Meet Scarface
by Mark ~ March 3rd, 2010. Filed under: nature photography, wildlife.
Scarface of Katmai
Hard to believe I didn’t introduce this big guy to you folks sooner. Obviously from my bear trip last fall, but this particular bear made quite an impression for obvious reasons. Not only was this male boar huge, but the scar across his nose gave him, well to put it bluntly – the total badass look. I still get a little freaked out when I look at this image and think about being so close to an animal like this.
The male bears were probably the most shy of all of them. It took quite awhile for Scarface to make close approaches to us through the river. I particularly wanted to catch a moment when those claws were clearly visible.
If you ever saw the movie Scarface, and if this bear could talk, I think it is likely he would say a lot of what Tony Montana said in the movie.
“…The last time you gonna see a bad guy like this again, let me tell you. Come on. Make way for the bad guy. There’s a bad guy comin’ through! Better get outta his way!” – Tony Montana, from the movie Scarface, 1983.
Only this bear’s little friends are his claws instead of a machine gun. :-)
March 3rd, 2010 at
Now there’s a “man’s bear” — Scarface, not some sissy bear anyone would ever call a “Teddy Bear.”
Holding out the good stuff for last, huh? You captured a great shot of him and those claws are very visible — what are they, about 4-6 inches long? It must of been a heck of a wound to leave a scar that wide and deep.
Impressive!
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Mark Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at
No sissy bears here Earl! Thanks for th comment- made me laugh.
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March 4th, 2010 at
Excellent capture, Mark! The bear here symbolises a raw power and completely drags viewers attention to himself. The pose in which you kept him is just perfect. When I see such an animal my first feeling is respect.
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Mark Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at
Thanks Tomas. You do have to wonder if our instinctual fight or flight reaction comes into play in our reactions to such imagery.
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March 4th, 2010 at
Hey Mark,
Ohhhhh – I LIKE this.
Wonderful photo. “raw power” describes it perfectly.
Great job with the DOF – I tend to shoot too wide and not get the whole bear as sharp as you did here. Super.
Cheers
Carl
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Mark Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at
Thanks Carl. I’d have to look at what aperture I used / ISO, not sure. Was always a hard decision to try to have enough for sharpness, but let in enough light to stop those paws in motion.
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March 4th, 2010 at
excellent shot & what a cool looking bear! Not sure I’d want to see him running towards me for real thou
I hope this was on a really long zoom 
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Mark Reply:
March 4th, 2010 at
Thanks – for sure a zoom! Although 400mm doesn’t seem like that much with this big guy walking towards you.
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March 6th, 2010 at
Usually you need some comparison to get scale, but this guy, isolated in the frame looks quite imposing. Like Earl said, this ain’t no sissy bear. As a matter of fact, one word that I would NOT use for this fella is cuddly! Given that scar across his nose, I’d certainly hate to see what happened to the other guy!
Excellent shot, Mark! I wonder what else you’re holdin’ out us?
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Mark Reply:
March 6th, 2010 at
Hmmm, yeah, scale – should there be a next time, I’ll try to remember to do one of those camera lens pointing at ya with a bear approaching from behind shots.
Thanks Paul. I may have a few more, I am a slow editor.
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March 6th, 2010 at
I’m happy to meet Scarface via your blog rather than in person. Those claws are impressive!
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Mark Reply:
March 6th, 2010 at
Thank you for the comment Anita. Yes, agreed – and imagine the claws that caused the scar were equally so.
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March 6th, 2010 at
I not only hope this was shot with a long zoom (400mm doesn’t seem long enogh to me) but that you cropped the heck out of this one as well! Otherwise, I’m gonna question your judgement…
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Mark Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at
Well Bob, I can only claim drunkenness with excitement – because this is full frame, no cropping. I am sure all this guy wanted was a belly rub.
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March 7th, 2010 at
I’d rather face the machine gun than those claws, to be honest!
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March 13th, 2010 at
Mark this image has such great character! I can’t get over how sharp it is considering the bear’s proximity!
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Mark Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at
Thanks a lot Paul. It is officially my ‘gansta bear’ shot.
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March 15th, 2010 at
Check out those claws! Yikes! Gorgeous image Mark
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