Photo of the Month 4/14

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 7, 20141,031 views30 comments

Princess Blonde

Early morning with heavy mist laden Valley, caught this beautiful blonde Grizzly as she was observing the terrain for unwanted visitors.
The large mature Grizzly Bear was feeling frisky with the cool morning temperatures in his constant pursuit of this honey coloured female. The breeding season is here in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary of northern British Columbia Canada, where recently emerged bears are ravenously hungry and focused on eating as much of the high protein sedge grasses available. The sedge grasses now are just emerging with new growth and growing very quickly with the constant washing of salty fertile waters during the tide changing. I was enjoying this beauty and her antics to elude the Big Guy on her tail.

Wild Grizzly Bear. Not baited or called in !
Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary
Early morning with constant rain
Not much wind
Floating with the tide in Zodiac boat
Handheld using -.67 meter compensation
Nikon D700 with 70-200mm vr f2.8 lens
Taken @ 200mm. Speed 1/250 ISO 450
@ F7.1 VR on normal

Comments and critique appreciated.
(The large Version shows excellent detail)

Bill

Comments

30 comments

Comment posted by Ronald Murphy on March 7, 2014 at 9:33 AM

Great light and perfect moment captured.

Registered on March 13, 2012, 279 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 7, 2014 at 10:18 AM

What a wonderfully moody atmosphere.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 7, 2014 at 10:24 AM

Well composed and moody image,
Nicely done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 7, 2014 at 2:09 PM

A home run Bill.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on March 7, 2014 at 2:10 PM

Lovely atmosphere. Exposure looks perfect.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on March 7, 2014 at 2:14 PM

I absolutely love this one! Great scene! If I were to suggest something, I think I would like a little more room on the bottom, just because I think it looks a little to tight to her leg.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 7, 2014 at 2:20 PM

The image really draws me in - feels like I'm there.... Impressive images with great surroundings to enjoy ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 7, 2014 at 3:18 PM

Another great capture. You managed to depict the bear and the habitat in a wonderful combination. I agree with Jenaya, a little more room on the bottom would be great if you have it.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on March 7, 2014 at 3:45 PM

Absolutely Stunning !! The pose, the DOF, the BG and the drops are all the strong points that make this a brilliant capture

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 7, 2014 at 4:54 PM

Really loving this on Bill. The dripping form his wet face is awesome and sends this one over the top. Congrats!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 7, 2014 at 6:59 PM

Wonderful pose, Bill. And nicely composed.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on March 7, 2014 at 9:26 PM

A gorgeous image! I only have two questions, first at 200mm how close were you and second how fast can you paddle (or how fast is your Zodiac boat).

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 8, 2014 at 12:57 AM

Beautiful setting Bill, especially like the low hanging fog for effect. Perfect dof in my opinion.

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on March 8, 2014 at 6:06 AM

It has all been said
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 8, 2014 at 1:40 PM

A fine looking bear. I like the soft, directional light and the foggy forest BG. Well done.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 9, 2014 at 11:09 AM

Of all your postings thus far, this is my favorite. Key elements are the superb soft background and the falling drip. The gradations of tree heights make for a strong composition.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 9, 2014 at 4:32 PM

Hello Wildlife Guys

Appreciate the constructive feedback with excellent critiques!:)

This Blonde was one of the most beautiful (Blonde ) encounters during my Adventure into the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary!:) Early each morning as we loaded up the Zodiac with our rainproof gear for another full days adventure with the Grizzly Bears in this Pristine Wilderness Valley, we were thinking, how could this get any better than the previous days?:) Each day was different and the Bears entertained us with unique offerings . From climbing the very steep granite mountainside so swiftly and effortless, to swimming the cold waters of the estuary so close to me where I could hear her breathing deeply (her mouth being closed while swimming) through her flared nostrils, sucking in the air and as she passed swimming and the very strong wet fur odour so unique to bears !
The guide for this adventure has over 25 years experience here in the Khutzeymateen and he showed Great respect for the bears safety and my safety as well.!

Cheers

Bill

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

Comment posted by James Blue on March 11, 2014 at 5:01 AM

What's not to like about this image.....it's simply great!. Well done, Bill

Jim

Registered on June 16, 2013, 16 Posts, 144 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 11, 2014 at 6:13 AM

As good as it gets, superb capture

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 14, 2014 at 12:43 AM

Stunning work William. Super congrats on the WP. Well deserved. The backdrop is spectacular.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 14, 2014 at 4:22 AM

I know I'm a little late to this game, sorry. A beautiful bear in an incredible setting.

Great Photo Bill!!!

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 14, 2014 at 8:55 AM

Hello

Thanks to everyone who visited this image !:)
Really appreciate your feedback and comments. This feedback helps me become a better Photographer :)

Thank you Wildlife Moderators for the Weekly pick!!!

Not sure how it works but appreciate this Very much. I am so surprised to have been chosen with so many other excellent photographers submitting.

Cheers

Bill

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 14, 2014 at 9:30 AM

Congrats on the NPN weekly pick. Well deserved.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Yun Gao on March 14, 2014 at 6:31 PM

Beautiful work with perfect DOF, Bill. I especially like the foggy forest. Congrats on the WP!

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 20, 2014 at 1:21 AM

You caught a great pose and expression, and had lovely light.
Very nice detail and I love the misty BG.
Congrats on a fine WP!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on March 26, 2014 at 1:12 AM

This is wonderful for its detail and pose, with such a gorgeous background. Love the drops coming from her mouth and that alert look. Just a beautiful photo.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on April 19, 2014 at 1:52 PM

wow! Great catch, Bill!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on April 21, 2014 at 3:37 PM

Hello NPN Photographers

I have been away in Cuba , enjoying the Cuban people with some R&R mostly, and have just returned into Canada.

WOW,...What a Surprise to see this image being the "Photo of the Month" ! :)

I would like to thank everyone involved at NPN & including my Mini Group "RAINMAKERS & NPCMG" , in helping me, to achieve this!

The feedback from NPN members with your constructive suggestions has really helped me improve my Nature Photography.

Cheers

Bill Bickle
WWW.BillBickle.com

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

Comment posted by Rick Diffley on April 27, 2014 at 9:08 PM

Congrats on the achieving the "Photo of the Month." A grand capture and image.

Registered on April 8, 2012, 52 Posts, 279 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 28, 2014 at 3:21 PM

Excellent capture here, Bill. The larger version is stunning. Congratulations on this image being selected as the Cover photo for this month. I'm a bit late in commenting, but did want to take a couple minutes to really enjoy this amazing image and comment on it too.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments