Larry Treadwell
July 2026 - Climbing Down
About the Image(s)
Climbing Down
Nikon D850 NIKKOR 600mm 5.6 @ISO 400, F5.6, 1/500 from monopod with gimbal head
While hiking the trail from Cades Cove to Abrams Falls just after sunrise I noticed the grass in the field appeared to be moving in the wrong direction based on the direction the wind was blowing. So I watched and waited. It was about 10 minutes later the I saw the head and shoulders of a black bear standing still and looking around the meadow. Slowly she walked toward a large broken tree and upon arriving she stood on hind legs and searched the area. I was downwind and I don’t think she even saw me. After her search she turned and called to her 3 cubs who came bounding out of the grass to stand by their mother. She proceeded to chase each of them up the broken tree and into the cover of the canopy. As she started to walk off one of the cubs started climbing back down the tree. In a flash mom spun around and charged the tree and the little fella scrambled back up. Mom then walked back into the grass in the meadow and vanished from sight. It was at that point that this little cub started walking down the broken tree. He has struggling with balance and fright as he took tentative steps feeling his way down. It was during his struggles that I captured this and many other images.
I had good directional light working for me even though it was a bit bright. I reduced highlights and adjusted the black point and added some sharpening. I brightened the eye and reduced the bright greens so they would not “glow”. My biggest issues was getting a clean crop that I liked. My shooting position featured several tree branches that kept getting in the way. I think this crop worked.
6 comments posted
As usual, the image is spot on technically and overall presentation is very well handled. My only quibble-and this is purely a matter of personal preference-is the crop. I'm admittedly biased (capital B) toward 5x7 and 4x6 formats, and I think the image would look even stronger if it were cropped slightly tighter with a 5x7 format.
Also, recognizing that PSA Wildlife rules permit only very limited adjustments, my guess is that you adhere to them. However, if this were an Open category image where content removal is permitted, I would consider eliminating the two branches that lead the eye out of the frame.
Love this shot, Larry. Strong subject with engaging behavior that I believe will connect well with viewers.
Posted: 07/02/2026 00:05:34
I didn't leave early because Mom went the opposite way, away from me so I was not worried.
I'm not particular about sticking to traditional sizes. I crop for what I like for the image involved. That has been my bias for years.
If you are referring to the two black branches on the left, they are dark and so I'm not worried about them. Since you mention then it will be interesting to see what Ann says about them. If I was going to remove something I'd consider the white branches in the upper right. But since the bear is moving to the left I felt the attention would be on the bear and the branches might not be noticed Posted: 07/02/2026 02:29:35
Great story as always! you captured the cub coming down as an angle that conveys the story of it climbing down that tree. You doid a great job handling what looks like pretty bright direct light on the bear. About the only suggestion I might offer is to darken the branches to let the bear pop ouot more. Great shot! Posted: 07/08/2026 14:00:48
thanks for the suggestion. I have already slightly darkened the branch the bear is walking upon due the the bright light you mention I don't what to darken the branch moire, because the bear is dark and then he would merge even more with the branch. Posted: 07/08/2026 18:32:48
You really captured the tentativeness of this little one's descent. The crouched pose but mostly the ears back convey that well. I like the strong diagonals, which make the climb seem even more steep.
I wouldn't darken the branch the cub's on any more for exactly the reason you said- you want the cub to stand out. I might crop a little from the top so that the cub seems to be higher up since there's not as much space below it.
I don't mind the darker branches on the left at all, they blend in to the setting. The one I would remove is the thin white one to the right side of the main trunk at the top. along with the 2 bits of bright leaves at that right edge. It would make that space more uniform and subdued.
Such a cute scene, what a fun encounter. Posted: 07/10/2026 21:17:11
I could remove the white branch and the leaves, that is easy enough. The idea about removing from the top to make the cub appear to be higher is really an interesting thought. I'll take some time and play with that. However I'm more interested about that concept for future shots. It opens a whole world of possibilities. Thanks. Posted: 07/12/2026 00:06:10