Early Riser

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Early Riser
Photo Information
Copyright: Evelynn Smith (Evelynn) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1868 W: 677 N: 2575] (11494)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-23
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 IS USM
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-08-21 8:10
Viewed: 427
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
We awoke very early to a late May winter wonderland. As it melted quickly in the morning sun, we headed to higher elevations looking for photo ops. See workshop reference photo. On the way we passed this fellow. He had probably been foraging since first light. There is still a bit snow visible here. I shot this photo from the vehicle using a window mount and bean bag.

PS
Before anyone else bemoans the fact that I didn't get the bear's face in the shot let me explain. If I shared that philosophy, I wouldn't have posted the picture. For me the picture as a whole has more impact as it is. I like the almost silhouetted bear, not looking at me, heading into his day, into his world, haloed by the morning light. I love the way he fits into the landscape... is part of it. I will be posting a few almost full frame animal shots, but they do not feed my passion the way a landscape does... with or without an animal as a focal point.
..............................................................................................................
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the most common bear species native to North America. It lives throughout much of the continent, from northern Canada and Alaska south into Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This includes 41 of the 50 U.S. states and all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island. Populations in the east-central and southern United States remain in the protected mountains and woodlands of parks and preserves, though bears will occasionally wander outside the parks' boundaries and have set up new territories, in some cases on the margins of urban environments in recent years as their populations increase. Although there were probably once as many as two million black bears in North America long before European colonization, the population declined to a low of 200,000 as a result of habitat destruction and unrestricted hunting. By current estimates, more than 800,000 are living today on the continent.

There has been considerable evidence of black bear activity that seems to suggest that the population may be extending its range back into historical territories in Ohio, Kentucky, Texas and other areas where bear were eradicated and have not been present for a considerable amount of time. It is suspected that adolescent males seeking new territory are wandering far and wide, literally hundreds of miles, by following natural and manmade corridors (rivers and highways) back into their ancestral lands. It has generally been recent policy that if the animal does not become a nuisance, is not a danger, or is not in any imminent peril, that it be allowed to exist unmolested and without hindrance. Most cases remain out of the general public's knowledge until there has been a significant human-bear encounter. Note that while dispersing male bears wander far, females generally stay near where they were born. Because of this, although bears may show up in unexpected places, reproducing populations are slower to expand from core areas.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Black_Bear
Jamesp, jmirah, XOTAELE, lawhill, Juyona, eqshannon, hester, SunToucher has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To mbasil: Thanks for the critiqueEvelynn 2 09-01 20:54
To SunToucher: Thanks for the critiqueEvelynn 1 08-25 09:23
To jmirah: Thanks for the critiqueEvelynn 2 08-21 15:01
To Necipp: Thanks for the critiqueEvelynn 1 08-21 10:58
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1185 W: 0 N: 4325] (12672)
  • [2007-08-21 8:32]

Hi Evelyn

A lovely exercise in light and tones. The positioning of the bear is great and I really like the light shines through the fur. The yellow diagonal of flower heads is wonderful.

James

  • Great 
  • Necipp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1149 W: 15 N: 2084] (12290)
  • [2007-08-21 10:54]
  • [+]

Hello Evelynn very sharp and well composed the lighting could be better the bear is a bit silouetted, lovely location tfs rgds Necip.

Hi Evelynn,
I've seen one bear in Texas and someone shot it and put it in the local 7-11 cooler for people to gaze at. It was outside of Lufkin and I was 15. Such a shame. Anyway, looks like you had your pepper spray with you. Very nice capture of the countryside with the bear as an added bonus. Everybody is talking about the diagonal so I guess the composition is great. :) Is the weather starting to show signs of Autumn where you are at?

TFS
Jim

Hi Evelynn,
Great oportunity that you don't missing, to capture this beauty American Black Bear, beautiful light and tones TFS. BEst regards/Lawhill

Hi Evelynn,

You used the light to very good effect here. The body of the bear is dark, but not UE as there is still detail. Great compo; I like it very much. Well done.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2045 W: 6 N: 1781] (12432)
  • [2007-08-21 19:17]

Hola,
una sensacional captura,
preciosos detalles y magnífico pov,
encuadre agradable,bella compo.
saludos

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1662 W: 20 N: 4674] (15172)
  • [2007-08-22 1:39]

Hi Evelynn,
Wonderful shot of this Black Bear in its natural environs. Superb early sunlight and lovely colours. It really pays to get up early on photographic sajourns I can tell from my experiences and you have illustrated it well here. Excellent POV to capture this charming scene and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Buenos colores y estupendo protagonista.
Buena nota y acertado encuadre.
Saludos amiga, JL.

It is indeed like an American Renaissance painting or perhaps if Norman Rockwell had gone into natural art. One of your best of late...I have not seen your entire catalog. I simply love this one Evelyn.

Bob

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1489 W: 18 N: 2961] (10586)
  • [2007-08-22 13:03]

Hi Evelynn

I don't mind the fact that he is wandering off into the distance. With such beautiful landscape around him I am not suprised. The shot has a lovely sunny relaxed feel.

TFS

Karan

hi evelynn,
the picture is very well composed, the bear within this beautiful landscape and the wonderful early morning sunlight.like the POV, seeing the nearly silhouette of the bear walking away.
like it ! a wonderful capture.
tfs - carole

  • Great 
  • Aramok Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 925 W: 99 N: 1402] (4787)
  • [2007-08-23 11:25]

Hi Evelynn

what a wonderful patch of light across the yellow plants/flowers. I love the composition and the light catching the fur highlights on the bear.

TFS
Emma

Hi Evelynn,
COmpletely missed this photo and especially the WS photo. The lighting in this photo is wonderful and illuminated the flowers and coat of the bear beautifully. I actually like the fact that the bear isn't facing the camera. It gives you an idea that you look with him instead of at him.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2686 W: 67 N: 9202] (28772)
  • [2007-08-25 23:33]

Hello Evelynn

I like the composition.The lighting is beautiful ,the bear is part of the wonderful scene and it's face need not be seen.The outer edge of it's fur has a lovely warm glow from the sun.The shot is well focused with beautiful light.TFS

Rob

Wow, nice capture, Evelynn. At first peak I was a bit disappointed not to see the face, and then I got realistic -- this is a black bear capture in the wild. Given that, it's really remarkable. I like the light, too. I suppose you've tried a slightly tighter crop on the top (to eliminate the high-contrast plants)?...
Mike

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