Grizzly Bears and Bison Carcasses Yellowstone National Park 2014
Grizzled
One of the largest, oldest, and dominant bears takes his turn at the carcasses. This boar was unchallenged and when he approached the river, all of the other bears would abandon their feeding binge. Winter killed, carrion is an important food source for bears that are recently out of hibernation and in need of protein and nutrition. Note the two carcasses and the size and white color of his claws.
A young and relatively small competitor
This is one of the youngest and smallest bears that I witnessed during the several days of photographing the carcasses. The large dominant males tolerated this smaller bear; he was never attacked or harassed. He did however make way when the dominant males came to feed. This young bear was able to partially hoist the soaking monstrous carcass from the river in order to access the most nutritious parts. These carnivores are incredibly powerful.
A dominant male grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
This dominant boar was also unchallenged. He enjoyed free reign over the carrion and would stand feasting in the frigid river for hours on end.
Ursus is Latin for bear, arctos is Greek for bear, and horribilis is from the Latin meaning gruesome and dreadful. Note the size and brown color of his claws.Bald Eagles had opportunities as well
Dominated by bears, bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) greedily feasted on the bison carcass while the bruins were resting. They would flap their massive wings to generate the force necessary to separate flesh from the carcasses. Haliaeetus leucocephalus has it’s origin in Greek as follows; hali = sea, aiētos = eagle, leuco- = white, cephalos = head. Very simply translated to (white headed sea eagle).
Most bears preferred eating the head
During the initial feeding period while the carcasses were mostly in tact, every bear that I observed feeding consumed head flesh first. I presume that the bears were instinctively seeking out the most nutritional part of the carcass. I would assume that the head flesh was tender and delicious as well. Note his exposed monumental canine teeth.