Thanks to John (redoverfarm)
(http://www.digitalphotographics.us/images/bears1.jpg)
Black bears typically have two cubs, rarely one or three. In 2007, in northern New Hampshire, a black bear sow gave birth to five healthy young. There were two or three reports of sows with as many as four cubs but five was, and is, extraordinary.
I learned of them shortly after they emerged from their den and set myself a goal of photographing all five cubs with their mom, no matter how much time and effort was involved.
I knew the trail they followed on a fairly regular basis, usually shortly before dark. After spending nearly four hours a day, seven days a week, for six weeks I had that once in a lifetime opportunity and photographed them in the shadows and dull lighting of the evening.
Due to these conditions the photograph is a bit "noisy" as I had to use the equivalent of a very fast film speed on my digital camera. The print is properly focused and well exposed with all six bears "posing" as if they were in a studio for a family portrait.
I stayed in touch with other people who saw the bears during the summer and into the fall hunting season. All six bears continued to thrive.
.......story continued at
http://www.digitalphotographics.us/bearsandme1.html
(http://www.digitalphotographics.us/images/bears2.jpg)
Update: As of August 22, 2008, the cubs are doing well but have gone their separate ways and there will not be another "family portrait".
How'd ya like to meet that group on a trail?
Not even...
Quote from: MountainDon on August 28, 2008, 11:49:53 PM
How'd ya like to meet that group on a trail?
Only if Pawlee was along ,
A 15-pound cocker spaniel-poodle mix named Pawlee scared off a mother bear and her two cubs Sunday morning after they strayed into his owners' back yard.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(http://content5.clipmarks.com/image_cache/tebvox/512/EBDA582E-8E75-428F-AF3C-68C12D0410EA.jpg)
Link : http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/F55D4EEF-4F56-4A29-A45E-00E1AB06C94B/
Some animals don't know their own size. :o
Cool pup.
The bears are active around here too. I tried to find an online link to this but failed.... There are three picnic grounds in the east mountains near here that are closed for 2 weeks. It seems that a picnic thieving bear is lurking around. A woman placed a picnic basket on a table, went back to her car for something and when she returned minutes later the basket was gone. Apparently someone saw a black bear making off with the basket.
This seems like a vaguely familiar story line. ???
How neat! 8)