I waited 8 hours for this! | Wildlife Photography | Huge Black Bear

After discovering a huge black bear asleep in a field, we waited over 8 hours to photograph him! This video recaps that day, it just goes to show, if you want to be a wildlife photographer you gotta have some patience. Thanks for watching and be sure to leave a comment, like and subscribe.
Cheers, Neil
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Photography/Videography Equipment Used:
Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary
Canon EOS R

[@peggyeddy7182]

Now that’s how you treat a Bear for a picture, Thank You So Very Much for treating him as he should be treated for such beautiful pictures ♥️

[@kimnykoluk6111]

Yeah 😃

[@cks6southsix262]

Truly appreciate your patience and capturing these images! Truly amazing!!!!

[@terryroth2855]

What a bruiser for sure Neil. I imagine these guys don’t hibernate, but just eat all the time. Some seriously great effort to get these photos. Well done.🙂

[@NeilJernigan]

That’s pretty much it! And why North Carolina is home to some of the largest black bear in the country!

[@lauramcgarrell-young8197]

Wow! What a gorgeous bear!! Thank you for your patience!

[@marianaalexandru]

WOW!!! Magnificent bear, I don't think I ever seen one more beautiful and huge. Great job Neil like always. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!! Yeah he’s definitely one of the largest I’ve seen, but there are bigger ones for sure!

[@jerryreynolds2383]

That was awesome, Neil! Shows your patience and respect for the bear! Thanks for sharing the experience with us!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks Jerry! I truly love what I do!

[@SirDrAdamB]

I appreciate your respect for the bear.

[@randyschwager2515]

That was awesome! Thanks for taking me along!

[@Lismarie33]

Amazing photography! Thanks for sharing.

[@brigidvanparys2062]

I love that you respect the wildlife and patiently wait. Great photos ❤🐻

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks! and thanks for watching!

[@maryj560]

Patience pays off! Thank you for waiting . your pictures are awesome! loved your video!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!!

[@Anthony5217]

Wow! Thanks

[@bessiemann7468]

Big bear. He was beautiful

[@jeralynquinlan4197]

Awesome pictures of a HUGE bear !!!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!

[@lupodelupis3672]

I think he ate a whole huge safe! Man... they could eat 24/7 😲😁

[@charlottebailey1124]

Your patient attitude was well rewarded! Thanks!

[@beverleytinker2318]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful bear photos. Thank you also for your respect of these magnificent creatures and doing the right things to keep them safe🌹🌹

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!

[@USNVA11]

That’s a big boy ! I live next to the Great Dismal Swamp, which is pretty close to where you filmed this. We get some big black bears in these parts for sure !

[@terryfarrell1757]

Really good work with your photography Neil and God bless you for respecting animals

[@simplelangperorock]

I can see 2 people are Packer fans. 😬 nice shots.

[@sonjamotzkus4684]

Beautiful photographs!

[@jacquelinecarle2908]

Your obviously a professional photographer and no a lot about bears, I was thinking being so big especially the belly area, could the bear have been a pregnant female? Silly question really, I’ve never seen such a huge bear, one great thing at least he’s not starving obviously with that belly Lol....great photography thanks for sharing.

[@NeilJernigan]

Just a big male. Female black bear have their cubs in January - February. When born, they are about the size of a stick of butter, just a few ounces each. So if you were to ever see a pregnant female you'd never be able to tell. :)

[@MikSwePhoto]

Sometimes the best photos comes from doing nothing but waiting.😊 Takes a lot of patience though and I am happy it worked out for you and that you got some amazing pictures. Lok forward to your next video 👍

[@NeilJernigan]

Definitely!! It’s the name of the game. Got to be there and ready. Thanks for watching!

[@susansotile8816]

Wow , amazing

[@davidyoung794]

Loved this Neil, great video, maybe my favourite since discovering your channel

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks David!!!

[@gtaylor6937]

I love the respect and reverence you show for this bear.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@garyoneill8868]

GREAT film work.

[@seven471]

Awww, sweet bear. Looks like he had been ready for hibernation.

[@phardison4368]

Love the video. He is a beautiful bear. Thank you.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks! And yes he is!

[@patroque2388]

He is a tank!

[@NeilJernigan]

Yes he is! I did observe an even large one push him out of a field one evening this past summer. Was hoping to would turn into a fight but nothing happened

[@findus605]

What a beautiful large bear, fantastic video and stills, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍

[@NeilJernigan]

😊 thank you for watching!

[@sassytbc7923]

Bear says “I am important enough to have a nickname, I don’t need to get up until I am good and ready…

[@beckyyoung2173]

I think he did name him when he called him a Tank, LOL! Tank is a good name for that big huge bear!

