This image is dedicated to gracious Sarah at diary of a house elf and Kimberly at WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot4, two friends that like to hang out at Flora’s Table and two blogs that if you are not following already, you definitely should because you don’t know what you are missing: great photography, a lot of fun and… lots of wisdom too.
The reason why this image is dedicated to them is because they both live in beautiful British Columbia which, among many great things, is also home to the Spirit Bear (AKA Kermode Bear), which is the bear depicted in this image. Spirit Bears (Ursus americanus kermodei) are rare black bears that were borne white due to a recessive gene present in the blood of both their parents, but they are not albino. Being able to see, and even more to photograph, one does not happen often and when it does, it is a real treat.
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Clicks & Corks 
Stunning and haunting. WOW. I only ran into a momma black bear with two cubs on a hike in Alaska once. While Nina started screaming and running away (apparently that is what you are doing when you are an Alaskan), I was just startled. And stared. And the cubs were running away and I saw their cute butts whiggle, and then I ran, too…:)
Thank you very much, Oliver! I am so glad you liked it, as it is also one of my favorite images 🙂
I have a thing for bears, I have photographed them extensively and plan on photographing them even more in the future. I just love these animals. And you are absolutely right, the experience of being in close proximity to them (in safe conditions, of course) is just phenomenal. This is one of the reasons why I love Nina’s State, which I have visited twice already and can’t wait to go back. And, I have to say, I find Anchorage a pretty and lively “frontier town”, with a vibrant community of artists and some really good cafes and restaurants. Granted, I have not been there in the Winter though… 🙂
Anchorage is definitely growing on me, some cool restaurants and cafes, like you say. There is a really good Korean restaurant in Eagle River, a bit north of Anchorage. Make sure you also go to Crush Wine Bar next time you are in Anchorage!! Who knows, we might even run into each other one of these days, as we are up there at least once a year. Winter is kinda gorgeous up there with the darkness, the Alpenglow and all the snow…
Thanks for the tips, Oliver – including Crush Wine Bar!
While unfortunately at this time I have no set plans to return to AK yet, I am hopeful this will happen some time soon. As soon as I manage to line something up, I will drop you an email just in case that you guys were also headed that way. It would be a lot of fun getting together up North!
Yes, that would be fun. But I also reckon we will make it fun wherever we meet – when that finally happens.
100% agree: we need to make it happen some place hopefully soon – I am positive we will have a lot of fun!
Yeat another great bear – and I enjoyed the blogs of Sarah and Kimberley as well, thanks for sharing, Stefano.
Love
Dina
Thank you for visiting, dear Dina!
This bear is very special, because it is so rare and so skittish – it is very difficult to spot and even harder to photograph, so I am very glad I could capture this image.
Glad you liked Sarah’s and Kimberly’s blogs too!
Stefano!! Wow, holy smokes!! THANK YOU for the dedication…. you are over the top sweet. Your photography is smokin’ hot as well …you and Francesca come back to BC!!
Thank you, Kimberly – and you are more than welcome: you and Sarah totally deserve the dedication! I was hoping you might like the photograph – it is quite an elusive bear 🙂
I LOVE BC!!! Vancouver is such a pretty, elegant city. When we were in BC in search of the Spirit Bear, we traveled to Prince Rupert and then by float plane to this small, absolutely beautiful island that has a fairly high concentration of Spirit Bears. I have lots of fond memories of the blessed country you live in. Matter of fact, we will certainly be back at some point – I hope sooner rather than later. For certain now we have two more great reasons to go back! 🙂
Honestly if you come back it would be really cool to meet you both. I am happy to hear you loved BC.. I can’t imagine living anywhere away from the Pacific Ocean but you never know…. The East Coast is definitely on my list of destinations! :0)
Likewise! When we go back we will certainly let you know ahead of time so we can get together: we are both very much looking forward to it! 🙂
Yay!! :0))