Bears are where you find them, use your head, and NEVER, EVER, let your gaurd down. These animals are so fast and so unpredictable that you have to always be alert. As soon as you let down your gaurd, you'll be on one in the most unassuming places.

By the way, this is a wild, free ranging, young grizzly, NOT photographed in a national park. . . I never shoot captive animals.

These pictures are great. I know everyone is liking it. Where are some of the prime places and times for capturing these photos? ( inter mountain regions) I know Yellowstone, Glacier, the Redwoods- but what time in the seasons, particular areas, etc,,,,,,,things that would help someone (like me) actually be in the right place at the right time!

Tony,
Great shot. My shot was also of a wild and free ranging bear. NOT photographed in a National Park....I also do not photograph captive animals. Rustin

Marty, I NEVER direct people on where or when to find bears, especially people I don’t know and have not spent time in the field with. Not because I’m a jerk, although some have said I am, but because it’s not right to tell someone to go to griz country (that includes blacks around here too, because they live in the same places) without knowing what they are doing, how they carry themselves and what are their skills. I don’t quibble over this issue. I do help most anyone that asks about photography in around the Park, but with bears I’m tight lipped, about the only way you ever will find them using my advise is to come along with me, and even then I dont go in seach of grizzly bears. One of my very best friends has been a grizzly bio for 20 years and he still tells me there's no pattern. . .

I will tell you this much, griz den at 7000 feet - mostly in snow drifts and the males, and sows with yearling cubs are first to emerge - right now - followed by sows with young of the year - still a couple weeks out.

NEVER approach a griz, make noise, and if you come upon one, just back out slowly, talk to them, and anticipate their direction but never cut them off and always give them respect. They will tell you if they are mad at you, or are not happy with your being near them.

As for where to find them, in the national parks listed is a good place to start, bears are where you find them otherwise!

A public forum may not be the best place for " directions to" but it is interesting conversation you must agree. Understood my friend, guess I need a field trip with you one day then. We get some black bear here, but they are few and far between. I have only seen one, I've been here 25 years,and I am in the outdoors lots.(Utah) If I saw a griz, the brownest thing would probably be my shorts anyway. I am sure you understand the fascination. I guarantee this thread is well read. It is not lost on me that the thread started with a beware ............ keep those shots coming though! There are some great shots coming in here......no I won't risk my ass on one though. I'll stick to my friendly sharks for that. As some of you know, my forte is underwater photography, which led me to other natural wildlife and landscape- ( abundant in Utah, but not bear!).
Best wishes to all.

Well, I've had several bear encounters but not by choice. I used to run into them regular in the mountains as a youth. But, I'm the first to admit that I do not know enough and am not comfortable being around them. Especially if I'm in a National Park, on foot, and without a firearm. In Montana I always carry bear spray but I hope I never find out if I can really get it out and in use in time.

These were from Glacier last summer in the evening. I spotted the bear foraging by the side of the road and stopped to get a few shots. And yes, it did cause the usual "bear jam" with all these idiots out of the cars and walking up on the bear with their little point and shoots. Shot from the car using a 300mm f/4 and 1.4x t-con and a better beamer flash extender.

Nice shots. How do you like the beamer, are you using it much?

Some really great bear photos, guys!

The bears were particularly active in the lower elevations of the Smokies this past year due to mast crop failure in the higher regions. Hopefully, the crop will be better this year and they won't be quite so plentiful in the areas people frequent and the areas I like to roam for deer. Like Tony, I don't go looking for bears but they do share the same space sometimes.

I always enjoy seeing the cubs but you must always be aware that mama is nearby. I cannot emphasize enough all the safety warnings and advice that's been posted in this thread already.



This one was coming down a tall tree to join his mama and two siblings.



This mama had three cubs but I couldn't get them all in the same frame with the telephoto.



Always remember they have these:



And these:



Even when they're sleeping in the trees, you always have to be mindful that they will wake up!



A two-year old female. I've seen her and her sister on several occasions. They aren't known to be troublemakers but you never know.



My best advice is to shoot from a car when you can and if not, use a long lens. Being careful isn't enough; you've got to learn all you can about bears but remember, the bears don't read the same books!

Regards,

Dick:)

Awesome shots. What were you using and at what exif? This thread is great!

Thank you, Marty.

Sorry I forgot to put the data. All were taken with my Nikon D70/70-200VR & most with 1.7x TC. Too late to edit so here's the basic EXIF:

All taken in less than ideal lighting conditions as is the usual case. Shot in RAW; Aperture Priority; Center-Weighted Meter.

#1 Coy Cub: f3.2; 1/160th sec.; 300mm; ISO 400.

#2 Climbing Cub: f6.3; 1/125th sec.; 190mm; ISO 500.

#3 Mama & Cubs: f4; 1/80th sec.; 116mm; ISO 1600.

#4 Bear Teeth: f4.8; 1/320th sec.; 340mm; ISO 800; heavily cropped.

#5 Bear Claws: f6.3; 1/250th sec.; 340mm; ISO 400; also heavily cropped.

#6 Sleeping Bear: f6.3; 1/250th sec.; 270mm; ISO 400

#7 Two Year Old: f.6; 1/200th sec.; 140mm; ISO 1000

Regards,

Dick:)