Time for Another Bear Profile

[NorthernFocus]

This was perhaps the best looking bear of our trip last fall. She has the classic grizzly bear looks due to her beautiful, thick coat. I'll spare you all further commentary and get on with the photos...

As always check them out in the light box.

D7200/AF-S 80-400

1) 250mm; 1/800s, f5.6, ISO800


2) 400mm, 1/1000s, f5.6, ISO1600


3) 180mm, 1/800s, f5.6, ISO1600


D4/500mm VR; 1/1600s, f4, ISO1250

4)


5)

[wilgk]

Absolutely terrific! as ever, the second is wonderful with the splash, she looks fun & cute & fluffy... then the lats reminds me that nope she's wild & needs to kill to eat... that drip... just wow!

[Rebel]

Awesome shots Dan, is that blood dripping from its mouth in the last one?

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Tronhard]

Wow... they are GORGEOUS! How close do you live to these bears?

[NorthernFocus]

...she looks fun & cute & fluffy... then the lats reminds me that nope she's wild & needs to kill to eat...

Exactly why I included that shot and placed it last

...is that blood dripping from its mouth in the last one?

Fish blood diluted a bit with water. I intentionally cropped away the mangled fish. Most people don't like to see that and anyway it's best left to the imagination as to where the blood came from

...How close do you live to these bears?

As I've said in other posts, I'm only one flight closer than most North Americans. From Anchorage I flew via commercial jet(hour and 20 min.) to Kodiak. Then an hour and a half float plane trip to the Katmai Coast.

[bnnrcn]

Great shots Dan . She looks plump

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Do you have any kind of firearm protection with you when you're that close?
You know you can't out run them and I'd think bear spray would just piss them off even more than they'd be to start with if they decided you were going to be tastier than the fish.

[Mike Buckley]

Another fascinating series -- each image stands on its own but the series provides such an informative context.

It's especially interesting to me that #2 and #4 display such similar positions (only flipped) yet the bear appears in #2 to be almost playful and in #4 to be almost regal.

[Bobobird]

Wow!!!

[dje]

Excellent shots Dan with great clarity. With shots like this appearing on CiC, there is no need for us to buy National Geographic.

Dave

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you guys enjoyed the images. Thanks for commenting. She was a beautiful animal. I'm just the equipment operator.

Do you have any kind of firearm protection with you when you're that close?
You know you can't out run them and I'd think bear spray would just piss them off even more than they'd be to start with if they decided you were going to be tastier than the fish.

I only carry firearms when there's no help nearby. As is the case in human/human conflict, the stakes go up dramatically when firearms are involved. Statistically the majority(I forget the exact percentage) of serious maulings by brown/grizzly bears are hunters being attacked AFTER the bear has been shot with (typically) a large caliber rifle. They respond aggressively to physical injury. On the other hand there are no recorded incidents of bears attacking after being sprayed with pepper spray nor any recorded attacks on groups of three or more people.

Don't get me wrong, it FEELS a lot better carrying a shotgun than pepper spray. But I'm burdened with a logical mind. And camera gear is heavy enough on its own

[John 2]

Don't often use the word but this is a great set of images again. 2, 3 and 5 stand out but who's counting.

[IzzieK]

As usual, more excellent shots and commentary plus your response to questions.

[Dave A]

Outstanding images......well done.

Dave

[Sergio M.]

Stunning series.

Sergio

[Donald]

I'm absolutely convinced that what makes a huge contribution to these being so superb, is that fact that the photographer knows and understands these animals. That is so evident, Dan, in all that you write.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks or commenting, folks.

...the photographer knows and understands these animals. That is so evident, Dan, in all that you write.

Donald, I transitioned from hunting to wildlife photography and approach it the same way. The more one understands the quarry, the higher the odds of success. Plus IMO the overall experience is much more interesting and enjoyable. One advantage that photography has over hunting in that regard is that one spends a lot more time observing animals (hopefully at close range) and adding to the knowledge base.

[Wavelength]

Great images as always

[Kyle]

Incredible shots, all of them. Bears are truly beautiful animals and you've captured them perfectly. The last one is my favourite with the third being a close second.