"Grizzly Encounter" Photo

Photographer’s Note

- Avoid direct eye contact.

- Walk away slowly, if the bear is not approaching.

- If the bear charges, stand your ground (you cannot outrun it).

- Don’t scream or yell. Speak in a soft monotone voice and wave your arms to let the animal know you are human. If you have pepper spray, prepare to use it.

- If the grizzly charges to within 25 feet of where you’re standing, use the spray.

- If the animal makes contact, curl up into a ball on your side, or lie flat on your stomach.

- Try not to panic; remain as quiet as possible until the attack ends.

- Be sure the bear has left the area before getting up to seek help.

- Good Luck!

alainh, mortijo, ndb1958, berek has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bebel (7343) 2008-09-08 6:38

Bonjour Dan
vraiment très bien photographié mais je n'aurai pas voulu être à ta place...
bonne journée
Pierrot

gelor (3224) 2008-09-08 7:13

Bonjour Daniel,
Ta photo me donne froid dans le dos ! C'est un bel animal que tu nous présentes là mais qui n'a pas forcement bon caractère. Nous dire qu'il ne faut pas paniquer... oui, mais...
Tu étais à quelle distance et avec quel objectif ? La netteté est bien sur la tête. Le fond est légèrement bruité. En tout cas, félicitations !
Gérard

Cormac (26449) 2008-09-08 7:47

Since you posted this you must have survived the encounter, but what a thrill it must have been! In all the times I've been to the Rockies, I've only ever seen one Grizzly Bear, and I never got any pictures because he was too far away. Great shot Dan, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from your trip!

AROBN54 (10747) 2008-09-08 8:15

Holy crap, Dan!!
You came THIS close to a GRIZZLY BEAR?? Great light and color and remarkable detail considering. Even if my shaking hands could've managed to hold on to my camera, it would have been so blurred it would've been useless. This is outrageously good! Many thanks and kindest wishes,
Shelly

alainh (35363) 2008-09-08 8:48

hello Dan
great meeting !!
fabulous animal and a famous moment for you i suppose.
a very beautiful and rare picture
friendly
alain

mortijo (12210) 2008-09-08 9:07

Très joli, mais je préfère le photographier dans un Zoo, c'est moins dangereux.
Amitiés
John

ndb1958 (9248) 2008-09-08 10:25

I have a phobia for snakes, nevertheless I wonder you had the nerve to take a shot of the bear. How about your blood pressure?
Cool shot!
Nino

berek (28881) 2008-09-08 10:36

Hi Dan,
its hard work. clear picture and good sharpness. have a nice week.
Burak

Nelu_Goia (2724) 2008-09-08 12:07

OK Dan,so what did YOU do?:)
You are here to show us the photo,so something happened to the grizzly...
I`ve been at Waterton a few weeks ago and I met 8 bears in the first day (one grizzly included) and a mother bear with the cub, in the campground,the day after,early in the morning...
This is a great photo but for one time, I would not have liked to be in your skin there:)
Cheers:)
Nelu

gneufeld (15169) 2008-09-08 16:55

Hi Dan,
Yikes, this looks too scary!! I sure hope you used a very long telephoto for this one? TFS. Gerald

cdmonson (2751) 2008-09-09 8:01

Hi Dan:

Love it! I assume you weren't using the 17-40mm on this one. ;) Great shot of this bear. We didn't really get to see any grizzlies within the range of my lens--black bears but no grizzlies. Not bad bokeh on the shot. God job.

Clark

Chowmif16 (95) 2008-09-13 16:48

Dan,
wonderful shot with very good lighting. Brings the viewer right into the scene,
regards,
Chowmi

MadraRua (793) 2008-09-23 2:39

Great series of a beautiful animal! I would have liked a little more space on the left for the bear to move into. What focal length did you use?

Remember that the last bit of advice for bear encouters applies only to Brown Bears (Grizzies) and not to Black Bears. With Black Bears don't curl up or lie down, fight back with everything you've got.