It was a rare opportunity. I had never observed or photographed polar bears that close. We dressed like polar bears. Moved clumsily in tight space trying to work the angles for the best composition...

Polar bear on the move. Adrenaline spiked. Click click… Click click click…

Oops… My body may be following the polar bear. But something that I clipped underneath layers of clothing chose to fall at the most inconvenient time.

I quickly got on my feet, back facing what I was photographing. Picked up the trouble-maker and reattached it underneath my layers of clothing. At this point, I raised my head.

There she was, all by herself, surrounded by water, vast body of water. She turned around and locked eyes with me, as if she was asking “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?”

Mesmerized, I forgot what I was photographing 5 seconds ago…

Today is International Polar Bear Day. This encounter with the polar bear came to mind. I wish that her wait for ice has ended and she was able to travel on it to where her food is.