Canon’s lens ecosystem is one of the most extensive in photography, spanning decades of innovation and multiple camera systems. For photographers entering the Canon world in 2026, understanding how all these lenses work together (or don’t) can feel like deciphering ancient hieroglyphics. The good news is that once you understand the underlying logic, it all makes sense, and Canon’s system offers tremendous flexibility for leveraging glass from multiple eras on modern bodies.
Mama Bear Named Rose Gives Birth To Triplets Beneath Lake Tahoe Cabin – World Animal News
Photo credit: BEAR League
A heartwarming wildlife story is unfolding in Lake Tahoe, where a mother black bear known as Rose has given birth to three cubs beneath a residential cabin.
The footage, shared by the nonprofit wildlife organization BEAR League, through its “CubCam’26,” introduces the world to Mama Rose and her triplets, Echo, Oakley, and Storm, born just a few weeks ago in a crawl space under the home.
Just prior to giving birth, Rose located an unsecured crawl space opening and quietly made it her den. By the time anyone realized she was there, the cubs had already been born.
At that point, there was no turning back.
Wildlife experts emphasize that once cubs are born, it is illegal to evict a mother bear from her den because the cubs would quickly die without her. As a result, Rose and her newborns will remain under the cabin until April, when she is expected to guide them out into the world.
“It was no secret once the cubs started voicing their opinions loud and clear,” BEAR League shared alongside the latest clip.
The organization has installed a camera beneath the cabin to monitor the family’s safety. The editing crew for CubCam’26, Dave Fleishman and Riley McClaughry, are helping share footage as the cubs grow.
BEAR League reassured viewers not to worry about a wire visible in the den appearing in some of the footage. The wire is not live and will be moved out of the way.
This is not the first time Rose has been monitored. Last winter, during “CubCam’25,” she and three other mother bears and their cubs were followed closely, giving the public a rare glimpse into black bear maternal behavior.
While the scene may be endearing, it also carries an important message:
BEAR League and wildlife agencies continually remind residents in bear country to secure crawl spaces before bears enter. Unfortunately, those warnings often go unheeded.
Once a mother bear establishes a den and gives birth, removal is no longer an option. A family of bears under a home can cause extensive structural damage.
“Secure your crawl spaces before a bear enters,” the organization reiterated.
For now, Mama Rose and her triplets remain safe beneath the cabin, nursing, growing, and preparing for the day this spring when they will venture out into the forests surrounding Lake Tahoe and into a much bigger world.
BEAR League hopes to continue sharing updates and footage as Echo, Oakley, and Storm grow in the weeks ahead.
You’ve seen Andy Warhol’s iconic pop art on gallery walls, but a new collection of 400 stereoscopic photos from the Smithsonian offers an intimate look at the artist behind the work. The images capture quiet, playful moments in his New York City studio, The Factory, and include famous faces like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carly Simon, and Mick Jagger.
According to the Smithsonian, these rare slides, shot between 1972 and 1982, bring Warhol’s creative process to life in a three-dimensional way.
The slides are housed in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian and are available for study and exhibition.
The Magic of Stereoscopic Photography
Stereoscopic photography uses two aligned images to simulate depth, creating the illusion of a 3D scene when viewed through a special device. The effect is striking in these images of Warhol.
The photographs offer a sense of presence that traditional photography often misses, drawing viewers directly into the space where Warhol lived and worked.
These intimate moments were captured by Ronnie Cutrone, a fellow artist who joined Warhol’s studio as an assistant in 1972. Cutrone worked closely with Warhol for a decade, documenting both the everyday rhythm of The Factory and the personalities that passed through it.
He later became known for his Post-Pop works, often featuring cartoon characters and bright, playful imagery, echoing the energy and irreverence of Warhol’s studio life.
Capturing The Factory
The Factory in the 1970s was a hub for creativity, celebrity, and experimentation. Cutrone’s slides show the studio in a way that standard photographs rarely do: you can sense the space, the textures of the materials, and the gestures of those inside.
Some slides feature Warhol posing next to unfinished canvases, while others capture candid interactions with assistants, visitors, and his pets. These are not staged portraits but genuine glimpses into the daily environment of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.
The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art acquired the slides through a gift from James R. Hedges IV, ensuring the collection is preserved for research and public engagement.
According to the museum, the acquisition helps expand understanding of Warhol’s working methods, offering a visual record that complements his finished artworks.
Screenshot from Smithsonian’s Instagram account
Similar Acquisitions and Collections
The Warhol stereoscopic slides are part of a broader trend in museums collecting artist documentation and behind-the-scenes materials.
For example, the Getty Research Institute houses extensive photographs and sketches from photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, documenting his own studio practices and collaborations.
Similarly, the Museum of Modern Art preserves notebooks and Polaroids from photographers like Cindy Sherman, offering insight into the development of conceptual projects. These acquisitions highlight how museum collections increasingly value the process of art-making as much as the finished work.
Such collections are especially valuable for photographers and visual artists. They offer lessons in composition, lighting, and subject interaction that are difficult to glean from reproductions of final artworks alone.
The Role of Assistants and Collaborators
Cutrone’s work also underscores the importance of studio assistants and collaborators in major artistic practices. Assistants often perform essential creative labor, from documenting projects to developing ideas alongside the primary artist.
In Warhol’s case, Cutrone’s photography not only preserved moments from The Factory but also contributed to the visual culture surrounding Warhol, offering a secondary layer of artistic interpretation.
These 400 stereoscopic photographs are historical documentation, yes, but they are also a portal into the life of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. By capturing the quiet, playful moments of daily studio life, Ronnie Cutrone created a collection that allows you to experience Warhol’s world in a way few other photographs can.
Gear Used By Underwater Photographers of the Year 2026 Winners
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Welcome to our Catster Weekly Photo Contest, where every Thursday we pick the best three photos from our readers, based on that week’s topic.
This week’s topic was “My Cat’s Weirdest Habit“, and we received some amazing photos from you. And although every cat is gorgeous, we had to pick our winners. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who submitted their cats to our photo contest!
Next week’s topic is: “Impossible Sleeping Positions”. Do you want to have a chance to get your cat featured on Catster, our Facebook and Instagram?
Send us your photos!
Name:
Shegwa
Fun Fact:
“Shegwa loves to be warm. So she found as soon as the computer is set down…she needs to sleep on it!”
Name:
Rasputine
Fun Fact:
“Obsessed with paper bags and boxes. After putting away the groceries we found the empty bag on the floor and Rasputine sleeping inside ❤️”
Name:
Lucifer Fluffovich aka Meowfucius
IG:
@luciferfluffovich
Fun Fact:
“We could not stop laughing when we caught Lucifer with a piece of fluff on his face that made him look like an ancient philosopher. Or as Meowfucius would say: “Recognition is optional. Excellence is not.”
Enter Your Cat
Want to see your pup featured as our weekly winner? The next week’s topic is:
“Impossible Sleeping Positions“
Submit Your Cat
We are looking forward to seeing your best photos!
This article is a part of our Weekly Photo Contest
View our previous week’s winners here: February 19, 2026
Click here to view our full list of past winners
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Flying BVLOS without waiver approval is what most drone pilots assume is illegal. Part 107 is clear about keeping your aircraft in your visual line of sight. But the rules carry more nuance than a simple yes or no.
There are legal edge cases, specific exemptions, and a fast-changing regulatory landscape. Even experienced pilots get tripped up by them. If you have been treating “BVLOS” and “illegal” as the same thing, keep reading.
What BVLOS Means Under Part 107
BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line of Sight. It covers any flight where neither pilot nor visual observer can see the aircraft with unaided eyes. This is not just about how far away the drone flies. It is about maintaining direct visual contact throughout the entire operation.
Part 107 requires pilots to fly within the visual line of sight during all commercial small UAS operations. You must be able to see your drone well enough to determine its orientation, altitude, and position. This FAA requirement has been in effect since 2016. When a pilot loses sight of the drone, the waiver process comes into play.
The Visual Observer Misunderstanding
Many pilots assume that adding a visual observer (VO) to the team makes longer-range flights automatically legal. That is partly true, but it only holds within specific limits.
A VO must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft at all times. They cannot use binoculars to extend their range. They also cannot relay visual information from a spot where the drone is no longer visible. Once the VO loses sight of the aircraft, the flight becomes a BVLOS operation. This applies regardless of what the pilot can still see from their position.
Some pilots try chaining multiple VOs across a long flight corridor. They believe this workaround avoids the need for a BVLOS waiver. FAA guidance does not automatically approve this setup under standard Part 107. A proper waiver is still required for that kind of operation.
BVLOS Without Waiver: Where the Rules Get Gray
Most online sources say all BVLOS operations require a waiver. That is not entirely accurate. A few specific situations allow for BVLOS without waiver under current FAA rules. Most pilots have never come across these exceptions.
Shielded Operations
The FAA recognizes “shielded operations.” These are flights that happen inside or very close to structures that block the aircraft from the general airspace. Think flying inside a building, inside a hangar, or inside a confined space like a silo.
