In June I joined a group of ten photographers at an Alaskan bear camp. Located at the edge of Lake Clark National Park on Chinitna Bay, we observed the behavior of Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears for three days. Leaving hibernation the bears migrate down from the mountains to the coastal wetlands to graze on sedge grasses and dig for clams at low tide. This boosts their energy stores until they move up stream and feast on the salmon returning to their spawning grounds. June also marks the start of mating season. The bears parade around the meadows with the females leading on the boars until they are ready.
Humans blend into the environment and are not very interesting to the bears, as long as we did not stress them in any way. I felt humbled and in awe to have spent just a few days watching and photographing these incredible animals.