Bears, Guide Stories 0

Bear Photography Journal- Capturing Mother and Cubs Part 1

By · On December 1, 2020


There is something about a family of bears that captures the hearts of humans like no other animals in nature. In this post I will highlight some images I have taken of bear families and explain what makes them special in my opinion.

Rule of Three- To make an image compositionally pleasing to the eye, if possible, I try to make use of what I call the rule of 3. Not to be confused with the rules thirds, which is positioning the important elements in your scene the intersections of lines which divide the image into thirds, this rule emphasizes the fact that three subjects are the most pleasing to human eye than any other number. If you are lucky enough to find a sow with three cubs, you have an excellent opportunity to maximize on this rule.

Bear cub families are often spread out and impossible to all get into the same frame, but when the cubs come together, it can be fantastic! When all three bears are looking into different directions, it gives the eye of the viewer three paths to draw their attention.

These three cubs are 6 months old- known as spring cubs or COYs (cubs of the year). They remind me of a mixture of kitten and monkey, with the playful, clumsy curiosity of a puppy. To see three cubs is spectacular and unless they sleeping, we are laughing at their adorable antics.

It is probably the best to have the mother and all three cubs to be included in the image. This image has so much going on- the mother is staring at me, one cub is nursing, and the other two each have their own separate points of attention.

Moments Of Intimate Behavior- There is an infinite number of behaviors in the lives of a bear family that one can capture- nursing, sleeping, teaching, feeding, facing threats….. I love images which capture any of these behaviors.

There are few things as intimate as a bear family nursing, which they do many times a day. This image is also fairly symmetrical, which pleases the human eye, and there are 3 cubs.

It is difficult to take a pleasing image when none of the subjects faces are visible, but this illustrates the mood of the family carefully observing a blurred bear in the background. To me this symbolizes the importance of the need for bear cubs to learn from their mothers how to coexist with many other bears at a contracted food source, such as this salmon stream.

Flounder will often swim into the freshwater streams during the salmon runs. They feed on salmon carcasses, eggs that dont get buried properly, and salmon smolts. This tiny spring cub was quick enough to snag this starry flounder. The was likely this cubs first ever fish! As i mentioned in my post a few weeks ago about loving to capture a bear utilizing this unique food source, it also shows a young bear learning to be independent, even at only 6 months old.

A female with two spring cubs walks away from a larger approaching bear and towards the mother with 3 3rd summer cubs. Notice how the bears in the back are all sitting down. This is bear language for “let’s get along.” She is telling the approaching mom that she doesn’t want to leave, but sharing the same space will not illicit a violent response. Also notice how the cubs are imitating their mom and sitting as well- they have learned how to get along with other bears. I always make my groups sit down around bears and it makes everyone feel more relaxed.

Here is a super-cute interaction between two spring cubs. These siblings love each other and have fun whenever they get a chance in a very cruel world.

Symmetry/Repeating Patterns. People find symmetry and repeating patterns pleasing to the eye. Here are a few examples that caught my eye.

I love the symmetry in this image. It also shows the mutual love and affection between the mother and the cubs. Check out the milk on the mouth of the right cub.

Humor- Cubs always keep you laughing!

This little bear cub finds a little piece of dried kelp and puts on a show for the group I was guiding on the Alaska peninsula.. Bear cubs are as cute and #funny as any animal on earth.

Standing Moms!– People are fascinated by the ability of a bear to stand like a human. Capturing a standing mom with cubs is always one of the highlights of a bear viewing trip.

When observing a mother with cubs, I always remain aware of bears approaching. We other bears get close I tell my folks to stay focused on the mother, and be ready for a standing shot. It always important to not too too zoomed in as to cut the mother’s head off, and be ready because they only stand up a few seconds.

This image covers many of the above themes!

Adorable single cub portraits.

8 month panda cubs are as cute as any animal out there in my opinion. Taken while guiding expedition in China with Natural Habitat.

I could keep going and going and going! Ill continue this post in the future. Hope you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for more!

Keep exploring! 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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