Nursing black bear

[D. Robert Franz]

Photographed this black bear nursing her cubs on my spring Yellowstone tour a couple of years back. I know the stick at the bears feet is a bit distracting but none of my participants would go and move it :D

Canon Eos20d,EF600mmF4IS, 1.4x, ISO 400, 1/100 @ F5.6, Evaluative -2/3

[Robert Amoruso]

Robert,

I think we can forgive the stick.;)

I would have been tempted, after making this image, moving to the left to hide more of the green branch on the right. To me it competes with the nice texture of the tree she is leaning against. I like how you chose to include the tree in a vertical composition.

[Jason Hahn]

I really like the eye contact she makes with you. Great opportunity to catch such an intimate moment.

Jason

[Jacqui Hendry]

Absolutely adore this image, the eye contact says it all

Jacqui

[Jim Poor]

A touching image for sure. I don't find the stick or the branch in the BG distractiing. I would, however, crop to just above the tall oof green plant in the very front.

[DanWalters]

Great shot! I love the eye contact and the stick does not bother me. Very intimate image.
Maybe just a little off the top.

[Mike Lentz]

I'm envious of your location! WOW what great photo ops and you captured this one beautifully!

[Jasper Doest]

Although the stick is slightly taking away my attention from the scene it is not a big issue...this is SOO cute! Lovely setting and DOF chosen. I like the frontal approach and my only suggestion would be to play a bit with your shadow contrast to add a little more depth to the animals.