We set out on the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail at the very end of Many Glacier Road. We only hiked a short distance, when a group of noisy teenagers caught up to us. We stepped to the side of the trail and let the kiddos pass.
No more than a minute later, these six kids are sprinting towards us, screaming their lungs out. (This maybe the wrong way to react to a bear.)
We all continue down the trail, when the bear pops out again. As we back up, the bear crosses the trail and continues toward the creek.
I was stunned by the close encounter and also discouraged because all my pictures were out of focus (left).
Only ten minutes further down the trail, I spotted another bear. The frustration was soon over and I got the image I wanted (top). I quickly snapped two pictures before it disappeared into the brush.
I thought both bears were grizzlies, but they do seem small and skinny. Click here to link to our facebook page and share your opinion. Is it a grizzly bear or black bear?
To see at other Montana wildlife photography, check out my recent work here.
