morris wrote:
Super work John. The ones with the cubs interacting with the adult are incredibly cute
Morris
Thanks Morris ! I tried to capture the emotion in their faces ,the looks between them and they way they looked at me. one of my favorites is the one where all three cubs are with mom, and one is looking at moms face for reassurance ( # 7 ). I had heard they would ride on her back but had never seen it until that time.
Karl Witt wrote:
Interesting post of bears John. Much more about emotion and interaction than wildness and environment. These all have an up close and personal feel to them, very well captured. Eyes! Oh my gosh those little ones with their eyes is really attractive, hard to beat all you captured in #8 with the cubs and mama bear
#1 is great, #6 is unique, #7 all in your timing and 8 is simply adorable and perhaps my favorite!
G.E. Smith wrote:
Triplets !!!! How awesome is that. Great job John, love every one of these images. Cubs are so much fun. You nailed these, fantastic set YGMY !
Greg
Thanks Greg. Like you , I love to photograph the bears and this family was pure joy to spend some time with. I shot them one afternoon near the stream in the last picture. When I first saw them mom was laying with her head against the tree ( # 1) and her cubs were near her. After a few minutes she turned her back to me between the two trees and her cubs were trying to go around her or over her back to see who was on the other side of the stream ( me ). She was a beautiful young mom and her cubs were very affectionate with her. I kept my distanced tried to give them enough space to keep them calm and me safe. Anytime I felt they were even slightly stressed I would move further away from them and just watch. All of these shots are huge crops from the long end of my lens ( 100-500 ).
I've been in the mountains here in AZ looking for black bears. I see evidence of them, I'm in their territory for sure but have yet to see any. The evidence I have seen is bark scraped off Ponderosa Pine trees. Apparently licking the sap. I can clearly see the claw marks. And yes, after what happend a month ago here in my area of AZ, I'm very careful and aware of my surroundings.
Hi Jeff, Thanks for looking and commenting. A heartfelt thanks for your vote ! Sorry to hear about what happened. I wish you luck and safe return. Can't wait to see some of your shots .
bs kite wrote:
Wow! These stir emotions in me like no others. They trusted you didn't they?
Robert I'm so glad you liked these. I was hoping to capture the emotion between mom and siblings in my shots. Yes I think they did trust me somewhat, I tried to be sensitive of their actions caused by my presence ( even at a distance ).
volhoosier wrote:
awesome set of pictures. really inspire me to get out and take more pictures. the expressions of the cubs are really interesting. thanks for sharing. i am really glad you didn't get too close to mama and her cubs, that could have resulted in some really scary things happening.
YGMY !
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