It takes patience, preparation and enough knowledge of animal behavior to understand when to stay put, when to move and when to get the heck out of there.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICKAnd sometimes, it requires a little ice in your veins.A Kodiak bear in Alaska looks for food at the river's edge after the rain.(Getty Images)Wildlife photographer Matt Addington recently went viral after sharing a video from Alaska that shows a massive brown bear sow casually grazing her way to within inches of his camera equipment.In the 16-second clip, Addington sits low in the grass as the bear slowly approaches.
She stops beside his enormous camera lens, sniffs around and continues eating as if the photographer sitting directly in front of her is barely worth acknowledging.For the millions of people who watched online, the scene was equal parts incredible and terrifying.For Addington, though, it was something else entirely."Contrary to what the millions and millions of people who have chimed in on this think, it honestly was one of the most surreal and peaceful encounters that I’ve ever had," Addington told OutKick Outdoors.Despite sitting at the feet of what he called "the ultimate apex predator on the North American continent," he said there was never a moment when he felt afraid."There was never a moment of fear or anxiety," Addington said."This was the complete opposite.
It was, again, one of the more peaceful, serene, surreal moments that I’ve ever had."That doesn’t mean Addington believes all bear encounters should be treated so casually.A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO NOT GETTING MAULED BY A BEAR WHILE HIKING OR CAMPING THIS SUMMERHe explained that this particular encounter took place in Katmai, where the bears had abundant food and the sow was contently grazing on sedge grass.Addington was also accompanied by experienced bear-viewing guides Scott and Jackie Stone, and the group took deliberate precautions to avoid startling or interfering with the animals.Matt Add...