[Basie]

On my first trip with the 1.4 AW rear converter. With DA*300m F4 and KP and late afternoon light

[Canada_Rockies]

I'm not sure that I'd define a 400+ lbs bear as 'little'...

Anyways, 30-odd metres isn't close either...

That teddy bear isn't as nerve jangling as Madam here with twin cubs.
Cinnamon phase black bear
K-3, M400/5.6, f/8, 1/750, ISO 800.
Manfrotto 055B tripod with 168 ball head
2016/05/29, 2 pm, Waterton Lakes National Park, Aberta, Canada
Between 50 and 100 metres distant (I don't run all that fast anymore)

[bertwert]

That teddy bear isn't as nerve jangling as Madam here with twin cubs.
Cinnamon phase black bear
K-3, M400/5.6, f/8, 1/750, ISO 800.
Manfrotto 055B tripod with 168 ball head
2016/05/29, 2 pm, Waterton Lakes National Park, Aberta, Canada
Between 50 and 100 metres distant (I don't run all that fast anymore)

Not a great shot, as it was getting dim out, and I was 100 or so metres away... but here's a mother and one of her yearlings (the second is higher up the tree) from last Thursday.

[onlineflyer]

I was visiting the Great Smoky National Park and stopped at one of the visitor centers. Got to talking with one of the rangers about black bears. He told me a story of another visitor who saw a cute cub up a tree. This individual went to pull the cub down. Unfortunately momma, who was nearby, didn't think that was a good idea. Yes, you NEVER come between momma and her cubs..

[Canada_Rockies]

I was visiting the Great Smoky National Park and stopped at one of the visitor centers. Got to talking with one of the rangers about black bears. He told me a story of another visitor who saw a cute cub up a tree. This individual went to pull the cub down. Unfortunately momma, who was nearby, didn't think that was a good idea. Yes, you NEVER come between momma and her cubs..

For sure, never, and some people leave their brains at home. They see the signs and think the big fuzzy critters are no danger. Another fauna people underestimate are female moose. Here, we consider them way more dangerous.

[onlineflyer]

For sure, never, and some people leave their brains at home. They see the signs and think the big fuzzy critters are no danger. Another fauna people underestimate are female moose. Here, we consider them way more dangerous.

Heck, even little momma birds will attack to protect their young. What is it that some people don't understand?

[bertwert]

I was visiting the Great Smoky National Park and stopped at one of the visitor centers. Got to talking with one of the rangers about black bears. He told me a story of another visitor who saw a cute cub up a tree. This individual went to pull the cub down. Unfortunately momma, who was nearby, didn't think that was a good idea. Yes, you NEVER come between momma and her cubs..

Very irresponsible, especially as it can lead to the bear having to be put down.

[lidy]

A Tawny Frogmouth from a few days ago, on a favourite perch. They keep turning up on this branch, sometimes months between sightings. Whilst trying hard to be invisible, they still keep a close watch on proceedings.
K-3 II, DA* 300 handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry

I'd never heard of a Tawny Frogmouth, very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[MKohoutek]

I always love to see photos using the wonderful old M*300. Is that a weather balloon?

Yes, I assume a weather balloon. I do love the M*300. I shoot handheld 90% of the time...and my eyes ain’t what they used to be... but even so, It’s my favorite among my * lens. I see some dazzling shots on this thread with modern lens, but I like the challenge of that manual beauty. Thanks for your comment😊

[kengoh]

That's a fascinating bird. Thanks for the post.

Thanks Canada_Rockies, glad you like this bird.



Green on Green
Common Green Magpie shot with K3 + DA*300

[riseform]

Steller's Jay
K1 and DA 560 this weekend with blooming wildflowers as a background.



And I'm breaking a promise here with two non-Pentax >300 photos from the weekend, but can't resist sharing given it was such a cool experience. I wrote awhile back that I added to my long lens quiver, and purchased a D500 and 500 5.6 PF prime for a Costa Rica trip, since the 560 isn't the easiest travel lens on airplanes. The 500 PF has become my lens of choice for handheld use while hiking given its reach and extreme light weight. I hope Pentax one day makes something similar.

This weekend I was hiking the woods looking for arriving warblers when I heard a crash from a tree behind me. Assuming the wind had simply blown down an aging limb, I almost ignored it. Turning to look back, I saw this black bear had scrambled up a nearby tree, giving me this cautious look. I snapped a few photos as we maintained eye contact and then left it alone and continued on my way. I'd say we were about 20 yards apart and I had just passed this location as I worked down the hill. Had it not scrambled up the tree, I would never have been aware of its presence. These are two uncropped images from the experience.

[WPRESTO]

For sure, never, and some people leave their brains at home. They see the signs and think the big fuzzy critters are no danger. Another fauna people underestimate are female moose. Here, we consider them way more dangerous.

It's not really home where people stash their brains. It's in the dust of the playground they used during recess.

[zzeitg]

DFA 150-450

[WPRESTO]

Canon 7D + Tamron 150~600mm (second version) @600mm

[StephenHampshire]

K1 and the DA*300