Bears on Rocky Shore

[NorthernFocus]

We were minding our own business having a picnic on a rocky beach when this female bear and cub came around the corner. Unfortunately I had filled all of my memory cards earlier. I quickly deleted a couple of images and got this one shot.

Nikon D850 in 1.2x crop mode, 200-500mm@500mm(600mm EFL)
1/500s f8 ISO1000 handheld w/VR

[Digital]

Dan, very nice photograph.


Bruce

[Shadowman]

Nice shot

[mugge]

Beautifully done.
Cheers Ole

[pnodrog]

I don't get tired of seeing these sort of shots.

[Donald]

That is a tremendous image, particularly given that it was a grab shot. Well done, Dan. You nailed the focus on the eyes of the cub. The stare of mother and cub obviously looking at the same thing, is wonderful.

I can imagine there must quite a buzz at getting an image like that ........ or there should be.

I don't know what the risks to you were, but I'm not sure I'd be enjoying a picnic where you were sitting.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks. Glad you enjoyed the image.

...I can imagine there must quite a buzz at getting an image like that ........ or there should be...

Sometimes there is quite a buzz but not in this case. I was in a mad panic to quickly do some chimping and delete a couple of shots from earlier in order to free up some space on the card so I could take a shot. At that moment I was so focused on technical issues that I didn't fully appreciate what was happening until after the fact.

...I don't know what the risks to you were, but I'm not sure I'd be enjoying a picnic where you were sitting.

Dealing with wildlife there is always some degree of risk. A fox may be rabid, moose may charge, an eagle may dive on you in defense of its nest, etc. And of course female brown bears are known to fiercely defend their young. However, in this case we were a group of eight people chatting and laughing while we enjoyed a celebratory farewell glass(plastic cup) of wine together. Yet the mother bear was confident enough to walk right down our little stretch of beach with cub in tow. So it was highly unlikely that she would suddenly take exception to our presence. This section of coast although remote is visited by fishing boats from time to time and there is no hunting. So the adult bear had likely had previous exposure to people and didn't view us as either a threat nor source of food and therefore irrelevant to her. We might as well have been rocks. It was really the topper of what had already been an amazing last day of a productive trip.

[Dave A]

Superb as always.

Dave

[DrJeans]

Nice shot!
Why do they have a frightened look?

[Dave Humphries]

Great shot Dan,

I may not often comment, but I always view and enjoy your threads.

Thanks,
Dave

[FootLoose]

I doubt I would have been steady enough under those circumstances to get such a sharp shot. Excellent work, Dan.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, both Daves, Greg, and Sergio. Glad you enjoyed the photo.

...Why do they have a frightened look?

I'm not sure that I can recognize a frightened look on a bear. And I've seen a lot of bears.They tend to glance sideways a lot which often shows the white on one side of the eye. But they don't get wide-eyed like dogs, horses, etc. when threatened. They eyes are very difficult to read so we tend to judge the mood by body language. In this case ears up and mouth closed on the adult are good signs. Having been there in person I can say that they walked by looking perfectly comfortable. Cubs always tend to act a bit nervous as mom is constantly teaching them to avoid other bears, wolves, porcupines, etc.

[LePetomane]

I don't get tired of seeing these sort of shots.

Nor do I. Nicely done.

[wilgk]

Awesome & speaking of portraits & working in with backgrounds, this does so perfectly.

As I enjoy your wildlife so much, I will endeavor to get a forum worthy image of a native Australian bird for you.
We are building a new house at a golf course village by the beach, no cats allowed outside, only native garden plants, so the birdlife is prevalent.
We don’t move in until the end of the year...so as we say down here when waiting for something “don’t hold your breath”

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, Paul and Kay.

Awesome & speaking of portraits & working in with backgrounds, this does so perfectly...

I also like how the BG adds to the sense of place without drawing attention. This isn't the greatest content in the world but the were such a pretty pair in decent light light and a nice setting. So I thought it worked.

...As I enjoy your wildlife so much, I will endeavor to get a forum worthy image of a native Australian bird for you...

Well if you're going to do it just for me.... my favorite is the fairy wren

Your birds are so wonderful down there that when we head that way I suffer through hauling a long lens with me. Not a big prime, but long enough to stay moderately frustrated with getting almost close enough for a good shot. Though on our first trip I did manage a reasonable shot of a (female)lyre bird in the bush.

[wilgk]

Perfect Dan!
The Fairy Wren is our favourite too, especially the blue boys.
Sitting watching them is what I call my ‘mindfulness for photographers’
Challenge accepted

[skitterbug]

Beautiful picture of mother and child! This picture speaks a thousand words to me! I'm glad you were able to capture it!

[NorthernFocus]

Perfect Dan!
The Fairy Wren is our favourite too, especially the blue boys.
Sitting watching them is what I call my ‘mindfulness for photographers’
Challenge accepted

Yes, the blue one. Superb fairly wren I think it's called?

[NorthernFocus]

Beautiful picture of mother and child! This picture speaks a thousand words to me! I'm glad you were able to capture it!

Thanks, Sandy. Glad you enjoyed it.