'Sit there and wait': Campbell River filmmaker captures black bear hunting salmon
An abundance of salmon that are returning to spawn along Vancouver Island rivers are attracting wildlife, members of the public and photographers who are arriving to record the spectacle.
One such individual is Campbell River, B.C., filmmaker Eiko Jones who was attempting to record salmon spawning but instead captured incredible video of black bears trying to eat the salmon.
"I've filmed lots of spawning events in the past and I was trying to get the actual moment of egg-laying and noticed a particular bear coming to the exact spot every time," Jones told CTV News on Monday.
He figured if he put his underwater camera in that location he might be able to capture something special – and he did. A bear was filmed repeatedly pouncing on salmon trying to get a meal.
"It would always just sit there and wait and then when a Chinook, or bigger Coho came by – and occasionally pinks – it would pounce," said Jones.
"It wouldn't always pounce in the same direction but it would always sit in the same spot."
Jones records videos and photos to post on his photography website, Eiko Jones Photography. He then sells the images to producers and stock footage companies.
He says capturing spawning images is a challenge.
"I've done hundreds of hours sitting watching a pair of fish digging. You think they're going to spawn and then they don't," said Jones.
"I've sat and watched a single pair of fish for eight hours and not had them spawn, so it's really a game of waiting," he said.
Filmmaker Eiko Jones was attempting to record salmon spawning but instead captured incredible video of black bears trying to eat the fish. (CTV News)
His gear is a 6K cinema camera inside a custom-built housing that he has rigged up at the end of a long pole for remote shooting. Jones says he can be on the shoreline away from the river and any fish or bears. He monitors the output on an iPad.
"Anytime I do anything new it's always exciting as far as a new behavioural animal," he said.
"I've been filming salmon and bears for so long that just filming them standing there or doing nothing is not as exciting. I'm really looking for that behavioural shot where they're actually doing something that they do," said Jones.
The videographer has certainly captured exciting footage of bears doing what they do best on Vancouver Island.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.