Bearback
Cubs just finished nursing, and one cub didn't dismount from the sow's nipple until she was getting up, and got stuck on her back. Second cub is jeal...
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Cubs just finished nursing, and one cub didn't dismount from the sow's nipple until she was getting up, and got stuck on her back. Second cub is jealous or feeling left out.
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Jan, 2016Views
7741
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Bears Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in All About Bears Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Freshmen 2016 Photo Contest Vol 2
Contest Finalist in A World Of Brown Photo Contest
Featured
Spring Selection Award
Runner Up in From Afar: Wildlife Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in From Afar: Wildlife Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
Emotions
Impressed
Happy
Top Ranks
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Categories
Platinum
mcampi
January 29, 2016
OMG this is a once in a lifetime shot. You nailed it. Congrats on one of the best shots on VB
nina050
January 29, 2016
This has to be one of the most incredible candid wildlife shots I have ever seen....and bears are my favorite subject....this is phenomenal! National Geographic quality!!
Platinum
p_eileenbaltz
March 01, 2016
LOVE!!! What an incredible moment you have captured. Congratulations on being chosen a finalist in the 'Wildlife From Afar' contest. Good luck. :)
Saddnot
March 01, 2016
Congratulations! This is truly an amazing shot!! I love that you can see the water dripping off the bears and the texture of their coats is so clear.
Jbroek
March 03, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
PRO+
PRO+
SettingSky
January 02, 2017
Excellent capture! The 2nd cub does have that, "darn, I want to do that, too" look.
Platinum
Platinum
PRO+
LucyLoo
April 17, 2017
FABULOUS image, love the sceptical glance from the little bear cub at the back. Superb Comp and most wonderful scene. CONGRATULATIONS! Love the title too.
PRO
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
The tide flats near Lake Clark in AlaskaTime
This picture was taken during the early morning hours on a cloudy day.Lighting
The lighting was excellent, because the clouds were prevalent but there was enough light to allow for reflections on the sandy tide flat. There was sufficient water above the sand to create calm reflections as the sow dug for clams and nearby cubs seeking to nurse.Equipment
I used a Nikon 700 camera with a tripod and a 500 mm lens. No flash was required given the soft ambient light.Inspiration
I watched this sow and her two cubs for hours, and took note of when the cubs asked to nurse - usually by touching the sow's ear. I was hoping she would eventually relent and stop digging for clams and allow the cubs to nurse and she finally did! I have many pictures of both cubs nursing, and one with the sow looking directly at me as I snapped away. After awhile, the sow tired of nursing and swung upwards. One of the cubs wasn't done, and stayed with the mother too long, and the motion forced that cub over her shoulder and eventually the cub was up on her back -by and none too happy about it, judging by the whimpering I could hear. The sibling cub wasn't happy to be left behind either! The first couldn't descend and the sow didn't seem to care and ambled around with a jockey on her back! She ambled along the beach for at least 45 minutes, affording great opportunities to take photos. I liked this image because of the sibling cub looking sideways towards the camera, obviously unhappy to be left out.Editing
I did some sharpening and a bit of contrast change, but the photo in Raw is very similar to the final product.In my camera bag
I normally carry multiple lenses, including wide angle, fish eye, and at least two long lenses. On this occasion, I had only the tripod and a long lens and that was satisfactory given the fact that I had to hike out onto the tide flats with a tripod and mounted camera.Feedback
I encourage anyone with an interest in bears to visit Lake Clark National Park in Alaska and to stay at the Silver Salmon Lodge. The folks there are very helpful and know bear behavior. They can provide close proximity while not disturbing the bear. July was a great month for this trip, because the cubs were active and the boars preferred to keep their distance. These bears live in the wild but are conditioned to and accept the human presence. It is a great way to experience bears without interfering with their world.