[@iRidetas]

Beautiful, worth every second

[@jamieburning3762]

Awesome video,, Thanks for showing just how hard it is to get wildlife photos,, it takes time and patients as you know.

[@mikeanderson7165]

Me n my wife absolutely love ur videos,we live in North Wilkesboro NC ,we come down once a year sometimes twice,keep posting videos 👌🏻

[@clairesmith5340]

Awesome video and photos! Thanks for sharing!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you for the kind words and watching!

[@brentking-gmailking2570]

You did a great job on this one Neal. Have a great day.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks, you too!

[@sushantsourav1259]

14.12- 14.25 is amazingly beautiful...great!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks!!

[@woodymeristem2223]

Beautiful, beautiful bear! We've had a 600 pound bear around our place, but it would look small compared with that one. Thanks for being patient enough to get the photos.

[@NeilJernigan]

That’s awesome! Thank you for watching!

[@paulevans4271]

greetings from southeast ga I just came across your page and love your photography work I look forward to seeing more

[@NeilJernigan]

Awesome!! Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@juliehendy5446]

Awesome video! He’s a bigg’n. I wish they weren’t so viscous, they’re so Beautiful!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you! They're not viscous at all! They mostly have prey mentality, run first. But if they have to they will stand their ground and protect themselves.

[@dinawhite5175]

Omg what a great video I’ve never seen such a huge healthy looking Bear absolutely gorgeous thank you

[@lindahansen-caughell2401]

It was awesome to see.

[@douglashurd8652]

God bless cornfields , food for everyone.

[@david-py3pv]

Awesome job Neil! You gotta have patience. Really wish I didn't have to cancel my trip down there next week.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks David! Yeah lots of canceling of trips me too unfortunately :(

[@jopos5082]

Awesome video thank you so much pictures are awesome my heart goes out to you

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!

[@DAllenMartinphotos]

That was amazing. I've been wanting to do this type of photography for 15 years and will soon start traveling and finding opportunities for it.Thanks for all the tips and info. Those are some incredible shots you got!!

[@linda85853]

Great pictures what a beautiful bear 🐻👍

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks 👍

[@rayb1330]

My wife and I drive down the refuge from VA quite a bit. We got some fantastic pics from last summer. Had to wait till evening because it was so hot during the day the mirage was awful.

[@NeilJernigan]

Awesome! Yeah early and late is typically the best time!

[@Schnupp911]

Awesome man coming down there soon

[@NeilJernigan]

Sweet! Let me know when and maybe we can meet up!

[@ratgirl13]

Fabulous that you were the only one out there with your friend, those bear photos are exceptional. Subscribing.🙂🐻

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks for the sub!

[@10glocks40]

Thank you. Love the video.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks!! :)

[@saxcobra895]

Such a big boy!! Cool video dude!

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks!!

[@JoseManuelHiniesto]

Hello friend! Fantastic whole video - Congratulations! It was worth it, friend, congratulations. I leave friendly greetings and wish you a happy night :)

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you Jose!!

[@reggiewhite8381]

Alligator river area has some of the largest black bears in the world, He was a tank for sure, good shots.

[@mentalasylumescapee6389]

i wouldn't describe the bear as a "tank" tanks are fast hard hitting strong and powerful. this bear was fat lazy and bloated and wasn't very agile...i would describe the bear as a "bloated tick"

[@mortalclown3812]

Curious where this is. Absolutely great pictures. Thank you!

[@J_bar_S_Photography]

I have a question? how in the world are you getting those clear photos from your trail camera?? those are amazing photos sir lol

[@andres1xy]

Great capture! patience is a virtue. Do you think that in one of the pics you were too close and unprotected frpm the big bear?

[@leadfootnick4x4]

Good video

[@petes9878]

Indeed, that's the largest Black Bear I've seen. Nice to observe a patient man too.

[@gregoryjsnyder8150]

Black bears eat ppl also.

[@petes9878]

@@gregoryjsnyder8150, is this a correction to something I said, or are you just assuming that I don't know?

[@gregoryjsnyder8150]

@@petes9878 My point being, most ppl think black bears aren't dangerous at all.

[@petes9878]

@@gregoryjsnyder8150, Ah so! uninformed me, having having a cabin in, and having worked for the US National Park Service's largest Park (Wrangell-St.Elias), six times the size of Yellowstone, I had no idea what dangers I'm exposed to. We just never stop learning, don't we? Thanks.

[@garykuiken6191]

Great work, your a patient man. Those lower down images are fabulous. In Alberta our black bears are much smaller. I've only seen one really large one, but not the size of your fella. Some of our grizzlys are big but not the size of yours. Great work it was worth it.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks Gary!

[@whobedannyd]

I have determined that you are me, only better!!

[@RenegadeADV]

Oy, that is a chonky bear! And Neil, by the way, good job giving that bear space, I am from Montana just north of Yellowstone, and I see so many people doing dumb things in the name of getting a photo with wildlife. You really did it right in this video.

[@wjinnewbern57]

Thats the one I call Scarface, he has a scar above his right eye, yes he is a big bear and takes his time coming out of the field. Beautiful bear.

[@NeilJernigan]

Yes he is!! Yeah it seems like everyone has a nickname for him. I’ve heard of several. With each passing year the accumulate multiple scars from fighting

[@hopeandgracetompkins3707]

I've heard of Scarface. And saw a video of him. As well the video expresses his physical characteristic that certain other bears are his offspring.

[@conniemeekins9396]

Awesome video that is the biggest bear I have ever seen I enjoyed the video

[@jerryhardison1918]

My favorite all time bear. I have seen him frequently over the past 3 yrs. My wife calls him "Big Boy" which does seems very appropriate. Great video and pics.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks Mr Jerry! He really didn’t mind our presence at all! Hope to find him again soon!

[@NCTraveller]

In Oct 2019 I saw a similar sized bear lying in a corn field at Pocosin Lakes, doing the same thing... his head was tremendously huge. He also did the back scratch as he finally left the field. Saw a total of 19 bears there one afternoon/evening. Thanks for sharing your videos and pics.

[@GlenDomulevicz]

The is quite a lazy bear. Guess that is what happens when you eat a lot of corn. Is it normal for a large spring beat to put on so much weight so early in the season?

[@NeilJernigan]

Haha yeah he was. Preparing for mating season! In this a part of the state they can feed pretty much all year around due to weather and agricultural crops. Which is why they get so big!

[@robertlawrence7958]

That is one hell of a fat bear! If he was human he would be on one of those TV programmes of obese people who only get off the sofa to go to the fridge! Great images, I particularly like the scratching on the tree shot, really nicely framed and showing interesting activity. Good reward for your patience, or should that be persistence.

[@NeilJernigan]

Haha! Definitely! Thank you! Really appreciate it!

[@WillPalenscar]

Awesome shooting and patience Neil!! So did he end up eclipsing the largest you had photographed?

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks! No, he is top 5 I’ve seen. But there is one out there that I’ve seen only twice that is larger than small car, makes this big guy look like I little pup!

[@fireguy284]

Black bears in this area get large mostly because of human interaction. They dump thousands of pounds of peanuts and corn to help fatten them up for clients looking for trophy hunts. 700 to 800 lbs is not an average weight. I realize that this is a refuge area and that crops are planted specifically for wildlife.

[@NeilJernigan]

Yep wildlife refuges plant crops and only harvest half leaving the other half for the wildlife. I’m sure in other areas they may dump corn and peanuts to feed the bear. Not on the refuges themself. 700-800lb is not the average of all bear, however it’s much closer to the average BIG bear like I stated, for that area

[@fireguy284]

@@NeilJernigan actually they do dump corn out. They have been doing it, coinciding with the annual black bear festival so folks would have something to look at, what's a black bear festival without black bears. Considering I live in this area also and spend countless time in the woods and fields, 700-800 lbs isn't even average for the refuge. Id say more like 500-600 lbs for large bear. 800 lbs is due to someone dumping lots of fatty food out for this guy. Someone has this bear on their radar for hunting.

[@NeilJernigan]

I work with the black festival, leading tours for them. I feel left out since no one has ever told me about these corn drops 😆 .. I will say we can at least agree the bear out there are big! A bear over 500lb is a big bear for sure

[@fireguy284]

@@NeilJernigan I agree, a 500lb bear is a big bear. I don't necessarily agree with folks putting out large amounts of food just to fatten a bear up so someone can have to trophy but I have no problem with people wanting to harvest a bear either. I don't disagree putting out corn so folks can see a few bears. However I think it's an unhealthy thing to do constantly as they become dependent upon human interaction.I myself like seeing bears and personally don't care if I ever kill one but I think their population is getting out of balance. You ever notice how few deer you see on the refuge now? Just food for thought, I wonder what has depleted these numbers to drastically low percentages. I've definitely heard the story, whether true or not, but let's just put it this way, bears bring in more money. You wouldn't believe how much a trophy bear hunt costs or maybe you would. You should see the pictures and videos I have of extreme close encounters of the bear kind. Most people would crap their drawers.

