p.2 #4 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
hnilsson wrote:
I’m just completely speechless. For more than one reason. YGMV for sure.
Thanks for the support and in retrospect the speech should have been, "I'm in"
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Warkari wrote:
What a fantastic set! #3 and the last are my picks
Amit
Thanks so much for the picks Amit
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birdied wrote:
Eric, glad you survived the Noro virus and frost bite ! These images are jaw dropping , amazing and stunning.
The blue background is gorgeous. Is that background the sky or sea , or both? Your processing of the whites and tones is so very well done. Marvelous work
Birdie
Thanks Birdie...it's sky in the background...they are quite far (40 miles or so) from the sea at this point. I do find processing these a challenge so I'm really pleased to hear you liked how they turned out.
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dallvr wrote:
Great set of photos, I'm envious. Three trips to Svalbard and one sighting of mother and cub.
Thanks....this is quite a special place this time of year....mother and cubs have just emerged from the natal den and make the trip to the sea ice. Hopefully we "intercept" them on their way and get to spend a little time with them.
p.2 #5 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
My jaw hit the floor very hard when I saw these. Expect a bill from my orthodontist in your mailbox, bud 😁.
Seriously though, you have amassed an truly priceless collection of PB images. I hope I am fortunate enough at some point to witness these types of scenes unfolding before my own eyes. Until then, thanks for sharing your work and giving us a peek into the lives of these beautiful bears.
p.2 #6 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
jfwoodman wrote:
Oh my, great set, and what a treat to view!
Congrats on the experience and captures, Eric. I'm glad you returned with all your digits.
Jim
Thanks Jim....having a bear family on the first day took a lot of pressure off...I did get a little frost nip on one finger which should heal up ok in a month or so. The experience is something else.
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kwilliam8 wrote:
Eric, great set of images! All of these are wonderful. YGMV.
Keith W.
Many thanks Keith....I rarely have to deal with the elements like this...it really forces one to concentrate so much harder on what you are doing and maybe that is a good thing.
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dclark wrote:
Beautiful! Seeing these scenes had to warm you up.
Dave
Thanks Dave...it certainly did bring a smile to my face and a lot of relief that I wasn't going home with empty cards.
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KCollett wrote:
Really well done, Eric. Such wonderful subjects too.
Thanks Ken...they are quite special and when they have these bonding interactions it is priceless
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Bobg657 wrote:
Well darn, another great set! I'm not sure I could handle the cold so I'm glad it was you rather than me, but you sure make it tempting!
YGMV!
Bob
Bob, it was brutally cold and even well prepared it was a challenge. There were many on the trip who are cold weather veterans and it doesn't seem to deter them one bit...I am not one of those.
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p.2 #11 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
genemiller wrote:
Another amazing series, Eric! You sure got my vote! The way you handle the whites on the bears as they are ensconced in the snow is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
Gene
Thanks Gene....I learned quite a lot from shooting last year....and dealing with the whites was one of those I really wanted to get down....still have much to learn but every shoot gives an opportunity to do just that. I really appreciate your support!
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pbraymond wrote:
Amazing images! Incredibly well processed too! Voted.
Thanks so much for your support and very kind words. It is an incredible experience and am happy the images help give a little glimpse into the bears' lives.
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surgemaster wrote:
Top notch images, Eric. The bears don't look cold. I'm not cold and you survived to present them to us. What's better than that.
Rex
Thanks Rex...If I had a coat like they did I probably wouldn't be cold either....it was a bear out there And yes I survived, better than many, because no one expects the Spanish Inquisition (or Noro Virus)
p.2 #12 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
surfnron wrote:
An absolutely adorable set Eric ~ Ron
Thanks Ron...and I find they move much slower than those damn birds everyone likes to photograph
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psharvic wrote:
Excellent, Eric. The 3rd is the standout for me.
Thanks so much for your pix pickand nice words
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kmunroe wrote:
sweet job on the bears Eric
Thanks Kenny....they make great subjects
p.2 #13 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
mitesh wrote:
My jaw hit the floor very hard when I saw these. Expect a bill from my orthodontist in your mailbox, bud 😁.
Seriously though, you have amassed an truly priceless collection of PB images. I hope I am fortunate enough at some point to witness these types of scenes unfolding before my own eyes. Until then, thanks for sharing your work and giving us a peek into the lives of these beautiful bears.
Haha....I know a guy, he may not be an orthodontist but....
I was very fortunate not to have to wait to the last day to see bears this time. There is an awful lot of stress dealing with the conditions and not having any luck so spirits were very high from the get go.
I am particularly taken by the interaction of mother and cubs and find when they do mess around it is just the best.
p.2 #15 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
Lil Judd wrote:
Another fantastic set Eric
Just wonderful
Lil
Thanks Lil...it's almost impossible to take a bad photo of these guys....they are just too cute for words
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bobbytan wrote:
Just adorable!
Thanks Bobby, the kids are non stop which makes for some great moments
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arbitrage wrote:
What? They let you back up there after all the ruckus you two caused last year?
Beautiful images all around Eric. Did you get multiple sightings this year?
TFS
Geoff
Amazing isn't it that I even got across the border ....Thanks Geoff, and yes, we had one bear family our first day which took the pressure off and then sat at a den for the next 5 days. One day the kids popped their heads out, one at a time, for a mere few seconds. Then on my last day (with Don bedridden with Noro virus), the last hour before sunset as the wind died down mom and the cubs emerged and gave us a show. She was quite a dirty bear and while some don't like that I found it really interesting and also got her rolling in the snow and cleaning her face. Apparently, after we left they were found again a couple of times on their way to the sea ice.
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Julius wrote:
Fantastic set of images. Voted.
Many thanks for the kind words and support...it is a fabulous experience
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Karl Witt wrote:
There is something special about these bear pics that you share Eric, they seem innocent and at the same time fragile. Let's hope this all continues
Heartwarming feeling to see these, nice work my friend!
Karl
Thank you Karl....knowing that polar bears are only one of two species that actively hunt people (crocs are the other) it is hard to juxtapose in one's mind the tenderness they show and absolute non aggressive behavior with the fierce predator they are. And when she allows us to view her in the most intimate moment, nursing her cubs, it is just magic.
p.2 #17 · And the cold never bothered me anyway....
Tim Kuhn wrote:
This is a beautiful set Eric. These brought a big smile to my face. Sorry to here about the Noro, that's no joke
Tim
Thanks so much Tim. I was lucky to escape without getting sick...and apparently the plague is still not over! But, I too could smile...and when my face froze it stayed that way for a whole week
Eric
