...for a wild Polar Bear

The first day on the Tundra Lodge, we were warned not to lean over the railing or allow camera straps to dangle. Very intelligent, some Polar Bears will stand on their hind legs and "almost" reach the windows. Well, that "almost" can be a fake out. To them, the windows in the Lodge are similar to air holes in the ice for Ring Seals. The huge white bears often wait long periods of time for an opportunity to grab their prey. Around the lodge, they have been known to hold back & then suddenly grown several inches to surprise an unsuspecting human looking down to get a look at the standing bear. Those inches could mean a quick grab for the bear and dinner.

Now, to the story behind this photo. While photographing the tundra, I was alone on the back deck. However, I didn't see this bear coming until after he suddenly hit the side of the lodge. He almost reached the deck railing. That was one VERY BIG Polar Bear! Knowing how tall he was and how interested he was in me, I decided not to go for a shot of him reaching almost to the railing. Instead, I waited until he went under me to check out another way to access a prospective meal. He doesn't look very tall in this photo. However standing only half way up, he had his head mashed against the grate in the floor while scenting me.

I wasn't into "Polar Bear through the grate" photos, but this guy finally got my attention. It was heart pumping moment. I'd snapped a quick one of a female the day before through the deck grate on the Polar Rover http://www.pbase.com/britestar/image/120155355 However, feeling that female's breath on my face was more meaningful to me than any photo. Both that & this were surreal experiences.

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Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Bickel. All rights Reserved.