Weekly Photo Challenge: Together
Together, a family in the woods.
(Yes, I have shared this one before, but if the image fits, I’m going with it 
)
Together, a parent was never too far away.
Together, an “ode” to love.
(true damselfly and dragonfly fans will get it 
)
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This entry was posted on April 28, 2012 by Jeff Sinon. It was filed under Nature, New Hampshire, Photo Challange, Photography, Wildlife and was tagged with black bear, blue, chick, cub, damselfly, forest, gold, insect, loon, Nature, new hampshire, odonata, postaweek2012, together, twins, weekly photo challenge, Wildlife.
Comments and thoughtful critiques are always welcome.
These are beautiful images, beautifully shot.
April 28, 2012 at 3:50 am
Thank you so much, you are too kind.
April 28, 2012 at 12:28 pm
mother…
April 28, 2012 at 4:10 am
Just as good as usual Jeff!
April 28, 2012 at 4:14 am
Thanks Jude, that’s always nice to hear.
April 28, 2012 at 12:48 pm
April 28, 2012 at 6:12 am
Too close! But not on purpose believe me. 50 to 75 feet max.
I was camping and had just returned to my site after a mornings shooting. I was looking at my maps trying to decide where to go fishing until evening shooting light, and I heard a noise. When I looked up I thought, “Holy Crap!” Who hasn’t heard the stories of how protective a mother bear can be? I was torn between changing from the wide angle lens I had been using, to my 70-200, or getting the hell out of there. You can see which decision I went with
The mother seemed to be un-bothered by my presence and actually went back to sleep not long after this shot. I did keep sending “happy thoughts” to the cubs though. I knew that one sign of distress from them and I was going to get the beating of my life courtesy of mom.
I can’t stress enough that I would NOT have gotten this close to a mother bear and her cubs on purpose. I also don’t recommend it to others either, for the safety of the bear. Yes I did say safety of the bear. In my opinion, if a person is dumb enough to get too close to a bear, or any other wild animal, just to get a photo, they deserve what they get. But the bear would likely end up paying the ultimate price and be shot. End of sermon!
April 28, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Wow, you were lucky in so many ways! really envious x
April 28, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Thanks Anna. The bears in particular were a case of being in the right place at the right time.
April 28, 2012 at 8:22 pm
April 29, 2012 at 3:28 am
Once I realized they were pretty settled I did take a few steps closer. I think the bears were somewhat habituated to people, and very adept at raiding unattended campsites.
That night was the worst night I’ve ever spent camping though. In certain parts of the White Mountains bears are fairly common, so I’ve always known they are there. I’ve even heard them lurking in the dark waiting to come into a campsite for a free meal. But actually seeing just how close they were, and then hearing them at night while I was trying to go to sleep was a little nerve wracking. The fact I was comping by myself did not help! :-O
April 29, 2012 at 7:29 am
It works now JEFF
April 29, 2012 at 10:32 am
Yea Me! I am a wordpress God!
Be quite, let me live in my delusion just a little bit longer
April 29, 2012 at 11:02 am
I don’t want you to lose your illusion
On the contrary, I need your talents as I plan to benefit from them 
April 29, 2012 at 11:14 am
You don’t beat around the bush do you? I like it!
April 29, 2012 at 11:15 am
Beautiful images – my favourite being the one with the dragonfly.
April 28, 2012 at 7:18 am
Thanks Coline, it is still my favorite damselfly photo and don’t think I haven’t tried to top it in the four years since I took this one
April 28, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Beautiful family photos
April 28, 2012 at 7:36 am
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Ooooh, I love baby animals. That loon is adorable!! Great photos as usual.
April 28, 2012 at 11:18 am
Thank you, Cindy. As usual
April 28, 2012 at 12:09 pm
The last image is SUPERB!
April 28, 2012 at 11:22 am
Thanks Lucy! It’s an oldy (if you consider 4 years old) but a goody. It is still my favorite dragonfly / damselfly image. And I’ve been trying to top it, or at least equal it, ever since I made it.
