Brown bear and pink salmon, Geographic Harbor, Alaska. Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR with AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II, 1/1250 s @ F5.6, Auto-ISO at 1400, EV Comp +.3. Dynamic-area AF, 51 point 3D, rear button AF-on only. Carbon fiber tripod and Jobu Jr-3 gimbal head.
Over the years photographing brown bears in Alaska is something I have always enjoyed but this year was unforgettable. The opportunities were just amazing and I the people in my tour groups were all a pleasure to be with. My brown bear tours took place in Katmai National Park and Perserve between Hallo Bay and Geographic harbor to the south. Due to various factors the opportunities for bear photography in Hallo Bay, especially mothers with cubs, was not at the level it normally is at the time of the year (a total of one mother and cub) but the conditions to the south in Geographic Harbor were excellent. My tour dates are chosen to offer the best balance of good weather and action and this year the weather was almost perfect with lots of soft diffused overcast skies and just a handful of rainy periods and only a few sunny days.
With a face like this it can be easy to forget that this is a wild animal that just happens to occupy the very top of the food chain in North America. Geographic Harbor, Alaska. Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR, 1/500 s @ F5.6, Auto-ISO at 2500, EV Comp +.7. Dynamic-area AF, 51 point 3D, rear button AF-on only. Carbon fiber tripod with Jobu Jr-3 gimbal head.
Each individual bear has characteristic behavior and a distinct personality. Some bears like the one in the image above have all of the best qualities, they are calm, confident and always seem to be doing something photogenic, even with something as mundane as eating grass.
Brown bear fishing, Geographic Harbor, Alaska. Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
with AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
, 1/1000 s @ F5.6, Auto-ISO at 1800, EV Comp +.7. Dynamic-area AF, 51 point 3D, rear button AF-on only. Carbon fiber tripod with Jobu Jr-3 gimbal head.
Its hard to believe that when this photo was taken there were hundreds of salmon all around the bear and thousands more waiting in the bay. Soon after this image was made the bear launched straight at our group and caught a salmon directly in front of us.
Brown bear with a pink or humpy salmon. Geographic Harbor, Alaska. Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
with AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
, 1/800 s @ F5.6, Auto-ISO at 2500, EV Comp +.7. Dynamic-area AF, 51 point 3D, rear button AF-on only. Carbon fiber tripod with Jobu Jr-3 gimbal head.
In nature photography it doesn't get much better than a bear catching a salmon under cloudy skies. This kind of opportunity keeps me coming back here year after year.
Having a drink in Hallo Bay, Alaska. Nikon D700, Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM, 1/1250 s @ F8, Auto-ISO at 1000, EV Comp +.3. Handheld. Dynamic-area AF, 51 point 3D, rear button AF-on only.
If you have never had the chance to experience bear photography in Katmai you should seriously consider spending time there. 2013 will be my eighth year leading groups in Katmai so I have the experience to put you safely in place for the best opportunities and my small groups will give you plenty of time with the leader. My dates for next year are set and confirmed and a few spots are already sold so if you are interested let me know as soon as you can. All my 2012 tour dates sold out so dont be disappointed and let me know as soon as you can.
2013 Tour dates
July 24-30. 7 Days, 6 nights: $5899. Deposit $1500.
Maximum 6 photographers + leaders. Tour leader: Robert O’Toole
August 3-9. 7 Days, 6 nights: $5899. Deposit $1500.
4 openings
Maximum 6 photographers + leaders. Tour leader: Robert O’Toole
For more info:
July 24-30. 7 Days, 6 nights: $5899. Deposit $1500.
Maximum 6 photographers + leaders. leader: Robert O’Toole
August 3-9. 7 Days, 6 nights: $5899. Deposit $1500. 4 openings
Maximum 6 photographers + leaders. leader: Robert O’Toole
http://www.robertotoole.com/workshop/brown-bears/
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