Rock Creek - American Black Bear - a photo on Flickriver

August 13, 2016. ©Copyright 2016 Karlton Huber Photography - all rights reserved.

I have been blessed with many bear encounters during my explorations of the wilderness. Thankfully I have never felt threatened or in danger. I think this is because I have spent a lot of time learning about bears while at home via books, videos and movies and studying bears in person every chance I get at zoos or in the wild. I feel comfortable in their presence and feel I understand their body language pretty well.

It is always important to give them a nice space cushion (they will give you hints if you're getting or are too close). Back away slowly if they do so. ALWAYS give them an escape route. NEVER get between a mother and her cub(s). If you find that you have done so, fix this quickly by moving away from the cub(s) in a deliberate non-aggressive manner. Treat them with respect. Talk softly to them to ensure that they see you and to not come off to aggressively. Give them their space - their life is tough enough already, but enjoy their presence and the experience.

This bear was patrolling the tree line just above the upper campsites in our campground. I saw it moving through the trees from about three hundred yards away. Keeping my distance and taking a route that keep me concealed (which also prevented me from monitoring the bears travels) I put myself in a spot that had a view of a nice clearing which was in line with the tree line and the bears last know path. I waited ten minutes, then I heard a faint snap from the forest in front of me and to my right. Then I saw a clump of bushes wiggling back and forth. Then I saw a quick glimpse of the back end of an obvious bear strolling through the forest. Then I could make out definite continuous movement - right to left. Just as I hoped.

I readied my camera just as the bear walked between two trees and altered its route right toward me! It was seventy-five yards away and I squeezed off a couple of shots then waited to see how it was going to respond o the sound of my camera. No reaction at all. It continued its slow stroll - still in my general direction. I wanted to make sure it saw me and knew I was there so I brought my camera down from my eye and said "Hello bear. How's your day going?" It paused for a couple of seconds or so, then continued on now veering slightly to my left. I took several pictures of this bear before it altered its path again and entered someone's campsite to nose around (did you know that a bear can smell an unopened can of soda from 100 feet away?).

It was a warm day. This bear looked a little hot, and even somewhat tired so I grabbed a few more shots then got out of its way in order to eliminate any stress my presence might bring. I got what I needed - another few minutes with a very awesome creature.

Taken in: United States / California (show map)

Taken on: August 3, 2016

Tags:

2016

American Black Bear

Auburn

Bear

Brown

California

California Black Bear

Cautious

Chestnut

Cinnamon

Creature

Curious

Eastern Sierra

Eye Contact

Fana

Foraging

Hungry

Karlton Huber

Omnivores

Roaming

Shedding

Ursus americanus

Walking

Wild Animal

Wilderness

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Sets appears in: • The Sierra • Nature more » • Wildlife « less

Groups appears in: • Nikon Digital • Outdoor Photographer Magazine (Unofficial) more » • Nature Photography • Picturing California • Nature Heals the Soul • Beautiful California • Nikon Digital Learning Center • NATURE'S BEST • nature's composition • Official National Geographic Group • Natural Landscape & Wildlife Photos • Sierra Mountains Wilderness Areas - East Side • Amateur Photographer Magazine • NIKON D750/D780 CLUB « less

Camera: Nikon D7000, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, 500mm (=750mm), ISO 640 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7000
Lens:	150.0-500.0 mm f/5.0-6.3
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/500)
Focal Length:	500mm (35mm equivalent: 750mm)
ISO:	640
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Fine Weather
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7.1 (Windows)
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