Polar Bear Mom and Cub

[NorthernFocus]

My recent trip to Kaktovik was the first and only time I've observed polar bears in the wild. The first thing that struck me is how differently they behave than brown bears. For one thing, they seem to be much more social. Brownies tolerate each other. These guys seem to enjoy being together. Another thing was how much different the mother/cub interactions seemed to be. Brown bear moms are always on edge. While they do play with the cubs a bit, they seem to be much more the task masters, growing impatient with the cubs and constantly correcting them. Polar bears in general seem to be much more playful. And particularly the moms and cubs. Once engaged the moms act just as goofy as the little guys. And when the little guys get distracted the moms tend to just wait patiently for them to come back to whatever it is they're supposed to be doing. Nursing behavior is also different. Brownies almost always roll on their backs to allow the cubs to nurse. Perhaps due to the colder environment, the PB moms either sat or stood in a more sheltering position while the cubs fed.

We spent a whole afternoon with this mom and her single cub. The weather and therefore the lighting changed dramatically over the course of the day. Here are a few shots.

This whole set except no.4 was shot with Nikon D810/500mm VR. No.4 was shot with the D7200/80-400mm G in order to zoom out an include the bears in BG.

Uploaded large enough to need the light box for proper viewing.

1) Mom and junior playing.



2) The little guy asking to eat.



3) While he nursed, the mom seemed to nuzzle and caress him. She only glanced up once or twice while he fed.



4) Nap time. Note more bears with the same idea in the BG.



5) Let's go check out what the tourists are up to.



6) Doesn't look any fun.



7) Mom taking a good stretch.



8) Ok sleepy time again.



9) And a little snow isn't worth waking up.

[Shadowman]

Nice series, especially the snow scene.

[Donald]

That's just breathtaking.

It's always easy to say that when it's a nice cuddly (well, you know what I mean) animal and especially a mother and young. But we're a photographic forum and try and assess the quality of images, not just the 'aaawww' factor.

Even when trying to apply the strictest of criteria to that assessment, these still come out as breathtaking. I consider these images to be wildlife photography of the very highest quality.

[Kris V]

That's just breathtaking.

It's always easy to say that when it's a nice cuddly (well, you know what I mean) animal and especially a mother and young. But we're a photographic forum and try and assess the quality of images, not just the 'aaawww' factor.

Even when trying to apply the strictest of criteria to that assessment, these still come out as breathtaking. I consider these images to be wildlife photography of the very highest quality.

But the 'aaawwww' factor is still there........
Beautiful scenes.

[Chrisclick]

I take back what I said about not liking bears! Dan, these are beautiful photographs. I agree wholeheartedly with Donald and with Kris. I think you captured them perfectly.

[Manfred M]

Having had a photography bears in the wild, I can appreciate what you went through to get these fantastic images. Definitely some more stunning work, Dan. You must have gotten incredibly close to the bears to get to captures, even at 400mm focal length and a crop frame camera.

Well done!!!

[Dave Humphries]

Great series and narrative Dan,

[NorthernFocus]

My goodness, thanks for the comments, folks. The session with this mom and cub was my favorite time of the trip. They were very interactive and we got some interesting shooting conditions. Even after they lay down it remained interesting for ten or fifteen minutes as the cub never seemed ready to go to sleep and kept moving around a bit before settling in.

Donald, thanks for the compliment. I suppose I've fired enough frames over the past few years to finally have the equipment figured out. Now it's simply a matter of spending enough time in nature for something interesting to happen in front of the lens.

Manfred, the distance to the animals varied widely on this trip. In this particular series they were accommodating enough to walk down to the water's edge within maybe 125ft(40m) or so and then settle in to play and sleep. It was great.

[bnnrcn]

Wonderful set Dan Their attitude in the images reminds me dogs!

[John 2]

Heck, you are enjoying yourself you lucky.......... Superb set and story and technically beautiful.

[Brownbear]

Incredibly beautiful... Stellar wildlife photography - beyond words.

[Polar01]

To me the last shot is the best with that light snow.

Cheers: Allan

[Rita]

Another stunning set of images. It must have been awesome to be there and witness this.

[ied]

All of these images are absolutely amazing. I like the different pose/ actions - they seem indifferent of your presence.
Irene

[rpcrowe]

Wonderful, heartwarming shots!

[tbob]

Fantastic shots, brilliant at all levels as usual.

Just curious. The shots look low level. Even an Alaskan, tough as you are, would not be out in the open with polar bears. At least not unless you wanted to enter the food chain fairly abruptly. What was the setup?

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments and glad you all enjoyed the shots.

...Just curious. The shots look low level... What was the setup?

I was in a small boat. Kneeling down put the lens about a meter above the water. If they were on a dune it was necessary to stand to get closer to eye level or to avoid obstruction. Interestingly the water was often only inches deep. Plus they are marine creatures quite adept in the water. But at this location they're well fed, happy bears

[Manfred M]

I was in a small boat. Kneeling down put the lens about a meter above the water.

That certainly explains how you got in so close. The gently rolling boat just adds to the difficulty in composing.

My experience in shooting was in a Zodiac, and would support the camera while leaning on the inflated gunwale. Every time someone else pushed or leaned on it, there goes the composition...

[Rebel]

Amazing photos Dan!

[wilgk]

I am as the saying goes "in bewildered awe" of what you have been able to do & prsent to us here.
This experience would be a bucket list for me... I may get to Canada & Alaska, I may not, but in all seriousness the images you present regularly & continuously take me there.
Thankyou