In those situations, the drone may leave the pilot’s direct line of sight. But the operation falls under Part 107 because the structure shields it from the national airspace. The FAA has not traditionally required a BVLOS waiver for these flights. It remains a gray zone. Many operators doing aerial drone work in industrial settings do not know this option exists.
Public Safety Certificates of Authorization
Public agencies, such as fire departments and law enforcement, skip the standard Part 107 BVLOS waiver process. They operate instead under Certificates of Authorization (COAs). A COA gives public operators a separate approval pathway for flying beyond visual line of sight. This covers operations like search and rescue, wildfire monitoring, and infrastructure surveillance.
You may watch drone footage from emergency response work and assume a BVLOS waiver is behind it. In many cases, those operators fly under a COA instead. A COA carries its own requirements and restrictions separate from the waiver system.
The Recreational Pilot Confusion
Recreational flyers under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations (ELRO) follow community-based safety guidelines, not Part 107. The BVLOS waiver system does not apply to them through the same channel. But flying beyond the visual line of sight as a recreational pilot is still prohibited. The rule language just differs from what commercial operators face.
Many hobbyists assume the Part 107 BVLOS waiver is irrelevant to them. Flying BVLOS without proper authorization is still illegal for recreational pilots. It is governed through a separate ruleset. This is especially important to know as drone regulations continue to tighten across all operator categories.
The Real State of BVLOS Waivers Right Now
For most commercial operators, BVLOS without waiver is not a legal option under current Part 107 rules. Outside those exceptions, the waiver remains the only clean legal path for flying beyond line of sight.
The BVLOS waiver process is slow and resource-heavy. The FAA requires applicants to prepare and submit several items before any approval can move forward. That list generally covers the following areas.
A detailed safety case showing the aircraft can detect and avoid other aircraft in the airspace
Documentation covering how the drone handles a complete communication loss during flight
Full emergency procedures documentation covering the planned operation from start to finish
Real-world flight data that directly supports the safety case submitted to the FAA
Most independent operators do not have the capacity to build that kind of submission. That is a major reason BVLOS waiver approvals have remained concentrated among large players. The FAA’s BEYOND program expanded BVLOS testing with partners like UPS Flight Forward and FedEx. But the reach stayed narrow. DOT Inspector General data shows that two operators accounted for over 80 percent of BVLOS program flights in 2024. That shows just how concentrated access has been up to this point.
BVLOS waiver access is real, but it has largely stayed out of reach for smaller teams. For pilots tracking current drone laws, the bigger answer to the access problem lives inside Part 108.
Part 108: How BVLOS Rules Are About to Change
The FAA released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Part 108 in August 2025. This is the biggest proposed shift in drone rules since Part 107 launched in 2016. Part 108 aims to build a standardized, scalable pathway for BVLOS drone operations. Operators would no longer need to apply for individual waivers before every mission.
Here is what the core proposals inside Part 108 cover.
The rule creates two separate approval paths. Lower-risk operations can qualify for an operating permit. Higher-risk flights over populated areas or with heavier aircraft require a full operating certificate.
Drones must carry Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems and use Remote ID. They also need to connect with approved UAS Traffic Management services on every BVLOS operation.
The proposed aircraft weight limit has been raised to 1,320 pounds. This is a dramatic jump from the current 55-pound cap under Part 107.
Each drone would need a declaration of compliance, verified through an FAA web portal. This replaces the traditional airworthiness certification process.
This directly affects operators doing aerial photography and those running commercial drone delivery services. The public comment period closed in October 2025. A final rule is expected in early 2026, based on the executive order’s 240-day timeline.
What Part 108 Means for Working Pilots
Part 108 will not take effect the moment the final rule is published. A transition period follows, during which manufacturers establish their declarations of compliance. Operators also move through the certification process during that window. Existing Part 107 and Part 91 waivers stay valid throughout. If you already hold a BVLOS waiver, your approved operations continue without interruption.
Part 108 does not require the Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate for pilots entering the industry. The proposed rule introduces roles like Operations Supervisor and Flight Coordinator instead. Training for those roles comes from your organization, not from an FAA knowledge test.
BVLOS Without Waiver and What Part 108 Makes Possible
Part 108 is built around making BVLOS without waiver the standard for qualified operators. Operators get certified once up front, rather than building a safety case for each mission. From there, they run BVLOS operations repeatedly within the scope of their approval. There is no need to return to the FAA before each new flight.
