22 replies to this topic

[hahn23]

Preliminary processing on images from tonight, July 28, 2010. I was shooting at dusk with dark overcast... low light conditions. Had to use high ISO (1600). I have more images, but wanted to share these now. It was a joy to see this big momma and the very cute cubs.

[Allie]

Was this close to where you live, Richard? Isn't it unusual for a bear to have triplets? Very, very cool.

[Mark Zemmin]

Richard,

Those are wonderful. I can't wait to see the rest. Three cubs is pretty impressive.

Mark

[hahn23]

Allie, on 28 July 2010 - 08:29 PM, said:

Was this close to where you live, Richard? Isn't it unusual for a bear to have triplets? Very, very cool.

My Audobon "Field Guide to Mammals" says ....litter of 1 - 5 (usually 2). Born in January-early February.

[Larry]

Mom sure has her hands (paws) full. Love the little guy int he back standing up to check things out.
Can't wait to see the rest. Where was she located. ALso not bad for 1600 ISO

Larry

[Scrapinator]

Wow! great shots, thanks for sharing

[Swimswithtrout]

The second shot is priceless ! I love the little cub standing up for a better view.

[B-Jay]

Great capture, Richard!

I especially like the shot with the curious cub standing on his hind legs to see what is going on.

B-Jay

[hahn23]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind comments. More photos below:

In this pose, the big girl was showing me her teeth and how wide she could open her mouth, in case she needed to defend her cubs.



This is my favorite, as far as wildlife photo is concerned.



The cubs paid much attention to Momma bear's vocalizations.



The last I saw of the group... just before dark.

[Igloo Ed]

Swimswithtrout, on 28 July 2010 - 09:18 PM, said:

The second shot is priceless ! I love the little cub standing up for a better view.

Agreed! That black cub is no doubt good at view blocking.
Unless you're lead dog, the view is always the same.

[Monica]

I love all of these pictures! What great captures!

[hahn23]

Just to clarify the biology, these are fraternal triplets. If they were identical triplets, they'd all be the same color with the same markings. Since there are three unique colors and faces, I know they are simply siblings who shared the same pregnancy of the sow, but not the same placenta and sac. Three of everything.

There were several questions on location. This is in my neighborhood. East about 150 yards from my house... in the woods. It's about 1/4 mile from the border of RMNP.

These are telephoto shots from about 50 yards. So, while it looks like I'm too close, I was standing at a safe distance, which is also the comfort level for the bears. I moved laterally to the bears to achieve shot angles. And, for almost all the shots, I was downhill from the bears, which is a non-threatening position. Also, I never looked directly at the momma with my face and eyes.... in order to send a submissive/subordinate signal. That's why she didn't run away (or attack).

Edited by hahn23, 29 July 2010 - 06:49 AM.

[rcw]

Very nice pictures. It looks from the background that they are in a neighborhood. What is the likelihood of them becoming nuisances and having to be removed. Will finding food for three cubs be difficult?

[hahn23]

rcw, on 29 July 2010 - 06:41 AM, said:

Very nice pictures. It looks from the background that they are in a neighborhood. What is the likelihood of them becoming nuisances and having to be removed. Will finding food for three cubs be difficult?

I think the full time residents here understand the importance of bear proof garbage container management. While I love the influx of tourists in July and August, they don't comprehend. Not only do they leave their garbage outside the house, the tourists are the first to call the CDOW to report a bear raid. The CDOW has a different philosophy (game management) than mine (balance in nature).

25 years ago, there were no bears in RMNP. Today, the park's official statement is "25 bears". That's an out-of-date number. The bears are doing well. These are the weeks of many berries. Plant roots, grubs and ants are very available. The apple trees will produce fruits soon. Still, the HB feeders and bird seed feeders offer an easy meal for the bears. The bears are not the problem. It's the people who have encroached on the wilderness. It's the people who need to be trained.

When the wolves migrate into RMNP from Yellowstone, I'll be an activist in support of the re-establishment of the wolf population in RMNP. The CDOW will be on the other side of the fight.

[hector]

Love the one with the cub standing up, too!

Thanks for being so informative with your photos.