Brown Bear Tagging, Chichagof Island, Alaska – Image 2651

For the first 15 years of my 30-plus years as a professional photographer, I worked as a newspaper photojournalist. I still love shooting photojournalism, but nature, wildlife and adventure photography are now paying the bills. While still working for the Juneau Empire (Juneau’s only daily newspaper),I shot this image of two Alaska Department of Fish and Game employees, Kim Titus and LaVern Beier, radio collaring a large 700-plus pound spring bear which turns into a 900 pound fall bear. Before working with the bear, they had to dart it from a helicopter with a sedative. The bear’s front paw was bigger than LaVern’s thigh. Being able to get so close to a very alive, breathing, but sedated, bear was thrilling. I got to pick up its paw and rub my fingers through its fur. After all the measurements were taken and the information was gathered, we waited by the helicopter for the groggy bear to get up and amble off. All in all, a very amazing day in the life of this photojournalist. Enjoy the image and thanks for visiting. Camera body: Nikon F3, Lens: Nikkor 20mm f2.8, 35mm Fuji Velvia slide film-Mark Kelley