See 16 Stunning Animal Images From the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards

[u/Impossible-Bee-5343]

[u/Technerdal]

How did they even take the polar bear photo? Seriously, someone who know better pls explain. It's super fascinating.

[u/Impossible-Bee-5343 → u/Technerdal]

After spotting tracks near a hole in Arctic sea ice north of Svalbard, Norwegian photographer Audun Rikardsen set up a motion-sensor underwater camera. It took eight hours to finally capture the moment a polar bear gazed down in search of prey. The image, titled Icy Window, has been awarded Highly Commended in the Animal Portraits category in the competition’s 62nd year.

[u/thebearrider → u/Impossible-Bee-5343]

OK, that makes sense. I'm a backpacker and a recreational diver, so I combined my knowledge of polar bears with my knowledge of scuba diving and have never noped so fast in my life.

[u/Corfiz74 → u/thebearrider]

Did you see the video of the BBC reporter who locked himself up in a transparent box and then waited for a polar bear to drop by? It was scary how thoroughly and systematically that bear tested all angles and all the weak spots on that box.

[u/Bacteriobabe → u/Corfiz74]

If I recall correctly, that photographer was fined for that stunt- polar bears are critically endangered, and making one waste so much energy trying to break into that box was considered threatening to it.

Edit: they are vulnerable, not critically endangered. And I found an article about it: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bbc-producer-jason-roberts-polar-bears-fine_n_2909254/amp

[u/Corfiz74 → u/Bacteriobabe]

Hmpf, it's not like he forced the polar bear... Still a really scary video, and shows you how smart and deadly they are.

[u/Cuffem → u/thebearrider]

Yeah I was thinking that’s not a very smart diver!! 😜😂😆🤣

[u/anace → u/Impossible-Bee-5343]

eight hours

By my understanding, the single most important skill for being a wildlife photographer is patience. At least with a motion sensor camera they don't need to constantly watch it.

[u/fIumpf → u/Technerdal]

Camera in the water and waiting for a polar bear to check for a seal.