Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Bear witness: Photographer John Marriott offers intimate look at black, grizzly and polar bears

A happy, well-fed bear cub plays in the grass in northern B.C. (John Marriott photo)

Bear witness: Photographer John Marriott offers intimate look at black, grizzly and polar bears

December 14, 2020 //  by Lachlan Labere

Share this:

For many an hour, John Marriot’s attention, and camera lenses, have been focused on bears.

It’s fitting, then, that bears should be the subject of the seventh book the Salmon Arm-raised, award-winning wildlife photographer has been involved with.

Written by friend, biologist and fellow conservationist Sarah Elmeligi, What Bears Teach Us offers a visually stunning and intimate look at bears – black, grizzly and polar, and the relationships humans share with them.

What Bears Teach Us is the seventh book containing the work of wildlife and landscape photographer and conservationist John Marriott. (Contributed)

The images were taken over a 15-year span that included outings with Elmeligi in preparation for the book.

“I’ve been hooked on photographing bears basically since I started taking pictures 27 years ago,” said Marriott. “I’ve even chased bears in the Shuswap, got up in Pukeashun Provincial Park up on the Adams Plateau looking for grizzlies, things like that. But the majority of the photos in the book are from all across Canada… There’s definitely a lean towards B.C. mostly because B.C. just has more grizzly bears and black bears than anywhere else in the country.”

Marriott said he learned his love for the outdoors from his parents when he lived in Salmon Arm.

“My parents both taught in town and I kind of learned my love for the outdoors out on Scotch Creek and the Adams Plateau and Yard Creek, all kinds of areas around the Shuswap, both fishing and wildlife viewing with my parents – with my dad in particular,” said Marriott who, after earning a degree at UBC in forestry and wildlife management, wound up becoming a full-time professional wildlife and landscape photographer.

Marriott currently calls Canmore, Alta. home. He is a fellow in The International League of Conservation Photographers, and an ambassador for Canon.

A sow and her cubs. (John Marriott photo)

What Bears Teach Us blends years of study with stories from the field, offering unique insight into the lives of bears and how they co-exist with humankind.

“How successful bears are on the landscape depends on many things, including how we define coexistence,” writes Elmeligi. “If we respect bears and give them the space they need, we can coexist. If we take a holistic view of bear management and coexistence that incorporates animal and human welfare, we can change how we define coexistence and thus how we manage for it.

“Coexistence is best achieved when people work together as recreationists, community members, businesses and land management agencies.”

One of the stories in the book details an experience Elmeligi and Marriott had when they were bluff charged by a grizzly.

“It’s quite an interesting story and not necessarily what one might think when they first read that,” said Marriott. “There’s much more behind the story and in bear behaviour, specifically, that explains why the bear did it.”

Marriott said fans of his previous books, of wildlife and anyone who loves bears “is going to absolutely love the book.”

What Bears Teach Us is available on wildernessprints.com. You can also check out Marriott’s Youtube channel, EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy.

READ MORE: Grizzly Bears: Teachers of the Land

A grizzly bear photographed in the Chilcotin. (John Marriott photo)

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Nature, Photography, Places to Visit in Alberta, WCT Intro, Wildlife

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

The Tulalip Tribes in northwest Washington has opened a new 70,250-square-foot Tulalip Resort Casino expansion…

Tulalip casino expansion opens in WashingtonRead More

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

British Columbia hikers can find themselves in the unexpected company during treks through the ragged,…

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpineRead More

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

Have you ever wondered how far you could toss a firefighter’s gumboot? Maybe you’re curious…

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!Read More

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

The Gorge Waterway is one of Victoria’s most scenic and beloved places – a tidal…

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish SeaRead More

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

A brand new exhibit at Science World gives people the chance to dive into the…

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science WorldRead More

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni is expecting a lot of visitors this…

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summerRead More

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

As dream destination, it doesn’t get much better than Western Canada – from wilderness escapes…

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!Read More

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehicles

Revelstoke’s scenic 26-kilometre parkway has opened all the way to the top for motor vehicles,…

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehiclesRead More

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sights

The Great Canadian Trolley Company has officially arrived in Comox, launching its highly anticipated Hop…

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sightsRead More

Previous Post: « Cariboo Mountains offer world-class adventures for backcountry enthusiasts
Next Post: Your go-to guide to Victoria’s trails »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Recent Posts

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved