In the Field

King of the Khutzeymateen. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC. June 5, 2006.

I always get the same questions when I show this image, so here ya go:

How close were you? Very close.

How big was the bear? Very big. It has estimated at between 800 and 1000 lbs by various experts.

Were you nervous? Nervous - no. Apprehensive - yes.

What was the bear doing? Besides eating grass, it was courting and mating with a female that was also nearby.

What were you thinking when you shot this image? I was simply praying that this big male didn't mistake me for the female grizzly.

This massive grizzly has been seen in the Khutzeymateen for a minimum of 23 years and he's been the subject of many photographs. The local guides call him "Brutus" and although he's remarkably gentle (unlike his brother "Psycho Bear", but that's another story) he is a completely wild bear in a natural setting.

Behind the Camera

King of the Khutzeymateen. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC. June 5, 2006.

Digital Capture; Compressed RAW (NEF) format; ISO 200.

Nikon D200 with Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR lens @ 155 mm (232 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) - hand held (VR turned to "On" and in "Normal" mode).

1/100s @ f7.1; -0.3 stop exposure compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

King of the Khutzeymateen. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC. June 5, 2006.

RAW Conversion to 16-bit TIFF, including first-pass sharpening, using Phase One's C1 Pro. Multiple RAW conversions (3 at different exposure settings) to extend dynamic range of captured image, in this case primarily to restore shadow detail on right side of bear's head.

All further digital correction on 16-bit TIFF file using Adobe's Photoshop CS2, including compositing and masking of various exposure versions and selective sharpening for web output.

Conservation

King of the Khutzeymateen. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC. June 5, 2006.

Ten percent of the revenue generated by this image will be donated to Raincoast.

Species Status in Canada*: Special Concern (May 2002).

While Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos) are not technically listed as "Endangered" in Canada, they have been extirpated from most of their historical range. Grizzly Bears are far more sensitive to intrusion/disturbance in their habitat than are Black Bears and are being increasingly forced into marginal habitat by human encroachment. The Great Bear Rainforest along the central and northern coast of British Columbia is one of the last strongholds of the Grizzly Bear in Canada, and even this population is coming under increasing pressure.

The Raincoast Conservation Society (and Foundation) is an effective and efficient organization that has been fighting for protection of this unique habitat. If you are looking for a meaningful way to contribute to the conservation of this amazing ecosystem, Raincoast will provide maximal "bang" for your conservation dollars.

For more information on the status of Grizzly Bears in Canada, go to: http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca and search under "Grizzly Bears".

*as determined by COSEWIC: The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada