“Ethics” This is a touchy subject. Yea, get close and get the shot, right? Umm, No. There is a right and wrong way to do things. I have spent a lot of time studying animal behavior. We don’t need to chase them. It's about learning when to be there and just fitting in. The bears are not our friends and we are not theirs. But I still love them; love them enough to let them be wild. I have good days and bad days in the field. I just keep doing it, putting my time in. I have a gem right here in my state. North East North Carolina has the largest and the densest population of black bears on the planet. It’s patience that wins the day.
"Ethics"
6 Comments
Pungo Lake and Alligator River are great spots to see them. They are slowly moving west with the population growing. Thanks Mark!
I have shot a lot in Yellowstone and Yosemite National parks. Rangers are very strict about their rules of engagement with wildlife. Their basic rule is never get so close to an animal that makes them move and never make a noise to get eye contact from the animal. These are very strict and I try to follow them most of the time. also, in the winter time in Yellowstone and Yosemite, many of the animals are starving to death and startling or making them move, may actually kill them. Not to mention that buffalo and bears could kill you.
I totally get that. I do not approach the bears. But I have had a few black bears walk almost right up to me. They are curious. It's all about patience and fitting in. So many days come up empty handed but if you put your time in it does happen. It's all about learning behavior and being there at the right time. I know every time I step foot into a refuge, I will have some type of impact on wildlife. I do my best to make that impact small. I do not want to photograph an animal that is stressed out about me being there. I do respect them and their right to be wild. It's experience that gets the shots.
Glad to hear it. So many inexperienced put themselves and the animals at risk
It's very disappointing.
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Great shot. I agree. I live in Raleigh and the only bear I have seen in the wild was in eastern North Carolina