Bears

Bears have captured my imagination for many years. They are extremely intelligent, curious, and potentially dangerous, all of which makes them a never-ending source of fascination. The number-one rule when observing or photographing bears - treat them with the respect (and distance) they need and deserve! A surprised or stressed bear is a dangerous bear.

If you'd like to know more about bear safety, I highly recommend the book by biologist Dr. Stephen Herrero, "Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance". This book is required reading for those who wish to understand the possible causes of bear attacks, and for anyone working or vacationing in bear country. You may also wish to review my Bear Safety page on this site: http://www.jvnaturephotos.com/Safety-in-Bear-Country.

Alaskan Brown Bear portrait
A majestic boar looks up as he takes a break from eating salmon in this Alaskan salmon stream.
Alaskan Brown Bear boar
A boar ponders his next move as he stands on the bank of a salmon stream.
A quick bite
While bears prefer fresh fish and meat, they will not hesitate to consume carrion when it is readily available. This large sow can take her pick of dead salmon scattered across the stream.
The chase is on
The boar leaves behind his partly-eaten salmon on the bank to pursue a new quarry, moving quickly through the stream.
Dine-in or take-out?
This large brown bear sow preferred to take her catch to the far bank of the stream for a quieter dinner at home.
The chase is on
The boar leaves behind his partly-eaten salmon on the bank to pursue a new quarry, moving quickly through the stream.
The chase is on
The boar learns that these salmon are not always that easy to catch.
Got you!
The boar finally nabs his salmon.
Dinner is served
The boar carries his latest catch back to the stream bank for consumption.
Happy bear, unhappy salmon
The seemingly ruthless cycle of life continues in Alaska with every salmon run.
Happy bear, unhappy salmon
The seemingly ruthless cycle of life and death continues in Alaska with every salmon run.
I'll have just one more...
The seemingly ruthless cycle of life and death continues in Alaska with every salmon run.
Where do I start?
This bear seems to be admiring his very large chum salmon.
Digging in
This boar seems to be relishing his dinner of freshly-caught salmon.
Nature calls
This boar was 'caught in the act', pausing from his salmon dinner to urinate.
Chow time
The laws of nature may not always seem fair or kind from a human perspective: most of these salmon are eaten alive moments after being caught.
Chowing down
The laws of nature may not always seem fair or kind from a human perspective: most of these salmon are eaten alive moments after being caught.
Taking a break
This boar is taking a break before consuming his next salmon. During the salmon run, bears may continue eating for most of the day in an effort to gain sufficient weight to carry them through the long Alaskan winter.
Salmon, salmon everywhere
The carcasses of salmon commonly litter streams such as this during the salmon run. While it may seem wasteful that bears consume only parts of a fish before moving on to the next, we should remember that these fish will die after spawning even if not consumed by bears and other predators.
Salmon, salmon everywhere
The carcasses of salmon commonly litter streams such as this during the salmon run. While it may seem wasteful that bears consume only parts of a fish before moving on to the next, we should remember that these fish will die after spawning even if not consumed by bears and other predators.
Salmon, salmon everywhere
The carcasses of salmon commonly litter streams such as this during the salmon run. While it may seem wasteful that bears consume only parts of a fish before moving on to the next, we should remember that these fish will die after spawning even if not consumed by bears and other predators.
One very big sow
A large and very heavy brown bear sow moves across the stream searching for prey. As she approached, other bears quickly left the area.
Alaskan Brown Bear family
Alaskan Brown Bears are the northern version of their grizzly bear cousins farther south. Here, a sow teaches her cubs to drink from the Chilkoot River.
Are you done with that fish yet?
While its sibling seems to be playing with its food, a sibling watches patiently without attempting to steal it.
See any fish down there?
There seems to be a lazier (smarter?) sibling in every family. This cub is watching with interest as its sibling attempts to hook a salmon from the weir with its claws.
Brown bear sow and cub
A sow leads the way for her cubs along the banks of the Chilkoot River in Alaska. They are headed to a fish weir where salmon are an easy catch.
Following mom
Two brown bear cubs of the year follow their mother along the Chilkoot River, Alaska.
I don't see anything yet...
Both cubs watch intently for any fish caught in the weir below. The epitome of good teamwork.
I'm watching you!
Make no mistake: this large brown bear boar was keeping tabs on me as it followed the banks of the Chilkoot River for its evening meal of salmon.
Catch of the day
An Alaskan brown bear sow prepares to leap into the Chilkoot River from the fish weir after catching a salmon.
Big fellow posing
A large Alaskan brown bear boar pauses to look and listen for danger as it follows the banks of the Chilkoot River in Alaska.
Brown bear sow on riverbank
This sow is watching for salmon from the banks of the Chilkoot River, Alaska. Its position reveals its extremely long claws, characteristic of grizzlies/brown bears.
At least I'm not in the water...
This brown bear sow finds a nice rock in the Chilkoot River, a convenient fishing spot.
Wary mom
This brown bear sow keeps a careful watch while her grazing on grasses with her cubs.
Do blondes have more fun?
A portrait of a nearly blonde brown bear cub of the year.
Curious cub
While mom grazes nearby on vegetation, this yearling cub seems more interested in studying the surroundings than in eating plant matter.
Brown bear cub
A brown bear cub moves along a log while mother feeds on grasses nearby.
Curious brown bear cub
A brown bear cub pauses to look over its shoulder as it grazes with mom near the tidal flats of Haines, Alaska. Its sibling is in the background.
Curious brown bear cub
A brown bear cub pauses to look over its shoulder as it grazes with mom near the tidal flats of Haines, Alaska.
Am I supposed to eat grass?
This brown bear cub of the year and its sibling seems a bit at a loss for what to do as its mother grazes on the lush grasses of the tidal flats near Haines, Alaska.
Feeding lesson
A brown bear sow teaches her cubs to graze amongst the lush grasses along the Chilkoot River.
My eye is on you!
A cautious 1-year-old brown bear cub watches me closely as he moves across the tall grass near the Chilkoot River, Alaska.
Brown bear family
A large family of Alaskan brown bears roam the tidal flats near Haines, Alaska, on an evening search for food.
Brown bear family pool party
A sow and her three cubs (including the larger dark one from the previous year) take a dip in the Chilkoot River on a hot day.
Brown bear family pool party
A sow and her three cubs (including the larger dark one from the previous year) take a dip in the Chilkoot River on a hot day. The sow appears to be comforting one of her youngest on the left!
Gone fishing
A brown bear sow is teaching her two cubs of the year that salmon can be caught upstream of this fish weir on the Chilkoot River, Alaska.
I think this is how mom does it...
A brown bear cub tentatively reaches down for salmon while trying to keep its balance on the fish weir.
Got one!
The cub has succeeded in pulling a long-dead salmon out of the river. Bears will easily eat carrion in addition to freshly-caught prey.

Joseph Verdirame

Nature Photography

Bears