Friday, November 7, 2008

Mom and cub

Washington State University over in Pullman has a center specifically for studying these beautiful grizzly bears. My hubby is friends with some of the people at this facility and we were invited to go 'behind the scenes' and within the outer enclosures to take a closer peek at them. This momma grizzly has two cubs and it was just adorable to watch them tumbling over each other and pouncing on their momma.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Behind the scenes is allways the best! I've done the same at the Lisbon zoo with a friend of mine :-)

Vicki said...

Wow, what a great shot! I can't believe how close it looks like you are. I hope you weren't really that close, although, between her protecting her cubs and you protecting yours, I think it would be a pretty fair fight, but I'd worry... for the bear.

Me said...

I agree JM! It was fun to get up close. :)

Yup Vic, I was using a regular lens and the bears were only about 20 feet away from the chainlink fence. There is an inner fence and then a 15 ft wide section all the way around and then another chainlink fence for the outer perimeter. Normally you can view the bears outside that outer fence and from the front. This photo was from inside the outer fence and at the side of the facility. The bears tend to hang out on this side with the tree they play with. :)

And yeah, it would be a toss up who would be the most protective momma, that's for sure! But she has pretty impressive claws and teeth... LOL

Troop 1309 said...

What a great opportunity! Nice photo!

Me said...

Thank you Jana. :)