I have this vision of a wide angle close up of a bear in the middle of a rain forest stream. To capture this image, I have been setting my camera up in a pretty spot that has been frequented by bears, and then hooking up a Pocket Wizard, so that I can fire the camera remotely and safely hundreds of feet away. It has almost worked a few times.
Yesterday I thought I had the perfect spot, great setting, and recent bears. I set everything up, went back to my car to get the transmitter, and wouldn’t you know it, here come the bears! Unfortunately, I hadn’t turned on the receiver on yet! I stood back and waited, it was about 10 minutes before I could return to my camera, and this is how I found it! Just think of the close up shot I could have had just before the bear knocked my camera over!
The camera landed on a rock, and seemed fairly dry and was in perfect working order. The Pocket Wizard (the blue thing you see under water) wasn’t so lucky – it stopped working. I really didn’t want to spend $180 dollars for a new one, so I completely disassembled it and dried it thoroughly, and today it started working again!
I have been using an older backup camera, but I would still hate to lose the thing. I think I need some kind of metal box to protect the camera in the future. These stories are probably cutting my camera gear resale values in half. 🙂
Comments 12
Well at least you were able to get everything working again and it makes for a great story 🙂
Be back in a week off to central Oregon to play in the High Dessert
Author
Thanks Doris – have a great trip!
Ron
OMG Ron, can you imagine the shots you might have gotten? Maybe you should wrap a down pillow around the camera. Glad the equipment wasn’t trashed.
Mom
That sucks Ron. I’m sure that you won’t be forgetting in the future though. 🙂
Be careful Ron! I am a regular visiter and suscriber of your blog from Fairbanks.
Author
Thanks everyone!
Bears investigate everything in their homespace. They can wake up one day and see a tent and say: Hey, that’s different. Better investigate. And investigate they do. Hope your camera’s o.k. Glad you’re o.k. I think I told Carl My brother is scientist. He’s a Physicist. I also am am a scientist. I study wildlife biology. I don’t tell many people that. Let’s say scientist to be. I have been to Alaska a few times to study bears. They are amazing ceatures & very intelligent. I would like to go to Kamchatka Peninsula.That will be in the future. Thanks for keeping my secret.
Author
Hi Beth,
I didn’t know you were becoming a wildlife biologist, that is awesome! I will keep you secret.
My camera seems fine. This is a great way to photograph bears – from a nice safe distance near my car with a remote control!
Thanks Beth,
Ron
I’ve used this set up for other subjects and it works like a charm. Although this is a setback I am certain things will work out and you’ll get the photo you’re after. I look forward to seeing the end result when you do get it. I have to admit I’ve thought about doing something similar even with the addition of a motion sensor trigger. Someday…
Author
Thanks Jim!
I would love to have a motion sensor trigger – so many toys!
Ron
You REAL wildlife photographers provide an invaluable service to wildlife biologists & also students. Photography captures the moment forever, as field work can show so much about a bear. And get your heart thumping a bit! Photography is so important a component in bear studies. You capture forever the mood, demeanor, & so many other important features. Ron, do you use an electric fence & bear spray while camping? Hope so! I think you & Carl both do, as neither one of you is short on intelligence!!
Author
Thanks Beth, that is really nice to hear. I really enjoying seeing a brief glimpse into a bears life, and in a photo you can study every little detail.
I always carry bear spray. I haven’t done much camping in bear areas, but when I do, I will have a electric fence – those things are really a cool invention.