Momma bear and cubs

[NorthernFocus]

In prior threads I posted a couple of shots of the cubbies that we saw on our trip. Here's a bit more stuff with them.

These cubs are what are referred to as "spring cubs" indicating it is their first spring out of the den. The cubs are born while the sow is hibernating in a winter den. When they come out in spring they are very small but grow rapidly. These guys being six months old or so were already probably 60lbs(27kg). The cubs will spend this winter in the den with their mother and next year will be called "second year cubs". They will spend yet one more winter(i.e. the third one) together and then that spring mom will run them off and mate again in June. If there are multiple cubs they will likely hang together that summer as juveniles then drift apart and find dens of their own that winter (i.e. three years old).

In this family, the light colored cub appeared to be female. We called her Blondie. The darker cub looked to be male and we called him Brownie (I know, real original names). Blondie stuck closer to Mom and mimicked everything that she did. Brownie kind of did his own thing and acted pretty independent, trying to fish on his own, etc. Every time we saw the cubs wrestle it was initiated by Blondie. Several times Blondie would follow her brother off on an adventure and they'd lose touch with Mom. When that happened Blondie would really panic when she realized they were alone. Brownie didn't act particularly concerned. Mom would eventually come back to get them and once or twice gave them a cuff as if punishing them for not following her. Both cubs frequently tried to take food from Mom. Sometimes she let them and sometimes she would either run from them or give them a swat. Due to Brownie wandering off on his own it was hard to get all three in the frame together. Here go a few shots.

As always viewing in the light box is recommended.

1. The whole family. This is a fairly heavy crop and is a bit soft. Not sure what I did here but the focal point appears to be behind the bears. D4, 200-400mm VR w/1.4x, f/5.6 @ 550 mm, 1/1600, ISO 1000



2. Posted this one in another thread already but I like it so here it is again. This is a shot of the cubs trying to take what's left of a fish from mom. Notice she's running from them and her ears are laid back demonstrating her displeasure. D810, 500mm VR, f/5.6 @ 500 mm, 1/1000, ISO 640



3. Kids at play. D810, 500mm VR, f/5.6 @ 500 mm, 1/1250, ISO 400



4. C'mon, Mom, let's play! D810, 500mm VR, f/5.6 @ 500 mm, 1/1250, ISO 400



On our last morning we went out in extremely foggy conditions and well out onto the tidal flats at low tide. Mom and the kids were out there looking for something to eat. Though it looked like the cubbies were doing more playing in the mud. They were also really interested in us that morning and a couple of times came to check us out getting closer than either we or mom were comfortable with. D4, 200-400mm VR w/1.4x, f/5.6 @ 490 mm, 1/1000, ISO 6400

5.


6.


7. This one was already posted in another thread. Mom calling the cubs back by "huffing" at them. D4, 200-400mm VR w/1.4x, f/5.6 @ 310 mm, 1/1000, ISO 6400

[Rebel]

Great shots Dan!

2, 4 and 5 are my personal favourites

[IzzieK]

Interesting shots of them all, Dan...the Mom swatting them if they try to share her fish seems to be like any natural mother do to their children asking them to go to go to work and earn their supper. No spoiling there either...

[Mike Buckley]

Another great series of photos and an informative, entertaining narrative. Exceptional!

[Tom Barry]

Another great series of photos and an informative, entertaining narrative. Exceptional!

My thoughts exactly. Just wonderful.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Kodiak]

Now, this is the kinda bear shots I like to see! Thanks for the pleasure. ;-)

With my 200/400 ƒ4 VR2 i did some wildlife… but in Austria they may have no
more than 6 bears and people are are not all happy with that. A shame.

[Manfred M]

Dan - wonderful shots. These images really bring back some memories from when we were in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sactuary in Northern British Columbia; which is just south of the border with Alaska. Where we saw a mother with her two cubs that looked to be about the same age as the ones in your images. The mother was rather nervous with us about; we were in a Zodiac inflatable out in the estuary, but the cubs were really curious and kept looking back at us. I got some decent shots, but nothing compared to these.

I've got to get out that way again with a nice, long lens...

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments and glad you folks enjoyed the post. The muddy little rascals didn't make for the best photo op but it does tell the story. They seemed to hang out in the worst spots from a photo perspective. Or the seagulls got in the way Oh well, that's what keeps us shooting...

[NorthernFocus]

...These images really bring back some memories from when we were in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sactuary in Northern British Columbia...

Manfred, I've wanted to go there for years. It is unique terrain relative to most accessible places in Alaska. Unfortunately with travel and VAT(or whatever it's called nowadays) the cost is about half again more than most places up here. Particularly since you folks turned your dollar into real money. Missed my chance a few years ago when the exchange rate was WAY in our favor

[bnnrcn]

Nice series, thanks for sharing

[Brownbear]

Hi Dan,

As always, thank you for sharing. All wonderful and truly special. My faves are 2,4, and 7. The cubs are adorable, and the bear in #7 looks like she wants a pat and a belly rub!

Aside... My Mom just told me about a Black Bear on a golf course on Whistler Mountain. It seems that I will have to take up golf next Spring. Perhaps they will let me on the course if I dress the part.

Black Bears on Whistler Golf course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8YU8fUANk

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you liked them, Binnur and Christina.

Regarding the golf course bear, why don't you show them some of the quality of your work then ask them if they will let you try for some shots of the bear in exchange for copies of their choice of anything that you might get. Although a golf course may not want people knowing that they have bears wandering around

[KimC]

These are all beautiful...

[dje]

Great stuff Dan, really good. You can "see" their playful personalities !

Dave

[Marie Hass]

Dan, I am in awe. What lovely captures. The eyes are crisp and clear throughout. Your narrative was enlightening.

'Rie

[Brownbear]

Loved them!

Thank you for the tip. I will certainly give it a try next Spring... And next Fall to Bella Coola with images of your bears as inspiration.

Yes, indeed. The mountains in the area are prime habitat for black bears and hopefully the bears will stay up in the mountains. Sadly they do wander into the resort areas. (:

PS #2 is still my absolute favourite! Magical!

Glad you liked them, Binnur and Christina.

Regarding the golf course bear, why don't you show them some of the quality of your work then ask them if they will let you try for some shots of the bear in exchange for copies of their choice of anything that you might get. Although a golf course may not want people knowing that they have bears wandering around

[FootLoose]

All good, Dan, but I especially like #5. Brownie seems to have some boyish mischief about him in that shot.

[ied]

Dan, these are absolutely beautiful. I especially like #2- the look in blondie's eyes seem to say " don't be mean to me, let me have a bite". We saw some in our travels these past few days but not near close enough.
Irene

[FlyingSquirrel]

Dan, a typically wonderful series from you. I love your images, not only for the high technical quality, but also because you can somehow sense your passion coming through. An enjoyable set. Love the light in #2. When you said 'blondie' it reminded me of a magnificent, super close up portrait of an adult female bear that you posted quite a while back.