Kootenay National Park Black Bears: Mother and Cub

In June, we drove to Invermere, BC for a long weekend.  My drove through the Kootenay National Park on our way to Radium and the Columbia River Valley.  The dandelions were in full bloom in the meadows and the ditches along Highway 93 leading into Radium so I had high hopes of seeing some bears on the way.  With the bright overcast making the wet grass and flowers shine, I knew the light would be a bit of a challenge but when we found this Black bear (Ursus americanus) mother and very young cub all worries about available light, blown out grass and shiny wet fur flew far out of mind.  Bobbi and both kids were there so it was special to watch them together.

Click on the images to see larger, and sharper, versions of each image on its own page.

Everyone around stayed in their cars and the bears carried on with minimal concern.  After half an hour, the cub sauntered back behind the trees.  Mom stayed close to the forest’s edge but grazed for a few more minutes before joining her baby.