Sloth Bear

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Hi everyone,
I missed being on the forum for a while. I was itching to get back and I ventured out for photography for the first time since the pandemic last weekend. I visited the Daroji Sloth Bear sanctuary located near Humpi in Karnataka. This was my first trip there. Taking due precautions due to Coronavirus, I managed to see a few bears during the few hours I spent there. Its a 80 sq km park with a watch tower for general tourists and a photography hide for photographers who can get the chance to book it.
I am seeing some great posts in my absence, will surely go through and comment. Missed you folks.
Here is a bear who walked up to the tree and stood up to scratch and then lick the bark. It was cloudy and dull.
5D IV, 70-200 f/2.8 II at 200mm
1/1600
f/7.1
ISO 6400 (Manual exposure Auto ISO)

[Marc Mol]

Love the eye contact Sanjeev on a subject not often posted here, would wish for more separation from that busy BG but understand these things are not always possible.
I am seeing some Cyan in the black fur, and that is an easy fix. Good to see you posting again and you're lucky you can venture out.

TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Sanjeev, nice to see you too posting again and great to see another Bear, can't have enough Bears...

Interesting to see this one in the green vegetation, I've only seen them, albeit a fleeting glimpse in Ranthambore and in the more 'dryer' habitat. Nice to have him standing and looking to camera, this one isn't shy, obviously, I also like the fact it's set to the right. Techs looks good, but I would reduce the blue and in the WB just nudge a bit more warmth and the Tint a bit more on the magenta.

Hope to see more.

TFS
Steve

[haseeb badar]

Hi Doc -- So good to see you posting again.

I really liked the pose, A Bear standing upright, makes for a lovely sight, and a typical green vegetation after the monsoon makes for a nice setting.

I feel the image could go more warm as per the cloudy conditions. Also if you could get some work done on the FG grass for some more depth in the image, that area looks some what washed out.

Hope to see some more from the trip.

Nice start, TFS !

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure if I would be better off with a wider aperture and lower the ISO but thought 7.1 would give me a good DOF. I will post an RP as per your suggestions.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Here is a re-post with the tweeks to the image. Hope this is better.

[John Mack]

Nice to see a sloth bear on here. I like the pose and the setting. The view of the standing bear and the vivisible claws is sweet.

[haseeb badar]

Much improvement .

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Sanjeev, and a warm welcome back from me too

Never seen a sloth bear with so many scars, must be an older chap? Love the pose, eye contact, and those visible claws. RP much better in terms of WB.

I also like the composition and inclusion of habitat, techs look good and the relatively high ISO not an issue, very nice work

Kind regards,

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Thanks Gabriela, yes in fact its a she, according to our guide and pregnant too. She has had 2 litters earlier.