Time at the spa
Yes, another bear photo! 
This image communicates something entirely different than my previous one on bear claws, but they still attract attention eh? This is “Mom” brown bear taking a little time away from the kids for some maintenance of those claws – a little polishing – tending to the cuticles, etc. The deeper water helps stay mostly submerged and away from the nagging insects buzzing around that are quite obvious in this photograph. Actually I was a bit surprised to find this many bugs in mid-September in Alaska, some areas worse than others. I think the cubs look a little bored and impatient waiting on the shoreline for Mom to be done or bring a fish. She knows where to go for a little time away.
It also reminds me of website maintenance and redesign and so many other things I had hoped to do during this time between Christmas and New Years, but I got hit with a pretty bad flu that has kept me from making any progress on that end. It seems like it is on the way out now, but will take awhile before I get re-motivated to take some of that on.
And lastly, I certainly appreciate all the comments, links, and feedback you have provided me on this blog over this year. I know the end of the year reflections back tend to be commonplace, and that is one that cannot be overstated. What’s ahead and what about favorites of 2009? I am not entirely sure yet. My thinking still needs to clear up from flu meds – clear away the bugs, and sharpen the claws, and scratch out some thoughts for some future posts.
This image was captured using a Nikon D700, 200-400 f4 lens, ISO 1600 at Kinak Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska. Post processing by Lightroom 2, Photoshop CS3 using luminosity masks and Topaz Detail.
Another great photo, Mark, with superb details, DOF and composition. Wish you soon recovery from flu.
Mark, wonderful photo! Insects and gulls — it seems mighty crowded for being in the wilderness.
I hope you continue to recover from the flu. I’ve been fighting a cold and cough for about three weeks now and can’t seem to shake it.
Well Mark, the flu and all its lingering effects kept me under the weather for over a month. Not sick enough to stay home; now well enough to say I felt good.
I do not tire of the bear images. You are capturing some fascinating behavioral images. I like them.
Hey Mark. So I’m trying to decide what gear I need to shoot with and was wondering if you found yourself needing to crop a lot of the full-frame 200-400mm shots? I have the 5DMKII and am thinking of purchasing the 400mm f5.6, but if it isn’t enough I might pick up a 40D or 7D instead of using a teleconverter on that slow lens. The alternative would be to rent a 500mm but I’m not sure I would enjoy lugging that thing around and would need a different tripod setup which is money I don’t really want to spend unless necessary.
Richard, it really depended on the situation. Where we were at, you were not able to move around a lot, so I thought the zoom was handy for that. I was shooting with a teleconverter perhaps 50% of the time. There are situations where the 500 would have been better, and others where I was thankful for the zoom. Mixed bag really. I don’t know how the 400 5.6 will work with teleconverters, AF might get kind of slow. You should probably ask Ron how much hiking there will be, and certainly hike around with such a big lens beforehand to see if it is even a possibility. There is no doubt longer lenses always come in handy, not only for the bears, but other wildlife as well.
The bears are so cute. Love this image with the two kids watching mama…pretty cool. Hope you recover from that nasty flu and get your energy back as soon as possible.
Thanks folks, am starting to feel better.
So sorry to hear that you’re under the weather, Mark. I hope it’s not H1N1? Hope you feel better soon!
The bear photos are inspirational, hon. I vow that I WILL go somewhere exotic this year to get some totally new & different photos. Hope you feel better soon–don’t worry about the blog, just eat chicken soup & rest up.