Snake River, Wyoming
Limited Edition of 250
Size Ratio - 4:5 Standard
Click image to enlarge
 
While standing along the Snake River enjoying a spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis, I heard a familiar snorting sound in the darkness a short distance away from me.  It was the sound of a bear swimming and keeping the water out of it's nose.  It was close enough that I kept my light off while i quietly tip toed up the bank to get back on flat ground in the direction of my truck.  My girlfriend had just arrived after I called her to come out as the Aurora was firing up.  I turned my light on to see two critters swimming across the small channel just as they reached the bank I saw it was two Grizzly Bears!  They clearly matched the description of Famed Grizzly 399 and her cub Spirit.  My girlfriend had just approached, not knowing what was happening.  She captured a brief video of them disappearing into the darkness.  It was the last time I would see Grizzly 399 as she was struck by a vehicle and killed a few weeks later.  A bittersweet and unforgettable memory.  I captured this image a moment before the excitement occured.