Wildlife photography
photographing bears
Bear watching can be a wonderful, rewarding and safe experience when you travel with an experienced guide who is well versed in bear behaviour. Safely photograph bears.
a bear encounter is NOT AN AUTOMATIC PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
When you meet a bear out on the trail you need to be concentrating on staying safe. Trying to hold and film with a phone while concentrating on the bear, at the same time readying or even deploying bear spray and perhaps even attempting to control your leashed dog is anything but manageable. Watch the bear’s body language and for signs of distress. If the bear seems to be ignoring you, it does not mean it is unaware of your presence. Stop advancing, use a ‘soft eye’, that is, keep your eyes on the bear but do not stare. If need be, back off slowly, speaking softly or move off to the side of the trail if the bear has simply been traveling in your direction. Anticipate the bear’s reaction to your presence and be ready to use your bear spray in case things escalate.
At home, watching and/or photographing a bear that is engaged in unwanted behaviour such as accessing human food, teaches the bear that it is ok to do so. Not only does this condition the bear to human food sources, but habituates it to feeling comfortable doing so in the presence of humans. This can eventually lead to the death of a bear.
Stopping on the road to watch or photograph a bear, unless done properly, could cause a bear jam, or block the route of a mom on one side of the road and a cub on the other.
A bear encounter is not an automatic photo opportunity.
documenting bears safely
Never approach a bear.
Use a head mounted camera like a Go Pro instead of your cell!
When using a camera, maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards, use a telephoto lens, and have your bear spray readily accessible.
Never use a flash: Flashes can startle bears and may trigger a defensive or aggressive reaction.
Stay quiet, move slowly and predictably: Maintain a low profile like sitting on a rock. Make absolutely sure you never block a bear's exit path.
Close encounters: If a bear walks too closely, put down your camera, back away slowly while keeping an indirect eye on the bear.