The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Minnesota is a unique venue - Black Bears come and go from this 500 acre unfenced sanctuary as they please. In the middle is an area known as the magic circle! Here the bears know they are safe from humans, and they can enjoy nuts and dried fruits, put out daily for them as a supplement to their natural diet. Amazingly, the bears are fully at ease in this zone, whereas outside in the forests of Minnesota they are very shy and skittish, knowing they may be hunted. This sanctuary is without doubt one of the best places in the world to see Black Bears!

The name Black Bear can be a bit misleading, as many "Black Bears" are actually dark brown, light brown, or even cinnamon in colour! However the species known as Brown Bears ("Grizzlies") have a pronounced muscular hump on their shoulders, which Black Bears lack, so it is quite easy to identify which type of bear you are looking at.

A superb visit, organised by UK-based Natures Images, and expertly guided by Stan Tekiela of NatureSmart.