Buddy the Bear(text heavy)

[NorthernFocus]

This summer I (involuntarily) had one of the more "interesting" wildlife encounters that I've ever experienced. It's a good demonstration of the reality that when you're dealing with large animals. THEY are in control of the situation, NOT the photographer.

I was shooting with two professional photographers. We are all well seasoned. One of them, the lady who set up the shoot for us(we'll call her Jane), has been shooting brown bears in Alaska several weeks every summer for over 15 years. The other gent(we'll call him John) is a full time wildlife photographer for over 25 years with a little experience with grizzlies but had never been on coastal brown bears before. When shooting in these conditions, there are a few safety rules observed by seasoned wildlife pros.

1) Always stick together. There are no recorded incidents of bears attacking groups of more than two people. Plus the bears are more comfortable if they can keep track of where you are.

2) Pick a spot to set up and be still. Once the animals figure out that you aren't a threat they'll pretty much ignore you and just work around you.

2a) If you do move around, never move directly towards a bear.

3) When shooting on a salmon stream, always leave the bears space to move up and down the banks of the stream. Staying at least 25ft(8m) from the water is advisable.

4) Stand your ground (as a group) if a bear approaches you. "Get large" by standing up side by side.

5) Avoid eye contact with large, dominant animals.

6) NEVER, EVER, EVER, get between a sow and her cubs.

There were two huge boars fishing the stream who appeared to be more or less equals at the top of the hierarchy. One of them is the subject of the thread, hereafter referred to as "Buddy" for reasons that will become evident. Buddy was easily 1000lb (450kg).

1) Buddy fishing. Nikon D810, Nikon 500mm f4; 1/800s,f4, ISO1000



Buddy had consumed 50 or 60 lbs (25kg) of fish and lay down for a nap. After a couple of hours he woke up and began rolling on his back, scratching, etc. "John" decided that he had to get some shots of the antics but Buddy was a good way off and at a bad angle. John convinced us to move (see rule no.2) but he was shooting handheld while "Jane" and I had tripods set up, backpacks, etc. As soon as we agreed he bolted and left us there picking up our gear (see rule no.1).

When we caught up with him, John was set up on to optimize the lighting on Buddy. John had picked a tiny gravel/sand bar in the middle of the creek. When Jane and I arrived and set up, we ended up with me on the left, Jane in center, and John on the right. I was on the point of the bar where the creek split and only 10-12 ft(3-4m) from the water's edge (see rule no.3).

Buddy continued to roll, scratch, etc. for 15 minutes or so.

2) Buddy slowly waking up. Nikon D810, Nikon 500mm f4; 1/800s, f5.6, ISO800



Nap time over, Buddy stood up and walked directly at us. I was shooting with a second full frame body w/80-400mm lens and had to switch to it as he approached. He stopped directly across the creek from us for a drink of water.

3) Nikon D4, Nikon 80-400mm at 310mm; 1/1000s, f8, ISO800



Buddy was so disinterested in our presence that I was having trouble getting a shot of him with eye contact. I finally succeeded.

4) same set up as no.3



For those patient enough to keep reading, there are no more supporting images for the rest of the tale. While looking through the lens I noticed that Buddy kept looking with some interest at something slightly off to my left. I looked over my shoulder to see if there was a bear behind us. Nothing. Then I noticed that the creek to my left was literally chocked bank to bank with salmon. Just as I noticed this, Buddy stepped into the water and headed for the fish. This was bad. We were much too close to the water. OK, maybe he'll catch one and step out on the opposite bank to eat it. Well that was a nice thought....

Buddy caught a salmon and turned our way. We were shooting on our knees for low angles. But by this time the bear was so close that he could interpret our standing up as a threatening move so we sat still (so much for rule no.4). In for a penny... Buddy came over and sat down beside me less than 10ft away. I sat there staring down at the ground (see rule no.5), pulled the pin on the bear spray, and listened to the squishing and crunching as Buddy consumed the fish. I could see Buddy's feet out of the corner of my eye and hoped fervently that when he moved they would not point in my direction. He finished his fish, got up and ambled off after another. As soon as his back was to us and he moved off a few yards we gathered our gear and made a calm but hasty retreat.

