Spring is a plentiful time to visit Alaska for a variety of subjects and we did have our share of subjects including those we especially came to Alaska to see…”Da Bears!”…
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-17E II ISO 200 f8 @ 1/350
The tides, not the light, dictate our schedule in Alaska. They also dictate the bear’s activity. When the tide was out, the bears could be found along the shoreline digging in the mudflats for clams. It is amazing that their sense of smell is so good that they can smell a clam buried in the mud and then dig it out with their claws…
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-17E II ISO 200 f6.7 @ 1/350
When they have had their fill of clams, they move to the meadows where the sedge grasses are just beginning to emerge after a long, hard winter…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR ISO 200 f6.7 @ 1/180
Where the bears went, we went, taking advantage of every photo opportunity we could from environmental portraits…
Nikon D4, AF-S 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 VR ISO 100 f8 @ 1/750
to eye-level close-ups…
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-14E II ISO 800 f8 @ 1/500
We we fortunate to perfectly time our arrival back at the lodge with the rising tide and a bear wandering the rocky shoreline eating a buffet of grasses, and other foliage. Perry masterfully drifted the boat along with the bear for a good distance while we photographed. I increased my ISO to achieve a fast enough shutter speed to comfortably hand hold from a moving boat…
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-20E III ISO 800 f8 @ 1/350
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-20E III ISO 800 f8 @ 1/350
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-20E III ISO 800 f8 @ 1/750
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, ISO 800 f8 @ 1/350
One of my most memorable moments of the week happened on my birthday when a big boar came within point blank range and laid down while munching on sedge grass…
Nikon D4, AF-S 200-400mm f4 VR, TC-20E III ISO 400 f8 @ 1/500
Each day has been filled with wonderful experiences in nature. We have enjoyed a variety of subjects and quality time with the bears. There is plenty more to share. Stay tuned.
I feel homesick! Did you take any bear pictures with the D800?
We missed you! My D800 was back at the lodge doing time lapse photos. I hope to post some eventually.
I love your photos of bears, Laurie. Hope to see them with you sometime in the future.
Thanks Margaret. It’s an experience of a lifetime! I hope you can join me one day.