Black bear crossing the pond

Moose Wilson Road is a narrow, slow, unpaved stretch through prime bear habitat, and this cinnamon-phase black bear waded straight into a roadside pond and swam across it, cutting a clean wake with the reflection trailing behind.

Why it matters

Bears are capable swimmers and will readily cross open water to reach food or avoid other bears, and cinnamon-colored coats like this one are common in black bears west of the Great Plains despite the species’ name suggesting otherwise.

Getting the shot

Shot from the roadside without leaving the car — Moose Wilson Road’s slow speed limit and narrow shoulders make it a well-known wildlife corridor, and vehicles double as a low-impact blind. The still water did the rest, turning a simple swimming bear into a near-symmetrical composition.