For all Wildlife Photographers everywhere.

[John 2]

Coming in thick and fast today. Spotted this in the Daily Mails on line edition earlier.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...right-him.html

[Dave Humphries]

Nice find John,

Both photographers got lucky that day.

The text full of the usual newspaper inaccuracies, reminds me why I gave up reading them decades ago.

[Shadowman]

Nice link.

[IzzieK]

Maybe the bears over that reserve are really tame, who knows? Hand raised by men but wanted a bit of sensationalism to advertise their place? Too many questions even if the news is eyebrow-raising ... nice link...

[Manfred M]

These guys were extremely lucky to get away safely.

Being that close to a mother bear and her cubs is not something I would ever want to run into. This sort of reminds me of a situation we ran into a couple of summers ago. We were in a Canadian National park when a young bear popped out of the woods and lingered around the path, blocking our way back to the car (and washrooms).

We kept wondering where "mom" was, because we certainly did not want to meet her.



My daughter (in the shot) was trying to see what that black thing up the track was. Large dog, bear?





Correct answer: Young bear... Now where's its mother???




Fortunately for us, it wandered back into the forest after a few minutes and mom never showed up...

[NorthernFocus]

The guy in the shots that is photographing the bear cubs made a common mistake. Just because wildlife approaches you doesn't mean it's OK. Particularly if the young approach you, which they commonly do out of curiosity. If a mom perceives danger, she doesn't stop to consider who's at fault. She is just going to react to protect them. He was really lucky that she was a complacent bear. It must be an area where the bears are very habituated to people.

I get very nervous when wildlife walks up to me. Unless I'm in a pretty safe spot I typically pick up and retreat to keep space between us.

You notice the article referred to his 70-200mm lens as a wide angle.

[Saorsa]

They always know that you are there.

This shot was taken in Wyoming of a few wild horses up on a ridge. I had seen them grazing from afar and the road dipped to a point a few hundred yards below them. I got them in silhouette but as soon as I stopped the car instead of driving on like everyone else, I was the center of attention.


This one was also taken at a distance after stoppin the car again.



A few more





Of course, I have another full collection of Butts as they decide to leave immediately.

Never, ever, ever, mess with a young animal unless you feel it absolutely necessary to save it and even then only if you are sure the parent is not around or dead.

[davidedric]

What a plonker.

Perhaps next time he might qualify for the Darwin awards

"the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it."



Dave

[AB26]

David Attenborough does the same thing. DRAMATISE. The more dramatic the story is told the more it is sold.

The Photographer is Russian in a Russian Wildlife Park. I suspect he knows what he is doing. Looking at his setup he was planning to spend some time with the Bears.

What is much more interesting to me is his technique handling his camera. He seems to be missing a right hand. He sure is an old hand at doing what he is doing.