Bear back-scratch
Alaska is famous for the size and ferocity of its...biting insects (bet you thought I was going to say its bears) in the summer. In fact the mosquitos and marsh flies were not terrible for those of us humans who were variously prepared to discourage them. But in many of my bear photos the presence of these pests - especially the flies - is highly visible. They tend to go for the less furry parts of the face where they can easily access a sip of blood through the skin with little or no reaction from the bears. But once in a while, it became obvious a bear had an itch to scratch. Rolling in the grasses or sand served the purpose admirably. And adorably.
Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park & Reserve
Bear back-scratch
Alaska is famous for the size and ferocity of its...biting insects (bet you thought I was going to say its bears) in the summer. In fact the mosquitos and marsh flies were not terrible for those of us humans who were variously prepared to discourage them. But in many of my bear photos the presence of these pests - especially the flies - is highly visible. They tend to go for the less furry parts of the face where they can easily access a sip of blood through the skin with little or no reaction from the bears. But once in a while, it became obvious a bear had an itch to scratch. Rolling in the grasses or sand served the purpose admirably. And adorably.
Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park & Reserve