Explorers

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 10, 2014154 views11 comments

Even numbered years in Yellowstone seem to be better for black bear cubs. This spring was no exception, as we had good sightings of a sow with three cubs and another sow with this pair within a couple miles of each other.

This sighting took place along a very narrow stretch of road, but our group was fortunate to have one of only three parking spots in the area (thanks for saving our spot, Zack). It was tough finding clear sight lines, but I did manage to get this view of the cubs exploring amidst the deadfall and regrowth on the hillside above.

Canon 1DX
Canon 500mm f/4 IS + 1.4x
ISO 1600
1/640th
f/5.6

Max

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on November 10, 2014 at 8:55 PM

Max: have you considered a tighter crop of this photo? The subjects are very small. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 10, 2014 at 8:58 PM

Good catch of the two cubs. The tangled area around them to me adds a bit of mystery to the image. Where is the mom?
Nicely exposed. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on November 10, 2014 at 11:14 PM

Love photos of cubs climbing trees as long as I know where the mom is. Looks like you were pretty far back from them, though. Techs looks fine but as mentioned the cubs are pretty small in the image. I think you could make it a stronger photo by going to a vertical format as the left side isn't adding much to the image. Then you'd have larger subjects plus vertical elements and the dead trees adding diagonal interest.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on November 10, 2014 at 11:52 PM

Max, a good capture of these 2 cubs. I saw them in the spring but never had a chance to photograph them. I really like the diagonal logs in the picture, but, in this case, I agree with trying the vertical crop since the cubs are small in the picture and, to my eye, the logs overpower the cubs.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 11, 2014 at 1:48 PM

It's great to hear everyone's take on this. I figured it would get a mixed reaction. I was too far to make a tighter crop work well, but I also chose this wider composition because I liked how the cubs are "lost" in the environment of the fallen trees and the young pines. It was more representative of my view, which was akin to peeking through a window at them.

Max

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 11, 2014 at 4:23 PM

Nicely composed Max. I have tried to photograph bear cubs and I understand how difficult it can be to get close enough to get a good shot as they are so small and you don't want to upset mom. You did well given the opportunity you were handed.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on November 12, 2014 at 8:39 AM

HI Max,

Personally I like your approach here - has a little of the "Where's Waldo?" flavour to it and the cubs end up being a nice little bonus to the eye. And, given your distance and how much of a crop that would be needed to turn this into a tight shot of the cubs I don't think the cropping approach would work (and the cubs' position on the tree doesn't really lend itself to a tight shot). I think you've used the best approach possible here (but I don't belong to the "closer is always better" school of wildlife photography).

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on November 13, 2014 at 7:39 AM

I like this as presented. Cute factor is very high. Where in Yellowstone was this? I wasn't lucky enough to see any black bears in Yellowstone when I went this past September. I did see a mother and two cubs in Grand Tetons though..

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 13, 2014 at 8:47 AM

Jerry, it was above Tower as you start to head up toward Dunraven Pass.

Max

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on November 13, 2014 at 3:28 PM

Max,

Drove that road at least four times in September. I thought it looked like a good place for bears, but I never saw any.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 13, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Jerry, in early summer the rangers did haze both this sow and the sow with three away. The sow with three only reappeared in early October just as I wrapped up my trip. She hadn't been seen much in the previous couple months.

Max

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