Kermode Bear
The " Spirit Bear" of Great Bear Rain Forest
The Kermode Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), also known as the "Spirit Bear", is a subspecies of the American Black Bear living in the north coast of British Columbia, and noted for about 1/10 of their population having white or cream-coloured coats. This colour morph is due to a recessive allele common in the population. They are not albinos and not any more related to polar bears or the "blond" brown bears of Alaska's “ABC Islands” than other members of their species.
Because of their ghost-like appearance, "Spirit Bears" hold a prominent place in the mythology of the Canadian First Nations of the area. A male Kermode bear can reach 225 kg (500 lb) or more, females are much smaller with a maximum weight of 135 kg (300 lb). Straight up it stands 180 cm (6 ft) tall.
Technical Stuff: Nikon D700 / Nikon 200-400 VR lens/ Speed 1/160 / F7.1/ ISO 800 @ 330mm
