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I'm cute, look at me!


I'm cute, look at me!
Photo Information
Copyright: Adrian Warren (AdrianW) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 257 W: 185 N: 215] (710)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-11-17
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS30/Elan7e, EF 200mm f2.8 L/II, Fuji Provia 100F
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds and Animals in the Snow, Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-07-25 1:24
Viewed: 9589
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Polar bear - Ursus maritimus

A one year old Polar bear cub wanders across the tundra. His mother isn't far away, and that's the easiest way to tell the age - if a bear is still with it's mother at this time of year it's almost guaranteed to be a 1yr old.

As they get older they become too big and territorial. 1yr old cubs are referred to as COI (pronounced like the carp), Cub of 1yr - I'm glad I didn't make that acronym ;)

You may notice that the bears have big feet, that's an evolutionary adaptation to the snowy conditions they inhabit, just like our snowshoes they prevent the bear from sinking into soft snow - they also mean that they're quiet on their feet! Why do they need to be quiet? Well, they're the top predator in the Arctic foodchain. What do they eat? Mainly seals.

Assuming good visibility Polar bears are quite easy to spot on the tundra, they're not as white as the snow - they're a more creamy colour. They're also big! How big? Well, adult males are huge, typically up to 2.5m (8ft) long and weighing up to 600kg (1300lbs) - adult females about half that.

At this time of year the bears are congregating on the shores of the Hudson bay, waiting for the pack ice to form. When the ice conditions are right the bears go out on the ice hunting for seals. They spend most of the warmer months resting, being designed for cool climates they find heat stressful, and most of the seals have moved offshore so there's little food for them anyway until the bay freezes once again...

For more information about the bears have a look at: Polar bears @ WWF

RTW0036/27
Callie, Rockyboy, milloup, Robbrown, zto, nwoehnl, carper, mogens-j, burdallet, AndyB, jhm, Eagle78, Jeppe, orme, JeanMichel, gazo, sAner, Luc, touristdidi has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To zto: Exposure info, unfortunately none...AdrianW 3 07-26 19:29
To Robbrown: Yup, I was out on the tundra buggies...AdrianW 2 07-25 18:49
To Callie: Thanks :)AdrianW 3 07-25 04:52
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Critiques [Translate]

Adrian
Yes, he oozes cute with that look and big paws. i like the slightly diagonal pose, but would like to see some space in fron of him to move into. In a perfect world, all four legs are supposed to be seen, so I read and heard, but IMO, I like it as is, because that is the POV, and true.

Oh, what a nice picture of this polar bear. Look like you are privileged to see this animal! Your DoF is perfect and colors too. Very well done!

Well, looking at this cute chap it's hard to imagine that he'll grow into one of the most dangerous animals of the world. I hope you were in a vehicle of some sort when taking this, what with his mother lurking somewhere in the area as well ;-))
Great facial expression you captured, good details on the coat. I agree with Callie about leaving a bit more space in front of him.

I presume this was taken from one of those amazing tundra buses thet put you out of his reach and give us the downward view to the picture, and also the poss. the tight view?
The image is clean and crisp a beutiful expression on his face (I think possible "What canned lunch again" ;0))#)a little more room on the left would of been nice but not allways available.
The note is exceptional and just what I was thinking of when I surrgest to adam we have a serious nature site,I learnt quiet a bit from your note not heard about previously, Thank You.

  • Great 
  • zto Silver Star Critiquer [C: 36 W: 6 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-07-25 5:05]
  • [+]

Cute maybe but i would not like to cudle with him. Think that Polar bears are one of few animlas that delibretly hunt people for food...no, no cudling he he ;). I would be really glad if you had some exposure information for this shot. I am quit sure i would have returned with a heavily over exposed bear he he. Exposure here, seem to be spot on Adrian. It is a great shot.

Yes, definitely a high cuteness factor but also a technically impeccable photo of the cub. Great details and texture retained in his coat, and I also like the small pieces of snow seen on his head. Nice diagonal posing to fill the frame well. Very good notes, too, thanks.

very good photo Adrian,
Next time you must call, maybe he looks in the camera. Very good colours, great dof, very good photo. Thanks

Yes, he is cute indeed but only on a secure distance. Very nice picture with lots of details in the fur and without burning the white. I like the composition too - great job you did here Adrian.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-07-25 15:27]

A very nice shot.
Excellent detail and colour,nice DoF.
A great capture,very well done.

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2004-07-26 14:08]

What a lovely Polar Bear, very splendid photograph. Great work!

Oh yes you are ;))) hehehe..sweet animal Adrian :) Great how you managed to get him in a charming standing :)

  • Great 
  • Jeppe Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 36 W: 0 N: 33] (193)
  • [2004-07-27 3:03]

Yes - this fellow surely looks hug-able :-) Great details for the fur and a nice pose he gives you. I like the snowflakes on the head - thanks Adrian.

It's very cute, you did a good job on this beautiful animal

I remember I saw you "bear pictures" from your own site and TE. I thought right away how really stunning they were, how close they looked...
I think you are a lucky man to have been able to see such wonderful animals in free nature. And your photography is very attractive. Thank you Adrian!

  • Great 
  • orme Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 45 W: 0 N: 56] (188)
  • [2004-08-10 8:52]

Definitely a very cute polar bear, Adrian.
Excellent detail and colour.

Yea, cute alright; look at the size of those paws!

Hello, Adrian. I love this one. Great subject of this young bear. Beautiful texture and perfect colors. I like the way he looks up. If he wasn't such a predator, I would say he's cute. Beautiful image.

  • Great 
  • gazo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 72 W: 0 N: 13] (91)
  • [2004-11-01 22:57]

Nice shot. I would like to have the chance to do the same. Nice details...snow on the head. *

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2150 W: 319 N: 4263] (16942)
  • [2004-12-19 16:01]

Adrian, it must be fascinating to have one of these around. I like POV and sharpness.

Congratulations.

Lívio

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1455 W: 74 N: 1426] (4750)
  • [2005-02-27 4:57]

Excellent capture! You got everything right, even the exposure (difficult on a white creature). Well done and TFS!

Yes he is a cutie! Very nice coloring and sharpness, I love the look in his eyes.

Really cute,and dream photo.Well captured

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2006-02-13 21:43]

I took a look at your first posts.
This one was very good to my eyes.
Thank you Adrian.

Such a cute "little" fellow, I can't find a thing bad about this picture! You actually look for them? Zoom lens I hope!

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