The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is the most common bear species in the world, with a population estimated between 600,000 and 800,000 individuals. They have a widespread range across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The impressive population of American black bears is believed to be twice that of the world’s other seven bear species combined.
Despite their large numbers, American black bears are, perhaps, the least photographed bear species by nature photographers on the continent. Polar bears and brown (grizzly) bears, being the apex bear species of North America, are much more sought-after subjects for wildlife photography. Besides the perceived “coolness factor” of photographing polar bears and brown bears, these species are typically “easier” to shoot because they are usually found in open country, unlike black bears that are primarily forest dwellers.
This past summer, my sister-in-law and I had the pleasure of scouting an incredible wildlife preserve with one of the densest and most approachable populations of wild black bears found anywhere. Situated at the transition between boreal and temperate deciduous forests, this unique sanctuary provides the bears with food and safety.
The black bears here were numerous, habituated, tolerant, and accessible—peacefully coexisting with people without conflict or threat. We witnessed an incredible parade of bears, from huge husky males to females with cubs in tow, and everything in between. We photographed them feeding, playing, mock fighting, exploring, and interacting with their young. Watching the cubs climb trees, stand atop boulders, and roll and tumble with their siblings in play made our shooting days fly by.
Because the bears were often very close, they were frequently within full frame reach of a short telephoto lens. This is not a place to leave a big lens on a tripod and walk away from it! During our shoots, the sanctuary was closed to the public and there were only three photographers at the refuge—and we were two of them! It was an amazing and privileged photo opportunity.
Within the sanctuary, eastern chipmunks scurried around our feet, while blue jays, grosbeaks, and sparrows fed in the forest-edge hawthorns. Downy and hairy woodpeckers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers were common and easy to photograph. To top it off, at a nearby lake, we had access to abundant and close-up American white pelicans, a fishing common loon still in breeding plumage with its huge winter-plumaged chick, a roost site for double-crested cormorants, and one very lucky merlin photo opportunity—a relatively overlooked falcon of these north woods.
If you have an inkling that you would like to have such an experience in 2025 or 2026, send an email to us at [email protected] with “Black Bears” in the subject line, and we will be in touch with enough interest.
