Black Bear Hugging a Pole in Grand Teton National Park

A black bear hugs a pole off of Moose-Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park.

After my first encounter with the black bears along Moose-Wilson Road in Grand Teton National Park, I headed back out the next day and the first bear of the day was this sow, who had a cub with her, but wasn’t in this shot. This made for a great climax after following the bear around and getting hundreds of shots that eventually wouldn’t come out given the sun shining on snow that the bear was walking through. She first rubbed her back up and down the pole for nearly a minute before turning around and wrapping her arms around it, almost like she was showing her appreciation to the pole for relieving her itching. I may wind up cropping this in tighter some time in the future to get in on her expression.

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Posted on October 8, 2009.
Posted in Wildlife. Tags: Bears, Grand Teton National Park, Snow, Wildlife, Wyoming.
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Free Roaming Photography, Photography by Mike Cavaroc, is my portfolio and vision of the natural world. As a nature and wildlife photographer, I am striving to reach the angles of landscapes that haven't been documented before as well as finding the dramatic nature of wildlife in its natural state. As a result, every animal photographed on this website was done so in its wild and natural habitat.

Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I thoroughly explore the wonders of Grand Teton National Park and its surrounding areas, including the Gros Ventre Wilderness, Yellowstone National Park and much more.

I've come to love this region much more than anywhere I've lived, and with your helpful support, I can continue to give back to this community that keeps me enthusiastic each and every day. Read more...