There’s nothing like a fresh glass of bin juice in a morning.
The Story Behind “Bin Juice” – A Black Bear Encounter in the Canadian Rockies
I couldn’t resist naming this piece "Bin Juice" due to the awkward yet oddly endearing spot where we found this black bear. Late this spring, we set out on our first mini camping trip of the season, heading up to Jasper to test our car-camping setup. While I prefer to keep the exact locations of bear sightings vague for their safety, it’s no secret that the Icefields Parkway, the iconic road linking Banff and Jasper, offers countless opportunities for spotting wildlife.
As we drove, a black mass of fluff flashed past our windows. At first, I doubted it was a black bear because of his enormous size. However, when we pulled into a nearby parking lot, it became clear this bear was on a mission. Aggressively digging beneath the bear-proof garbage bins, he was laser-focused on licking up the remnants of what can only be described as dripping “bin juice.”
This particular bear had managed to wedge himself into a trench he’d dug beneath the bins, his shoulders disappearing into the black depths of his accidental trash buffet. For several minutes, he was utterly engrossed, paying no attention to us as we quietly observed from the safety of our car.
If you’ve never visited a mountain town in bear country, you may not be familiar with bear-proof bins. These sturdy contraptions are designed to prevent wildlife from accessing human food or trash—a vital tool in keeping bears safe and wild. Interestingly, while these bins often baffle tourists unfamiliar with the design, bears are remarkably persistent and can still find ways to access improperly secured food or waste.
The Importance of Food Management for Bears
Food availability plays a critical role in the life of a bear. In the Canadian Rockies, bears spend much of the spring and summer preparing for hibernation by consuming as many calories as possible. Unfortunately, human food and garbage can be an irresistible temptation, leading to dangerous habituation. A bear that becomes reliant on human food is at higher risk of being relocated or, in worst cases, euthanized. This is why proper food storage and waste management are essential when visiting Banff, Jasper, or any bear country.
After about five minutes, the bear finally raised his head, his snout dripping with his less-than-appetizing discovery. At that moment, he looked directly into my camera, allowing me to capture this image—an artistic yet ironic portrait of this clever scavenger.
“Bin Juice” on Display
"Bin Juice" is now available to view at Wildflour Café in Banff. This framed 24 x 36-inch Giclée print, crafted on Hahnemühle Bamboo fine art archival paper, captures the unique charm and context of this bear’s unexpected behavior.
If you’re visiting Banff National Park or the Canadian Rockies, stop by Wildflour Café to see this piece in person. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—tag me at @rachelbearphoto if you visit!