Of course when it was all over and we were all none the worse for wear(not even soiled clothing...), it was quite humorous. The bear was dubbed "Buddy", as in my buddy.

I'm glad to say that as a group we did a better job of sticking to the above rules for the remainder of the trip...

[pnodrog]

I am pleased for you managed to get a shot with eye contact. He seems to be pondering whether you as tasty as a fish.

Yes I will certainly seek advice from you if I ever visit Alaska...and I will follow it

[Shadowman]

Nice series and nice back story. Glad all was well. So how did you rate your guides, not too negatively I hope?

[NorthernFocus]

...So how did you rate your guides, not too negatively I hope?

It was just the three of us. "Jane" and I had shot together before and worked well together. Neither of us had ever shot with "John" before. We were there for a week and it took a couple of days for him to settle in and then things worked out.

[Wavelength]

Beautiful set of images; liked all of them, since they show buddy's different activities...i wonder why you chose a high ISO 800, when the light is bright ?

[DEAN01]

Very nice series and story.

[NorthernFocus]

...i wonder why you chose a high ISO 800, when the light is bright ?

Keeping ss high because we were shooting action of the bears fishing. Besides, ISO800 isn't high for either of these two cameras.

[Mike Buckley]

The photos are fabulous! I can't wait to read every detail of the text, but that will indeed have to wait until after I shovel one heck of a lot of snow.

[NorthernFocus]

The photos are fabulous! I can't wait to read every detail of the text, but that will indeed have to wait until after I shovel one heck of a lot of snow.

After reading the text you may feel that there is something else that needs shoveling

[Dave Humphries]

A good read as usual Dan,

Not to mention the great photos.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I'll venture to say you won't be breaking those rules again any time soon.
Would you look at the size of those claws?
Nice story, really glad you were able to tell it.


The pictures aren't too bad either!

[bnnrcn]

Very exciting and enjoyable story Dan. And great images

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you folks enjoyed the post.

I'll venture to say you won't be breaking those rules again any time soon.
...

And won't shoot bears with strangers again. With just the three of us it was a dilemma. At times we had as many as 12 to 15 bears around us. So you definitely want to stick together in a group. With a larger group if one person decides to free lance and walk away, they only place themselves in harm's way. But with just three people one walking away places everyone at risk.

[Sergio M.]

Wow! High adventure with accompanying photos.
Enjoyed.

Sergio

[Rita]

Wow, what an experience, and great images too.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

For some reason this set reminds me a commercial on TV where a guy is going after bears with a camera. He ends up in a river in hip waders shooting a bear that is just across the river from him.
I know it's just TV, but you're never going to outrun a bear like that if he decides you're his dinner.

[IzzieK]

Good Grief! What an experience! Well, I know you survived to tell the tale but I was at the edge of my seat while reading your story here...beautiful picture...Great what a D810 can do really but I am more into your story than anything else...

[pnodrog]

Good Grief! ...Great what a D810 can do ...

I know what a D810 can do. It would have been interesting to see what a 450Kg bear can do....
Dan you have to go back - you select who with - a tax investigator?

[John 2]

Dan, I enjoyed all of that, back story and images. I'm envious - well almost. Something to dine out on for years to come with photographs to prove it.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for all the comments, folks. Glad you enjoyed the story and photos. I hope to never be nearly so close to a bear again. Or any large wildlife for that matter. Birdies. I'd love to be able to get that close to the little birdies

...It would have been interesting to see what a 450Kg bear can do....
Dan you have to go back - you select who with - a tax investigator?

Interesting that the feeling towards tax collectors hasn't changed in 2000 years