Bears in the not so wild

One of the most amazing things about Alaska is the abundant wildlife. Moose come in the yard to graze on the vegetation. Traffic comes to a screeching halt to allow the caribou to cross the road. Bears graze on grass, fish in the rivers, and swim in ponds while people walk by without even noticing them. Eagles soar over head and nearly drop to their deaths during mating season. Dall sheep graze close to the roadways. Beluga whales, seals, and otters play in the bay.  Not a day goes by that we do not see some amazing type of wildlife up close and personal.

My son, Coty, took a picture of this beautiful bear.  It was grazing in the grass right beside the road.  Cars drove past it without even knowing it was there.  I saw her first.  Turned my car around and pulled up right beside her.  Coty rolled down the window to take a picture.  (such a cheechako thing to do)  The bear slowly munched on the grass moving closer and closer to the car.  Coty spoke calmly and quietly to her trying to coax her to look up.  Finally, she raised her head and looked straight into the camera lens and directly into my oldest child's soul.  Such a beautiful, amazing animal standing not even a full arms length away.  She gazed quietly at Coty and then dropped her head and went back to eating.  We pulled away and left her in peace.

It was an amazing few minutes and a memory that will last a life time.  A moment etched into our very fibers of being.  Not the first bear we have ever seen, nor the last one.  And yet, I doubt any other experience will surpass this moment when bear and boy gazed into each others eyes.