This is not only the first grizzly I’ve photographed since 2019, it’s the first one I’ve seen. A couple of weeks ago, after walking around Norris Geyser Basin, I drove north. The light was still really low and less than ideal but as I came around a curve, 3 or 4 cars were stopped and this grizzly was walking down an embankment. I don’t usually stop or photograph grizzlies in Yellowstone anymore because I personally feel the huge crowds that result are detrimental to the bears. But since there were only a couple of cars and it was evident the bear was not going to stick around, I pulled over. I use a beanbag to photograph from my car. It’s designed for photography and sits over the window and helps to balance and steady a long telephoto lens. It’s great for wildlife photography because in a moment like this one, getting out of the car is unsafe. You may notice this bear has ear tags. One is visible in this photo. It was also collared. I think many photographers might be tempted to clone out the ear tag but I thought it was an important element in the photo as it told a more realistic story about Yellowstone bears. Whether tagged and collared for research or because the bear has become too acclimated to people, this bear’s life has been impacted negatively by humans.