In May, I had quit my full time admin job and left Smithers and headed north to Whitehorse to start 'my best job ever.' This best job ever was cooking in a fishing/bear viewing camp. I would not have ever guessed that I would have enjoyed cooking, but out in the wilderness was totally different than being cooped up in your kitchen at home. Who gets to watch grizzly bears pass by their window while you are washing up some dishes are prepping for a meal? Who gets to run out and photograph bears during your work day? Who can go take a nap during your work day? Well I did! I met people from all over the world who appreciate wildlife just as much as I and better yet, those that are changing their minds about "The Big Bad Bear."
I started my journey from Smithers bright and early one morning and cried all the way to Kitwanga -happy about my adventure but sad leaving my 17 year old son behind to start his own adventure! When the tears dried, I had an enjoyable drive up to Tatogga Lake where I spent a few days with my partner trying to relax before my camp job started. I don't find relaxing an easy task as I find it hard to sit still and that's why photography is so perfect for me. There is always something to find in nature to capture. Why sit around? Tatogga Lake is beautiful and I'm hoping to make my home there real soon.
On the way up I was hoping to find some bears to photograph along Hwy 37 - not always an easy task anymore with the traffic along the hwy - last year I saw a dead bear on the hwy every weekend I went up, so sad. I was lucky this day those to see a black bear but not only until I stopped and got my camera out did I realize she was a sow with two brand new cubs. They scurried up a tree and watched me while I happily photographed them with the sow watching at the base of the tree. I was delighted. Here are one of my photos to enjoy.
On the day I left for Whitehorse to meet my future boss, Phil Timpany, it was a beautiful sunny day and I had forgotten how great the landscape was from Dease Lake to the Yukon border. I stopped to photograph mountains, lakes - especially Boya Lake, the old burns and wildflowers that were just coming out. It took me all day to get to Whitehorse which is of no surprise to anyone that knows me. I finally sped up and arrived there around 9pm to meet Phil. I was a little anxious and was thinking I was somewhat crazy to be driving to a new job, something I've never done before, with someone I've never met before... but it was all good. Phil is pretty easy going and has a great sense of humour.
For the next couple of days we went to Kluane Park to photograph the bison that have just made their way into the park. I didn't really know what to expect but wow are they large! We went for a little walk into a swampy area to get ready to photograph them hopefully when they appeared, and it was then that I decided that maybe I should have brought my tripod. I almost went back until the other photographer, Martin, said he heard something... good thing as about 6 bison appeared where I was going to go. That would have been a heart stopper. And to think people are terrified of bears - go walk up to a bison and see what you think!
More to come... but now I'm headed to the Wokkpash so this blog will have to wait :)
I started my journey from Smithers bright and early one morning and cried all the way to Kitwanga -happy about my adventure but sad leaving my 17 year old son behind to start his own adventure! When the tears dried, I had an enjoyable drive up to Tatogga Lake where I spent a few days with my partner trying to relax before my camp job started. I don't find relaxing an easy task as I find it hard to sit still and that's why photography is so perfect for me. There is always something to find in nature to capture. Why sit around? Tatogga Lake is beautiful and I'm hoping to make my home there real soon.
On the way up I was hoping to find some bears to photograph along Hwy 37 - not always an easy task anymore with the traffic along the hwy - last year I saw a dead bear on the hwy every weekend I went up, so sad. I was lucky this day those to see a black bear but not only until I stopped and got my camera out did I realize she was a sow with two brand new cubs. They scurried up a tree and watched me while I happily photographed them with the sow watching at the base of the tree. I was delighted. Here are one of my photos to enjoy.
For the next couple of days we went to Kluane Park to photograph the bison that have just made their way into the park. I didn't really know what to expect but wow are they large! We went for a little walk into a swampy area to get ready to photograph them hopefully when they appeared, and it was then that I decided that maybe I should have brought my tripod. I almost went back until the other photographer, Martin, said he heard something... good thing as about 6 bison appeared where I was going to go. That would have been a heart stopper. And to think people are terrified of bears - go walk up to a bison and see what you think!
More to come... but now I'm headed to the Wokkpash so this blog will have to wait :)
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