April 28, 2012 at 12:11 pm
These are some wonderful pictures. Last one is my favorite. Great post Jeff.
April 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Arindam! I’m not sure what it is, but people seem to really like dragonflies and damselflies, me included!
April 28, 2012 at 12:51 pm
These are beautiful! The one of the damselfly is so perfectly captured!
April 28, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Thank you very much!
April 28, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I’ll go straight to my favorite: dragonfly / damselfly image. My one comment would be for closer cropping from the top to see if you achieve a little more visible impact of your subjects.
April 28, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Thanks for the suggestion Rick. I can always count on you to offer up a great tip or two. The critique is always welcome!
April 28, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Stunning photos i love your interpretation for this week theme .
April 28, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Thank you Jake
April 29, 2012 at 7:15 am
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Wonderful execution in the theme. Those flies are really together (and it always appears so sci-fi alien to me). And totally agree about the bear. Thanks for sharing.
April 29, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Yea, some critters have no shame. I told them to get a room, but they wouldn’t listen
April 29, 2012 at 2:36 pm
3 great shots!
April 29, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Thanks!
April 29, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Very nice photos. Totally agree with what you say about not getting to close to wild animals just to get a photo.
April 29, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Thank you, and I’m glad you agree. Even though I used to be a hunter, but have since given it up to “hunt” with my camera, the idea that the bear would likely have been shot if I was stupid enough to have gotten too close does not sit well with me at all. Unfortunately too many people would blame the bear in a case like that.
April 29, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Jeff – they are all wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
~Anne
April 29, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Thank you Anne! Still lovin’ your zebras!
http://annefreemanimages.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/weekly-photo-challenge-together-zebra-mother-child/
April 29, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Together (Zebra Mare & Foal) « ANNE FREEMAN IMAGES: Art of the Outdoors
WOW – I just read your encounter with the bear. I was going to ask how you managed that shot. Now, I know. Good job on the photo taking. It’s beautiful. I stopped camping when we had bears rummage through our provisions when we forgot to bring them into our camper. It was at the Grand Canyon. I harrowing experience. They growl preety loud. I left the wilderness behind after that trip.
Well …. thanks for posting this one. It brought back some interesting memories.
Toodles,
Isadora
April 29, 2012 at 11:58 pm
I’m just the opposite, I can’t wait to go back
Of course if my wife comes along this time she wants to rent a cabin instead of staying in our tent. I just can’t figure out why 
April 30, 2012 at 5:45 am
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What gorgeous shots!! Impeccable clarity, great choices for the challenge!
May 1, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Thank you very much Bonnie!
May 2, 2012 at 5:44 am
Wow! That was brave of you Jeff! Love the dragonflies as well!
May 3, 2012 at 4:46 am
Brave or stupid? The jury hasn’t reached a verdict yet
May 3, 2012 at 5:45 am
I’ve had a very lovely trip through some of your posts!! Love your blog and I LOVE the bears!
May 11, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Thank you very much, it always makes me happy to receive such a nice compliment.
The bears were awesome, a little scary being as close as I was, but still awesome. The fact that Mom allowed me to be this close was a wonderful experience.
May 12, 2012 at 7:13 am
I’m really surprised that she did, but wow!, what a payoff.
May 12, 2012 at 8:49 am
Since they were right across the stream from my campsite, I think she was just waiting me out and hoping I would leave my food behind when I went out for the day.
May 12, 2012 at 9:00 am
hahahaha! I think you’re probably right
May 12, 2012 at 9:01 am
Hi Jeff – seeing as there hasn’t been an official weekly photo challenge this week, I’m stepping up and throwing down a challenge for anyone who’s interested. http://wheresmybackpack.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/reflections/ Join in – the more the merrier. xxx
May 13, 2012 at 12:00 am
Sounds like fun, let me look and see what I have
May 13, 2012 at 6:53 am
Great, looking forward to seeing what you rustle up!
May 13, 2012 at 6:55 am