Yes Mom version 2

It's a good interaction shot, but even with the overcast sky, this seems flat. If you're using linear contrast, you should try medium contrast in your raw processor. That uses a gentle "S" curve for the relationship between the input image and the output image and usually adds some nice "pop". Since you don't seem to know about contrast curves, I strongly recommend that you do some homework, I'm sure there are discussions on the web. I haven't seen the earlier image, but I'll get there shortly.

Got there. This is definitely sharper, which is a big improvement, with the cubs and the grass clump nicely sharp here.

The repost is a good improvement.

I much prefer this photo with the enhancements that you have made over the first offering. There is just a slight sharpening halo, most apparent on the adult, just under the chin for example. I agree with Mark that the contrast could be increased a bit; simple darkening the darks might be all it would require at this point.

Everything darkened a bit. Better ?

Andrew,
This is a far nicer post than your first image.
Advice on processing is always difficult, and of course judging colour on files as small as these are is very subjective. Furthermore the monitor you are using and your internet browser can have a major effect.
Always use a browser that has colour management such as Google Chrome.
Back to the image, I have never seen a Brown Bear so comments on colour might be wrong.
This looks to have a slight magenta cast.
I do not know what you are using to process your raw images so it is difficult to recommend a method,
I have Adobe PS 6, and this is the method I have tried.
To reduce the slight Magenta cast I use the color balance tool and moved the slider in both shadows and midtones slightly to the left, this also has the advantage of making the grass slightly greener.
Linear Contrast is another of the adjustment functions in PS which to my eye is great for tweaking contrast which also seems to me to sharpen slightly.
Finally a tad more sharpen using the smart sharpen filter, I use this very lightly set to lens blur at 50% at 0.1 px if necessary repeating.
I hope you do not mind but here is a repost.

There are so many ways to "improve" images it would be impossible to give you a "correct" way to process.

Hello Andrew

Like the positioning of all three much better. When posting an image I try to relate to my memory from that experience and the colourization at the time as well the tonal quality and shadows etc... You need to ask yourself How did I see this at that time?

Enjoy your posting

Bill

Andrew, yes, this is stronger than the first with better contrast. It is sharper as well. I agree with Ken that there seems to be a slight color cast. Were you using auto white balance? Mark mentioned it, but the "Linear" curve is just one of the presets that is selectable from the drop down on a Curves adjustment layer in Photoshop. it is a very gentle curve and generally does the trick if your image is looking a little flat. Good job on using the prior comments to guide the processing on the new image. Both the pose and the processing are on the plus side.

Definitely better. I see that the focus here on both mother and cubs is better. Her coat looks great and you can see cubs better with more detail.

Looks great to me!
Al