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Katmai Bear Cub
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Katmai Bear Cub

by Wick Smith

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 23, 2013153 views5 comments
This was taken at Margot Creek in Katmai National Park. These three brown bear cubs were hanging near their mom & playing on the beach while she fed on salmon. It was quite an experience to watch them interact for about 30 minutes.

Canon 5DIII, 500mm f4 II, F5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 200

Please view large for better detail.

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on August 23, 2013 at 2:32 PM
I like the cub on the right. The two out of focus cubs on the left are a bit distracting to me. perhaps a different aperture would have helped. Looks like you had some shutter speed to trade off. I would try a crop of just the cub on the right, but you may be pushing the pixels a bit. The eyes on the cub on the right are dark, perhaps you could lighten this area to bring out more detail.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 24, 2013 at 1:41 AM
Great setting, the driftwood is interesting and the sand, water and greenery in the background is just cool. The three little bears weren't all in exactly the perfect position compositionally, but still pretty awesome to have them in the frame - the one on the driftwood being the star. Hopefully you managed more photos during your half hour with them. :smile:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Martin Dunn on August 24, 2013 at 4:42 AM
It must have been a great experience Wick.
For me the two out of focus cubs do distract just a bit too much.
I'd be tempted to experiment with a 50% crop right down the middle and show just the in focus cub with the driftwood. I think it would be a stronger image.
Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 24, 2013 at 10:58 PM
I like the drift wood stump and its orientation in the frame and the fact that the main subject is so nicely perched there, even showing us his someday formidable claws! It is really too bad, in my opinion that the other two cubs are identifiable in the image. Although three can be cuter than one, here they take the eyes away from the key cub.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on August 25, 2013 at 5:23 PM
I like the scene as presented, but then again I like using OOF animals in the frame.
Perhaps lighten the bear fur and faces somewhat?
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments