As busy and exciting as cities can be, living in the countryside or even the mountains also has its perks. Between small-town charm, no traffic, and seeing just as many animals as people every day, what’s not to love?
Animal encounters are a normal part of living in rural areas, but a professional bear guide and pilot named Casey Cooper, AKA @cooperlost, takes ‘adventure’ to a whole new level with his excursions to backcountry Alaska. In late June, Casey shared a video from one of his trips when a mama grizzly bear decided to watch the sunset with him, and she even brought her cubs along!
This breathtaking scene may have been just another day on the job for this wildlife guide and photographer, but Casey’s fans are blown away at just how close he came to these massive animals.
@cooperlost Camping in back country of Alaska, I walked down to the beach, sat down to watch the sunset. Looked to my left and this beautiful brown bear and her 3 cubs were walking right up to me. I didn’t want to startle her but I made sure she knew I was there and let her walk right by me. One of the cubs locked in on my shoe as it walked past, clearly wanting to play with it so I pulled my leg back and they carried on their way down the beach. Such an insane encounter. I love these animals. (I have over 10 years of bear guiding experience. All bears can be dangerous, never put yourself in a situation like this unless you’re with a professional bear guide)
Casey was getting ready to enjoy a beachside sunset when his visitors appeared out of thin air. Fortunately, he knew exactly what to do when one of the grizzly bear cubs became curious about his shoe and gently pulled his foot away just in the nick of time.
“Was it because you drew a circle and not an oval?” one commenter joked. The Sea Bear Circle always works, but it has to be in the right shape! SpongeBob SquarePants fans will remember this reference without a second thought, but whatever this scene reminds you of, it’s impossible to disagree with another commenter who wrote, “so close to death yet so close to harmony.”
Related: Tourist’s Up-Close Encounter with Grizzly Bear in National Park Is No Joke
If you ask me, bears’ strength and ferocity are two of the reasons we respect and appreciate them so much. As Casey mentions in the video’s description, any bear can be dangerous, so it’s highly recommended to only be near them in person when in the company of a professional bear guide like him.
Another commenter hit the nail on the head when they said, “You, sir, are very lucky.” Not only is he lucky to witness such a beautiful landscape and the stunning grizzly bears who live there, but he’s also lucky to have had no trouble after the playful bear cub took a liking to his shoe.
With so many beautiful experiences and bear encounters under his belt, this wildlife photographer really does know what he’s doing. Stay safe out there, Casey, and thanks for showing us this once-in-a-lifetime view of a grizzly bear family!
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