Bear by the Lake by Matt B-L

Tuesday, 23rd September 2008

Bear by the Lake

by Matt B-L

A brown bear pauses beside a beautifully calm lake in the remote forest region of the Finland-Russia border. I spent five nights (70 hours in total) observing and photographing these shy animals - an experience well worth enduring a cramped, uncomfortable hide for.

Equipment: Canon 1D MKIII with 400mm lens

Matt B-L

www.mattbl.com

16 Comments

Jim Atkin Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 am
Sorry for your discomfort, but thank you for bringing this beautiful picture to us. Keep up the excellent work.
Ariel Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:52 am
Looks like it was definitely worth it seeing as how you came back with a beary good image such as this one!

Did you meet many local Frussians along the border?
Malta Photography Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:32 am
Hey Matt, that is most certainly a dream for most of us to be able to remain in the wild just capturing these moments. Great shot very nicely captured and balanced light.
Anurag Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Great shot Mathew. Well worth the effort and hardships. Really loving the shallow depth of field and the saturated colors.
Pauline Jones Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:25 am
I would definitely spend 70 hours in a hide for this; well done.
Keith Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
A wonderful image that brings home how great our planet is. It’s just a pity “man” (the species)cannot stop from destroying it, and is hell-bent on doing it. Thank God there are people like yourself who enjoy recording it for others to look at and enjoy.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
This is great. You are one lucky guy & we are lucky to have you share this.
planet lover Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Amen to Keith’s words. Your shot captured the beauty and peace of nature sans us.
Renee Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Wow so close you were, great shot!
jacques bégin Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:35 pm
In Canada, the barbaric hunting season is upon us.
Let’s hope this fantastic specimen survive. I won’t hold my breath but I sure wish fire arms be increasingly replaced by cameras. North America deserve to be put to shame regarding the excessive slaughter due to its open hunting period. Photos like this one are a great help to push the political agenda in that direction.
Merci Matt.
Ellie Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm
WOW, Perfect! Sharp and full of color.
Beautiful.
Nicolas Rakotopare Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
amazing picture and amazing work !
Jerry Mohr Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Wow! what a magnificent shot!!
TomBrooklyn Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
It bears repeating that persistance pays.
Charlena Says:
September 24th, 2008 at 2:14 am
absolutely beatuiful shot. well done
Juha Says:
September 28th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Good job, Matt! Nowadays, many Finnish nature photographers have awesome bear shots, but this is still one of the greatest bear photos I have ever seen.

Fortunately, there are still more than 1000 brown bears in Finland, and even more in Russia. Unlike wolves, bears are not hated by farmers and hunters because they don’t kill cattle or dogs. In addition, bears and people rarely see each other since the bears are so shy. Now the eastern border of Finland is full of huts where people can see these wonderful animals. When people are ready to pay for seeing bears, they are protected more eagerly also by the local residents.