Sloth bear cubs

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 15, 2009652 views17 comments

Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a fantastic place to see and photograph sloth bears. The females give birth to, usually, two cubs in the month of January. When they are about 3 months old, she starts to take them out with her, with the cubs riding piggyback. Daroji can get extremely hot in summer, with temperatures soaring to 43ºC (about 109ºF), and the black-furred cubs are probably protesting the heat! Their cries are so human-like, they're uncanny!
Species: Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
Location: Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Karnataka, India
Date: March 2007
Camera: Canon 20D
Lens: Canon 100-400
Specs: ISO 100, f 5.6, 1/400s, beanbag
Thank you for taking the time out to look, and for your comments/ critiques.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 16, 2009 at 12:46 AM

Wow, this is fantastic Ajit. A very strong and funny image! Don't know anything else to add, I will check this again later.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 16, 2009 at 1:47 AM

This is captivatingly interesting! The combination of both open mouths and the big tuft of hair between them adds a strong element of mystery to this image.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle Bartels on April 16, 2009 at 1:54 AM

Very Cute, its almost as if its one cub is looking into a mirror, Great detail in the cubs. my only problem is I have no idea what I'm looking at on the Sow it just seems to be a big ball of fur, Is it it from the front, side, or behind. I would have liked to seen more of the sow just to get a "bigger picture" if you know what I mean. But overall I really like the image of these little guys. Great Post.

Registered on February 9, 2009, 14 Posts, 46 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on April 16, 2009 at 2:07 AM

I do have many images of the mother in full with the cubs on her back. In this image, however, I wanted to show the cubs' expressions. At some future date, I shall certainly post images of the bear in full.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on April 16, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Another image that just screams CUTE! I'm very glad you chose to show the cubs in the 'natural' enviroment (the mother) orginal and the result is a very strong image I believe!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on April 16, 2009 at 1:09 PM

Captivating image - cubs are adorable.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 16, 2009 at 2:19 PM

Love this Ajit,no nits for me! I only wish you would have posted a 1200px version

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Simpson on April 16, 2009 at 4:44 PM

Wow, great image! Looks like they are laughing! Good job catching this moment, and I like the fact that you can't see mom but you know she is there.

Wayne

Registered on December 11, 2006, 303 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on April 17, 2009 at 4:30 PM

What a fine image Ajit. Love the light on their faces and the expressions you captured. Beautifully done.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on April 18, 2009 at 2:52 AM

Lovely image Ajit ! I guess it was made during the same trip when I was in Daroji too. Mother has so much responsibility to raise these helpless young ones ! Nature takes care off however.. Thanks for sharing

Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Gomez on April 18, 2009 at 4:07 PM

This image made me literally laugh out loud! Great Shot, Ajit!!!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 206 Posts, 1853 Comments

Comment posted by Subharghya Das on April 20, 2009 at 1:14 AM

This is such a cute frame

... The innocence of these cubs tells the story of all wild babies ... Loved it all the way

Registered on March 18, 2009, 26 Posts, 195 Comments

Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on April 21, 2009 at 8:00 AM

Great shot Ajit!

Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 21, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Wonderful, adorable image Ajit, congrats.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 22, 2009 at 12:08 AM

We had quite a few really striking images this week in the Fauna Gallery, but to me this one was the most striking. Maybe the lighting situation was not the most ideal, however, it is clear that this image obtains its attractiveness from the cuteness of these adorable cubs with their tale-telling facial expressions. An image that can make one laugh! Congrats Ajit.

Btw, not everyone may know this, but Brad and I post a message in the General Discussion forum each week where we highlight some of the weeks best images and announce the Pick of the week. for this week's massage, please check here.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Nilanjan Das on April 22, 2009 at 8:57 AM

This image has so much of expression in it and no doubt the right choice of being in the editors pick. Fantastic seeing and shooting Ajit. Congratulations once again.

Registered on June 5, 2008, 94 Posts, 383 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on December 6, 2009 at 12:55 AM

cute one

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments