Look Out

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 14, 2013118 views3 comments

Last week we came across a sow grizzly with what looked like 3 cubs, being the first time I’ve ever see a sow with triplets I was obviously intrigued. We were not the only ones however and Park Canada Wardens, no doubt concerned for their safety as well as ours, asked us to move on before the bears reached a position where we could get any decent shots of them together.

The day was not entirely lost though as I still managed to get this shot of one of the triplets (I suspect a two year old) that was no doubt curious and engrossed with all the attention they were getting.

Image cropped (approx. 30% rt side, and 10% top, bottom and left) and sharpened for the web.

Tech Stuff: Canon 1D4, EF 100-400mm @ 400, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO-800, manual exposure, spot meter, hand held & taken from the sunroof.

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Jamie Douglas on June 14, 2013 at 11:00 PM

I know what those pesky rangers can be like from past experiences with bear jams. I find though that it's best to avoid the crowds no matter how much it can hurt and continue on in search of another, less crowded bear. Find one without people and the photo ops will improve significantly. Was this a large crop? IQ looks a little weak for the 1D4 at ISO 800 and F5.6. Spring is a tough time of year to photograph with the variety of background tones not always conducive to complimenting the bear.

Never the less it's a sweet pose but maybe try and reduce the magenta in the fur and tone down those highlight areas to improve the image as it is.

Jamie

Registered on July 16, 2012, 10 Posts, 87 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 15, 2013 at 2:40 AM

Too bad the bear encounter was cut short! I wish the Feds were as concerned about wildlife protection in a larger context. I would prefer seeing a bit more of the bears body and maybe a little more excitement in the expression. Sunroof, the quintessential wildlife photography option.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 15, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Rick, I like the eye level angle you managed here as well as the head sticking out of the grasses to take a good look around. The IQ does indeed not look to great on the larger version, as if focus was off. It looks a little too contrasty as well. This is sure worth another try in processing I would say to get a better IQ.

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