He Sure Looks Friendly

We watched the movie "Grizzly Man" last night and it brought back memories of our own venture into the Katmai Preserve in Alaska. In July of 2002, Julie and I took a trip with the legendary bear expert Chris Day to see the Alaskan Brown Bear upclose. Upclose as in 50 yards in front of us!

Chris herself was the leading lady of the Imax movie "Bear". The movie portrays the grizzlies as both majestic and misunderstood with some incredible footage of her and a mother with 2 cubs. Watching it you get the feeling that she has a kinship with the bears that will keep you safe when you journey with her into the wilds. The upbeat soundtrack performed by Lyle Lovett makes this a real 'feel good' movie.

Timothy Treadwell is the star of "Grizzly Man". He too thought he had a special kinship with the bears, but now he is dead. He was eaten by an aggressive bear while camping amidst the bears with his girlfriend. His girlfriend is dead also. This is a disturbing movie.

"Grizzly Man" is a provocative film worth watching. The footage he captured is stunning and in a way the story is more realistic than the picture painted in "Bear". Timothy Treadwell is an interesting if not sad character; Julie had no doubt he suffered from manic depression.

Up until watching "Grizzly Man" my own retrospective view of our bear viewing trip was one of thrills and adventure. I had never thought of it as dangerous, but now I don't know. I'd do it again given the chance, but my awareness of the perils would certainly be heightened. And I'd say a prayer for Timothy Treadwell.

I've posted the pictures I took of the bears in Alaska on Moon Mullen Photography. Click on the title of this post to go to the gallery.