Alaskan Brown Bear portrait

A majestic boar looks up as he takes a break from eating salmon in this Alaskan salmon stream.

Hyder, Alaska

Glacial streams and mountains are the norm near Hyder, Alaska.

Alaskan Brown Bear boar

A boar ponders his next move as he stands on the bank of a salmon 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.

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.

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.

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.

BC glacier

One of the many small glaciers found enroute to Stewart, British Columbia.