After the swim

After the swim

Photograph made in Diergaarde Blijdorp zoo – Rotterdam

Polar bear – after the swim :) – I think this is one of my best – if not my best- zoo-animal shot so far … totally excited with it – LOL

Threatened
“The polar bear is classified as a vulnerable species, with 5 of the 19 polar bear subpopulations in decline.6 For decades, unrestricted hunting raised international concern for the future of the species; populations have rebounded after controls and quotas began to take effect. For thousands of years, the polar bear has been a key figure in the material, spiritual, and cultural life of Arctic indigenous peoples, and the hunting of polar bears remains important in their cultures.
The IUCN now lists global warming as the most significant threat to the polar bear, primarily because the melting of its sea ice habitat reduces its ability to find sufficient food. The IUCN states, “If climatic trends continue polar bears may become extirpated from most of their range within 100 years.”[1] On May 14, 2008, the United States Department of the Interior listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.” (source: Wikipedia – Polar Bear )

Photograph made with Pentax K10D camera and Tamron 70-300 Tele-macro1:2 lens
Post-edited and retouched in Lightroom 2 and Adobe Photoshop 7.0

Features
This photograph was featured in ! # 1 ARTISTS OF REDBUBBLE ! (Sept. 26, 2009)
Top10 placement in Radial blur by Mood and ambience (2009, dec. 15)
Thank you!

After the swim belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, " You Big SOFTY", *A Beautiful Blur, All Animals Great And Small., All Soft and Cuddlies !!, Animal Kingdom, Animal Photography -*4 legged & furry shots Only*, Bears of the world, Cee's Fun Artsy Friends (no holidays cards or snapshots please), Cutest of the Cute, Descriptions, DSLR Users Only - 1/24 - Camera & Lens In Description Please., Endangered Species, First Things, Funny Kritters, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, Live and Let Live, Made By Nature - {2 a day} - {challenge theme only!}, Miniatures and Mammoths, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Nature's Wonders, PENTAX , Playful Photogenic Animals, Rain Drops & Water Art - Fresh Water Only!, That's Entertainment! (Fun & Recreation Photos), The true beauty and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints