Taking in the rays...

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 6, 2016114 views10 comments

This guy was just crossing some of the pack ice, I guess always on the hunt for a seal, but as he began to get closer to us he suddenly stopped, stiffed the air and then just stood, basking in the strong light of the day. Like us, facing into the sun he just closed his eyes and chilled in it's warmth.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) standing on the frozen ice pack taking in the rays.
Location: Svalbard
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400 f/4 HH
Exposure: 1/2500s at f/8 ISO500 EV 0
Original format: Landscape, small crop for presentation
Processed via: LRCC & PSCC2015.5

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Ana on November 6, 2016 at 12:58 PM

Really nice pose and expression; the texture in the fur is fantastic.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 191 Posts, 1446 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 6, 2016 at 1:58 PM

There's something about this setting... I don't see a lot of polar bear shots that really depict an endless sea of ice and snow like this. It makes the environment seem much more vast. I also like how the bear seems content soaking in the warmth of the sun.

Max

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on November 6, 2016 at 2:21 PM

Beautiful background and texture of the fur. I do wish his eyes had been open, however.

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

Comment posted by Carl Johnson on November 6, 2016 at 2:22 PM

Beautiful post of a beautiful animal. I am a new member and true amature so will leave the critics to more experienced, but I see nothing to nitpic. I would like to see his eyes open, but what are you gonna do. Seeing one of these animals in the wild is on my bucket list. I live in south FLA, so my posts will be mostly in Avian.

Registered on October 27, 2016, 8 Posts, 41 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 6, 2016 at 2:25 PM

Thank you Ana. crying

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 6, 2016 at 2:32 PM

Hi Max, you should sort out a trip, although it can be a bit of a lottery at times and with climate change pack ice comes and goes oh so quickly and that is what the bears hunt on. Therefore any planning has to be flexible. Weather also can be variable, meaning shooting can be different to what you are perhaps used too, but using the MKII's you won't be let down and with LR & PSCC the files are just epic.

Appreciate the feedback.

Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 6, 2016 at 2:34 PM

' I do wish his eyes had been open, however.'

Jerry what happens when you look directly into bright sun, you close or squint your eyes - it's the same for animals too.

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on November 17, 2016 at 3:02 AM

An very special polar bear shot, Stephen! Very natural pose and you did an exceptional job with the exposure. All the detail is preserved in the the highlights on both the bear and the texture of the snow. The blurred but still recognizable background really helps with the sense of presence and adds nice depth to the scene. I personally like that it is squinting into the sunlight and soaking it up. It adds a special mood because I know exactly how precious that sunlight is in the winter when the sun just clips the horizon and disappears behind even the lowest hills & mountains.

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on November 17, 2016 at 3:08 AM

Cheers Gary. crying

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on November 18, 2016 at 1:19 PM

Hello Steve

Well placed and level horizon. The light is beautiful (time of day?) Soft toning of the white fur ,showing excellent detail.

Enjoy the feeling of Warmth through the SunRays :)

thanks for sharing

Bill
WWW.BillBickle.com

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments