The ice bear cometh … by Andy Skillen, UK. It is a two-hour helicopter ride from the nearest town to this spot on the Fishing Branch River in Yukon, Canada, where the river never freezes. The salmon run occurs in late autumn here, and for grizzly bears this open water offers a final chance to feast before hibernating. It was averaging around -30C (-22F) and Andy had been waiting, hoping one particular female bear would use this log to cross. Eventually she did and he got the picture he’d envisioned – her wet fur had frozen into icicles and “you could hear them tinkle as she walked past”. (Photo by Andy Skillen/Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021)
|