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Bear Photography Journal- Capturing Moms and Cubs Part 2

By · On December 15, 2020


This is a continuation of my previous post, sharing some special mom and cub moments to help you maximize opportunities the next time you encounter a bear family, which is one of the most amazing things to capture in nature. All images taken while guiding expeditions on the Katmai Coast for Natural Habitat Adventures.

Moments of Action- Mother bears are under a tremendous amount of pressure to feed while raising cubs. Not only do they have to gain enough weight to get them through the long season of sleep in the den, they must do the same for the cubs, and provide enough calories to sustain the rapid growth rate of the cubs. Cubs will double their weight from 15 lbs to 30 lbs between the months of May and October!

These cubs have quickly learned that they have a responsibility must stay alert for danger and follow mom, as she must focus on the daunting challenge of catching salmon. This image really tells a story, which makes up for the fact that it doesn’t show any of the bear’s faces.

Once again, the cubs must follow mom and watch their own backs while their mom focuses on finding salmon.

The whole family gets rewarded for their work!

Keeping a close eye on mom at work.

Mom stands up to check the distance for potentially dangerous other bears and better fishing spots. Unfortunately I messed this image up as I should have shifted left to include the cub’s whole body.

Cub Portraits– To capture the perfect cub portraits, be ready for the moments of eye contact. It is also very important if possible, to be at eye level perspective, but ONLY if you make sure to never interfere with their actions. You must think of the wellbeing of the bears first and foremost.

Composition is very important for portraits. Always try to shift the cub in the frame so that there is more room in the direction that the cub is looking. This can be very challenging, and I rely on my speed of adjusting my focus point quickly with a toggle switch using my thumb which is always dedicated to the task.

You can include either the cub’s face, the front third of their body, or the entire body. You can often fix this later by cropping in post process.

Nursing Moments–

Nursing usually lasts 2 or 3 minutes. I stay focused to wait for the perfect moments when at least one of the bears makes eye contact with you.

Mothers often sit on their and legs for one last check for safety before they lay down and nurse. The cubs begin as soon as the teats are exposed.

To be continued…..

Merry Xmas guys! Thanks for checking this out.

Brad


Brad has been a Natural Habitat Expedition Leader since 2005, guiding Alaska grizzly bear tours, Churchill polar bear tours, northern lights expeditions and China panda tours. His specialty is bear biology and ecology of the north country.

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