Mammals

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. ‍