Grizzly bears have a formidable reputation—and for good reasons. Standing over 8 feet tall (on two legs) and weighing upwards of 700 pounds, these powerful predators can certainly be threatening when we’re alone in the woods! But beneath the teeth and claws lies a more delicate side that makes me wonder what’s really going on inside those grizzly bear brains.
As an avid wildlife photographer, one of my favorite subjects to capture is grizzly bears. Over years of observing these magnificent bears in Banff National Park and Kananaskis, I’ve been fortunate to witness and photograph some of their more tender expressions that can make us wonder if they do indeed have a gentle side.
My goal in sharing these photographs is to help foster greater understanding and compassion for grizzlies. By appreciating their full range of expression, our admiration can only grow for these complex creatures.
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Large Male Grizzly
This handsome specimen is known to the locals as Bart the Bear. While he doesn’t have an official number from Parks Canada, he’s quite recognizable as each bear has their own look and personality.
Bart’s main home range is in Kananaskis Country, which is home to more grizzly bears than Banff. This neighboring collection of provincial parks is not frequented by as many tourists, making it a safer habitat for grizzly bears.
The Boss Bear of Banff
The Boss is easily one of the most famous grizzly bears in Banff National Park. As a large dominant grizzly, he is the father to over 70% of the cubs in the Park.
From his soft expression here, you can hardly tell that he was feasting on a deer carcass all to himself just a moment before. I watched him eat and sleep near the carcass, chasing away other predators like coyotes and wolves when they tried to sneak a bite.
You can still tell why The Boss holds his title, from the many battle scars visible on his lip and snout.
Getting An Earful
This image, titled “Getting an Earful” shows two playful grizzly bears being affectionate during the mating season. The male on the right is actually Bart, the same bear from above!
Mating season takes place between May and July for grizzly bears. This is the only time of year that males and females are friendly towards each other.
The rest of the year, grizzly bears are quite solitary creatures. In fact, male bears can be one of the biggest threats to a mother’s growing cubs.
Grizzly Cub
A sweet little grizzly cub stops to smell the flowers. For the first two to three years of their life, grizzly cubs will follow their mom around to learn about what to eat, where the best feeding spots are, and how to keep themselves safe.
Spending so much time learning from mom sets them up for a long and healthy life. It’s amazing that even something as threatening as a grizzly bear will look so cute when young.
Grizzly with Dandelion Bouquet
This beautiful female grizzly bear was snacking on dandelions by the side of the road in Kananaskis Country, which neighbours Banff National Park. Dandelions are a staple protein for grizzly bears in the spring time as they’re just getting out of hibernation.
Much of a grizzly bear’s life depends on bulking up their weight over the spring, summer and fall so that they can survive the winter. This is especially important for females so they can sustain their cubs through hibernation as well.
I captured this image just as she was turning her head, almost like an 80’s glamour portrait! This particular female has lighter coloured striations through her coat, almost making her look blonde in the sunlight.
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Best Places to Display Grizzly Bear Wall Art
Here are some great places to display grizzly bear photography wall art:
- Living room – Large grizzly prints would make a stunning focal point above the couch or entertainment center. Their majestic presence would enhance any living space.
- Home office – Hang one or more bear portraits to find inspiration while working. They’d spark conversations with guests too.
- Bedroom – Softer shots of bears could create a calming ambience. Hanging multiples in a gallery wall is an elegant style.
- Hallway – Line a stairwell or long corridor with a procession of bears in their natural habitats. It’s a dramatic yet educational display.
- Lodge/vacation rental – Grizzly art adds rugged northern charm.
- Restaurant – Patrons enjoy identifiable wildlife they may spot themselves.
- Nature center – Help visitors connect with local flora and fauna through large scale informative photography.
Choosing quality frames and the right location within a space will make grizzly photos long lasting wall decor.
Honoring the Majestic Grizzlies of Alberta
While grizzly bears certainly deserve our respect as powerful apex predators, I hope these photographs provide a reminder of their lesser seen tender and gentle behaviors.
Beneath their fearsome fur, grizzlies exhibit the same parental cares and youthful antics we witness in many other mammals. My aim in wildlife photography will always be to foster an understanding of the species we share our natural spaces with.
With all of the difficulties that come with living alongside human civilization, grizzlies face growing threats. They are listed as a threatened species in Alberta, and considered at risk in British Columbia. All of us can help protect grizzly bears by giving them plenty of space, never offering them any food or leaving food accessible to them, and generally leaving them wild.
Maybe shots like these can kindle empathy and compassion that translates into conservation actions. Grizzlies can be known not just as iconic symbols of the wild, but as complex creatures deserving of safe habitats on this beautiful and wild planet we call home.