For industries like precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and public safety, this changes the operating model entirely. It also opens new territory for photographers and filmmakers doing ambitious aerial work. It creates new possibilities for those pushing into drone videography at a professional level. Mission types that are not financially viable today become realistic with routine BVLOS access.
The FAA’s BVLOS framework aims to standardize waiver safety data for all operators. Part 108 is the legal vehicle for making that happen at scale.
The 2025 Executive Order and Where This Is Heading
On June 6, 2025, the President signed an executive order called “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.” The order directed the FAA to finalize BVLOS rules within 240 days. It also pushed the agency to use AI to speed up Part 107 waiver reviews. It prioritized U.S.-made drone components and called for wider drone use in public safety operations.
For pilots, this shift is meaningful. Waiver review times are expected to drop noticeably. The push toward routine BVLOS operations is gaining real political weight. Flying BVLOS without waiver authorization is still not an option for most operators today. But the gap between now and normalized access is clearly shrinking.
Pilots who want to stay ready should build skills in long-range flight planning and DAA technology now. The DJI Mavic Pro 4 and newer platforms like those from Antigravity are already pushing hardware limits. The regulatory framework is catching up faster than many pilots expected.
What to Do as a Pilot Right Now
The primary legal path for commercial pilots remains the Part 107 BVLOS waiver. The FAA expects AI-assisted review to speed up processing times going forward. If applying felt out of reach before, it is worth taking another look now.
For pilots preparing for Part 108, here are the steps worth taking before the final rule lands.
Research on which current aircraft carry Detect and Avoid systems and how those systems perform in the field
Review and strengthen your operations documentation before the certification process begins
Track the FAA’s Part 108 rulemaking timeline and any guidance released through 2026
Study safety cases from existing BVLOS waiver holders to understand what strong documentation looks like
Flying BVLOS without a waiver or qualifying exception remains illegal. One drone pilot was fined over $231,000 for illegal drone flight overseas. U.S. enforcement is equally real. The cost of cutting corners far outweighs any short-term gain. Knowing where the gray zones exist puts you in a stronger position as a pilot. That knowledge is worth building now.
They found a blind cat wandering the streets, determined to save him. Now, he’s living like a king.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
A few months ago, community members who care for local strays noticed a new face in the colony: a blind, round-cheeked tom struggling to survive outdoors.
As they searched for help, the cat narrowly avoided being struck by passing cars. A kind-hearted woman rushed to his aid, scooped him up, and carried him to safety. He didn’t fight or panic, allowing himself to be placed into a carrier.
When she noticed his right eye was bulging, she took him to the vet.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
With the support of the community, the woman was able to secure medical care for the cat, who was named Gavroche. It came as no surprise when he tested FIV+. His body bore the scars of a hard life spent on the streets.
Cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives when provided with proper care and a safe, indoor environment.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Chatons Orphelins Montreal, an all-volunteer rescue, welcomed Gavroche with open arms. With the streets behind him, he would never again have to fend for himself. “Gavroche was incredibly lucky to survive outside without being able to see,” the rescue shared.
“He went to his foster home, where he could finally rest and begin to heal.”
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Although his right eye couldn’t be saved, Gavroche was freed from infection and pain. He was fully vetted, neutered, and received a much-needed dental procedure to remove several broken teeth. With medication, comfort, and plenty of love, he began eating again.
He was understandably shy at first, but he showed no signs of aggression.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
“Gavroche is a gentle soul. It took time and patience to earn his trust, but as socialization progressed, his sweet nature resurfaced.”
Once he realized he no longer had to fear, he warmed up to his foster family. He leaned into head scritches, sought out attention, and even flopped onto his side with his fluffy belly on full display, soaking up every ounce of affection he could get.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Though Gavroche is a large-framed cat estimated to be around three years old, he’s still a kitten at heart. “He’s incredibly endearing and easy to love. He seemed unfazed by his past, as if he knows those difficult days are behind him.”
He’s blossomed into a true love bug, constantly seeking affection and never getting enough pets.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Gavroche has the temperament of a teddy bear: soft, gentle, and sweet. Being blind doesn’t hold him back. He navigates his surroundings by carefully mapping the house with his other senses. “He has excellent reflexes. He explores new places slowly and always manages to find cozy nooks and crannies for naps.”
He’s also befriended the other friendly cats in the house, charming everyone with his calm, gentle presence.
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Gavroche continues to improve every day. He’s becoming more confident and truly enjoys being petted.
“He can still feel anxious when things are unfamiliar or too busy, and he thrives on routine. Speaking to him before approaching helps reassure him and puts him at ease. This way of communicating helps him feel safe in his environment.”
