robdelange

Wallenda Bear

This black bear was escaping from an enclosed corn field that was being invaded by some really noisy, sharp harvesting equipment. For some reason, it was walkin...
Read more

This black bear was escaping from an enclosed corn field that was being invaded by some really noisy, sharp harvesting equipment. For some reason, it was walking the tightrope between the dangers of the tractor in the field and the photographer on the outside.
Read less

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

settings

Aperture f/4.5 ISO 320 Shutter 1/180 Focal Length 150/1

upload_date

Dec, 2018

Views

123

Likes

Awards

Action Award

Zenith Award

Top Shot Award 21

Legendary Award

2020 Choice Award

Superb Composition

+12

Absolute Masterpiece

+12

Outstanding Creativity

Top Choice

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken alongside a farm in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. During the fall, farmers harvest fields of corn for cattle feed. When the fields again become quiet, black bears often emerge from the adjacent forests to scavenge any cobs and kernels left behind by the harvesting machinery.

Time

Late afternoon on a mostly overcast day. This bear may have been too anxious for a meal, as the harvester was still at work when I watched it enter the patch of corn that was still upright. When the noisy machinery rounded the corner, the bear sprinted to the edge of the field near me and in record time, scaled the 2.5 metre fence. I took this shot as it shifted its body over the top-most barbed wire. At that instant, it appeared the bear was performing a high-wire act for which the Wallenda family is famous. Once on the 'safe' side of the fence, the bear calmly disappeared into the thick forest it calls home.

Lighting

The diffuse light on this cloudy day made for a decent exposure.

Equipment

Canon 7DMII + Tamron 150-600 F4.5, hand held.

Inspiration

I happened to be driving on a gravel road beside this field when I noticed the bear heading into the corn. When it popped over the fence, it was about 5 metres from where I had stopped my vehicle. Camera always at the ready on my passenger seat, I opened my door as the bear was scaling the fence, and captured the action.

Editing

I tweaked the camera raw to correct for the dull lighting, and minor sharpening.

In my camera bag

Canon 24-125 kit lens, Sigma 10-20 Wide angle, Canon 100mm macro, Canon Speedlight flash, Manfrotto monopod & tripod

Feedback

Never leave home without your camera, and keep it within reach at all times - you never know when the opportunity will arise! Keep notes about what times of year you are likely to see various species at the places you visit, and don't be discouraged on those days when nothing interesting happens. The next killer shot could be right around the next corner!

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robdelange

robdelange

Wallenda Bear

This black bear was escaping from an enclosed corn field that was being invaded by some really noisy, sharp harvesting equipment. For some reason, it was walkin... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow robdelange

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This black bear was escaping from an enclosed corn field that was being invaded by some really noisy, sharp harvesting equipment. For some reason, it was walkin...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.