Follow in my footsteps

Written By Ray Hennessy
 

Photographer: John Mauser

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I took this image in Eastern North Carolina on a hot, humid morning in July. A few miles away a forest fire was burning, and the air was thick with smoke. As I hiked into the forest, I wasn't sure how long I could stand the smoke, or if the conditions would even allow for a photo. When I reached a spot where I regularly see Black Bears crossing a trail, I set up my camera gear and waited. The sun was rising to the left of the path and the light filtered through the smoke in the air. Eventually a black bear entered the scene from the left and then turned her head looking back, waiting patiently. A few moments later her cub followed her out of the tree line, and they both crossed the trail into the woods on the other side. I held my breath, kept quiet, and photographed the scene as it unfolded.

1/500 • f/6.3 • ISO 1250 • Sony Z7IV • 600mm • Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3

 
Ray Hennessy

Starting in 2007 my fascination with nature photography began.  In the years since, wildlife photography with a focus on birds has gone from a very passionate hobby of mine to become my career. I spend much of my free time in natural areas searching for birds and any other wildlife that comes along. I concentrate on using creative natural lighting and interesting compositions to capture unique images of common and rare wildlife. My favorite style is a more scenic photo that includes some of the habitat wildlife lives in. I also enjoy passing along the knowledge and experience that I have gathered over the years to other photographers who are eager to learn.

www.rayhennessy.com
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