WildShots

Black Bear Cubs

Posted on 18. Nov, 2008 by Paul Burwell in Everything, Instructional, Wildlife

Black Bear cub clinging to the top of a snag

Welcome to my first blog entry.

One of my favourite experiences photographing wildlife in the last couple of years was a visit to the RMGR just outside Riding Mountain National Park near Onanole, Manitoba, Canada to photograph the Black Bears.  I managed to get there 3 different times over the year; May, June and September.

The highlight of my three trips was a beautiful cinnamon coloured sow affectionately known as Tripawed.  For as long as Tripawed has been visiting the bear blind she has had the misfortune of being a three-legged bear.  Don’t think for a second that this impairs her ability to survive or successfully raise her cubs, but you can see it makes it a little tougher on her body to get around.

During my first visit in May, Tripawed had her four 3-month old cubs in tow.  These cubs were simply a joy to behold.   Not only were they tremendous subjects for my photography, but they just put on an incredible show.  From the moment they arrived with their mother, right up until they left, they continuously wrestled.

Unlike me and my siblings, these bear cubs wrestled with each using all their facilities without any malice.  Not once did I hear a growl or a yelp in pain.  They wrestled aggressively and I saw lots of gnawing on feet and noses and the occasional roundhouse to the chops, but there never seemed to be hurt feelings.

Mom was entirely uninterested in the wrestling and simply ignored their antics.  Not sure there is a lesson in there for us humans or not, but I sure enjoyed watching the fun.

Take a look at this video, shot by my host and guide Dr. Jim Irwin.  After it got too dark for still photography, Dr. Jim made this video as the cubs continued to wrestle.  I hope you enjoy it.

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Tags: bear, bears, black, cub, cute, learn, Photography, school, Video, Wildlife, workshop