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Archive 2013 · Ursa Major

  
 
StarNut
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Ursa Major


My wife and I were hiking in Spray Park, Washington yesterday, with the real goal to see the beautiful Spray Falls. Other hikers kept warning us that the bears were out, so we were careful (i) to make plenty of noise (so as not to surprise one) and (ii) to have the camera ready for action.

Be careful what you wish for.... We were surprised to meet up with a rather large one just 15 feet or so away [EDIT: EXIF tells me that I was about 15 meters away; still too close for comfort!]. Fortunately, it wasn't feeling either hungry or threatened. So we stood there (you don't retreat from a bear; it's likely to enjoy that game, and it's faster than you are even if you're Usain Bolt) and I took photos.

It's an American black bear, of the variant with the cinnamon-colored fur.

All photos are uncropped; the beast was close!

1.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearEmerging-4086.jpg

2.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearAlmostEmerged-4087.jpg

3.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearAlmosAlmosttEmerged-4088.jpg

4.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearAmbling-4089.jpg

5.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearAmbling-4090.jpg

6. We were very glad when it turned away from us!
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/BearAmbling-4093.jpg

7. And not so happy when it turned around...
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/Bear-Turning-4106.jpg

8.
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/Bear-Turned-4109.jpg

9. Just before it hopped over the log and disappeared
http://de-regt.com/Photography/FredMiranda/ByeBye-Bear-4112.jpg

Mark



Edited on Jul 25, 2013 at 03:40 PM · View previous versions



Jul 23, 2013 at 02:04 PM
Zagnut103
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Ursa Major


WOW. I think I would have had myself a little accident! That second to last shot...like he's thinking about those tasty humans he just passed. Shivers!

Cool set and cooler bear. Hadn't seen one of them before. Thanks for sharing.



Jul 23, 2013 at 03:04 PM
surfnron
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Ursa Major


A nice set Mark. I've shot small Black Bears but I don't how I'd feel having a Big 'Un that close... ~ Ron


Jul 23, 2013 at 06:43 PM
StarNut
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Ursa Major


Yeah, we didn't feel too good about being that close to a creature that could tear us apart without much effort. But there we were, with no recourse other than to look as big as we could, and as unthreatening as we could (at the same time). We know that an obvious retreat is an open invitation to be chased; I figured if it was the last thing I did, I may as well see what I could memorialize.



Jul 23, 2013 at 07:27 PM
morris
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Ursa Major


5 and the next to the last are my picks Mark

Morris



Jul 23, 2013 at 08:18 PM
harshaj1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Ursa Major


I was expecting a star constalation but encounter with a bear is equally exciting. Nice captures.
Harsha.



Jul 23, 2013 at 11:27 PM
birdied
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Ursa Major


Very nice set. Not sure I would want to see one that close . He does look like he is about to come after you in the last 2 shots ! What an experience you had .

Birdie



Jul 23, 2013 at 11:32 PM
kmunroe
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Ursa Major


nice lookin bear Mark


Jul 24, 2013 at 01:34 AM
StarNut
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Ursa Major


Thanks for the kind words!

That was one of those experiences you're "glad to have had," but didn't so much enjoy at the time. It's nice that I was able to record it, and that we weren't attacked, but I never, ever want to be that close to a bear in the wild again!

Mark



Jul 24, 2013 at 02:24 PM
Tim Kuhn
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Ursa Major


It's always a good thing when they decide to head the other way! Very cool sighting Mark, you did well to keep your cool and get some nice photos of him. Well done

Tim



Jul 24, 2013 at 03:50 PM
dorian
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Ursa Major


man, that's closer than i've ever been mark! good thing you kept your cool and walked away with some nice shots.

dorian



Jul 24, 2013 at 05:11 PM





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