The Paws that Refreshes

Posted by Michael Rawluk (Prince George, Canada) on 15 November 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

A shot from 3 years ago. Old scratchings by a bear. I might have used it before.

I appreciate your comments and constructive criticism.

VFXY Photos Cool Photoblogs

Comments (17)

Helen from Melbourne, Australia

Nice graphic shot. Astonishing when you realise what the marks on the bark are. It brought a smile to my face when I re-read the title of your blog!

15 Nov 2007 1:08am

Mindy from United States

wonderful. until i read your narration, i thought it could be a petroglyph. amazing...and though as a relative newcomer to your site i haven't seen this before, even if you did post it a while back, i wouldn't complain if i had. post this again and again. it's cool!

15 Nov 2007 1:57am

Ian Bramham from Manchester, United Kingdom

I haven't seen it before Michael - even without the explanation I could see that it was left by large claws but bears are way outside our experience here in the UK so your explanation made everything click into place.
I like the b&w treatment and the contrast as well as the way the light moves around the tree trunk to match the direction of the claw marks.

15 Nov 2007 3:45am

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Goodness, that bear certainly left his mark here! it looks like a skeletal hand/paw is clawing it's way to the light!

15 Nov 2007 4:24am

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Love the total effect here! Great conversion and light!

15 Nov 2007 6:15am

Jim Browning from Birmingham, United States

Great Shot...but just a little too close for comfort.

15 Nov 2007 6:19am

Kim from Newcomerstown, United States

Wow - what a fabulous find! I could probably wander the woods for days and never come across something like this. Great shot Michael!

15 Nov 2007 8:21am

Reza from Montreal, Canada

Is it really by a bear? Wow!
Great shot and very effective use of light. Also very nice in B&W.

15 Nov 2007 11:41am

elaine from France

who says tree couldn't suffer! we have a proof here

15 Nov 2007 12:56pm

HorseRotorVator from Newton, United States

Super cool shot!!!

15 Nov 2007 1:03pm

Alireza from Tehran, Iran

a monkey's pow

15 Nov 2007 3:22pm

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Oh yeah, I've seen my share of that mark. Love how you framed it and the b/w is so great for that shadowing. The grizzly markings on the Canadian side of the Chilkoot Trail are high up on the trees and something to behold!!

15 Nov 2007 4:50pm