— by Lin McNulty —
In response to the comments received on this article posted earlier this evening, Orcas Issues has decided to not encourage interference with our visiting Black Bear by taking photos of her/him.
There is no longer a contest to see who can capture the best bear photo.
All those who considered stalking the photo subject and entering the competition are encouraged, instead, to go get some bear claws from Brown Bear Baking.
Apologies and gratitude to all the cooler heads.
–Lin McNulty
This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph a Black Bear on Orcas Island. Orcas Issues has received a couple of photos from islanders, and those of us who haven’t seen the bear are anxious to see more.
Orcas Issues, in cooperation with Brown Bear Baking in Eastsound, is soliciting your photos in a contest that will award the winner, because why not, with an order of bear claws.
Send us your photos and we’ll get you some bear claws (delicious and edible) for the photo we judge to be the best.
This contest will end at midnight on Tuesday, Jun. 5. And remember to stay safe.
And remember that the bear is a living creature worthy of respect & consideration, not just a cool photo op
Thanks Susan Malins for an appropriate comment
I would concurs with the two previous commenters. While driving home from work the other night I came across our new island visitor, paused for a moment while passing by and could not help but respect his or hers experience.. I knew then that I was finally growing up!!
The thought crossed my mind.. photo opt.. but my sense of the specialness won out!
What a treat to have such a distinguish guest!!
My thoughts are with the previous responses, Please reconsider your photo stalking and contest of this special bear. The odds are against him as it is and I hope for a positive situation for him to get healthy and find a good territory.
Thank you for reconsidering this idea. Encouraging increased human contact with the bear does not end well for either human or bear.
The bear needs a name, could the contest shift to a name or another idea? Do like the energy and excitement that we have a bear on island.
Thank you for abandoning the well-intended but misguided photo contest. We need to look Bears presence on Orcas through a different lens.
The Bear is a very powerful animal totem for the First Nations people of the Salish Sea. The primary meaning of the bear spirit animal is strength and confidence; standing against adversity; taking action and leadership. The spirit of the Bear indicates it’s time for healing or using healing abilities to help self, others and the planet. What message is Bear bringing to Orcas? In the wake of extremely weak national leadership marked by environmental disdain and climate change denial, we would do well to be humbled by our wise visitor and head it’s message. Bear symbolizes a larger issue right now where Everything is at stake.
What will we do? What is Bears future?
We should not take an encounter with an hungry bear lightly, this could have disastrous consequences.
We should not take an encounter with a hungry bear lightly, this could have disastrous consequences !