Local Tagger In Yosemite

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 23, 2010219 views22 comments

I stepped up next to this tree while making another composition. I just happened to look back over my shoulder and noticed these claw marks from a Black Bear. There were probably 6-7 different marks, this one being around 7ft, from the ground. I left the one branch of berry bush for some color contrast. I thought it was pretty neat, and have looked for this before. I have only ever seen it once before on an aspen. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your thoughts. larger version included too.

Chris

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 23, 2010 at 8:49 PM

A study in contrasts. Excellent! Can't imagine the damage these claws can do.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on November 23, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Nice. Green branch adds so much. The power in these claws is really scary, isn't it?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on November 23, 2010 at 10:31 PM

Nicely contrasted with those scary marks against the delicate leaves and branch. Interesting and original. Well done.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 23, 2010 at 10:45 PM

Very cool, the inclusion of the green branch is perfect. Well seen and recorded.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Adam Gibbs on November 23, 2010 at 11:54 PM

Last time I was in Yosemite I ran after a bear who stole my box of cornflakes from a food cache. Was a long time ago, good job it was a friendly bear

Cool shot Chris, really shows off the power of these creatures.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 168 Posts, 870 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on November 23, 2010 at 11:55 PM

From a comp perspective this is excellent, nice contrast and the claw marks add a lot to the image. The vertical comp works well here, and have you tried out a horizontal comp as well, just curious thats all.

Well Done

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on November 24, 2010 at 12:06 AM

This is a wonderful find, the combination of the charred? trunk with the claw marks and the fresh green sprouts is really very nice.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by David Page on November 24, 2010 at 12:11 AM

Simple and well composed. A very bold looking image - the delicate green branch helps very much with impact of this image. Well done!

Registered on April 15, 2009, 19 Posts, 199 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on November 24, 2010 at 1:06 AM

I like the slight imbalance in the composition. I like the light on the dark tree bark. Before I started analyzing, my first impression was that this photo is simply awesome.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Giovanni Russello on November 24, 2010 at 2:40 AM

Very interesting picture, Chris!
Although i think that you have to share artistic credits with the bear!

gio

Registered on January 21, 2007, 95 Posts, 1617 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 24, 2010 at 3:15 AM

Chris,

Fabulous find and a great capture and presentation. As mentioned, the greenery adds something to the composition, but of course the claw marks tell the great nature story. I've seen the bear marks on aspens and I usually gives me the willies, but then I figure as long as the marks aren't fresh....

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on November 24, 2010 at 9:10 AM

A scary yet compelling shot, Chris. I like the green leaves in there. Well done.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 24, 2010 at 9:17 AM

Neat shot Chris. Makes you appreciate the power behind those claws! Also like the texture of the bark and the inclusion of the green branch.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on November 24, 2010 at 9:24 AM

Very cool Chris, something different and tells a nice story. Well seen.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 24, 2010 at 10:08 AM

This is cool, Chris. Good thing those California bears are friendly critters. They could do some damage if they wanted to.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 24, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Damned bear grafitti!

The touch of green adds a lot to this image.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Kyle L. Krause on November 24, 2010 at 1:10 PM

Well seen,composed and executed. I like this Chris, excellent work.

Registered on June 15, 2010, 29 Posts, 605 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on November 24, 2010 at 2:58 PM

Wow, that's cool Chris! Tells a story. Excellent light and details too.

I have seen similar marks while walking a trail in Jasper National Park - on an aspen

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 24, 2010 at 4:17 PM

Very cool shot, Chris. As mentioned it really shows the power in those claws. I reall like the touch with the green branch. Nice find and well captured.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 25, 2010 at 3:42 AM

Now THIS is nature phtoography!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on November 25, 2010 at 11:36 PM

Nice find, Chris. Gotta love those claw marks.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Lundh on November 29, 2010 at 5:14 AM

Pretty cool/scary stuff if you ask me. Bears claw tree bark to mark their territory, to announce to other bears to keep away. The higher the mark, the better for the bear as it promotes it's size...in case you didnt know.
Thanks for sharing!

Registered on April 28, 2004, 774 Posts, 4351 Comments