#gitgaatterritory

Knows how to filet a salmon. Prime specimen of a black bear in the great bear rain forest. @gitgaatspirit @timothy.irvin @lindsayjanes @badkins206 #gitgaatterritory #spiritbear #blackbear #greatbearrainforest @explorecanada @hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #wildlifephotography #nature #wildlife @natgeoyourshot @cangeo @pacificwild @raincoastconservation (at Gitga'at First Nation) https://www.instagram.com/p/CECgZLth-fL/?igshid=sgw8bzuid0e0

Expert in stream reading. Depending on the rainfall the water level rises or falls in the river and determines the chances for bears to catch salmon. Too much rain and the fish can hide in deep pools, not enough rain and they don’t even enter the streams from the ocean. It’s like a game of hide and seek, a fascinating spectacle that unfolds every year on this coast and a prime example of the intricate interconnectedness of this ecosystem. A spirit bear in the great bear rainforest. #spiritbear #bear #gitgaatterritory #greatbearrainforest #bearsofinstagram #explorecanada #explorebc #wildlife #wildlifephotography @gitgaatspirit @timothy.irvin (at Great Bear Rainforest) https://www.instagram.com/p/CADr_gPBHnG/?igshid=3ijkcb3y5vmf

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

Queen of the Great Bear Rainforest. Spending days with these magical creatures surely gives one the idea why they are called spirit bears. There is a different aura that surrounds them and capturing a moment like this almost feels like a ghostly, outer worldly experience. Ma’ah, the grandmother has walked in these ancient forests and rivers of British Columbia for almost 20 years giving birth to sons and daughters that are now roaming the same grounds in search of berries and salmon. I hope people appreciate what kind of treasures we have on this coast and it being one of the last wild places on this planet just how much spiritual value it can provide for generations to come if we take good care of it. Thank you Marven and your team for fostering this unique relationship, for your guardianship for the land and sea and for sharing it with us. @gitgaatspirit @timothy.irvin @badkins206 @lutra_wildlife #spiritbear #wildlifephotography #wildlife #nature #gitgaatterritory #gitgaat #bears @explorecanada #explorecanada #greatbearrainforest #rainforest #salmon #lifecycle #blackbear #canada #pnw #westcoast #bcwildlife #explorebc #kermodebear @welovebears #wild #naturephotography #maah #conservation (at Great Bear Rainforest) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3URGbuBbOe/?igshid=y8sdongaug0y