I guess this actually happened because I took this photo. But here is the disclaimer, never ever approach a bear in the wild and know that this encounter with this specific bear is one of a kind and that she came over and ate salmon a few feet away from me. It takes trust on both sides and confidence that we are both cool: I don’t freak you out and you don’t freak me out even though I know you could hurt me badly. And maybe this is the take away, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Kindness and respect goes above all else and that’s when the magic happens. There might have been a little tear of joy running down my cheek after she left. It was that special moment that you can’t even make up in your wildest dreams. And while I felt completely safe and at ease with her being so close to me, I also knew that our guides had my back at all times talking calmly to Ma’ah and just letting her do her thing. She’s so special and I hope her belly is full of salmon right now getting ready for hibernation ✨🐻! Happy thanksgiving! @gitgaatspirit @timothy.irvin @badkins206 @lutra_wildlife @explorecanada #gitgaatterritory #gitgaat #gitgaatspirit #spiritbear #bear #blackbear #wildlifephotography #wildlife #nature #wild #pnw #greatbearrainforest @hellobc #explorebc #natgeo (at Gitga'at First Nation) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3hX-uIB568/?igshid=10l05w68sfp63
