So, I am sure we have all seen photos in the media of animals interacting with cameras, many of which are staged. HOWEVER, before anyone jumps to any conclusions I am going to say from the outset, stating categorically and with our hands on our heart that this was NOT STAGED in any way! Read the story below and you will find out what happened………

He climbed up the bank and onto the lawn area and spotted the camera.

Interesting human smells!

Shall I take a photo?

Then he decides to investigate other parts of the camera
Finding this all so interesting and a new experience he starts taking a swat at it, which seemed to fascinate him! Because the wimberley head was still fluid and not locked every time the bear swatted the lens it swivelled around on the tripod. The bear was having a real life game of swing-ball! Which ironically is probably what saved the equipment from falling over.

As we were stood on the decking of the cabin and watched this all unfold from a safe distance Andy had the other camera body and lens (70-200mm) to hand and all I remember saying is something like “if you are going to be that daft to leave your lens on the lawn at least take a bl**dy photo!”. In truth I was gutted that my other camera and zoom lens were in a bag (my 500mm that was right beside me was just ‘too much glass’ to photograph it) Not wanting to startle the bear or create a situation with opening bags and too much movement I stood there watching a little frustrated that I could not at least get some video of this! However, as you can see we did get a few photos of the whole event!
I could feel my stress levels rising, but at the same time finding it mildly amusing. I then recall saying to my friend words to the effect of “oh I wish we could make this bear stop as I can see this is going to end only one way”. Well, none of us were going to be that stupid to approach him or indeed scare him. However, a few stern words of authority distracted his attention from the camera. To be fair by this time he had clearly become a bit bored of the camera and then calmly wandered off and carried on fishing. The whole episode from when he approached the camera to when he left over in just a couple of minutes!
So, the moral of the story – don’t leave your camera on a tripod unattended as bears like to play with them!
Our 2017 Canadian wildlife adventure is now fully booked for 2017 but do keep a look out for our next Canadian photographic safari to be launched for 2018.
A piece of eridituon unlike any other!
Thank you Kaylana 🙂