick. In all seriousness, I felt like I was about 10-15 feet away from this guy, but i know how weird things happen with distances and wild game in the open, so I added another 5 feet just to be modest. When he stopped I remember thinking "anything closer than this is not good"….It really was an incredible experience.
Wow! Great story and photo’s! All I can say is that the good Lord was watching out for you!!!!
The pics are awesome but have you ever watched the end of grizzly man 🙂
I don’t think I would be that brave
You are AMAZING, these are AMAZING…
What a cool adventure. It would have been cool to see that bear standing up. Great post and I’m glad you’re safe.
Fantastic shots Michael, you are incredibly brave and glad the bear wasn’t hungry, hehe…
I found myself wanting to know more about what to do when one encounters a Cinnamon Black Bear. I found that you actually did what is recommended. It was said that Black Bears usually do not want to fight and they tend to bluff. If the person speaks calmly to them and does not show fear, they typically will lose interest. When they get on their hind legs, they are actually trying to get a better view and smell of you, so they can determine what you are. Who would have thought that? The only thing that was dangerous was the stare. If a person stares back at the bear, they usually take that as a sign of aggression. Then they can run up to 30 mph after you. Maybe the bear really couldn’t resist the chance to be a Michael Andrew model 🙂
The first in a collection of short stories by Michael the Maven…
that is so amazing, and funny commentary :)! seriously though that looks like a pretty tiny bear, i think you could have taken him :)!
HaHa! That is too fricking funny! Just another story of we should ALWAYS have our cameras with us at all times because ya never know what you may encounter. Love the commentary, as well at the pics! Felt like I was there….
Alright… I know are a true photographer, because most of us would have maybe taken one pic and slowly backed away. Not several risking lose full vision of the bear. You crack me up!
This is a great story! Especially because I’m from Montana and I appreciate the grounds you met this bear on. Beautiful shots. Admiration abound!
Wow…you are nuts…in the best possible way, of course. You going to yellowstone? You can do the same thing with bears and buffalo galore there…
no one is a match for Michael Andrew not even a grizzly
Wow, I am from Montana and I would have not let a grizzly get so close pretty brave and …Amazing pics. This is really a lucky find.
Correction, I don’t think it’s a grizzly, but a cinimon color black bear. The Face is to long, and there’s no hump on the neck.
We were on our atv when we came within 10 yards of a black bear just last week in the Pryor Mountains. I am from Montana myself and was curious where you had the bear encounter. Was just in Big Sky today and was wondering if you may have been there for your river pic.
that makes sense not being a grizzly, I thought it might have been a young one…funny a black bear that’s not black…who woulda thunk