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| While photographing Belugas in
Churchill, Manitoba we came across this pair of Polar Bears swimming
some two miles offshore. The water temperature was close to freezing,
but the air temperature was in the 80’s, uncomfortably HOT for Polar
Bears! These bears are biding their time, cooling off, and waiting for
the bay to freeze again so that they can once again hunt seals. They are
powerful swimmers, and are actually classified as marine mammals. |
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Wonderfully adapted for the Arctic cold, Polar Bear hair is actually
transparent with an inner surface that reflects light. The white fur
enhances heat absorption. One look at the size and shape of their paws
and it is easy to see why they are such strong swimmers. |
These animals have piqued my interest and I am
actually planning two different trips this year to photograph them. A
chance encounter during a trip to photograph Beluga has turned into a
desire to study and photograph Polar Bears even more. Look for new
images by the end of the year! |
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In Southeast Alaska I have encountered Brown Bears as they feed on
mussels at extreme low tides. The tidal range can be as great as 25 feet
on a really good spring tide, and these bears are taking advantage of
the unusually low tide to work for food. It is a great chance to observe
and photograph these animals as they emerge from the dense growth of the
land to the open area of the littoral. Working from a small boat, the
bears are totally unconcerned about my presence. |
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Watching a mother teach her cubs how to feed is amazing. Her strength
and power are demonstrated as she easily turns over boulders to expose
the juicy morsels. Then the dexterity of those claws to open a mussel
and pull the meat out of it’s shell. It all makes for an amazing time on
the water! |
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Of course I can’t leave out the third and final species
of bear in North America; the Black Bear. Cubs are particularly playful
and photogenic. I again encounter these animals in Southeast Alaska, on
trips to film and study Humpback Whales. It seems that when the whale
action is slow, or not to be found at all, there are plenty of fun
diversions to photograph, and this cub is just one of them! |
TIPS FOR BEAR PHOTOGRAPHY: I really don’t consider myself a bear
photographer. I truly specialize in marine animals and there is a big
difference in how to successfully photograph land versus marine mammals
(I don’t even own a good tripod or a blind). What little I can offer
about bear photographs is that a boat seems to be an ideal platform to
photograph bears from, especially those animals foraging at low tides. I
have found that the boat just doesn’t seem to perturb them in the least.
It seems that any challenge or danger would not come from the water, and
they are comfortable with a small boat in their vicinity. |
