by Brad Hill
Three Decades of Influence...
Like many apex predators, grizzlies are relatively long-lived animals. This massive male was right around 30 years old when I captured this image. He's probably the most famous grizzly on BC's northern coast - and he's been having a massive impact on the area for the better part of those 3 decades. Some refer to him as Brutus, others call him "The King". And, those who know him well like to reverentially refer to him by a more familiar name - the Big Guy.
During the last couple of decades the Big Guy has dominated the Khutzeymateen. All other bears respect him - and he keeps them honest and absolutely controls the social framework of the entire Khutzeymateen. Of course, in being the dominant male in the area, he has been doing the lion's share of the breeding in the valley, producing "Little Guys" (and Little Girls!) that carry his powerful spirit and his tested, proven, and razor-honed genetic material.
When I captured this image the big guy was finding the fastest way in to the Khutzeymateen estuary. Which means swimming. And, for reasons I'll never figure out, this bear likes to swim with the bulk of his head (including his eyes) under water. His head had only been above the water for a few seconds when I snapped this shot.
I'll be using this shot - as well as a few others - in a new campaign to draw attention to the push to end the trophy hunting of grizzlies on the BC coast.
Subject: VERY mature male Grizzly (Ursus arctos) swimming
Location: Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary, northern BC Coast, Canada
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VR - hand-held from floating zodiac. VR on and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/500s @ f8; ISO 1100. -0.67 stop compensation compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Full frame horizontally, with about 10% crop from bottom...
A lot more info about this shot - Including a bit more background on the bear-viewing vs. bear-hunting debate and a 2400 pixel version of the shot, can be found here on my website...
http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/.
Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!
Cheers...
Brad
PS: Like all wildlife images on my website and that I post on NPN, the subject is fully wild and completely unconstrained. Besides the potential impact of my presence, nothing has been done to intentionally alter or affect the ongoing behavior of the subject and, of course, there has been no use of any form of bait or other form of wildlife attractants (including vocalizations)
Comments
9 commentsNice intimate capture of this wonderful grizzly. While you can tell he is an old grizzly, he still looks to be in pretty good shape. I hope he has a few more years to spread his genetic material. There is an similarly old grizzly in Yellowstone named Scarface. He too is around 30 yoears old. I believe the grizzly I saw and photographed in Yellowstone in 2013 was Scarface, but I can't be sure. There is something noble about these animals that have been around for so long.
Brad, wonderful image of this magnificent bear - good luck with your campaign!
I alwys appreciate the great detail in all of your images and this one is no exception. Great eye contact and you captured the look in his eyes well. I again always like your comments. I always learn from them.
Hi Brad, I do like very much the depth & detail within your images
, you convey such great character. The trailing water from the mouth & slight bow wave is a nice touch and with the darker FG (the water), it gives something for the bear to rest his head. Nice side glance to camera with that knowing expression of who is 'Boss'.
"I'll be using this shot - as well as a few others - in a new campaign to draw attention to the push to end the trophy hunting of grizzlies on the BC coast."
Great news Brad, in Kodiak the pictures of the 'great/brave trophy hunters' was just sickening, my only concerns if this ever ends, is what will they turn to next?
TFS
Steve
Hey all,
Thanks for the feedback on this image - appreciated. Steve...you say:
"Great news Brad, in Kodiak the pictures of the 'great/brave trophy hunters' was just sickening, my only concerns if this ever ends, is what will they turn to next?"
The approach being taken on the BC coast involves purchasing up all the commercial hunting tenures. This functionally shuts down the trophy-hunting of all species with the area of the tenure, including grizzlies, black bears, and wolves. To date enough money has been raised to purchase several tenures (they go for a million or more) and the tenures have been purchased. Of course, as tenure holders we are required to conduct an annual hunt in there, but surprisingly our hunters can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn door...strange how that goes. There's only a couple left to negotiate and buy and then the entire Great Bear Rainforest is protected from trophy hunting. At that point the trophy-hunters could always turn to each other?
Cheers...
Brad
Who says the "hunting" needs to be conducted with a firearm?
'At that point the trophy-hunters could always turn to each other?'
Now that sounds far more sporting, sorry don't mean to take the thread off topic Brad.
Super portrait of a spectacular subject. You successfully convey his power and status.
Excellent techs Brad, no nits at all..
Love the old crusty guy, I can indentify
Great info behind the shot, hope the campaign is ultimately successful. Leave those bears alone!!
Especially like the intimate portrait comp and your POV, nice!