Momma bear and a Spring Cub

[NorthernFocus]

On the first day of my recent bear trip and every day we were there we had opportunities to shoot cubs. There were several sows with cubs that were frequenting the stream. Most had single cubs but there were a couple with two and one sow with three that were in their second year. The following series was from the first one that we saw. She only showed up the first two days then disappeared. She was a really small bear and very lean, presumably from feeding her young "spring cub". Spring cub is the term used for cubs that were just born during the previous winter's denning/hibernation period. So it is their first spring. Brown bear cubs are born while the mom hibernates and stay with her (if they survive) through three summers. She runs them off just before denning in the fall of the cub's third year. Then assuming she conceived the prior spring she will have another brood while in the den.

As always best viewed in the lightbox.

On our first day it was clear and sunny which made lighting challenging. Here's the skinny mom and her tiny little guy backlit against the bay water.

D7200/70-200mm f4


The next day in better (i.e. easier) lighting they showed up again. Mom wasn't too worried about us but the little guy wasn't so sure.

D4/80-400mm G


The little guy stayed close while mom fished.

D4/80-400mm G


Even when she came up empty he had faith in her.

D4/80-400mm G


Sometimes you just have to shake it off and keep trying.

D810/500mm VR


Hard work eventually pays off. Mom brings the groceries home to share with the little one.

D810/500mm VR


And at day's end they grabbed some take away to share back at the den.

D4/80-400mm G

[Dave Humphries]

Great series with an educational story Dan,

Seeing how long their legs are (in #5) explains how they can cover ground quickly when necessary!

Thanks, Dave

[Chri5]

Hi Dan. Thats a very good series. I envy you. For having the chance to spend time with such amazing animals and also for having such a wide variety of cameras and lenses. The D7200 seems to have held its own with the big hitters. They are all extremly good images with my favorite 2 images being the D810 500mm VR mum shaking off the water. Those water droplets are fantastic, and the last image of mum and cub walking away with the shopping and the cub looking back making eye contact with you.

I wonder would the bear not attack you and make a meal of you?

[bnnrcn]

Great series Dan, thanks for sharing

[ST1]

What a wonderful series and associated narrative. Great images Dan thanks for sharing these

[Kris V]

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the story!

[ied]

Great captures and interesting narrative. That lean sow will have to really put on the pounds before hibernating again.
Thanks for sharing
Irene

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you all enjoyed the post. This mom was really working hard to feed her little guy and keep it safe from the other bears. She had her hands full.

[Mike Buckley]

Another terrific series, Dan! I have enjoyed sharing all of them with my wife, so she also sends kudos your way.

[Brownbear]

inspirational wildlife photography, truly exquisite... Thank you for sharing, as always.

[Ziggy]

Enjoyed viewing Dan.

[csa mt]

Wow! I cannot pick a favorite, as I really am amazed at all of your shots! What an awesome series, that few ever get the chance to experience!

[Rita]

Another superb series. Really enjoyed viewing these. That cub is sure keeping its eye on you

[Shadowman]

Nice series, that backwards glance has tons of charm.

[JohnRostron]

Great series. Especially liked the one with her shaking off the water. This is just amazing.

John

[Tom Barry]

I've never seen better wildlife photography. Wonderful series in every possible respect.

[Cantab]

A wonderful set of images. I particularly like the last one with the cub warily keeping an eye on you.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Glad you all enjoyed the post.

[Rebel]

Awesome shots Dan, I love that last one

[Manfred M]

Great shots and explanation, Dan.

These images of the grizzly's bring back some fond memories of a trip to Northern British Columbia, to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. We spotted a mother bear and her two cubs. I think the cubs were just as curious about us as we were about then as they kept looking over at use. Mom was a bit nervous and kept moving them along.

We were there fairly soon after the bears came out of hibernation, and their coats were no where as sleek as the ones you have in these images. The fats and oils from the salmon seem to be doing their job, but the bears look like they still need to catch a lot more fish to put on the weight for the winter sleep.

Again, the images are definitely up to you usual high standards!