Black Bear, Anan Creek, Alaska – Image 2763

I am continuing with bear photos for the next six weeks. On March 14, I will being doing an Alaska Wildlife Alliance SE “Wildlife Wednesday” presentation with Jay and Jayleen Beedle starting at 7pm in the UAS Egan Lecture Hall. I will be showing bear images. Here, a black bear tries to fish the raging waters at the first set of falls on Anan Creek. Anan Wildlife Observatory is a wildlife viewing area featuring mostly bears located close to Wrangell, Alaska. A viewing platform on Anan Creek is run by the US Forest Service and features a large viewing deck and a photo blind located at creek level. This place is quickly becoming one of my favorite spots in all of Alaska. Bears are a guarantee…not just a few bears but piles of bears all day long. During the summer, the Forest Service estimates there are some 40 to 50 black bears and 10 to 15 brown bears walking the creek next to the viewing platform. This photo was shot using a long exposure. I wanted the water to have a fluid/flowing look. But, the trick is to get the bear to stand still. Bears are hardly ever still, and I shot lots of images to finally get one with the bear still enough for a long shutter exposure. Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Camera body: D700, Lens: Nikkor 80-200mm F/4 1.4, ISO 200, On tripod© Mark Kelley