p.1 #1 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
And sometimes, they keep pushing you too far.
Dan Heitman and I went out looking for Grizzlies with CanadaJim at Bow Lake. Jim gave up given the light and the long day [and good sense] so Dan and I shot Peyto and then looked again. and our best opportunity only came at about 10PM, when the light was really low.
So while I hung my head out the window and Dan drove (this is the where Dan was supposed to stop me) with my 85 1.2 on full frame 5diii and very high iso, I took these pictures.
I am posting them for Dan to see.
Next time I will rely on my own judgement. When you look over the camera into the eyes of the bear 5 feet away, you are just too close.
Enjoy the close ups. Some were just too close.
Scott
1 of 2 - Love that Bokeh
2 of 2 - The mosquitoes were eating him as he ate roots
The next day I went shooting Landscape and the pictures without Dan :)
p.1 #5 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
When you look over the camera into the eyes of the bear 5 feet away, you are just too close.
I couldn't agree more but I'm glad you did it. Great shots.
p.1 #6 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
The wiseness of your decision might be questionable, but that first shot is super. The shallow dof really puts emphasis on the eyes. The other two shots are very nice too Scott ~ Ron
p.1 #10 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
Well done Scott...... you were almost protected in the vehicle
I remember the first time ever visiting Yellowstone........ Watching foreign tourists literally chasing (on foot) a large female black bear with a cub.... why? ... To get a good photo of course. I remember thinking... This won't end well!
ehhh... they got the photos and the bears went on their way. But don't try that with the Bison!
p.1 #13 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
The first looks like a montage, pretty cool I love the landscape shot
Tim
Jul 18, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Charlie Shugart Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
Of course, hanging out the window as you did was not brilliant thinking- as you have stated, Scott.
Of course, at least half of those who post on Wildlife Forum would have done the same thing .
Especially if we got such terrific images as these.
One thing about potentially dangerous wildlife that is seldom mentioned is the animal's behavior at the time. There are exceptions, but judging by your other wonderful bear images, you know more than a little about bears and their behavior. I suspect that if brer bear had twitched the wrong way you'd have known it instantly and taken defensive measures.
I also suspect that if it had been a grizzly you would NOT have been hanging out the window .
Charlie
p.1 #16 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
munzir.khan: Glad you like them. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
martin.egger: I was impressed to see the bokeh around the bear too. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
oldrattler: I am a master at dumb some days. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
mike717: Glad you like him. Thanks for the feedback. It was great to find out what a f1.2 could do on the 5diii, faster shutter at 10 in the evening in the shade. Much appreciated. Scott
surfnron: Glad you like my bear bokeh. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
douter: I am all about the effort. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
KCollett: I will thank Dan (the driver) for you. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
blueimage: Glad you like my bokeh bear and the landscape. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
LuckyStrike: Some people are crazy and it results in bear deaths. I try and hold back my enthusiasm. I agree bison, are dangerous. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
sdgnh:Glad you like the bokeh bear and the landscape. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
randyfinley: Glad you like them. Thanks for the feedback. Much apprecaited. Scott
Tim Kuhn: Glad you like them. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
Charlie Shugart: You are right that you can read the body language of the bear. But 2 years ago,with the same driving help, I did similar with the grizzly, while looking through my viewfinder out my car I said "where is that bear - it is obstructed by a big brown object..... ) Fortunately, bears don't see cars and people as separate when they are together. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
kmunroe: Glad you like them. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
p.1 #19 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
Scott, those are some Great images we'll have to do it again sometime soon and you were in good hands my friend. In the second picture is that just before he shook his head and huffed. I think he was a wee bit closer than the Grizzly, but not as exiting.
As it turned out I didn't go to work on the weekend so I could've come along, oh well maybe next time and I'll bring the bug spray. I like your reflection shot it's beautiful.
Dan
p.1 #20 · Black Bear - Sometimes friends stop you from doing stupid things :)
NAVPHONE: Great advice. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
Conrad Tan: Its about photography - not comfort Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
Dan Heitman: Anytime Dan. I just remember the huffing and then wanting to get away but the driver kept slowing down You are right, the grizzly was closer. I knew you would like the reflection. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott
Great shots.
? ... To get a good photo of course. I remember thinking... This won't end well!
I love the landscape shot 
.
You are right, the grizzly was closer. I knew you would like the reflection. Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Scott