Rest in Peace

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 28, 2013304 views9 comments

Rest in Peace

From my spring 2012 Khutzeymateen grizzly photo tour - now that I have just a tad more time on my hands (for some reason!) I'm finally able to catch up with my image processing backlog!

No - not dead...just sleeping. While I'll never deny I like shooting dramatic, action-filled shots of my subjects...I absolutely love it when my FINAL shot of a wildlife photography session is one like this - one where a completely wild animal is so comfortable with my/our presence that it simply lies down in plain view and peacefully falls asleep. In this case we were able to quietly skulk away without waking the bear - complete with the comforting knowledge that the bear trusted us fully and had a low-stress encounter.

There's a bit longer discussion about the shooting situation and our responsibility as wildlife photographers to attempt to minimize our impact on our subjects on my website (link below)...but probably not fully appropriate to post here...

Subject: Adult Grizzly (Urus arctos) peacefully resting in the rainforest
Location: Khutzeymateen Inlet, Great Bear Rainforest, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VRII lens - hand-held from floating zodiac. VR on and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/400s @ f6.3; ISO 2200. -0.33 stop compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Very minor for composition - this is at least 95% of full-frame shot

Additional details about the image (including processing details) available here:

http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/detail_2.html.

Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!

Cheers...

Brad

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 28, 2013 at 4:38 PM

Of all the places for a nap, balancing on a log would not be my first choice. However, judging from the fact that he is out cold, it might be more comfortable than I think. The fact that he saw you as just another part of the landscape and was comfortable enough to doze off, is testament to the fact that you respect your subjects and do not "push" them. I like the way the green vegetation completely frames the bear. Another fine image. A trip to see something like this in person is still on my "bucket list".

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on January 28, 2013 at 5:01 PM

awesome find, nice overall quality, well done

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on January 28, 2013 at 5:13 PM

Nice shot here Brad, love the composition and detail you captured despite what must have been challenging light conditions. Every great picture tells a story and this one speaks volumes.

Cheers
Rick

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on January 28, 2013 at 5:51 PM

Hi Brad,

That is one contented looking bear, and I know what you mean about low-stress encounters. The wildlife encounters where the interactions are mutual and/or low-stress are so much more satisfying.

This makes for a nice picture too. I like the bright green and light brown color combination. I do find myself wanting to see a bit more of the left front leg but what were you going to do? The bush was there. Otherwise love it.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 28, 2013 at 10:07 PM

I have been marvelling at this photo for some time, the sleeping pose is sublime. I like the way the pieces of the split tree trunk seem to point up to the head giving it prominence. The D4 did its part, iso 2200 and image quality is very good. Sounds like a wonderful encounter. I'll have to read your processing details now...

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on January 29, 2013 at 12:00 AM

Another beautiful bear shot Brad, color and comp are excellent to my eye. The sharpness is incredible - especially considering you're shooting handheld in overcast light with a fairly heavy rig, not to mention the fact that you're shooting from a boat to boot!

P.S. - How'd you get your camera to take a photo at 11/400s?

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Cristina Strudthof on January 29, 2013 at 8:36 AM

Wonderful image. I think it is fantastic that you came upon such a great opportunity as this to shoot the bear sleeping. Everything about the photo seems good to me. Congrats!

Registered on January 14, 2011, 53 Posts, 363 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on January 29, 2013 at 6:57 PM

Well done, a new twist on the old expression about letting sleeping dogs lie... Pretty impressive for ISO 2200.

Registered on January 5, 2013, 37 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 30, 2013 at 4:05 AM

You captured a truly peaceful moment in great habitat. Nicely Composed Photo Brad

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments