When I spied the line of parked cars between Grizzly Overlook and Trout Creek I knew that it meant one thing and one thing only, the Hayden twin, 4 year old sow, was digging up one of her favorite fields.
I parked, grabbed the camera and tripod, and made my way down the road until finding a satisfactory position relative to the large, furry lump way out there. The sow had found something to eat but the sagebrush was so tall it was difficult to tell if she was sleeping or eating. She was eating. From time to time she would sit up and look around and then go back to eating, until it was all et up.
And then she began wandering, finding more to eat, zig zagging here and there and at one point looking like she might walk right through me to cross the road. I, of course moved and headed down the road where the sun would cast a more even light on her. When the sun went behind clouds was perfect but it was in and out.
We waited and watched. But, when at last she was ready to leave, via the road where people stood watching her, she carefully headed straight towards the crowd. There was no doubt, by her gait and her actions, that she wanted to cross the road.
She continued, growing more hesitant as she neared the crowd but several people would not move. She stopped and looked, very politely, she asked them to give her some room. But people did not care about the bear, they only cared about their photos.
And so she turned, walking straight in my direction, paralleling the road, and looking for an opening.
That was when I captured my most intimate portrait of a grizzly bear and her eyes reached from her soul into mine. This image is cropped and she was still plenty far back with a lot of people between her and I, but this one will go on my wall one day so that when I want to reach into the depths of a grizzly bear, all I will have to do is look into her eyes.
In the end, when the sow could not cross the road, I was very upset by the way she had been treated by the crowd, but it was not until getting home and looking into this image that I began to feel the confusion and anguish that this bear felt when she was trapped and could not reach her destination.
I could see her wheels turning as she decided on her next move. It is so incredible, this huge beast, this killer, this bear that people are so frightened of, because despite her frustration she showed no anger, only resourcefulness.
The sow turned back and tried once again to cross, standing right at someone’s tire with people only feet away. But, in the end she turned and walked back into the field, having decided that there was more than one way to get to where she was going.
The indignity that this bear suffered weighed heavy on my mind and heart. How could people be so selfish that they could not even step aside so that a wild animal could pass safely through? I do not, can not understand. Some folks are excited, some are bewildered, some have no comprehension, while others know exactly what is going on but only want what they want to take from this bear. They strip her of her autonomy and her pride, her wild and wonderful spirit, and send her tucking tail to find another way.
From what I understand, the sow went around the hill and made her way across at Grizzly Overlook, with the help of a ranger who had been forewarned that the bear had not been allowed to cross earlier. The ranger took good care of her and gave her plenty of room so that she could cross safely.
The sow dove into the Yellowstone River and swam across, continuing her journey without obstruction.
So very heartfelt and touching to read this and through you to be able to touch the soul of the beasts in nature. You, too, have also helped so many others to care deeply for wildlife. You need to know this. Through your photos which I’ve share on my facebook page others have responded to the caring of wildlife and expressed admiration for you. Thank You Deby! I know it is not an easy life you have chosen but don’t be discouraged or allow the lens of your heart to focus on those who are not worthy of such attention. What you do and have revealed in your own compassionate way is helping others to be a part of nature’s finest and to learn along with you how truly important they are for us all to protect.
Lorna, what a wonderful comment you have made. And I love this phrase, “…lens of your heart…” That is the best description that I have heard. I do truly care about the animals – it is something that has always been in my heart and something that has never died. Anyone who would want to take away someone’s passion is not worth knowing. I am hanging in there, though it has been hard lately. Things need to change around soon but I know that they will when the time is exactly right and when everything that needs to be revealed has been shown.
I so admire the depth of feeling you add to your photography with your narratives. We have been coming to Yellowstone for 11 years on a regular basis because we found how nature taught our autistic son in no other way. He is connected to the animals by just observing them and through him he has taught my husband and me. You are a teacher, Deby, and thanks for teaching us again and again. I see so many parallels to our crazy world in Yellowstone and always learn how to live life better by being there. On our way this weekend ! Thank goodness for that compassionate ranger who hopefully taught some people a few things! Life lessons, we can hope!
Have a great weekend in Yellowstone Carolyn! Nature has many healing aspects and I can see how the animals would teach someone with autism. I think that if more people worked with animals that they would find ways to heal the wounds in their hearts.
I wish more people would think and care the way you do.
Thank you Virginia. Hopefully more people care than we know. So many are just not aware and that is society’s fault.
I think people are just not aware these animals have needs like we have. So many people haven’t a clue how nature really is…we are so removed from the natural world. You have the benefit of a few years of observing wildlife and how these animals behave, and what they need. Most of those you see out there (the people not the bears) have never seen a real animal other than in a zoo….and they simply are ignorant.
If they were mean-spirited, I don’t think they would even be there. There IS hope for the ignorant, and patience is required to teach them the “rules”. It’s too bad our priorities are so off; more education, more interpreters to ‘splain it to them are needed, yet the budgets have been slashed to the bone.
There are always going to be the ones who are so wrapped up in themselves they really couldn’t care less about the needs of the animals, but I believe most who come to our parks are looking for something missing from their lives…and it is to be found in wild-ness. It just takes a while to recognize it.
I think that you are right Dianna – so many people are so excited they have lost all common sense. I have been there and know how easy it is for that to happen. And, I don’t think that people are so mean-spirited that they would intend to block a grizzly bear but rather that they don’t not comprehend the consequences of their actions. They are lucky that the bears are not as big of killers as society has portrayed them to be because if they were a lot of folks would have died this year. But, there are those, and they were present then, who take photos of the bears and know exactly what is happening when they don’t move out of the way. I don’t think that they are intending to be mean either but they are certainly being some of the most selfish human beings I have ever met.
Excellent nature commentary, Deby. Very nicely done.
Thanks Jeff.