National Park Service (NPS) Ranger and Friend
This shot captures the tough job these rangers have. I think the bear is just jivin' with the rangers and spectators - he'd turn around and run back into the woods, bump into the bison again and come back this way. He'd see all the cars and tourists, and ponder his options.
Yes, you are correct - that is a shotgun the ranger is holding - loaded. The rangers advise that all hikers carry bear spray, and its sold everywhere. You see a couple of scenes like this and you understand why.
We tended to do as we were told on this trip...
