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Battle of Jura


Battle of Jura
Photo Information
Copyright: Sandy Garfinkel (messenger1) (18)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-17
Categories: Mammals, Mountain
Camera: Canon EOS 400D, Canon 18-55mm EFS
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-29 4:48
Viewed: 1747
Points: 6
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On the Swiss side of the Jura Mountains near the border with France is a large outdoor animal park called Jura Parc. The only three types of animals housed here are bison, wolves and bears. The outdoor pens are massive and, although the animals are clearly captive, they have large open spaces with with rocks, woods and grass in which to roam.

The most fascinating thing about this park is that the bears and wolves are kept in the same enclosure; one can watch them interact from a high wooden catwalk which runs the length of the enclosure. I have stood for hours and watched these animals in close quarters. Normally the wolves and bears ignore each other and interact with their own species, but every once in awhile, some of the wolves -- perhaps out of boredom or some irrepressible hunting instinct -- will form a small pack, which will then surround an isolated bear and begin systematically teasing the larger animal. The bear will turn in circles trying to swat its tormentors, while the wolves circle the bear and, when its attention is occupied in one direction, a wolf or two will run up and nip the bear in the rear end. The bear will turn as quickly as it can to try to catch the wolf who mounted the sneak attack, but I never saw the bear come close to putting a paw on a wolf; they were just too fast.

Although this photo was taken of animals in captivity, I took care to eliminate from the frame most indications of that. I don't think I would want to chance upon this combination of animals while out in the wild, so this is as close as I'll come to photographing these creatures in a "natural" environment.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Karin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268] (2089)
  • [2008-02-29 5:34]

Hi Sandy,
Wow, I didn't notice with the small photo that this was a very interesting action photograh you took here.
Well it keeps the animals in shape I would say ;-)
Good details and TFS

bonjour Sandy

et bienvenu à TN

superbe photo d'action prise sur le vif, j'aimes bien ton
angle de vue de haut, nous montrans l'action qui se déroule,
excellente luminosité de l'image avec d'excellentes
netteté et détails, TFS (Thanks for sharing)

Asbed

  • Great 
  • jpdenk Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 480 W: 5 N: 783] (2061)
  • [2008-03-04 11:11]

Hi Sandy,

A fascinating image, even if it is a zoo picture. Reminds one of how savage things are at times in nature.

While we don't have bears or wolves here near Chicago, I recently had the experience of finding a badly-injured White Tailed Deer in my yard that had been savaged by the local Coyote pack, a sobering experience.

Thanks,
John

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