Learning The Land

Finding grizzlies in the lower forty-eight can be genuinely tricky, and Montana is one of very few places where you have a reasonable chance of it. This mother was crossing open pasture when I came on them. She never once looked up. She has walked this ground for years and it holds no questions for her any more. The cub never stopped looking, at me and at everything else. He is learning the whole country by heart, and quickly, because there will be no second lesson.