SECOND PLACE Hanging around (black bear) Yellowstone National Park Ross Swanson | Anaconda, Montana Canon 1DX Mark II: 1/750 sec, f/5.6, ISO 3200 I t was an early-spring morning in the Yellowstone National Park Tower area when a black bear sow and her two cubs of the year appeared in an area they frequented. The cubs began to wrestle on the ground and then worked their way up the nearest tree. One of the cubs went out on a lower tree branch and hung on the limb as it practiced its climbing skills. The cub provided a unique pose and a quick photo opportunity with an uncluttered, nice, clean, green background. The cubs explored the tree for a short time and then joined their mom on the ground before moving on. Black bear cubs of the year are entertaining to watch as they check out their new world with the sow always close by watching. Wyoming Wildlife | 9