ChatonsOrphelinsMontreal
Thanks to his rescuer and many dedicated volunteers, Gavroche is living like a king. He no longer has to brave the cold or struggle to survive in a world he couldn’t see.
Today, he’s surrounded by feline friends and caring humans who remind him every day just how loved he is.
I’ve been struggling with how to describe my experience with the newly released 7Artisans 75mm f/1.25 II lens. Really, I’ve had two different experiences, both wildly in friction with one another.
On the one hand, the lens produced sharp images in a variety of settings and assignments with a pleasant bokeh and good color rendition. On the other hand, it took enough time to calibrate the lens that I feel the need to mention it here.
Still, if the final product is good enough, sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze. More on all that later.
Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers Increase To 319, But Hunting Threatens Their Survival In The Wild – World Animal News
Wildlife officials in Arizona and New Mexico announced yesterday that the endangered Mexican gray wolf population increased by 33 animals, rising from 286 in 2024 to 319 in 2025.
“It’s inspiring that there are now hundreds of Mexican wolves in the Southwest, especially considering there were zero roaming the wild just three decades ago,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I used to fear they’d all get wiped out by a major wildfire or a spate of illegal killings, but now I’m confident they won’t disappear in my lifetime. The big danger is that politics will strip these still-imperiled wolves of their Endangered Species Act protections before they’re truly recovered.”
While the population growth is being celebrated, conservationists warn that the species remains genetically fragile. Federal and state wolf killings tied to livestock conflicts continue to reduce the limited genetic legacy of just seven wolves that were spared from eradication decades ago. Last year alone, three genetically valuable wolves were killed, including a nursing mother and two young pups from separate packs. Today, the wild population retains less than one-third of the original genetic diversity from those seven wolves.
“We are heartened that the population of Mexican wolves has grown this past year, though it is still very small,” said Mary Katherine Ray, wildlife chair for the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club. “Importantly, it isn’t just a numbers game. The wildlife agencies must do more to improve the genetic health of the population which is going down even as their numbers go up.”
Advocates also point to inbreeding concerns, citing insufficient efforts to move genetic diversity from captive wolves into the wild population. The captive population currently holds 37% more genetic diversity than their wild counterparts.
Experts have long recommended releasing bonded male and female pairs from captivity along with their pups, the method used when reestablishing the population. Sixty-seven percent of adult pairs released as family groups survived and successfully raised additional wild-born pups. In contrast, the cross-fostering practice began in 2016, which involves placing captive-born pups into wild dens without their parents, which has resulted in 79% of those pups disappearing.
“An increase in wolf numbers is encouraging, but headcounts alone do not mean recovery,” said Michelle Lute, Ph.D., executive director of Wildlife for All.“Mexican gray wolves remain genetically imperiled, and human-caused mortality continues to undermine their future. Until agencies prioritize strict protections and release bonded family groups to strengthen the gene pool, these wolves will remain vulnerable.”
“True recovery is not achieved the moment a population number is met; it’s achieved when wolves are genuinely welcomed back into the ecological and cultural fabric of the Southwest,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “Wolves should be considered equal stakeholders in their own recovery. That means protecting them, restoring their genetic health, and funding proactive, preventative practices that allow communities and wolves to thrive together.”
“Despite the adversity facing the species, not to mention the threat of federal abandonment, the Mexican gray wolf continues to pace toward recovery,” said Craig Miller, senior representative at Defenders of Wildlife. “Today, the threats are very real, and stripping Endangered Species Act protections now would mean dead wolves and a derailed recovery. Recent hard-won population gains should be celebrated, not twisted into a justification for premature delisting that jeopardizes the Mexican gray wolf’s survival.”
“As the fragile Mexican wolf population continues to grow, I am hopeful that humans will make choices that further the recovery of this iconic species,” said Sally Paez, staff attorney for New Mexico Wild. “In addition to wolf management based on science, we must fight for policies that prioritize healthy forests and ecosystems, habitat connectivity and functioning watersheds to allow wolves to survive and thrive.”
“As with any endangered species, especially one that was totally eradicated from the wild just a few decades ago, an increase in population is worth celebrating,” said Leia Barnett, New Mexico conservation lead for WildEarth Guardians. “But 319 wolves does not guarantee a healthy, thriving population. We hope the agencies will do more to address the political, geographic, and genetic barriers that continue to hinder, and in some cases threaten, actual scientific recovery of this imperiled, iconic species.”
Can the new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II truly redefine your portrait workflow, or are the gains marginal? Let’s see how a professional photographer puts the new lens to the test in real-world conditions to find out if it is worth the investment.
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