In the Field

Grizzlies in the Mist. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 4, 2006.

Take one misty morning along the northern BC coast. Add a nice pastel backdrop of towering Douglas fir. Mix in a family of cooperative grizzlies on a small, grass-covered island. What do you get? This image. And a wonderful memory. Thanks again, Photeus.

Behind the Camera

Grizzlies in the Mist. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 4, 2006.

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

Nikon D2X with Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR lens @ 250 mm (375 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) - hand held (VR turned to "On" and in "Normal" mode). Camera and lens protected from rain by AquaTech Sport Shield.

1/750s @ f4; -0.33 stop exposure compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

Grizzlies in the Mist. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 4, 2006.

RAW Conversion to 16-bit TIFF, including first-pass sharpening, using Phase One's C1 Pro.

All further digital correction using Adobe's Photoshop CS2, including selective tone curve adjustment and selective mid-tone contrast adjustment (using Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight tool), selective saturation enhancement, and selective sharpening for web output.

Conservation

Grizzlies in the Mist. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 4, 2006.

Ten percent of the revenue generated by this image will be donated to Pacific Wild*

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.

*Pacific Wild is a non-profit conservation organization that is committed to:

1. Defending wildlife and their habitat on CanadaÕs Pacific coast by developing and implementing solution-based conservation strategies. Pacific Wild supports innovative research, public education, community outreach and awareness to achieve the goal of lasting environmental protection in the lands and waters of the Great Bear Rainforest.

2. Working with a diverse array of communities, First Nations, groups and individuals to ensure that biodiversity protection is at the forefront of land and marine use decisions.

3. Mobilizing a concerned global citizenry to achieve large-scale wildlife protection.

Natural Art Images supports the efforts of Pacific Wild and encourages you to do the same.

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