Ann Von Pentz
October 2026 - Before the Light
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
I arrived before sunrise and waited in the darkness for enough light to photograph. In the foreground I heard bugling and chirping from an elk herd. As dawn began to reveal the hillside, an extraordinary scene emerged. At first it just looked like a black blob but I could see movement. I grabbed my Nikkor 800 lens to see a bull elk lay dead while grizzlies, including cubs, gathered around the carcass as ravens waited nearby. The scene was very far away, the light low but the experience was incredible. It was hard deciding which photo to submit, ultimately I decided on the one with the front facing bear where the scene was more compact. But for those curious, I am also submitting the photo that shows the elk better, as well as the one where you can count 14 grizzlies.
Camera Information
Nikon Z8
Lens: Nikkor Z800
800mm ISO:6400 1/500sec at f/6.3
Post processing was tricky due to clarity and noise. I cropped minimally and used Topaz Photo Studio to clear up noise and sharpen.
9 comments posted
Ann,
Having never been in grizzly country, I can only imagine what it was like to witness this gathering. Capturing several grizzlies feeding on an elk carcass seems an unusual opportunity-kudos for recording it.
The bears, nearby birds, and autumn setting create considerable visual interest and suggest a compelling wildlife story. Knowing you used an 800-millimeter lens, I would be interested in hearing how far away the animals were and the circumstances surrounding the capture.
When I consider impact, visual interest, and story, however, the relatively small size of the bears within the frame weakens the photograph's impact. Their overlapping bodies make the feeding activity difficult to distinguish, and my eye moves among the animals without finding a clear focal point.
The golden grasses provide good separation from the dark bears, but the image appears somewhat pale and soft, with limited visible detail in the subjects.
I would suggest cropping substantially from the top and moderately from the bottom to create a panoramic composition that emphasizes the gathering. A modest increase in contrast, selective adjustments to reveal detail in the bears, and careful sharpening could improve their presence.
The upright posts also interrupt the natural setting, although removing them would depend on the rules governing the image's intended use.
Overall, this is an unusual wildlife encounter with strong story potential, but tighter framing and greater subject detail would help that story come through more clearly and with greater impact Posted: 10/04/2026 13:51:29
Having never been in grizzly country, I can only imagine what it was like to witness this gathering. Capturing several grizzlies feeding on an elk carcass seems an unusual opportunity-kudos for recording it.
The bears, nearby birds, and autumn setting create considerable visual interest and suggest a compelling wildlife story. Knowing you used an 800-millimeter lens, I would be interested in hearing how far away the animals were and the circumstances surrounding the capture.
When I consider impact, visual interest, and story, however, the relatively small size of the bears within the frame weakens the photograph's impact. Their overlapping bodies make the feeding activity difficult to distinguish, and my eye moves among the animals without finding a clear focal point.
The golden grasses provide good separation from the dark bears, but the image appears somewhat pale and soft, with limited visible detail in the subjects.
I would suggest cropping substantially from the top and moderately from the bottom to create a panoramic composition that emphasizes the gathering. A modest increase in contrast, selective adjustments to reveal detail in the bears, and careful sharpening could improve their presence.
The upright posts also interrupt the natural setting, although removing them would depend on the rules governing the image's intended use.
Overall, this is an unusual wildlife encounter with strong story potential, but tighter framing and greater subject detail would help that story come through more clearly and with greater impact Posted: 10/04/2026 13:51:29
I will respond to both Butch and Larry's comments here since you both have similar comments/questions. First, I knew submitting this photo that it would not be a competition photo but just wanted to share with you the extraordinary experience. The grizzlies were about 1100-1300 yards away, roughly 2/3 of a mile. (As the crow flies, about 26 miles from my home, yet an hour 1/2 drive.) I was not on a tripod but had the camera set up on my car window with a towel underneath. I wish I had had my tripod set up but everything was happening so quickly and I didn't want to take the time. Besides, I have troubles using tripods (maybe I don't have the right one... but being small, and having to carry two cameras so I can have different lenses is pretty much all I can handle if I'm walking.)
I submitted this one because I thought one's eye would first land on the front facing grizzly and would have more of an impact. Original #2 shows the grizz's tugging at the elk which you can see is still intact. So my guess is that the elk was taken down within the hour. Larry, this also works on my imagination as there was an elk herd (bull with harem) in front of the bears...was the rival bull taken down while sparring? Original #1 shows the full 14 grizzlies. Is the impact of the photo the number of bears, the elk scene or the eye contact with the front facing bear? Would a tripod have made a significant difference to make this photo a competition worthy photo despite the distance? I don't know the answers. I do know there is estimated to be a little over a thousand grizzlies in all of Montana, and that I was able to see 14 at once was just surreal for me.
I was surprised that there was no fighting over the elk. The black grizzlies seemed like part of one family. The blonder grizz (last one on right above fence, seemed shy at first, but eventually was allowed to partake.) The cubs on left were fed by the mama who brought them some pieces.
Regarding the crop, I kept the aspens in to denote season and show some color but cropped mostly from bottom and top. The original crop is included below. Cropping more just seemed to amplify the softness of the image. I'm still sifting through photos, a better one may still turn up! Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Posted: 10/04/2026 20:06:13
I submitted this one because I thought one's eye would first land on the front facing grizzly and would have more of an impact. Original #2 shows the grizz's tugging at the elk which you can see is still intact. So my guess is that the elk was taken down within the hour. Larry, this also works on my imagination as there was an elk herd (bull with harem) in front of the bears...was the rival bull taken down while sparring? Original #1 shows the full 14 grizzlies. Is the impact of the photo the number of bears, the elk scene or the eye contact with the front facing bear? Would a tripod have made a significant difference to make this photo a competition worthy photo despite the distance? I don't know the answers. I do know there is estimated to be a little over a thousand grizzlies in all of Montana, and that I was able to see 14 at once was just surreal for me.
