Skunked: a fishing trip where no fish were caught. Not one bear sighting. What if the salmon never showed up?

The ends of the hairs on grizzly bears’ flanks, backs and shoulders often have white tips and give the bears a “grizzled” appearance, hence the species’ name.

Grizzlies are great swimmers. They are also fast, they can sprint faster than 55 kph. Take note - a grizzly will easily outrun, outclimb, and outswim you - so don’t swim with bears!

Indigenous people have co-existed with bears for thousands of years. At the core the bear represents courage and strength. The bear is seen as protector and healer.

Dawson turned off the motor and we drifted closer. No doubt about it, the bear knew we were there. He slipped into the water, raised his head as if to say hello, then proceeded about his business of looking for fish. We followed along at a respectful distance.

Stay calm, be brave, wait for the signs. Tom King, Dead Dog Café Radio Show sign off. Day 1: Notes from Bear Camp.

Like many adventures, my Grizzly Bear photo trip has unfolded in ways I never expected. I’ll tell you more about it next seek when I’m back home..

An elephant’s hide looks tough, but in fact it is sensitive to the strong African sun and parasites like ticks. Coating themselves in dust or mud protects their skin from the intense sun and biting insects.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted their images the Bum View/Photo Bomb Competition. We had 72 entries! Many of you wrote how going through your pictures rekindled special memories. Photography is like an archive of treasured moments in our lives. What matters most in an image is what it stirs in our hearts and minds. Read the full story to see Grand Winner and finalists in several categories.

Our Grand Winner Bum View winner is Phil Ayers! His zebra image invites an immediate reaction and tells a powerful story. Phil we grant you full bragging rights for this wonderful photo.  Phil wrote “Thanks for running the contest.  We were glad to have a reason to go through our photos, which brought back many happy memories.”

We have 42 submissions so far in the Bum View/Photo Bomb Competition. Animals do what they do, it’s up to the photographer to capture the best gesture, lighting, and story. Often the animal’s behaviour doesn’t match what we hoped for, but humour redeems the shot. Like this Grevy Zebra with ears askance. He could guide an aircraft landing with those ears! 

So far Zebras are outnumbering submissions with elephants a close second in the Bum View/Photo Bomb competition. There’s still time to email me your submissions. Winners will be announced Aug. 28th.

The Bum Views/Photo bomb competition is open! Many thanks to those who have submitted images. I will share submissions until Week 3 August 21st on my Facebook page Kathy Karn Photography.

Readers! Send me your favorite animal photo bomb photos and I will post them on my KathyKarnPhotography Facebook page. In a few lines share the story behind the shot. It’s often the story, more than the image, that makes these photos memorable. We want to see your images. Let’s have some fun!

Photographing animals in the wild involves an interesting dance between slow and fast; patiently waiting for a shot while simultaneously staying ready for that fraction of a second when it all comes together. The drivers and spotters on a game drive do their best to set up photographic shots, but wild animals have a mind of their own.

Reposted from July 2023.

The pastoralist Samburu people of Northern Kenya believe elephants were once people. Their oral tradition tells the story of how they became the ancestors of the elephant.

We believe that a long time ago all wildlife belonged to the women and then they were released to the wild. No one brought them back. Now because women are involved in conservation, we will conserve them in the wild.

Mparasaoi Lemantaan, Mama Simba Coordintor, Ewaso Lions.

We believe that a long time ago all wildlife belonged to the women and then they were released to the wild. No one brought them back. Now because women are involved in conservation, we will conserve them in the wild.

Mparasaoi Lemantaan, Mama Simba Coordintor, Ewaso Lions.

Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park along its boundary. This is not a zoo, the animals are as wild as the ones we see out on the Maasai Mara or Amboseli Plain.

An elephant’s hide looks tough, but in fact it is sensitive to the strong African sun and parasites like ticks. Coating themselves in dust or mud protects their skin from the intense sun and biting insects.

There is a huge bull elephant silently enjoying a mud bath directly in front of me. I quickly slide my feet into a pair of sandals, grab my cameras, and race back to the main lodge.