Black Bear Sow

This Black Bear sow was photographed during the third day of my Gannets Galore and so much more workshop in Quebec. We were hit with a massive storm, with heavy rain and wind; the resulting waves made it unsafe to land on Bonaventure Island, so the park was closed, which prevented us from going to the Island for the Northern Gannets. We made the 50-minute drive to Forillon National Park (with a stop for the best coffee at Le Café des Artistes in Gaspé), where I had found this Sow and her two cubs while hiking for a few days before the workshop started. We got lucky and had an incredible time with the mother and cubs :)

AI Artificial Intelligence

I have been reading many posts about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and photography; AI has quickly been integrated into almost all of our photography-related software. While playing around with it, I immediately thought of this image, which was made along a gravel path; I replaced the gravel with a stream using the AI-powered generative fill in Photoshop. I like the results, but I feel like I have stolen someone else’s photograph of the stream! In reality, I have stolen someone else’s image of the stream! What are your thoughts about AI?

Black Bear

A Black Bear curiously watches as I maneuver around for a better angle. A much more passive encounter than the last Black bear I saw in Alaska that bluff charged me a couple of times, but that is a story for another day - smile.

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.