Friday, June 26, 2009

Watching a grizzly bear chase ducks




We had turned around in the Lamar Valley and saw a car pulled over to the side of the road.  Of course we stopped.  There was a bear in the pond.


The bear was swimming after two ducks.  We had to stop and take pictures.  I don't usually put so many pictures in one post but this time I have to do it.  They are worth enlarging as well.


The bear is very intent.


The ducks are not too concerned.


They can take off at any time and fly away, but only go a few feet.  Amazing.


The bear accepts the challenge.


He really wants a duck!


He's leaping like a fish.  Maybe he thinks he's fooling those fowls.


No, they just take off again.


The bear is either tired or frustrated, but eventually gives up.


He thinks he's going to get out and go up the hill, but....


wait a minute!


What are all those people doing over there?  Did they watch me?


Oh, how embarrassing.


Can I go this way?


"You can't duplicate that!" is what a Yellowstone guide said after we all watched this in awe.  For more cute critters and stories, check out Camera Critters here!

28 comments:

Digital Polaroids said...

Amazing sequence! Thanks for sharing (in Argentina we don't have these bears)

http://digitalpolaroids.blogspot.com/2009/06/grasshopper.html

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wonderful story, Loran... I loved it!!!! That poor little bear needs to learn to fly, doesn't he???? ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Nikki Dee said...

OMG!! Bears are my all time favourite animal and I had never seen one in real life until I came here to the USA.

Beautiful photographs! Thank you for sharing!

My critter

Poopers AKA 2Ply said...

Wow, what an experience to see that first hand! That is too funny. Love the pictures!

Brooke said...

I haven't been to Yellowstone in years, but loved it there. What an amazing scene you were able to capture!

Oskar said...

Great series of pictures. I'm glad the bear didn't get a duck!

irene said...

What you did is totally cool. I'm sure I won't see this up close in my lifetime.

Gaelyn said...

Wow, what an opportunity. Not so much for the bear. Sure glad you included the sequence, the photos are great. Looks like the ducks were just teasing the bear.

Unknown said...

This is so funny! I can't imagine why he thought he could catch a duck. Talk about being in the right place at the right time :)

Reader Wil said...

Brilliant!! You couldn't have done us a greater pleasure! How wonderful to see this all happen right in front of you.

Adrienne Zwart said...

Great story! And how thoughtful of him to pose for a photo before exiting the other side of the pond. :)

I'm curious about the bridge in your header photo. Where is it located?

Marie Reed said...

Wow! The ducks were truly taunting him! How cheeky of them!

Cezar and Léia said...

wow I have never seen something like it before! Thanks for so cool pictures! Amazing!
purrs and love
Luna(from Brazil)

Ladynred said...

Wow! quite a story of Bear! It must be fun watching it! Great pictures.

Snap said...

WOW! A Bear and ducks -- can't beat that. Looks like a great trip to Yellowstone. Great story.

Unknown said...

excellent and the header!1Sandyu

Jo said...

Loran, I'm glad you posted this sequence. From the enthusiastic first attempts by the bear to have duck to the last one where he genuinely looks embarrassed his failed attempts being witnessed by the humans. Thanks for a wonderful post and congratulations on your 200! (((Hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Fabulous! Wonderful shots. The bear is gorgeous!

Adrienne Zwart said...

You asked about how to post larger photos to your blog. I think I chose minima left for the template. Then I upload all my pics to Flickr in the size I already want. (You can upload quite a few photos for free.) Once they're there, I can click on the photo's url and paste it into the blog as I'm creating a new post. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Mara said...

What a great story and fantastic photos as well!

Unknown said...

What a fascinating series of shots !!!

Very cool. :-)

The ducks don't appear to really be concerned at all.. :-)

Carletta said...

An awesome photo essay!
These are wonderful - you were so lucky to have this experience. Thanks for sharing - made me smile.

My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.

Unknown said...

Wow Sis !! What a great series of shots !! Thats amazing !!!

Kathy W said...

Oh wow what great shots. Weren't you a bit afraid that bear would decide to come check you out. =)

Paul and Nancy said...

Too good! And, I agree that poor lil griz must have felt very aggrieved and chagrined to have his dinner plans in ruins! Thanks for the wonderful post

J said...

That is an awesome sequence of photos - espcially for those of us who don't live near bear country. :)

MsRay said...

I haven't seen a real grizzly bear. It must be scary. But it looks cute in the picture.

Janie said...

The guide was right. That was a once in a lifetime viewing. Great shots!