In the Field

Keeping Track of the Kids. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 3, 2006.

This image was shot just before darkness fell on a rainy evening in the Khutzeymateen. We had been following this blonde female grizzly and her 3 cubs for a while when she suddenly rose up and looked into the distance. She had detected another grizzly nearby and was checking it out. To me she had an almost maternal "watching out for her kids" look to her!

Behind the Camera

Keeping Track of the Kids. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 3, 2006.

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

Nikon D2X with Nikon 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR lens @ 240 mm (360 mm equivalent with digital conversion factor) - handheld (VR turned to "On" and in "Normal" mode). Camera and lens protected from rain by AquaTech Sport Shield.

1/320s @ f5; -0.33 stop exposure compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.

At the Computer

Keeping Track of the Kids. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 3, 2006.

RAW Conversion to 16-bit TIFF, including first-pass sharpening, using Phase One's C1 Pro. Multiple RAW conversions (at different exposure settings) to retrieve detail in highlights, in this case retrieving detail in the sky.

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

Conservation

Keeping Track of the Kids. Khutzeymateen Inlet, BC, Canada. June 3, 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