I've always loved playing about with more 'unusual' focal lengths, and this is an example of one of those times. Sometimes long lenses can compress the background a bit too much, and you lose the sense of exactly where your subject is. Going wide is a really interesting differential to this, and by using wide apertures you can still keep up the bokeh and subject separation. This is taken on my D3 with Nikon's 50mm f/1.4G lens and in my opinion really contrasts with my usual work. What do you think of it? Would you think of giving it a go? You can get the same look from Nikon's £80 50mm f/1.8 prime - certainly much cheaper than a fast telephoto!
Triggered remotely letting him do the approaching.
For information this little cub is 'Dusty'! I have to say I miss him!