Young Sloth Bear

"I hope this shows the wonderful beauty of these endangered creatures.", no fear Ken, mission accomplished. You have simplified things down to the "bear" essentials with strong, graphic colors and shapes. There is a definite "tension" (yet another pun) having the bear climbing his way up the rock face that really makes this photo. Not much room for improvement Ken, but perhaps showing a bit more rock at the bottom and moving the bear out of the center and higher in the frame would give even more drama by elevating the subject (literally).

ps. I had noticed those white specs in the fur. I believe that sharpening has made what began as tiny bits of light colored debris in the fur to become quite pronounced. I might just clone out those white specs.

Ken I read the article on the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary and now I am quite keen to visit there and take some nice pictures. How long did you stay there ??... Since there are over 120 Sloth Bear there the sighting is almost certain. Anyway thanks for giving this info to us. Loved your shot. Do I need to take my 500mm lens as well ?? Since in most parks in India the distance is not so long so do not need a 500mm.

Really great details. I agree with your choice to center the subject.

Gary,

Thanks very much for your comments, I admit this image has come out a little odd, I processed it a little bit to quick

I had thought about cloning out the dust specks, but I preferred to keep them there, it is a very dusty place. They are not so noticeable on a print.

Hussain,

Thanks for your comment, Daroji was not exactly the easiest place to get images as access was very restricted, we were lucky in that we had the use of a hide and vehicle of Oliver Goetzl and Ivo Nornberger of Gulo Film Productions who allowed me to use their vehicle to sit in. If you can contact Ajit Huigol who told me about this place then hopefully he may be able to give you some help. You will definitely need the 500MM

Don,
Thanks very much

Very lucky to get a nice, clean, blue sky, and the fur detail and head turn are just right!

Ajit,

I really should thank you as it was your images from this sanctuary that lead me to going there, the couple of afternoons we spent with these bears is certainly one of my greatest wildlife experiences. I really must go back