Posted by Don Grall on October 23, 2006 at 10:07 AM
I have a young, ~20month old black bear, that occasionally makes a circuit through the national forest adjoining my backyard. Yesterday afternoon while working on some images on the computer some movement through the nearby window caught my eye. This bear was in the process of climbing a large ponderosa pine tree. It appears he was drinking from the waterfall/pond feature I built nearby when something spooked him. I grabbed my camera which was nearby and got a few shots taken through the window while he calmed down. I didn't want to open the window and risk raising his anxiety level any further. The tree is about 30 feet from my window, and he is about 15 feet up the tree and level with my window. The trunk diameter is about 2 feet at this level and the bear is about 120-150lbs, very healthy looking and fat for his age.
1DMkII, 300f4L-IS, handheld
Don
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 23, 2006 at 10:39 AM
Nice shot Don.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 23, 2006 at 10:58 AM
Looks like you've already trained him to pose well.
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on October 23, 2006 at 11:32 AM
WOW!!! That is amazing (the story and the photo). Where do you live? It must be VERY exciting to see a bear in your backyard. The only animals I see here are spiders and crickets. I would definitely break that little branch off before he climbs up again.
Posted by Erik Stensland on October 23, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Great capture!!!!
Posted by Brian Jackson on October 23, 2006 at 11:45 AM
Nice to have that wildlife in your backyard. Nice photo as well.
Just wondering though - Shouldnt he be hibernating yet?
RichieV
Posted by Roger Rouch on October 23, 2006 at 12:25 PM
Man, that's a great photo. You sure wouldn't guess it was taken from the warmth of a computer work area. Almost looks like he's smiling.
Posted by Bret Edge on October 23, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Wow, all I get wandering through my backyard is the occasional skunk. This is awesome, Don! Kudos to you for not putting the photo before the animal's well being and opening the window or wandering out onto a porch.
Posted by Rick Dunn on October 23, 2006 at 2:24 PM
Wow - that's some pretty nice "office" photography, Don.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 23, 2006 at 2:51 PM
I hope they are getting close to hibernating. We had a mama and two cubs in our backyard this summer. We'd like to put up the birfeeders, but need to wait until the bears start their winter nap. Its a new house for us, so we still need to learn the bear habits.
Mel-
Posted by Steve Wachtel on October 23, 2006 at 7:24 PM
Hmph... all I have here in the apartment complex (in SC) is dumpster-divin' racoons.
No fair.
Posted by Dan Walters on October 23, 2006 at 8:07 PM
Great shot! I really like the comp of the image, even got a highlight in his eye.
Posted by Ken Wyatt on October 23, 2006 at 10:40 PM
Don, how do you get your animal models to pose so nicely?!
Ken
Posted by Jan Forseth on October 24, 2006 at 8:19 AM
I'd be in absolute heaven. I've had a couple black bears in the neighborhood, and once found their scat in my backyard, but never did get any decent photos. This is just great, with the bear in the tree.
Posted by Bob Falcone on October 29, 2006 at 9:53 PM
Great shot!
Like Bret, the only thing that shows up in my yard are skunks! I'm jealous!
Posted by Adam Schallau on October 29, 2006 at 10:40 PM
Discussion
17 replies1DMkII, 300f4L-IS, handheld
Don
I hope he can stay out of trouble.
Brian
Just wondering though - Shouldnt he be hibernating yet?
RichieV
Mel-
No fair.
Ken
Like Bret, the only thing that shows up in my yard are skunks! I'm jealous!