Wet Behind the Ears!
Been a while since I posted a shot of a brown-coloured bear...this one from way back in spring of 2012 (one of those "oops...forgot about that one...).
Wet behind the ears? Yep, and everywhere else too! I captured this image of a very curious and very wet grizzly cub way back in the late spring of 2012. This young bear is entering its second spring, and - like the saying "wet behind the ears" would suggest, he's still shy on experience and still figuring out the world at large. That includes what he can, and can't, eat. I watched this cub as he sat back and watched his mom eat some leaves - shortly thereafter he pulled a true "monkey-see, monkey-do" and started eating the same type of leaves. And, of course, as I snapped this image I'm sure this guy was trying to figure out if the creature in front of him (the one with the massive shiny eye pointed at him) was friend or foe. What I'd give to understand what he was thinking while staring at me...
Subject: Young grizzly (
Ursus arctos) cub
Location: Khutzeymateen Inlet, northern Great Bear Rainforest, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VR - hand-held from floating zodiac. VR on and in "Normal" mode.
Exposure: 1/400s @ f6.3; ISO 720. -0.67 compensation compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Moderate- this is about 80% of full frame
A lot more details about this image - including processing details - here on my website:
http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/.
Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!
Cheers...
Brad
PS: Like all wildlife images on my website, the subject is fully wild and completely unconstrained. Besides the potential impact of my presence, nothing has been done to intentionally alter or affect the ongoing behavior of the subject and, of course, there has been no use of any form of bait or other form of wildlife attractants (including vocalizations).
Comments
9 commentsThanks...he is a little cutie!
Re: your question about the chin hair colour: I presume you mean the faint tinge in the shaded chin hairs just below the tongue? Honest answer - I can't say for sure, but my best guess would be its caused by transmission of a little light directly through the leaves in the cub's mouth.
Cheers...
Brad
This is a great image made special by the leaf, my only concern is on my monitor there seems to be a lack of detail/sharpness in the nose.
Cute and Saucy look ! The contrasting colours are great. Remember too, Mom using her front paws to scoop and bunch the grasses towards her mouth, after awhile did see junior here doing similar!
Appreciate your PS... Definitely Wild creature and not lured in or baited in-any-way ...... I think Baiting , really needs to be addressed with the Photography Community!
Bill
Wet fur, pink tongue and green leaves all combine wonderfully for a very engaging image.
Thanks for the feedback on this image. It was a lovely little bear and I'm glad he gave me the opportunity to showcase his personality. A few specific responses:
1. Bill you said: "I think Baiting , really needs to be addressed with the Photography Community!:
I agree. NPN is to be commended for their firm stance against baiting. And I suspect you'll see this issue becoming more to the forefront (and controversial) in 2014!
2. Ken you said: "my only concern is on my monitor there seems to be a lack of detail/sharpness in the nose."
Nope. The nose is wet, but tack sharp (you can see every dimple that protrudes from the water).
Cheers...
Brad