Obsidian, the grizzly bear, in Yellowstone National Park

In mid-May there was still snow on the ground in the middle of Yellowstone National Park and I had the fortune to come across the grizzly bear known as "Obsidian" with her three 2.5-year-old cubs. Photographed is mama bear walking through the woods glancing my way.

The interior of Yellowstone National Park serves as a critical corridor for the North American Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), particularly during the late spring transition. As the snow begins to melt in the meadows, sows like Obsidian often lead their cubs into the higher-elevation lodgepole pine and Douglas fir forests. These wooded areas provide not only thermal cover from the unpredictable May weather but also essential foraging opportunities as they search for calorie-dense winter-kill and emerging vegetation. This portrait captures the shaggy, silver-tipped guard hairs of her coat—a trait that gave rise to the "grizzled" name—as she moves with quiet power through the snow-laden branches.

Photographing a dark subject in a complex forest environment requires a high level of technical precision to ensure the bear is isolated from the busy background of branches and snow. By utilizing a wide aperture and a long focal length, I was able to create a shallow depth of field that emphasizes Obsidian’s focused expression while rendering the surrounding woods as a soft, atmospheric tapestry. This fine art print is a sophisticated choice for collectors who appreciate the rugged, untamed beauty of Yellowstone’s apex predators. On high-gloss metal, the contrast between her dark fur and the bright, brushed snow on the pines is particularly striking, creating a dramatic focal point that brings the essence of the Wyoming wilderness into any room.

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