As I reflect on the things I am most thankful for on this Thanksgiving, I have to start with this group of beautiful people. For the most part, the human race continues to disgust me with its heartless and despicable behavior. You folks prove there is good on this earth. I love you all for your compassion and your pursuit of the greater good. Thank you for being good people. Then I also think of my brother Jim Bear. I think of my most recent and last encounter with him in late September 2014. 760 blessed me on one special day and imprinted his beautiful soul on my heart forever. I had a few memorable encounters actually, but this one stands out as a blessing Ill never forget. With Moose - Wilson Road closed because of a Grizzly in the area, I was excited to begin searching the trails as far off the road as possible. I knew of a ton of Hawthorne Berry trees far away from other humans and started there in hopes of getting a glimpse of this Griz . Id seen numerous Black Bear in this area over the past few years and knew it would be a good place to look for sign. It didnt take long for me to find his massive foot prints in the muddy trails and several piles of scat. It was obvious I was in the right area. All of the fresh signs indicated he was hanging in this area very frequently. I went back the next morning at first light. With bear spray at the ready, I moved very cautiously and meticulously through an area where I thought he might be. It was one of those very magical Teton fall mornings. The air was clear, crisp, cool and filled with the sound of Elk bugling and birds singing. As the sun began to rise and light up the amazing fall colors, I made my way to an open meadow lined with golden aspens. I was watching a herd bull with his harem when I noticed something way off in the distance. I looked through my 600mm lens to see the distinctive hump of a Grizzly standing in the tall grass. He was hundreds of yards away, but my heart started racing with nervous excitement. He slowly sauntered straight for me, but had no idea I was there. I fired a few dozen shots from my Nikon as he approached to within 150 yards. My heart was thumping at the sight of this magnificent creature. His beautiful coat glistened as hed walk through the shadows and into the sunlight. I was in awe. This was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life. My images are good, but dont do this experience any justice. As he closed the distance I had to let him know I was there. Somewhere around a hundred yards I picked up my camera and tripod and backed away. Thats when he noticed me for the first time. He stood on his hind legs to observe what was moving in front of him. This was kind of the moment of truth. Would he be agitated or be a good bear, aggressive or not? I set the tripod back down and looked closely. I saw the collar and ear tags and knew it was Jim Bear......he would be a good bear for sure. He was so much bigger and filling out beautifully than when I saw him last. Hes now a spectacular maturing Grizzly. He purposely veered off to my right and walked parallel with me for about a half mile or so. I kept my distance and he kept his. Neither one of us concerned about the other. Two creatures simply enjoying the beauty of nature and the spectacular Teton outdoors. We had a mutual and respectful agreement and it was wonderful. This was such an amazing reunion. He eventually wandered off into the trees and I never saw him again. I was left with memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Just me and him in the shadows of the Tetons. How does it get any more amazing than that? I am eternally grateful for him and him gracing me with his presence. On this day of giving thanks, I thank Jim Bear for giving special meaning to my life. I thank him for showing me beauty as I have never seen it before in the outdoors. His death has driven passions inside of me that have changed me forever. After I read this over, I cried like a baby. When I think back at those wonderful memories and how it has been burned into my very core, I am eternally grateful. That very special and intimate moment we shared this past fall is very worthy of thanks. Thank you my brother Jim Bear. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you and miss you with every fiber of my being..............RIP...........Rich
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 05:00:41 +0000
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