[@Zipmegolden]

@@fireguy284 😪😪

[@karendebri9493]

He is very huge

[@TheChristonline]

Neil , do you have a firearm with you in case things don't go well ?

[@CoraTreeCustomGuitars]

Neil, is this in Pungo? The location doesn't look like the big field on Bear Rd. Or is it on the west side of the reserve, in those fields where the swans love to gather?

[@jeffselfphotography3066]

Wow! That's a big boy! Was this Alligator River NWR? I need to get back down there in four months. Plus now I have to go around my elbow to get there since I can't come down the Outer Banks.

[@rayb1330]

I was thinking Alligator River or Pocosin Lakes.

[@NeilJernigan]

ENC for sure! 😉 Alligator and Pocosin have some largest bear in the country!

[@domstarkey7279]

Looks like he been tag at one time

[@Zipmegolden]

That's the fattest black bear I've ever seen in picture form. He couldn't breathe well, and he had his mouth open a bit the whole time. Poor guy, I think someone is tossing him to many twinkies! Beautiful photos though, thanks for sharing.

[@NeilJernigan]

Thanks for watching!

[@sonnynick1]

Amazing video and pictures. What state are you in ?? That’s one huge bear. You need a smart watch so you can tell us what your heart rate jumps up to when you have a incredible encounter with these animals.

[@sonnynick1]

I read your bio so I now know where you are at bud. I live in greenville South Carolina.

[@smilsmff]

all the Weeds now are over 5 feet in height , its nearly impossible to get pictures there

[@craigbrown6437]

I have a question for the maker of this video (Neil Jernigan).Here is my question: who do you think would win a head to head one on one fight to the death between a fully grown American male adult black bear and a fully grown adult Jaguar?Could you please explain your opinion by giving reasons to support your answer? I await your reply.

[@andrewwerner2061]

Ok here's a good bear story was 87 I think we were going camping in glacier country 2 4 weeks before we got there a train derailed corn wheat turned over week go by been raining in the area bears came down ate the corn and wheat the bears got drunk from eating the corn or and wheat be

[@bpar73]

6:54 is me on a Saturday night

[@NeilJernigan]

haha!!

[@jumpinjoeyvalley4690]

Beautiful shots what camera/lens do you use?

[@NeilJernigan]

This was with the Canon EOS R and Sigma 150-600mm lens

[@nickyork8901]

Great video. The only time I got that close to a bear was when I was taking a landscape short early in the morning in Yellowstone and then noticed another person pointing their camera behind me. The bear was 5 feet away, having its breakfast. By the way, is there a particular brand of sedative you use for black bears?

[@lisashrestha5023]

Where are you located? Did I miss it? State? I’m in SE Alaska, and fascinated w/ brown and black bears, which we see a lot. The hump could indicate he’s a brown. Colors vary with both. You mentioned corn fields so Wyoming or Yellowstone?

[@NeilJernigan]

This is North Carolina. Definitely black bear, but this did resemble a brown bear for sure due to its size!

[@dougryder5824]

Nice video Neil. Two questions what size lens are you using and what tripod are you using? I’m just trying to get an idea on what gear I may want

[@NeilJernigan]

I use Gitzo tripod, wimberly gimbal with a sigma 150-600mm lens

[@jeffclark6202]

A lazy bear named Gerth. I want to see him climb a tree.

[@sassytbc7923]

Where was this taken?

[@alex82776]

very nice . Its alaska ?

[@kcrob1977]

North Carolina I believe.

[@_nick_d]

That bear was a fatty. Nice pix!

[@jhall7854]

AWWW SUPER LOVE YOU AND THE BEARS

[@NeilJernigan]

Thank you!

[@ClutchingPearlz]

Have you ever seen this bear again?

[@NeilJernigan]

Yep!

[@aulddug3634]

How old was that bear do you think?

[@bhanes5082]

Where is this located?

[@rt3156]

What part of the country is this?

[@NeilJernigan]

NC

[@rt3156]

@@NeilJernigan Thank you.

[@andrewwerner2061]

Montana????

[@eugeniusro]

Bears are not only photographed with telephoto lens, you can use macro lens also :)) www.eugeniusro.com/picture.php?/2771/category/46&metadata

[@MLJ7424]

That's not a bear, that a cow in bear clothing

[@jhondoughlasariasa9158]

Haaahaa.. lazy bear

[@Pootie_Tan]

Is that a pregnant momma bear 🐻?

[@NeilJernigan]

Nope, just a big male!

[@CatfishCraig]

Is this in nc?

[@NeilJernigan]

Yes sir