Career Highlight

Brandi | April 4, 2011

I am thrilled to share a career highlight – capturing bear cub photos!

What a unique experience, not to mention – an adrenalin rush, a zillion deep breaths, knock my hat off and fear shaking in my knee high, brown woolly boots.

That particular day I intended a calm, stay-at-home, make phone calls, write stories and catch up on laundry in between, kind of day.

When Officer Foisy called I was sipping a cup of tea, lounging around in my pajamas and housecoat, hair up in a ponytail.

“10-4, where are you?” Can you meet me says Marc.

“Can you wait 25 minutes – 20 to drive, five to get dressed and I will be there,” I replied. He agreed to wait and meet at Mac’s.

Twenty-three minutes later, I gained the two minutes by ignoring my hair, smashing on a hat and brushing my teeth on the go.

I listened attentively to Marc’s instructions during our drive to the site and I bounced in my seat anticipating the adventure.

We took turns crawling into the bear’s den knowing we were among the first and possibly last humans they may see. We knew that at any second the mama bear could come back to rescue them - my mind was racing. Oh my, oh my, oh my!

I always say there’s a first time for everything, WOW!

At first I stood guard while Marc checked the den, yes I felt safe, we were protected by a 12 gauge shot gun. Then in turn, he stood guard while I took photos. Holy man.

For those who do not know, a bit of background. I grew up in a small town, half the size of Fox Creek, on a farm in east central Alberta. It was far from bear country!

Gophers, coyotes, deer and antelope roam the flat prairie country.

My dad is an avid hunter, mainly geese and deer. I’d never even see a bear, besides at a zoo, before moving to our acreage by Little Smoky.

And deep down, I have a slight fear of handling guns and hunting just wasn’t my thing growing up – I was busy chasing boys!

The man I did catch and marry is also an avid hunter. My family members are all hunters. Yes, all three kids go along too.

I rarely even go for a drive during hunting season. I squirm at the sight of blood, stay in the house when they dress their animals and cringe at the thought of walking aimlessly for hours in hopes of seeing a poor innocent animal.

This year I do plan to go along, mainly because hubby cut his long hair and we made a deal. I will use the opportunity to capture remarkable stories, photos and memories. I only plan to shoot pictures!

At Christmas, the kids and I enjoyed meeting up with one of my sisters, nieces and nephew in Edmonton. As a surprise gift for papa bear, the kids and I had antique portraits done western style, ‘Mama Bedson and her Triple J Gang!’

The Triple J Gang is our three kids, you guessed it, their names all start with J – Jesse, Janelle and Jeremy. Our oldest son, Jesse, intends to be a Fish and Game officer.

FOCUS commends Officer Foisy’s professionalism. I’m beyond honoured and value our relationship. Thank you Marc for the most fulfilling and exhilarating story of my career.

“Bears keep me humble. They help me to keep the world in perspective and to understand where I fit on the spectrum of life. We need to preserve the wilderness and its monarchs for ourselves, and for the dreams of children. We should fight for these things as if our life depended upon it, because it does.”
- Dr. Wayne Lynch – Canadian Wildlife Specialist and accomplished photographer