Sentience?

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 2, 2014341 views11 comments

Sentience?

On a recent post of a sleeping grizzly cub a few folks indicated they'd like to see the bear's open eyes. So - Jerry and Ashleigh - this one is for you...and I hope it will suffice!

The commentary on my website that discusses the image title (and segues into a conservation discussion that gets a bit political) strays probably a bit too far away from photographic issues to be appropriate here. Those who are interested (or curious) can follow the link below to read the discussion...

Subject: Grizzly (Ursus arctos) cub relaxing on a bed of Fucus
Location: Khutzeymateen Inlet, northern Great Bear Rainforest, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D4
Lens: AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-f.6 VR @ 360mm. Hand-held from floating zodiac. VR on and in "Active" mode.
Exposure: 1/250s @ f7.1; ISO 900. -1.0 stop compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Moderate - this is about 75% of full frame

More details about the image - the thought behind the title, minor conservation rant, post-processing information and a higher res version of the image - can be found 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

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on July 2, 2014 at 3:57 PM

I admit it, I'm a sucker for bear eyes. You really came through on this one. As you stated, it appears that he is checking you out. The eye contact is great. The blond color and the fact that he is resting on his front leg adds even more. I even like the colorful Fucus, whatever the heck that is. One of your best Brad.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 2, 2014 at 5:29 PM

Great pose and nice eye contact, but I think the colors and texture of the foreground aquatic plants are really what boost the image. It evokes the coastal setting nicely.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 2, 2014 at 9:54 PM

Excellent, Brad. I like the dof you chose for this one. That's a pretty slow shutter speed for shooting from a boat.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on July 4, 2014 at 3:50 PM

Cute factor times ten Brad. Amazing how big those paws/claws are for such a youngster. I am planning a trip to Vancouver Island in a couple of weeks. Do you have any suggestions for good wildlife viewing locations on the Island? We will be driving up to Port Hardy, over to Gold River, and over to Tofino, so should be covering a lot of ground. I will also post this enquiry on the Pacific Northwest Forum. As always your photography is amazing and so fundamentally sound. Another great shot.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 4, 2014 at 4:13 PM

Very cute, Brad. Love the various textures and colours of the elements together.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 4, 2014 at 4:38 PM

That animals have sentience, and the bear has some thought running through it's head is easily acceptable, as long as we don't color it with human thought. I have no doubt the little guy is thinking bear thoughts! The bladderwrack looks pretty comfy, and a wonderful place to rest and have idle thoughts.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on July 5, 2014 at 9:39 AM

Hey all,

Thanks for the feedback on this image - appreciated!

Ed, you ask: "Do you have any suggestions for good wildlife viewing locations on the Island?"

I know the Port Hardy region well - and that area (including Port McNeill and Telegraph Cove) is world-class when it comes to aquatic mammals. You have lots to choose from on those: Orcas, Humpbacks, Gray Whales, sea lions, and often porpoises and dolphins as well. Day trips by quality operators leave out of Telegraph Cove (and possibly Port McNeill, but I can't vouch for that). I'm not as familiar with Gold River or Tofino...so can't really point you in any specific direction in those regions...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on July 5, 2014 at 2:48 PM

Very effective composition and colors. The pose and detail of the focus really add to the natural environment portrait.

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

Comment posted by Ed Williams on July 5, 2014 at 10:29 PM

Brad, thank you for the insight into the Port Hardy area. I will see if I can locate a boat service in the area.

Thanks,

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on July 6, 2014 at 9:30 AM

Great pose, thoughtful look n great setting!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 6, 2014 at 4:30 PM

You really show the personality of this cub Brad. Very cute and your usual excellent techs. Also, thanks for the info to your site.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments