Black Bear Diaries Part 19: In the press

Hello everyone,

I apologise for not posting an update since the end of July but be patient because I will be back very soon with diary updates.

Until I return, I want to share this with you all. While I was away on vacation last week I found out that a photo of mine made the front page of the local newspaper: See photo and article here: http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/community/128703788.html

Thanks again for all your support and comments.

Jamie

Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/J-M-Douglas-Photography/150570641630962?v=wall

View my portfolio: http://jamiedouglas.500px.com/

Listen to my tweets: http://twitter.com/#!/JMDouglasImages

Black Bear Diaries Part 18: Bear signs n' bear cubs

Things have gotten so busy in bear land that the local parks board have put up signs. They certainly ain't kidding when they say "extreme bear activity in area".



This weeks mission has been to spend time in the company of a sow with three cubs who has been hanging around the area. I went out last night and watched her cubs climb the local hydro pole but the light was low so I couldn't get any decent photos.

This evening was a slightly different story.  I counted 14 different bears this evening and at one point I had 12 within a 150 radius of me. I first spotted this sow with her three cubs grazing on the river bank but she took off when another young male turned up so I to decided it was also time to leave. Coming back down the trail an hour later later I encountered a stubborn sow and cub sitting on the path but after standing there for a while I got impatient and fired a few pumps of bear spray in the air made them take off. I was eager to get passed them because I spotted the sow with three cubs at the far end of the trail so I new there would be a good photo op.

Once I got up to the area with the three cubs I was able to get these photos before yet another sow with two cubs showed up. After some thought the sow with three decided the end of the path I was at was the safer route so I took a few shots and decided I had better get out of her way. This was when I discovered my route home wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.

Bear family checking me out...

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6// 1/200// ISO1250//

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

The three stooges...

Techs: 400MM @ F6.3// 1/320// ISO1250//

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Bear family heading my way...

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6// 1/400// ISO1600//

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Run the gaunlet... Who wants to go first?

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6// 1/200// ISO1600

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

To see what keeps me busy behind the camera besides black bears, please visit my new portfolio at:

http://jamiedouglas.500px.com/#/0

If you enjoyed this blog please feel free to share this link with friends and family:

http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/

For more information on Black Bears visit:

http://www.bear.org/

Black Bear Diaries 2011 Part 17: Star

Besides celebrating my Birthday this week I have managed to get out twice to see the bears. Things are starting to get busier in Bear land. This is Star, named after the white mark on her chest that is just visible on the 2nd photo bellow. I hear Star has three cubs but they were nowhere to be seen when I met her on Thursday night. I soon realised when I took the first photograph that another bear was hanging around close by in the bushes to my left which signalled it was time to move out of the area. Star paid no attention to me at all so I knew something was distracting her.  She seemed extremely relaxed though and eventually got up and started wandering along the road towards onlookers before eventually going back into the bushes about 100 meters from where she was originally sat. I am not sure if she had taken a fancy to the other bear or was casually leading it away from her cubs.

Techs: 400MM @ F6.3// 1/125// ISO800//

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/400// ISO1250 // Exp comp -1/3

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

To see what keeps me busy behind the camera besides black bears, please visit my new portfolio at:

http://jamiedouglas.500px.com/#/0

If you enjoyed this blog please feel free to share this link with friends and family:

http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/

For more information on Black Bears visit:

http://www.bear.org/

Black Bear Diaries 2011 Part 16: The 'no bear curse'

How do you break the 'no bear curse'?

Well I can tell you right now. The answer is.... for those that haven’t already answered it.... it is.... wait for it.... drum roll please... tappy tappy tappy... don’t take your camera out!

I discovered this evening that it's that simple to break the 'no bear curse'.

It comes down to two factors really, one being that I didn’t take my camera and the other, that after the heavy rain we had during Saturday night's thunder and lightening storm the grass has been knocked down so visibility is far better.

Things got so quiet that on Sunday my wife and I took a drive out to a provincial park about 2hrs from our home to look for bears and get some photos of them amongst the wild flowers. After spending a good part of the afternoon photographing a Loon and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes I spotted a young bear on the side of the road. The little guy looks to be about a year to 1 1/2 year and by the looks of it, orphaned. His mum was nowhere to be seen. I always make sure momma isn’t around when I approach young bears. That decision is based on a healthy level of common sense. The little guy was cautious as I approached slowly. I was able to get one clean image, see below, before a car came roaring around the corner and scared him away. It was reassuring to see the little fella had a healthy fear so hopefully he does alright out in the wild on his own.

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/125 // ISO400 //

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/1250// ISO1250 // Exp comp -1/3

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Back to this evening and the 'no bear curse'. I noticed many wet foot prints on the trails this evening (didn't have the camera so couldn't even take a wet foot print photo - I owe you one before the end of the season) so I knew things had changed since the last time I went out. I spotted a sow and two cubs from a great distance but luckily I did at least take my binoculars so I could see them and they were comfortably eating so I thought I'd go take a look see if I could identify them. Word is over seven bears have been shot this year so I am always anxious to see if our early friends are still about.

I didn't hang around long because once they spotted me she had both cubs up a tree (again no camera).

Tomorrow I will be another year older so wish me luck and I'll be back very soon with more stories and photos from my black bear encounters.

To see what else keeps me busy behind the camera, visit my new portfolio at: http://jamiedouglas.500px.com/#/0

If you enjoyed this blog please feel free to share this link with friends and family:

http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/

For more information on Black Bears visit:

http://www.bear.org/

Black Bear Diaries 2011 Part 15: Eagles and Ducks

I feel like I have disappeared off the face of the planet lately when it comes to sharing my bear encounters with you all. I have been out only a handful of times in the last two weeks and only had 5 bear sightings. I blame it on the fact I started a new job last month which has kept me pretty busy.

I can report though that our little friend who I feared had been shot is infact alive and well and is currently hanging about a berry crop.
 
So what’s been happening lately then if the Bears have been scrarce? Well I did have one very cool encounter last Thursday while I was out on my bike riding the local trails. While I was riding along talking with a local we noticed two Bald Eagles circling and swooping along the river bank. Needless to say I went to investigate right away as someone had mentioned the eagles had been attacking the local ducks. As we got closer you could hear the distressed quacks of a duck on the shore but unfortunately our view was obstructed by bushes. We both stood listening to the ducks dying quacks for about 2 minutes until you could hear the swooping of the eagle flapping its wings. The eagle appeared with the duck in its talons and just behind it was the duck's partner frantically chasing the eagle. 

I have never experienced this before so I'll be sure to go out with my fingers crossed next time. While its unfortunate for the ducks its a spectacle to been seen.
 
We have an insane thunderstorm this evening so I am off to watch the lightening from my bedroom window.

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

If you enjoyed this blog please feel free to share this link with friends and family:

http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/

Visit my new photography portfolio: http://jamiedouglas.500px.com/#/0

Black Bear Diaries 2011 Part 14: Sad News

Here I was all excited to visit the local bear population now I am back from vacation but little did I know how much things can change in 3 weeks.

After arriving back on Saturday afternoon and then making a weak appearance at a friend’s birthday in the evening I was up very early (5am) on Sunday and very eager to get out and spot some bears. I was a little rusty on my bike but it wasn’t long until I was back in my favorite place and after a short while I spotted a medium sized bear hanging out at the end of the trail minding his own business. The bear took off after he noticed me so I continued on my bike ride.

On Tuesday I ventured out again later at about 8 o’clock and took a short walk instead of my bike. It was pretty wet but I wanted to stretch my legs and again I spotted the same bear. This time he was closer than I’d have liked. I heard some rustling in the bushes close by so immediately started to back up and all of a sudden this head appeared and looked at me. Not always an ideal situation but I got out of the bears way quickly and it stood and watched me until it decided I was far enough away and then continued going about its business.  Silly mistake really given how tall the grass has gotten since I went away which means visibility is poor for both me and the bear. The bear looked healthy though and seems to have the area to himself at the moment. Seeing only one bear out at the moment made me wonder where the others are.

On Wednesday evening I ventured out again eager to see if other bears are back in the area. On my way I bumped into a buddy who also just got back from vacation and he shared the tragic recent news with me that two bears had been shot and wounded by hunters with bow and arrows. One was tracked down and destroyed and they believe the other injured bear is still around the area. After I caught up with the news on Wednesday night I saw the cops and conservation officer go by and I assume they are trying to track down the injured bear.

This news shocked me and everyone else who enjoys watching the local bears. Sadly it looks like one of the bears was our cute friend who I introduced you to in Black Bear Diaries Part 11 http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/2011/05/bear-diaries-2011-part-11-bear-cub-and.html

 Such awful news to come back to.

Read the article here:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/news/124673129.html

 

I wonder if nature given the chance would ever turn around and praise or reward humans in quite the same way we like to reward ourselves given our many continued selfish and senseless acts.

Bear Diaries 2011 Part 13: Bear Cub and the Tree

Ever wondered what a Bear climbing a tree looks like?

I came across the Sow and cub I shared with you in Bear Diaries 2011 Part 10: The Bear Cub and Mum again one evening last week. I was on my bike when I heard some rustling in the shallow stream that runs along the side of the road. At first I didn't really acknowledge it and also if it was a Bear I didn't want to stop right there beside it. I carried on up the road another 20 meters or so and then decided to turn around and investigate, curiosity got the better of me.  It turned out to be the Sow and cub so I was very excited to see them again.  The Sow was in the tall grass doing her thing and I must have startled the little guy when I cycled passed because the cub took to the nearest tree, see below.

Did you know: Black Bears are incredibly good tree climbers unlike their Brown Bear cousins. Good to know if you ever have to run away from a bear although if they can climb trees I am not sure what the alternative means of escape are. Run really really fast?

I'll get some better photos before the end of the season but in the meantime enjoy. I am heading off on a trip so I'll be back in a wee while.

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/125 // ISO1600 //

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/125 // ISO1600 //

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

 

 

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/125 // ISO1250 //

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

Techs: 400MM @ F5.6 // 1/125 // ISO1250 //

Canon 7D with 400mm F5.6L

Image © J M Douglas|Photography 2011

To see more of my photos be sure to visit me at 500px: http://500px.com/JamieDouglas

If you enjoyed this blog please feel free to share this link with friends and family:

http://jmdouglasphotography.blogspot.com/

For more information on Black Bears visit: http://www.bear.org/