I was surprised that there was no fighting over the elk. The black grizzlies seemed like part of one family. The blonder grizz (last one on right above fence, seemed shy at first, but eventually was allowed to partake.) The cubs on left were fed by the mama who brought them some pieces.
Regarding the crop, I kept the aspens in to denote season and show some color but cropped mostly from bottom and top. The original crop is included below. Cropping more just seemed to amplify the softness of the image. I'm still sifting through photos, a better one may still turn up! Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Posted: 10/04/2026 20:06:13
This is a scene I really wish I could have actually witnessed live. Like Butch I would be interested to know just how far away you physically were. It also makes me wonder anti bear devices you carry around. I think the images presents a really interesting story, but one what leaves me with all sorts of questions. Did a bear or multiple bears kill the elk? If not how did it die. How close to your home was this? Did the bears actually get along and share the feast or were there some disagreements?
Just to name a few.
All that said I think the image has lots of impact but the impact is more intellectual and visual. Even with 800mm the bears are really not much more than dark spots and the elk is hard to see unless you spot the antlers
If this were my image I think would crop this into a pano to remove as much distracting elements as possible to keep the viewer focused on the bears. I don't think this is a competition level image just because the bears are so small. I think the other images in the competition would over whelm this.
I think most of us on this forum are serious about wildlife photography and that this is the type of image we would love to happen upon. I for one am glad you selected this and posted it because this works on my imagination and intellectually I have to say WOW
Posted: 10/04/2026 17:47:13
Just to name a few.
All that said I think the image has lots of impact but the impact is more intellectual and visual. Even with 800mm the bears are really not much more than dark spots and the elk is hard to see unless you spot the antlers
If this were my image I think would crop this into a pano to remove as much distracting elements as possible to keep the viewer focused on the bears. I don't think this is a competition level image just because the bears are so small. I think the other images in the competition would over whelm this.
I think most of us on this forum are serious about wildlife photography and that this is the type of image we would love to happen upon. I for one am glad you selected this and posted it because this works on my imagination and intellectually I have to say WOW
Posted: 10/04/2026 17:47:13
Ann, what an amazing experience! I would have loved to see and experience this first hand.
I have not had an opportunity to photograph grizzly bears yet and this sounds like once in a lifetime event.
Looking at your photos and responses the calm interactions just sound so different from what I would have expected.
I understand you were far from the action with your 800mm which is a pity as a closer crop with more detail would have more impact for Nature competitions. Larry's pano crop works well
You definitely captured a unique moment.
Posted: 10/14/2026 12:20:37
I have not had an opportunity to photograph grizzly bears yet and this sounds like once in a lifetime event.
Looking at your photos and responses the calm interactions just sound so different from what I would have expected.
I understand you were far from the action with your 800mm which is a pity as a closer crop with more detail would have more impact for Nature competitions. Larry's pano crop works well
You definitely captured a unique moment.
Posted: 10/14/2026 12:20:37
Ann,
Like the other commenters, I'm green with envy too! What an incredible experience. I like Larry's attempt at a pano version of this, but I had trouble seeing an elk in all of this. You were up against some challenging circumstances. The action was a long way away and the animals were tightly clustered, so getting them not to merge was tough. Oh,m and you sure did not want to go charging out there to get closer!! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:37:57
Like the other commenters, I'm green with envy too! What an incredible experience. I like Larry's attempt at a pano version of this, but I had trouble seeing an elk in all of this. You were up against some challenging circumstances. The action was a long way away and the animals were tightly clustered, so getting them not to merge was tough. Oh,m and you sure did not want to go charging out there to get closer!! Posted: 10/16/2026 21:37:57
I didn't want you to go without seeing the elk! Posted: 10/23/2026 16:37:18
What an amazing experience. I'm so surprised there would be so many bears on the carcass together like this- even that they'd be close enough to converge that quickly. When I've seen multiple grizzlies in Alaska on salmon runs, they tend to still keep a distance, especially moms with cubs.
Challenging conditions for photography for sure, with the distance and the low light. But you've captured some nice groupings and action.
Have you thought about trying a more vertical crop, making the fall color behind a more important part of the scene? I also increased the contrast a bit- clarity and dehaze- and increased the overall exposure 0.3.
What an experience though, for sure a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Worth the long drive in the dark! Posted: 10/21/2026 19:26:40
Challenging conditions for photography for sure, with the distance and the low light. But you've captured some nice groupings and action.
Have you thought about trying a more vertical crop, making the fall color behind a more important part of the scene? I also increased the contrast a bit- clarity and dehaze- and increased the overall exposure 0.3.
What an experience though, for sure a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Worth the long drive in the dark! Posted: 10/21/2026 19:26:40
I would have taken this shot simply because that is a LOT of bear in one place! But, they are so far away and clustered together that there isn't much separation between them. It's hard to see what they are at first glance. Also, the posts detract from the image - maybe they could be cloned out? Posted: 10/21/2026 21:29:24
Posted: 10/23/2026 16:32:59