Hunting Grizzly

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 14, 2012397 views5 comments

We saw this Grizzly on our Yellowstone trip last month right at the turnoff to Fishing Bridge. At first he was pretty far out in the meadow that is just South of the intersection, pacing back and forth frantically searching for something. After a few minutes of watching him with nobody else around, we realized he must be hunting Elk calves. As we watched the usual YNP bear jam started to gather and he started moving away from the road towards the river. We were just about to give up when he came charging across the meadow right past us at full speed. About 25 yards from the intersection was a stand of trees that he disappeared into and finally found what he was looking for. Although we didn't see the kill, we heard every gut wrenching second of it. We were glad we elected to stay in the car for this one! There's a time to get out and a time to stay in and this was definitely one of those times it was better to stay in.

My wife and I have seen a lot of bears, we've seen them grazing, tearing open logs, fishing for salmon, playing, fighting, nursing but we've never seen one hunting elk. It was fascinating and a bit frightening. I never cease to be amazed at how powerful and fast they are and we never get tired of watching them.

Comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

Canon EOS 7D
Canon 100-400L IS @ 170mm
ISO 400
F5, 1/500 sec

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 14, 2012 at 11:19 PM

Really nice image and commentary. Great to catch him running, paws off the ground.
The brown tree bits that look like they are hanging from his mouth are a distraction. It would take some work, but you might consider cloning them out.
Great shot!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on July 15, 2012 at 12:36 AM

Great action shot. At 170mm yeah that's awefully close to a hunting brown bear. Inside a car is a good choice. Nice shot and thanks for sharing.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on July 16, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Hey Joe,

Very interesting behaviour to witness first hand - what a cool experience that must have been. Bears - and particularly grizzlies - never fail to surprise me - you think you've seen it all, then something new happens.

As others have mentioned - good action capture here. In a perfect world I think my preference would lie with a little more separation from the background, but I'm guessing f5 is close to wide open with that lens at 170mm anyway. With so many action shots simply getting them with subject sharp is all one can ask for - and you've certainly done that (so well done).

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 16, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Wow, this must have been a cool sighting Joe! Nice job pulling this off with the bear at full speed. If only the quality of the light would have been a bit better this would have been a lot more appealing, but with action shots you just have to take it as it comes.

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

Comment posted by Joe James on July 16, 2012 at 10:16 PM

Thanks folks! I sure wish he had started running when there were no trees behind him but it wasn't to be. That's what I find fun about wildlife...they don't pose for us.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments