American Black Bears of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part II

American Black Bear Curious Cutie  (Ursus americanus, Ours Noir) Roaring Brook Campground, Baxter State Park, ME ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS Ids Mark III, 500mm F4, Gitzo 1325 Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 640, F4 1/200s Manual mode.

We were pleased to photograph these two Black Bear cubs at the Roaring Brook campground parking area of Baxter State Park in Maine, but saddened by their future. Though the park staff called them problem bears, the problem is the people who offered hand-outs and simply didn't listen to the Park Rangers pleas to lock all food inside vehicles. By the time you read this, I hope they have been relocated, as planned, to a rehabilitation centre in New Brunswick in Canada.
American Black Bear Autumn Stroll  (Ursus americanus, Ours Noir) Roaring Brook Campground, Baxter State Park, ME ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS Ids Mark III, 500mm F4, Gitzo 1325 Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 500, F4 1/200s Manual mode.

Do consider joining me for this unique workshop next year. Details HERE.

American Black Bear facts: There are three species of bear in North America: Polar Bear, Brown Bear (commonly called Grizzly Bear), and Black Bear. The Black Bear, Ursus americanus, is the only bear that lives in Maine where they are generally deep brown or black with a tan muzzle. Current estimates place the Black Bear population at around 30,000 in Maine; with as many as 300-400 of these in Baxter State Park.

The average life expectancy of Maine bears is only about 5-6 years; whereas a typical life expectancy in the wild might be 25 years. Most Black Bears are killed well before the end of their natural lifespan by human-related factors like hunting or  vehicular collision. Baiting (or feeding) is legal while hunting bear in Maine: READ THIS

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

White-tailed Deer of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part I

Eastern White-tailed Deer Fawn Portrait (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Virginie) Sandy Stream Pond (Roaring Brook Campground), Baxter State Park, Maine, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4, 2X II Tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/500s Manual mode.

This years trip to Baxter State Park in Maine was, without doubt, my most productive. We had a great time photographing two Black Bear Cubs, an Eastern White-tailed Deer doe and her twin fawns, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, amazing fall foliage and did I mention the 13 Moose? I thought I would make my first post about the Eastern White-tailed Deer that live in the park, but until this visit I had never seen there. Shortly after setting-up for Moose one afternoon, we watched as a doe brought her twin fawns out to the water's edge across the lake from us. She slowly made her way around the lake until they were about forty feet from us.

White-tailed Deer Doe & twin fawns at Sandy Stream Pond (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Virginie) Sandy Stream Pond (Roaring Brook Campground), Baxter State Park, Maine, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F2.8 @ 70mm, ISO 400, F14 1/200s Manual mode.

White-tailed Deer facts

Our only animals with antlers, North America's deer include three giants; Moose, caribou , and wapiti, or elk. The most widespread and abundant members of the family, however, are the alert, elegant bucks, graceful does, and dappled fawns of the white-tailed and mule deer.
Especially common throughout the East, the delicate white-tailed, or Virginia, deer prefers woodland edges but can also be found in many suburban areas. Up to 3 1/2 feet tall and weighing as much as 250 pounds, it is a fast, elusive creature that, when frightened, flashes the white underside of its tail like a banner. White-tailed deer can run at speed up to 36 mph (58 km/h), it can make vertical leaps of 8.5 feet (2.6m) and horizontal leaps of 30 feet (9m). The stockier, long-eared mule deer lives in the west on forested mountain slopes and deserts. The black-tailed deer of the North-West is a subspecies of the mule deer.
Both white-tails and mule deer browse by day and on moonlit nights on the buds and twigs of trees, feeding on tender grass, berries, and acorns when they are available. During hard winters they barely subsist on the meager food that is available, and starvation is common.
Male deer, or "bucks", are easily recognizable in the summer and fall by their prominent set of antlers, which bear a number of tines, or sharp points. In the fall, the antlered males battle other bucks  for mates. About seven months later, first-time mothers generally give birth to a single fawn, while older does commonly bear twins. The young have spotted coats that provide much needed camouflage when they crouch motionless on the forest floor or in tall grass. And they are scentless, which further protects them from predators.

Kudos

from multiple workshop participant Eleanor Kee Wellman (thanks, Eleanor):

Since I first met Chris he has been telling me I should go with him and photograph the Northern Gannets on Bonaventure Island.  He knows I love to capture behavior and there, you are surrounded by the many behaviors of the gannets as they go about their daily lives.
Chris is super organized and extremely well prepared!  He knows what lenses and flash combinations are needed to maximize your opportunities.  He genuinely wants his participants to go home with the best and most varied images possible. His early morning zodiac trips aren’t available through anyone else.
Lots of people, me included, dislike bad weather but Chris relishes it!  The more dramatic the better for photography!  Gannets in rain, fog, drizzle and sun, too.  Eagles at Homer in the rain!  Snowy Owls in white snowy haze!  Hey, there’s going to be a big snowstorm!  Why don’t you leave now and meet us for some great photo ops!  He is ever enthusiastic and helpful.
He inspires everyone to do their best and he knows the greatest places to eat, too!
Thanks, Chris!!!!!
Eleanor Kee Wellman - Balla, Ontario (www.eleanorkeewellman.com)

For the love of Puffins; Photographing The Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffin with Sand Lance , Fratercula arctica (Macareux moine) Gull Island, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (south of St. John's) Newfoundland & Labrador ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4IS, 2X II Teleconverter and Canon 25mm extension tube. ISO 400, F20 1/160s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II.

Proper exposure technique is crucial to maintaining intricate detail in both the whites and blacks. Be sure to check your histogram and expose so the whites are right up against the right hand side, without touching (expose it right, to the right). Often overlooked is the use of a sturdy tripod and head, and good long lens technique - it's pointless to achieve perfect exposure, only to loose the detail by hand-holding or bad long lens technique.
Atlantic Puffin Back in Black , Fratercula arctica (Macareux moine) Iceland ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DMKII, 300mm F2.8IS. ISO 400, F2.8 1/1250s Manual mode. Canon 580 EX Flash in manual mode.

Everybody loves puffins! I know that it's probably the most sought after bird species for birders and bird photographers alike. There's hundreds of puffin books out there and even puffin clubs and associations. It is the official bird of the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. The genius name Fratercula means "little brother" or "friar" which may refer to its black and white coloring. I've spent countless hours watching, studying and photographing them in Maine, Quebec, Newfoundland and Iceland. Puffins are curious and I'm sure that they spend just as much time watching and studying me.
A seabird species in the auk family, the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a pelagic (Relating to or living in or on oceanic waters) bird that feeds primarily by diving for fish like Capelin and Sand lance. If necessary, they will also eat other sea creatures like squid and crustaceans. A series of backward-pointing spines that project from the tongue and top of the mouth allow them to hold food in place while more is being caught. The record in Canada is 61 fish in one bird's mouth!
Approximately 95% of the Atlantic Puffins in North America breed around Newfoundland's coastlines. With an estimated population of more than 260,000 pairs, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve near St.John's is the largest puffin colony in the western Atlantic.
Puffins have difficulty taking-off and flap their wings at an amazing 300-400 beats per minute.They also have trouble landing and often crash.
A "puffin wheel" is when they gather in large numbers and fly in wide circles over the sea around their nesting grounds to protect and defend against gull predation - it's a sight to behold.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Wood Duck ON GOLDEN POND

Wood Duck ON GOLDEN POND , Aix sponsa (Canard Branchu) Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4IS, 1.4X II Teleconverter. ISO 400, F8 1/800s Manual mode. Canon 580EXII Flash in manual. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II. Click HERE to purchase print or license image for publication.

Ever wonder how to photograph ducks (waterfowl) on beautiful golden water? The technique is much easier than most think. I love digital, and digital photography does amazingly well in the shade or overcast conditions. Once you locate your subject, simply position yourself so that your "zone" is in the shade of beautifully colored fall trees. Set your cameras exposure for the shade (here, I used Aperture priority set to minus 1/3 stop) and add enough flash to properly expose your subject (I used my flash in manual mode, set to the approximate distance where the Wood Duck filled the frame reasonably well). This technique works incredibly well to bring out the iridescent colors on the wood ducks head.

Perhaps the most beautiful species of waterfowl in North America, if not the world, the Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, lives in swamps, creeks, river valleys, streams, lakes and forest bottomlands. They can be found from southern Canada to the eastern, southern and western coasts of the United States. Unlike most other ducks it has sharp claws for perching in trees where it normally nests in cavities. In southern parts of the breeding range the wood duck regularly produces two broods in a single breeding season, making it the only North American duck to do so. Often called "woodies" or "woody", their population was nearly wiped-out around 1900, and a complete ban on hunting them between 1918 and 1941 brought their population back to what is now considered to be a secure one.

upcoming photo safaris / workshops:

 

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Arca-Swiss releases its DSLR shifter

Arca-Swiss, maker of high precision tilt-and-shift cameras, has announced the availability of a new range that can accept digital SLR cameras.

Sadly, Arca-Swiss does not have a website; unimaginable in today's world.
I had heard this was coming down the pipe when I had posted the release of the Horseman VCC Pro. Expensive, but certainly worth the wait.


The M-Line Two is available in two formats; one accepting Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLRs, and the other designed for medium format.

Aimed at photographers who 'want to take more elaborate images using shift for perspective control and Scheimpflug (a rule that calculates the alignment of subject, lens and film planes) for image sharpness', the M-Line Two is compatible with a large range of accessories that can replicate the movements of a large format technical camera.

Like Cambo's Ultima 35 and Silvestri's Flexicam - who also make systems that can accept digital SLRs - the M-Line Two serves as a platform for a camera or back (film or digital), attached via a range of adaptors, together with specialist lenses made by Rodenstock and Schneider.

'When used with a DSLR camera or a digital back, this new precision system enables you to take images of buildings, landscapes or objects with the fullest of control. It's ideal for landscapes to macros. The M-Line Two is part of one of the largest photographic systems currently available and is compatible with all DSLR cameras.'

'All traditional medium format film backs are compatible with the M-Line Two,' says the statement. 'The usable focal length extends from 28mm for the M-Line Two SLR and 23mm for the M-Line two MF, to infinity.'

The system measures 250x140x300mm (length x depth x height). It offers a vertical and horizontal shift of 70mm, a swing of 30 degs, a tilt of 90 degs and a maximum extension of 190mm (depending on the configuration).

Adaptors for the M-Line Two are available in Canon, Nikon and Sony fits for the DSLR version, and Contax 645, Hasselblad V/H, Mamiya 645 AFD, AFi/HY6 for the medium format version. Accessories include a binocular viewfinder, lens hood, extension rail and compendium.

Pricing starts from EUR2990 +VAT. For more details, email arca-swiss@wanadoo.fr.

Set the stage in nature photography; framing the shot / work the zone . . predictable patterns in nature

Canada Goose FALL FRAMED LANDING , Branta canadensis (Bernache du Canada) Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4IS, ISO 400, F7.1 1/1600s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II.

Predictable patterns in nature: A pattern is easily explained as a set of recurring elements. These elements repeat in a predictable manner. Patterns can be found everywhere in art and nature. Leonardo Da Vinci was known to exploit the golden ratio (approximately 1.618), which can be seen everywhere in nature from the spirals of flowers to the symmetry of the human body. Alfred North Whitehead (an English philosopher and mathematician), once said "Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern".

Aside from the obvious patterns in nature, step back and study your subjects behavior, try to identify behavioral patterns. Here I watched geese fly toward me from a pond to the open meadow in front of me. At first it seemed like a random, unpredictable flight pattern; I soon realized that every so often a goose would land in the same zone. Instead of randomly shooting at anything that moved, I instead set-up with this image in mind. I pre-visualized an image of a Canada Goose framed by fall colors in nice evening light. I worked the zone undistracted by anything else that tempted me (and there were many temptations - smile). Studying your subjects behavior will make you a better nature photographer and add visual impact to your imagery.

Kudos:

I really enjoyed the Bonaventure trip for Gannets. You always had us in the best spots regardless of the weather. Your tips on flash for high key shots and postprocessing of the shots were really helpful. The Zodiac trips before going onto the island were very interesting and fun. Diving Gannets are definately a challenge to capture! .......... I look forward to doing more trips with you to further improve my skills and add to my portfolio. - - John Dupps, Middletown, OH

Comments welcome & appreciated.

Long-tailed Ducks

Long-Tailed Duck LANDING , Clangula hyemalis (Harelde kakawi) Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4IS, 2XII Teleconverter ISO 400, F8 1/1600s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II. Click HERE to purchase a print or license an image for publication.

Long-Tailed Duck Flyby , Clangula hyemalis (Harelde kakawi) Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4IS, 2XII Teleconverter ISO 400, F8 1/1600s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II. Click HERE to purchase a print or license image for publication.

Apart from the obvious fun and excitement of photographing Bald Eagles during my annual March trip to Alaska, Photographing Long-Tailded Ducks in flight certainly ranks right up there on the difficulty scale. These ducks come in fast, low and have an uncanny ability to out maneuver even the most skilled of lensmen.
I was set-up low, on the tideline, and the recent lousy, cloudy and dark sky lifted as the sea calmed to a near mirror flat (did I mention the soft, gorgeous Alaskan light?). What a glorious evening I had with many close flybys and dozens of Long-Tailed ducks landing at full-frame distance. It was just one of those moments that I'll never forget.

Formerly known as Oldsquaw, the Long-Tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis, is among my very favorite ducks. Capable of diving some 200 feet, it spends the most time under water relative to time on the surface ,while foraging, of all the diving ducks. With three different plumages during the year, it has the most complex molt of any waterfowl species.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

upcoming photo safaris / workshops:

 

9/11 Tribute

American Bald Eagle MOURNING SONG , Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKII, 500mm F4IS ISO 400, F4 1/250s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

The world changed eight years ago on September 11, 2001. This image is my tribute to that tragic day.

This image of an American Bald Eagle, MOURNING SONG, is symbolic of the pain and hurt of that day, but also strength and courage; Let us never forget.

This image was captured on the last day of my first trip to Homer, Alaska. I ventured out in the dark with an image like this in my mind. I had tried on several mornings to make this image, but several things had to align for it to become a reality. I needed the full co-operation of the pre-dawn light, lightly overcast sky and not only an Eagle, but an Eagle on my perch, parallel to me and with it's wings outstretched and singing. I knew I was asking a lot, but the moment I pressed the shutter release will remain in my memory forever. I can still hear the "kleek-kik-ik-ik", kak-kak-kak" and remember just how cold and damp the pre-dawn Alaskan air was.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

Mac OS X v10.6.1 Update for Snow Leopard users HERE

 

Cover all of the angles & Calendar Template

American Bald Eagle Underside Dive , Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKII, 100-400mm @260mm ISO 400, F5.6 1/1250s Manual mode. Always a good thing to shoot some frames with your camera turned to vertical.

Here's a couple of images that I've come across while making submissions this week-end. Proof positive that the 100-400mm Canon zoom does produce tack sharp images (well, at least the copy I have does). The 100-400mm has it's place in any nature photographers camera bag. It's an ideal lens to carry while hiking or canoeing looking for larger mammals like Moose or Deer. It is also great to have on your passenger seat while doing wildlife viewing from your car.

It's always a good idea to stand back and think a little while photographing anything. Try to cover all of the angles and diversify your portfolio; there's more to your subject than just the frontal view.

American Bald Eagle Topside Dive , Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKII, 100-400mm @260mm ISO 250, F5.6 1/2000s Manual mode. 

Calendar Template

I had the pleasure of meeting fellow nature photographer Michael Milicia in Maine last fall.  Mike attended my spring Songbirds of Pelee workshop, joined me to photograph Snowy Owls last winter & came to Bonaventure Island for my August Gannets Galore workshop. He showed me a couple of fine art style calendars that he had just produced featuring his bird photographs and I was immediately impressed not only by the beautiful images but also by the unique presentation and the overall graphic design and layout of the calendar.  The format is a bit hard to describe but you can see an example of Mike's 11" x 14" calendar for 2010 HERE

One of my first thoughts was "I'd love to make a calendar like this with my own images", so  I suggested to Mike that he should consider putting together a set of Photoshop templates that he could sell to other photographers and artists wishing to make this style of calendar.  Well, almost a year has passed but that is exactly what he has just done!

Mike was kind enough to give me an advance copy of the template package which is now available on his web site and is distributed via DOWNLOAD

I have to say that he has taken my suggestion and ran with it!  The template package supports two sizes of calendars (5" x 7" and 11" x 14") in 5 different well-chosen fonts, includes a template for a "back page" index, and the entire thing is easily customizable to make a calendar for any year to come!

Given the amount of time and aggravation saved by not having to deal with the text layout and design of the calendar pages, the one-time cost of $20.00 has to be one of the biggest bargains around.  I am about halfway through putting together my own calendar and the templates have performed flawlessly.  The included instructions are clear and concise and also provide many useful production tips.

So, for those of you with a hard drive full of images just waiting to be seen and appreciated by friends, family, and potential customers, I highly recommend that you check out the template package.  The "make a calendar"  item on your "to do" list can finally become a reality!

Pronghorns of Yellowstone

Pronghorn SUNSET SNACK (Antilocapra americana) Yellowstone National Park, Monotana ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F9 1/500s Manual.

I've been busy making submissions and came across a folder from my last trip to Yellowstone. I love looking through folders of images from past trips and remembering (visually) the great times had. Photography, for me, is about the time in the field with your subject, but I am fortunate to also spend a lot of time with great friends. The day before this image was captured, I was with a great friend photographing Bison (Buffalo, as they are sometimes called).  We had left our car and walked about half a mile (or more) to our subjects, when the biggest bull bison in the herd decided to charge us. What do you do when a 900-pound, horned mass charges you? Seriously! (Insert laughter here) My friend lifted his tripod and shouldered the rig, only to realize, too late, that the lens plate had not properly mated with the clamp on his tripod head. To make a long story short; that was the second time my friend had to have emergency surgery on a long lens (that I know about - smile). Always double check your equipment, fasteners, clamps and straps before you venture out into the field.

Pronghorn SUNSET SNACK II (Antilocapra americana) Yellowstone National Park, Monotana ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F9 1/500s Manual.


Battling Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) Yellowstone National Park, Monotana ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F8 1/1000s Manual.

North America's swiftest mammal - the graceful and agile Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) - can leap 20 feet in a single bound and is able to sprint over prairies and sagebrush flats at speeds of 60 miles per hour. Sometimes called the American antelope, the pronghorn is unique; it has no close relatives and is virtually unchanged from ancestors that roamed the earth some 2 million years ago.
Mainly brown, with two white stripes across the chest, a large white rump patch with hairs that are raised in warning when danger looms, and two-pronged horns, the creature is easily recognized. Males are strongly territorial and compete with each other for harems during the autumn rut. The fawns, often twins, are born the following spring. True to their heritage, they can run faster than humans within days of their birth. Pronghorns feed in the morning and evening, grazing on grasses and weeds and occasionally on shrubs.

Many familiar farm animals, and their wild relatives as well, are ungulates - mammals with hooves. Made of a tough hornlike substance, hooves are, in effect, heavy -duty fingernails that cover and protect the toes. Wild horses have only one hoofed toe per foot, cattle have two, and pigs have four. Moose in the north woods, pronghorns on the prairie, and sheep and goats in the barnyard are other well-known examples of animals with hooves.

upcoming photo safaris / workshops:

More on fog

Northern Gannet , Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 70-200mm F2.8 Lens @ 125mm ISO 500, F3.2, 1/2000s Manual, Canon 580EXII Flash full power in manual mode.

The single hardest thing to do at Bonaventure Island is stop photographing the action and work on static portraits. Action is non-stop; since they can't easily take flight without wind, action at the colony increases proportional to the wind velocity; on a really wet and windy day, it’s almost incredible!

I've been up at the colony in the fog many times, and am amazed at the amount of times I've seen photographers (amateur and professional alike) either sitting, waiting for the weather to improve, or simply just leave. After photographing for an hour and seeing the almost white images on the LCD screen on the back of his camera, a professional photographer declared that it is impossible to make any decent images and that I must be nuts (well, he wasn't far from the truth calling me "nuts" - smile). Always trust the histogram and use the actual image preview for checking sharpness and composition (not exposure; that's what the histogram is for). Here's the secret: Fog is like a huge diffuser; it's like a huge light source. The larger the light source, the lower the contrast. Properly exposed images captured in the fog have a histogram that is all bunched-up against (but not touching) the right side of the histogram, and we need to spread that data out during post capture processing. In Photoshop, just slide the left slider during your Levels adjustment; sliding it towards the middle darkens the blacks that are missing in the raw data: the more you move towards the middle, the more you remove the foggy appearance of your image. Be careful not to go too far.

Northern Gannet landing in the pouring rain, Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DMKIII, 70-200mm F2.8 Lens @ 125mm ISO 500, F2.8, 1/2000s Manual, Canon 580EXII Flash full power in manual mode.

We spend a lot of money for fast lenses, so don't be afraid to use them. Even a large subject like a Northern Gannet stays sharp from wingtip to wingtip when it is flying towards you. Here, I used an aperture of F2.8 to help make the vegetation in the background out of focus and to make the heavy rain almost invisible.

Horseman VCC Pro announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Horseman VCC Pro for DSLRs Provides Full Bellows And Advanced Technical Movement Capabilities
Turns DSLR Into Large Format Type View Camera

CONCORD, CA, AUGUST 27, 2009 -- Direct Source Marketing (DSM), the sole U.S. distributor of Horseman photo products for professionals and high-end consumers, today announced the Horseman VCC Pro, a hand-held view camera that offers full bellows function, a variety of technical movements, and gives a DSLR large format view camera functions.

The VCC Pro is a breakthrough because it does the only thing DSLR's can't do -- technical movements. This allows professional photographers to handle technical movements ranging from tabletop shooting to landscape photography.

"Technical movements are important in a digital SLR since bellows functions are one of the major attractions of large format photography," stated Richard Dischler, President of DSM.

Compact and lightweight, the new Horseman camera converter comes in models for Nikon and Canon Digital SLR's. Both VCC models accept a wide variety of lenses and control depth of field and perspective, as well as utilize digital image stitching.

Since the VCC is on revolving mount, you can easily switch between horizontal and vertical positions with a single turn of a knob. It can also be held or mounted on a tripod.

The VCC Pro gives the end user control of both the front and rear standard and allows them to use tilt, swing, shift, fall, rise and any combination to increase or reduce depth of field and to correct perspective distortions -- even at the widest aperture -- from architectural, table top, food and commercial work to photography in restricted spaces. The rear standard is used for stitching images together and allows 30mm vertical and 40mm horizontal movements by the use of an ultra precise spindle drive.

The VCC also provides four-frame stitching with a full size CCD or FX imager. This provides extremely high resolution image quality equivalent to that achieved by professional high end digital backs. Inaccuracies between successive pictures are held to an absolute minimum, making post-editing an easy task.

Getting the image "right and tight" on capture allows far more creativity for the photographer. All additional software applications now can work far more effortlessly and creatively providing a true workflow solution. The VCC truly extends the function and creativity of the DSLR platforms.

Horseman products are manufactured in Japan by Komamura Corporation.

The Horseman VCC Pro will be available at the professional photo dealers at a suggested list price of $1999.00.

Back from Bonaventure; Fog, Environment & Kudos

Northern Gannet Painted Landing, Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 300mm F2.8 Lens ISO 400, F5, 1/2000s Manual, Canon 580EXII Flash full power in manual mode.I love the painterly effect fog adds to images like this. Bonaventure Island is the only place in the world that I know of to photograph Northern Gannets against out of focus forest backgrounds.

Northern Gannet Landing in fog, Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 300mm F2.8 Lens ISO 400, F3.5, 1/2000s Manual, Canon 580EXII Flash full power in manual mode. Adding the out of focus colony to the bottom of this landing Gannet gives it a sense of place and shows the viewer where the subject lives.

Northern Gannet Landing over colony with seaweed, Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 300mm F2.8 Lens ISO 500, F5.6, 1/2000s Manual, Canon 580EXII Flash full power in manual mode. Again, this image moves away from the idea of isolating the subject against a uniform background; giving the viewer an idea of where it lives, and the vastness of the colony (or Gannetry).

On Saturday August 15 I was awake well before the birds and left home at 03:00 to make the 1,077 kilometer drive back to Perce, QC to complete the last round of Bonaventure Island workshops for the year. Among the participants were Mike Milicia (who attended my spring Point Pelee workshop), Dennis Stone (who loved the trip so much in June, that he had to come back for babies in August) and John Dupps; all great people, passionate photographers and a pleasure to spend time with. We had a perfect mix of weather; from bright, sunny conditions, to fog, cloud and rain. Overall a huge success and a great way to end the 2009 season.

Ganetts Galore Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan Ever wonder what keeps pulling me back to Bonaventure Island? Canon 5DMKII & 24-70mm F2.8 @ 24mm. Manual exposure. Video Copyright Christopher Dodds www.ChrisDoddsPhoto.com All Rights Reserved.

Kudos

"Thanks for a truly remarkable photographic experience on both land and water! The Zodiac rides were a wonderful way to spend the early mornings. I was amazed at how close we were able to get to the birds and the seals. The nonstop action at the Gannet colony provided countless photo opportunities every second. Now I can see how you can still find it interesting and challenging even after visiting the island over 350 times. Your extensive experience photographing at the colony meant that we always knew where the best opportunities were at any given time as the wind and weather constantly changed throughout the day. And your excellent tips on exposure, technique, composition, and use of flash allowed us to take advantage of those opportunities and capture some wonderful images.
On a logistical note, your fluency in French also proved invaluable at many points during the trip when you came to the rescue of us dumbfounded English speakers.
Hope to see you again soon, maybe even on a June trip back to Bonaventure!"
-- Mike Milicia Bedford, MA www.miliciaphoto.com

Foul Weather Nature Photography - Part II; Bone chilin' cold and crunchy snow

Snowy Owl Last Flight Bubo scandiacus (Harfang des neiges) Quebec @ minus 38 Celcius Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 300mm F2.8 ISO 400, F5.6 1/850s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO ORDER A PRINT OR LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Since moving to Canada and discovering snow, I’ve been hooked on winter. I remember playing outside after school and weekends until my mother would have to drag me inside. I was an avid Boy Scout and used to love camping in the winter when there weren’t any mosquitoes or black flies. I remember it being so cold during one trip that I awoke to it snowing inside my tent; the moisture from my breath was freezing and falling gently onto my face; just like snow. Oh, the joy of putting frozen boots onto your feet in the morning and having to walk across the crunchy snow to pump-up the frozen Coleman stove to get some coffee, or hot chocolate.
As an adult, one of my favorite winter activities is finding, studying and photographing owls. From the open farm field where Snowy Owls rein supreme and Great Gray Owls line the forests edge, to the Boreal forest where Boreal and Saw-Whet owls spend their days motionless perched in Spruce and pine trees, I’ll be out there on the coldest of days.

Northern Hawk Owl The Grab Surnia ulula, (Chouette épervière) Northern Ontario ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DMKII, 100-400mm @250mm ISO 400, F5.6 1/2000s Manual mode.

Unlike the old days, little precaution is required for your newer generation digital camera bodies. Today’s pro camera bodies easily handle the cold weather and recent advances in battery technology easily allow a full day of photography on one charged battery. Consumer and prosumer cameras will also work well, but you should have an extra battery, or two, tucked away in an inside pocket keeping warm. Moving between extreme cold and warm temperatures when going indoors, or out, does cause some condensation; just leave your camera in it’s bag for a couple of hours while it comes to room temperature. Although I won’t remove a lens until my camera warms to room temperature, I don’t fuss much with my professional, sealed cameras; they’ve been from warm to cold and back again thousands of times.

American Bald Eagle Strike, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Homer, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKII, 100-400mm @210mm ISO 400, F8 1/250s Manual mode. It's much colder that it appears in this image, that's frozen salt water ice in the background.

Dress for success

Wintertime can be a fun and rewarding time to travel out into the field, but dressing properly is crucial to your health and comfort. As I mentioned in my recent Blog entry: It’s Raining Again – Foul Weather Nature Photography: Part I Rain, dress in layers and be sure to allow for the worst – Even if you won’t be traveling far from your car, you should dress as though you have to survive a night out alone – be prepared in the event that you wander off the beaten path and lock your keys in your car or get lost. Just imagine driving around in sub-zero weather and getting out for a quick shot of something and slipping on ice and breaking something while hardly dressed, with no coat, hat or boots.

The keys to keeping warm and dry in cold weather are synthetic fibers that wick moisture away from your body and staying far away from cotton. Start with heavy synthetic socks and long underwear as a base layer. I wear Matterhorn Convertible Pant - Men's Regular Length by Mountain Hardwear (legs zip-off, with lots of pockets) and Marmot Cargo Pant - Men's (snowboarder pants have cargo pockets and tend to be narrower than ski pants at the boot). A good fleece sweater (Marmot Radiator Fleece Jacket - Men's ) with a Canada Goose Expedition Parka usually keep me toasty warm on top. Because photographing birds in arctic conditions involves lots of time standing or laying down motionless, keeping your feet warm is essential. Many manufacturers rate their winter boots and it’s important to understand that the rating is based on a moderate amount of activity. A boot rated to minus thirty will hardly keep your toes warm if they aren’t moving at that temperature. After years of being out there in the cold, I find Sorel Men's Intrepid Explorer -100 Winter Boot makes sturdy, well-priced and very warm winter boots (they are also the footwear of choice for most arctic explorers and the Canadian Military). Keeping a grip while carrying around your expensive and heavy camera gear is crucial in icy conditions; I always have a pair of  Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System - In Your Choice of Sizes to keep me and my gear safe (Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Snow and Ice work well too). Keeping your fingers warm against frozen camera bodies is another challenge; I wear a thin pair of Fox gloves, into which I slip one, or two, Grabber Warmers 7+ Hour Hand Warmer (40 Pair Box) 40 pr . I wear Black Diamond Mercury Mitten - Men's (buy a size larger than normal) over the Fox gloves, and can press the shutter button with the mitts on. If I need to change a memory card or an adjustment to a small switch or button, then I remove the Mitt, keeping the gloves on at all times. If you remember that most heat loss occurs from the head and wear a good hat and your hood can help keep you out of the wind, then you'll be warm, comfortable and ready for the arctic!

As for your camera gear, you should pack rain protection in case you are blessed with wet snow, or rain. I am thrilled with my Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200 Flash and my Think-Tank Photo Hydrophobia 300-600 V2.0.


Not quite ready for Vail Photographer Christopher Dodds out in the Canadian cold. That's me: I LOVE my Goose!

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai, AK July 12-18, 2010 (7 days) A Christopher Dodds Workshop Announcement

Join Christopher Dodds and some of the more than 2,000 Coastal Brown Bears at the best place in the world to photograph Coastal Brown Bears. Claiming the world’s highest concentration of Coastal Brown Bears, Katmai National Park in Alaska also has to be the most beautiful setting on the planet to photograph them. Truly the adventure of a lifetime, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to see, study and photograph Coastal Brown Bears in their undisturbed, natural environment without the influence or pressure that large groups and camps often cause. With a limit of only six participants, there will be plenty of time for instruction and personal attention from Chris. Other possible species may include Bald Eagles, Tufted and Horned Puffins, Seals, Shore Birds and Sea Lions to name just a few.

The adventure begins around noon on July 12 (you should avoid weather headaches by arriving in Kodiak on the 11th) with a short 45 minute flight on a de Havilland Beaver from Kodiak to the 70 foot Coastal Explorer we will call home for the balance of the trip. After stowing our gear and a light lunch, we’ll head out and start photographing bears immediately. From the 13th, to the 17th, we’ll be spending at least a morning and an evening session with the bears. On our last day, July 18th, we’ll be photographing the bears in the morning, before our floatplane returns for us around noon. Schedule is, of course, subject to change due to adverse weather conditions. Spare time aboard the Coastal Explorer can be fun and entertaining, with the activities of choice being fishing, editing and resting. The cuisine is "fit a ship's Captain" and features fresh seafood, of course (alternate diets are accommodated).

Read my 2009 trip reports here:

Coastal Brown Bears - A Trip Report Part I

Coastal Brown Bears; Cute & Cuddly Trip Report - Part II

Coastal Brown Bears - and Eagles Too Trip Report - Part III

Be sure to read Testimonials from clients (many repeats).

Included in the price are six nights accommodation (double) on the 70 foot Coastal Explorer, seven days expert bear guide services (from the best in the business: Chuck Keim), seven days photographic instruction and meals while on board. Not included is your transportation to Kodiak, AK, your floatplane from Kodiak to Katmai (approx. US$475.00 per person), alcoholic beverages or snacks, etc.

Register Here


Register Here

It's Raining Again - Foul Weather Nature Photography: Part I Rain

Merlin, Falco columbarius, Faucon emerillon Wet Wing Stretch Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1DMKII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter ISO 500, F10 1/250s Manual Mode with Canon 550EX Flash in manual mode. Captured during a rather wet ten day stay on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy.

It's raining again

As I write this Blog entry, it's raining cats & dogs outside (to borrow a term from my Mum - where the heck did that one originate?). July in Quebec and Ontario has been wet, very wet. Montreal recorded 117mm (4.606 inches) of rain, while Ottawa took the top spot with an amazing 243mm(9.567 inches) for the month. In Montreal measurable precipitation was recorded on 26 days this month including the first 8 days. 26 out of 31 days with at least a trace of precipitation, and cloud cover as well. It seems the rain followed me wherever I've travelled, I think it rained on six out of seven days while I was at Katmai National Park in Alaska.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. In fact, if you travel outside with your camera gear while it's raining, you can make gorgeous images all day long without the worry of harsh light spoiling your images. Digital does exceedingly well in the cloudy / overcast conditions that accompany rain. While I do strive to capture images in the golden first, or last, rays of sunlight, I'll take cloud, rain and fog any day.
Great Gray Owl, Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone SPRING SHOWERS L'ile Bizard (near Montreal), Quebec . Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKII, 100-400mm IS @360mm ISO 400, F5.6 1/800s Manual Mode. There was no shortage of images from the great "invasion" of Great Gray Owls during the winter of 2005; not many in adverse weather conditions though. This was the winter I coined the term "snow as fill" - see how the underside is lit-up by light reflected off the snow on the ground. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Rain Covers: The Naked Truth

I seem to find it impossible to work with any one of the camera rain covers that I've tried; opting instead to rely on the manufacturers "weather sealed" professional bodies. I find I miss too many images because the cover has shifted and obscured my view through the viewfinder, or got in between my hands and my camera body when I need to press a button , or turn a dial. I can't say that photographing in harsh conditions has been problem free, in fact it is the source of each and every problem that I've had with my equipment in the past (aside from my dropping a Canon 1Ds Mark II into three feet of water - but that's another story, for another time). I've even seen people selling a fancy clamp to attach an umbrella to your tripod - watch out for wind gusts that could see your expensive camera lying shattered on the ground. I do have to recommend that you use some sort of cover to protect your expensive digital investment; even if it's a plastic bag held into place with electrical tape.

American Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Stuck out in the rain Homer, AK Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 IS ISO 800, F4 1/500s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Dress for success

Dress in layers and be sure to allow for the worst – I hope for the worst, as the most unique (and best) images in my collection were captured in heavy rain, heavy fog or with dramatic storm clouds in the background. Even if you won’t be traveling far from your car, you should dress as though you have to survive a night out alone – be prepared in the event that you wander off the beaten path and lock your keys in your car or get lost.

In the rain I wear nylon convertible pants (legs zip-off, with lots of pockets) and Gore-Tex breathable rain pants, a long-sleeved safari style shirt (SPF60) and a Gore-Tex MEC (Mountain Equipment CO-OP www.mec.ca) jacket. Good socks and hiking boots are critical; you can’t stay dry and warm if your feet are cold and wet. If I’m out in the open, like on a Zodiac in the Gulf of the St-Lawrence, then you will probably find me with wool hat and light gloves as well; it can get pretty cold and damp when your standing in the rain waiting for that perfect moment all day. Be sure to bring along a medium sized towel, they are great wrapped around your neck (inside your coat) as a scarf, or simply to dry off any wet camera gear. When I was actively participating in outdoor survival orienteering camps & adventures, we had a very simple mantra; cotton kills. Once wet, cotton sucks heat away from your body and takes forever to dry. Stick with synthetic, fast drying clothing.



Coastal Brown Bears - and Eagles too Trip report part III & Kudos

Coastal Brown Bear Sleeping .. almost (Ursus arctos) Hallo Bay Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS Ids Mark III, 500mm F4, 1.4X II Tele-converter ISO 400, F8 1/320s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bear in Coastal Grass (Ursus arctos) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4, 2X II Tele-converter ISO 400, F8 1/320s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bear Sow and Cubs Follow Me (Ursus arctos) Geographic Harbor, Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D Mark III, 500mm F4, 1.4X II Tele-converter ISO 400, F5.6 1/250s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bear Sow and Cub Learning to Clam (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @70mm ISO 400, F8 1/320s Manual mode.

More than just bears..

American Bald Eagle Cliffside launch, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Pygargue à tête blanche) Geograhic Harbor, Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4 IS ISO 400, F4 1/800s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai July 12-18 A Christopher Dodds Workshop

We had a few good chances to photograph Bald Eagles from the comfort of the Coastal Explorer II. Having your camera in manual mode and set to the correct exposure is key to being successful at these "grab" shots.

Gannets Galore Aug. 17-19, 2009

Click Here for more info. CALL FOR LATE REGISTRATION DISCOUNT

Kudos...

Chris,Thanks for another great photo adventure to Alaska!!!!!!
This is the third trip with you and they keep getting better. Always challenging. Always easy-going. Always taking my photography forward. (Take a look at my site for a few new pictures from Alaska.) Your instruction is the best I've experience in taking these kinds of trips. You always seem to know where to put us in the absolute best place. Top Notch!!!! Can't wait till the next one.....wherever that might be. Thanks again!!!!!!!

Jeff Moore Arlington Heights, IL (Jeff attended my Eagles of Homer, AK workshop twice and a Gannets Galore workshop - thanks, Jeff!)

Fishing fun

We had a blast fishing for Halibut while not photographing. What a great way to spend down time. The Coastal Explorer is equipped with fishing poles for everyone, and Matt (the deck-hand) was always ready to help with bait & tackle. Once caught, Mat prepared the filets for the kitchen (or anyone to take home). Speaking of the kitchen, the food was out of this world - amazing! Here I am with a fresh Starry Flounder that I released after this picture was taken (with my Canon G10)

Photographer Christopher Dodds & Starry Flounder onboard the Coatal Explorer II, Geographic Harbor, AK

Coastal Brown Bears; Cute & Cuddly Trip Report - Part II

Coastal Brown Bear Cub CURIOUS CUTIE (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @125mm ISO 400, F8 1/320s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bear Cub WALKING(Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4 IS ISO 500, F5.6 1/640s Manual mode.

Work wide, work tight, work vertical, work horizontal. Notice the different perspective that different lens choice offer. I love working wide and close; the dimension added to the first image is what I am looking for. Funny, when I'm photographing birds I love to have a sterile background like in the second image, with the longer focal length.

 

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai July 12-18, 2010 A Christopher Dodds Workshop

No, I'm not a purist, and I don't condemn those who choose to create their images post capture (forgeries) with the help of Photoshop. I just prefer to be out there in the wild making images in my camera; it's what drives me, what makes me go out into the field. Besides, I could have an office job if I wanted to spend all of that time in front of my computer. Many would be tempted to clone away the white, heart-shaped glacier out of the first image - not me. No, I love how that heart helps create the mood of the image. My heart was racing as I created this one, not out of fear, but because I wanted to make sure that I had time to get a horizontal image too.

Coastal Brown Bear Cub WALKING IN THE RAIN (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4 IS ISO 500, F5.6 1/640s Manual mode.

Although I did miss the first time that I saw a cub stand, I knew it would repeat it's behavior - I just had to have enough patience and not be distracted by the many other bears around. They are just so darn cute when they stand-up to have a look around. Pouring rain often keeps photographers inside; that's when you are more likely to find me out & about with my cameras. Todays digital camera bodies offer incredible detail and color saturation, all with little or no noise in the image.

Coastal Brown Bear Cub Kung Foo Fighting (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1D MKIII, 500mm F4 with 1.4II tele-converter ISO 500, F5.6 1/640s Manual mode.

After my almost epic trip to get there (see prior post), I finally made it to the Coastal Explorer (anchored in Hallo Bay) and met bear legend Chuck Keim, who would be our host, guide and protector. After the first morning photographing around Hallo Bay, and hearing the weather forecaster predict a big storm, we decided to haul out the anchor and make the four hour trip to Geographic Harbor. It was a wise choice, as the forecast storm stayed with us until the very end. Seems that it’s been a very wet & rainy summer everywhere (everywhere that I have been, that is).
The scenery and history that surrounded us for the duration of the trip was amazing. There are an estimated 2,000 Coastal Brown Bears in Katmai National Park, and many of them were along the waters edge in Geographic Harbor. What an amazing experience.

Coastal Brown Bears - A trip report part I

Coastal Brown Bear Sow (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @145mm ISO 400, F8 1/200s Manual mode.

On the morning of Friday, July 17, 2009 I started what would become an almost epic journey to photograph Coastal Brown Bears in Katmai National Park in Alaska. Julie dropped me off at the airport in Montreal on her way to work (thanks, J!), and I caught a flight to Chicago without incident. After a four-hour layover in the windy city, I flew to Anchorage, Alaska; again without event. I had a hotel reservation in Anchorage, but by the time I managed to get my luggage and wait the nonsensical 55 minutes for the hotel shuttle, I only managed three hours sleep before I needed to get back to the airport. Saturday morning blended into afternoon and then evening while waiting for my ERA Airline flight to Kodiak. Heavy fog had prevented flights into Kodiak since Thursday night. Once the last flight to Kodiak that day had been cancelled, and I managed to track-down my luggage, it was hardly worth trying to find a hotel room, so I opted to sleep in the airport. I don’t need to go into details, but the ERA customer care that I received was well beyond the worst that this seasoned traveler had ever seen. While constantly trying to get information, I was blessed to meet some great people; a Police Chief from Colorado and a State Transportation Officer from Oregon; we stuck together and camped-out in the airport like homeless bag people. Since I had purchased an Alaskan Airlines ticket, I was able to get myself onto the Alaskan 737 flight on Sunday morning, and after a few hours fog delay, managed to get to Kodiak. Once in Kodiak, the fine folks at Sea Hawk Air came immediately to pick me up and Rolan Ruoss flew me to the Coastal Explorer in his de Havilland Beaver. Rolan has over 15,000 hours of Kodiak area flying.

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai July 12-18, 2010 - A Christopher Dodds Workshop

Coastal Brown Bear Sow and Cub (Ursus arctos) Katmai National Park, AK ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5DMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @180mm ISO 400, F8 1/200s Manual mode.

Coastal Brown Bear? … is that a Grizzly Bear?

Brown Bear, Grizzly Bear or Kodiak Bear, they are all members of the brown bear family, Ursidae. Scientific names differ amongst groups of brown bears found in specific regions such as Coastal and Grizzly Bears, which have been given the name, Ursus arctos horribilis. Though there is a wide variety of brown bears found throughout the world, all having unique scientific names, they are still all members of the brown bear family, Ursidae. Middendorffi is the one exception and only scientifically recognized sub species of brown bear, due to the fact that they have the smallest gene pool of all brown bears and have a definite larger bone structure than other brown bears.

Brown bears found inland and in mountainous habitats are called "grizzlies" while brown bears living in coastal areas are called Coastal Brown Bears. The Kodiak brown bear is isolated to Kodiak Island in Alaska. Kodiak bears are not Grizzly Bears, the name “grizzly” comes from the silver tipped hairs these bears get, as they grow older. In comparison, the grizzly is considerably smaller than both the coastal brown bear and the Kodiak brown bear. This size difference is due to the abundance of food available in coastal areas and on Kodiak Island. The Kodiak bear has been isolated to Kodiak Island for some 12,000 years. The bone structure of the Kodiak is much larger than other Brown Bears, they have a more diverse social structure than other bears due to the close proximity in which they live and they have a gene pool that is much smaller than that of other bears.

The Kodiak brown bear is the world’s largest bear while the polar bear being a direct descendent of the brown bear is the world’s heaviest bear. Polar bears have been reclassified as marine mammals due to the amount of time these bears spend in the water.

The bear pictured is a Coastal Brown bear photographed at Hallo Bay in Katmai National Park in Alaska. This is a she bear or sow, (terms often used in reference to a female bear) with her cub. Male bears are called boars and female bears are called sows.

Brown bears gain an average of 3-6 pounds of fat per day during peak periods to obtain enough body weight to survive winter hibernation. Hibernation is a state of dormancy at which time bears are inactive, allowing them to adapt to short winter food supplies. During a bears hibernation, its body temperature is close to that of the surrounding air, its metabolic rate is comparatively high and it may awaken and move about outside the den. The length of a bears hibernation depends on climate, location, sex, age and reproductive status of the individual bear. Bears that have not obtained an adequate fat reserve may not hibernate at all.

Mating takes place during the spring months from late May through early July. Brown bears are serially monogamous and will remain with the same mate from several days to a couple of weeks. Female brown bears become sexually mature between 5 and 7 years of age, males usually will not mate until a few years later when they are able to compete successfully with other males for an available female.

Through a remarkable process known as delayed implantation, a fertilized egg will divide and float free within the uterus for six months. During hibernation, the embryo will attach itself to the uterine wall and the cubs will be born after an eight-week period while the mother sleeps (January or February). This process is important to the survival of the mother. Should she not gain enough weight to carry her through the winter, the embryo will not implant and be reabsorbed by the body.

The average number of cubs born is between one and four, with two being the average. There have been cases where a bear has been spotted with five cubs, though the mother has been suspected of adopting an orphan, which is not unusual. Age, geographic location and food supply influence the size of a bears litter. The number of cubs a female will have increases, as she gets older. At birth, the cubs are blind, toothless, hairless and very tiny weighing less than 1 pound. They feed on mother’s milk until spring, when she is ready to leave the den, sometime between April and May and as late as June depending on climate conditions. At this time they will have developed enough to follow her and begin to forage. The cubs will weigh from 15 to 20 pounds at this time.

Cubs will stay with their mother from two to four years. During this time, they will learn survival techniques crucial to their existence. They will learn which foods return the highest nutritional values, where to attain them, how to hunt, how to fish, how to defend themselves and where to den. The cubs learn by following and imitating their mother’s actions during the period they are with her.

Moose Moment

Moose Cow & Calf MOOSE MOMENT (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter ISO 500, F8 1/250s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

With all of the rain and cool weather we've be experiencing around Montreal this summer, I've been thinking about fall. Here's an intimate portrait of a Moose Cow and her yearling from Baxter State Park in Maine. While hanging out for the Giant Bull Moose, we often watch and photograph the females and their young eating the rich, lake bottom, pond weed. Working with a 500mm Lens and doubler to get tight was the key here. Notice the adult's ears are down, while the youngster's are alert, and up. I held off knowing that the image would not be as intimate if the adult had her ears up and looked alarmed. The yearling will stay with it's mother a full year until she gives birth to a calf in the spring.

Check-it out: Moose and Fall colors of Maine Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2009 A Christopher Dodds Workshop