May 16, 2014
Black Bear Cubs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

I thought I had missed the opportunity to get a shot like this of the three Black Bear (Ursus americanus) cubs-of-the-year or spring cubs yesterday. I had been parked near their favorite location from about 1:30 to 6:00, with about half an hour away to check out a different nearby bear, and I didn't see the sow or cubs that whole time. Because I hadn't photographed anything except some nice clouds reflected in a temporary pond early in the morning, I left the bear area in time for the nice light late in the day to go to another area that usually has good subjects. There wasn't anything interesting to photograph, so I went back to the black bear's location. I was so disappointed that the sow was out because I thought I had missed the show with the cubs. I set up anyways just in case, and it turned out that I was just about right on time. The cubs came down from the tree where they had been sent for safe keeping and nursed in a decent location. Then the whole family stated walking across the side of the hill gradually making their way closer and closer to the road. They also happened to be walking towards my Jeep, so I dashed ahead to get to the Jeep before the ranger stopped the rest of the photographers from getting any closer to the bear. I repositioned my Jeep for good shooting and was extactic when the three cubs stopped at a nice bare-trunked tree and played there for a while!