On Guard

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 21, 2013229 views11 comments

Khutzeymateen in May 2012 was presented with this Spectacular Wild Female Grizzly. Her Twin Yearlings are in Background. She was at ease with my presence and not threatened but wanted to make a Statement! While perched on this boulder showing off her 5" Claws that had grown all winter to this impressive display. The claws like all bears do not retract and will wear down in length during her clamming and foraging in the warmer season. It's breeding season in the Khutzeymateen and she is looking-Out for Bear intruders. Her keen sence of smell & hearing will warn her of these intruders.
The young may stay with her for several seasons, until they will move out on their own. Was Very Cold during this time of year with Glaciers melting into the estuary and breaking off with the tide and floating with the tide like Mini Icebergs. But I was So Pumped did not even notice the Constant All Day cold rains.

Nikon D700 / Nikon Lens 70-200 VR 2.8/ Hand Held from Zodiac boat / ISO 1600/ -.67 Meter Compensation/ Full Frame /

Constructive Comments Appreciated

Bill

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 21, 2013 at 5:38 PM

Very impressive, powerful capture of this bear Bill. A great shot.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on May 21, 2013 at 7:46 PM

Nice shot Bill. That seems awfully close to me to get this nice a shot with a 200mm. Even in a boat you had to be a little wary>

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 21, 2013 at 9:10 PM

Noble pose and I really like the expression of focused attention. Those are very long claws! Beautiful image.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 22, 2013 at 9:43 AM

Hello Claude .. Thanks for your Feedback!

Hello Walt...The Bear guide has been visiting this area & understands these bear very well, I was Very confident with him. He continually talked to these bears as we approached in a calm reassuring tone which made me think the bear understood . Was in a Floating Zodiac boat & the bears were familiar with the boat too.

Hello Gary.. Thanks, Yes Very Impressive Claws.

Really appreciate the feedback from everyone!.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 22, 2013 at 10:11 AM

I love the commanding pose on that pedestal of a rock. My only (small) wish would be for the background oof cub to not be overlapped by the shape of the mother, a merging of sorts.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 22, 2013 at 1:21 PM

Hello Lon

Thanks for taking the time to give feeback. Yes the Cubs were busy & constantly moving, Mother was only in this position for a few seconds & did the best I could at the Time.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 22, 2013 at 5:17 PM

An incredible pose you captured of this protective sow Bill

I really like the texture of the wet fur. At first I thought this would be a better photo without the cubs present. But, the more I look at it, the more I like the story it tells.

Ken Archer

By the way

on the photo on the back page of "National Wildlife" Way to go!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Don Westbrook on May 22, 2013 at 5:24 PM

Very well done. A noble animal well captured and presented.

Registered on January 4, 2013, 11 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 23, 2013 at 3:27 AM

Nice scene here Bill
I like the pose of mum, but would have liked a bit more space on the RHS for her gaze to "look into".
I am seeing some blues in the blacks of the fur and snout? Easy to remove...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 23, 2013 at 8:53 AM

Hello Ken

Thanks, Yes she was in & out swimming across the Estuary & little guys mostly following her. This is "Temperate Rainforest" so everything is wet , and when they travel rubbing up and around trees etc. they are constantly soaked.

Thanks, the NWF had contacted me awhile ago on this Image but haven't seen it yet, Hope they did a good Job?

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on May 23, 2013 at 12:57 PM

She gave you a very stately pose indeed, even if it was only fleeting, I love the colour and texture of the wet fur, well captured.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments