Grizzly at dusk

Fall in Grand Teton means grizzlies packing on fat before denning, and this one was working the sagebrush flats at dusk, head down and moving with purpose in the direction of the road pullout where I was set up. A grizzly walking straight at the lens is a very different feeling than one working a hillside at a distance.

Why it matters

Grand Teton and Yellowstone hold one of the last strongholds of grizzly bears in the lower 48, a population that has slowly recovered from near-extirpation in the 20th century. Autumn bears can eat upwards of 20,000 calories a day preparing for hibernation, which is why they’re often seen out foraging at dawn and dusk this time of year.

Getting the shot

Fading light pushed ISO to 9000, a necessary tradeoff to keep the shutter fast enough for a moving subject. Stayed at the vehicle and used the long lens to keep a safe working distance — grizzly encounters at this range are not something to push closer for.