Alaska Photo Graphics

Grizzly bear workout, Denali National Park, Alaska

Grizzly bears are an Alaskan icon, and one of the best places to view and photograph these creatures in the interior is Denali National Park. Although omnivores, they consume a 90% vegetarian diet and can be easily viewed feeding on flora and berries along the 90 mile gravel road accessed by tour buses.

One day while driving around a bend in the road I came upon this bear using a road sign to do some shoulder work. The irony is obvious, and it seems that we humans find a fondness for anthropomorphic images of wildlife.

Because I did not want to miss this shot, I hopped out of the car and quickly made a few frames. I did have a chance to change lenses and try a few quick ones at a tighter range, but like this one the best since it reveals more of the environment.

After about 1 minute of scratching the bear sauntered on down the road (in the opposite direction) and paid no attention to me. Just in case you are curious, the Park Service does require photographers to be directly adjacent to their vehicle when photographing a bear along the road corridor.