|
|
|
Of Bears and People IV
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is the forth image of a short series on the interaction between bears and people in Western Canada's national parks. For a complete story see the first, second and third shot of the series.
This is a rather typical image for the Icefields Parkway that connects Jasper and Lake Louise. It is not the largest of the bears, but it could certainly do some damage if he wanted. The characteristic black bear profile is quite obvious in this image.
By this time 10 – 15 cars are stopped on both shoulders of the highway and the drivers compete for the best spot for watching and photographing the bear, trying to keep up with the wandering animal. The subject of their attention, encouraged by a treat ignorantly thrown through the window of the van, starts to look for other opportunities among the cars. The primary human cause for deaths among black and grizzly bears in Canada's national parks is the road and rail traffic... If park wardens would happen to drive by at this moment, they would ask everyone leave, and will often shoot a few firecrackers at the bear in order to scare him back into the forest. Familiarizing bears with human presence never works to the advantage of bears, and occasionally it doesn't work to the advantage of humans, either. If you'd stop by the side of the highway to change a tire, or walk towards the washroom in the evening, it's not likely that you'd enjoy having this fellow confront you in the hope of a meal... |
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
Hi Roly - love the photo and the note, very journalistic in nature and that appeals to me. The car, the bear and the surrounding scenery put everything into context - not going to say much about technicalities as i'm not sure they are relevant here. This is just a very interesting opportunistic shot, well explained in the note.
Hi Roly, great shot on the fly. I think a bit of leveling would have been nice unless the road is that way and the bear is very dark, hardly a shadow, being black, of course and being on the fly, it was obviously difficult. TFS
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 182 W: 4 N: 59]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1035 W: 74 N: 2194]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(9477)