[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DMLBECG27567.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
We left the family at the lower platform, they were coming off the rocks and under the platform when we started to walk back up to the upper platform. With all the big males around, females with spring cubs tend to avoid the falls because the males will kill the spring cubs without even twitching an eye.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DMLBECG28323.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
Once we got back to the upper platform, I looked down the river quite often, wondering where the family went to. After a while I saw an adult come out and sit on a rock next to another adult. Didn’t think much of it until
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DMLBECG28328.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
We watched the three cubs launch themselves into the river in an attempt to get to mom. While it only makes sense, the very size of the cubs compared to the power of the river, you’d think they wouldn’t attempt the crossing. Two almost made it to mom but the current was too swift. After a couple of minutes the current took its toll and the cubs turned around and scrambled up on a rock with their other sibling who didn’t try the current. While these aren’t the greatest of images, twigs in the way, light kinda flight, it’s the first time I’ve had an opportunity to make such a shoot so I made them. Another part of the story of what it takes to be a griz. mtc
Photos captured by (top) D3, 70-300VR (bottom) D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film