Bears of Katmai National Park, AK
Bears coming down from the trail and into the water.
180727BrooksFalls9240Print
A young bear flounders after a fish but misses. Taken from the lower falls deck.
180727BrooksFalls9242TopazAIClearHighPrint
Sea gulls wait for an easy meal the bears might leave behind.
Another young bear splashes through the water trying his luck at fishing.
Look at this big guy! He has eaten a few too many salmon.
And that it HIS spot - no other bear ventures close.
Two young bears practice their battle skills.
180727BrooksFalls9293Print
The big, bad boy got another one!
180727BrooksFalls9300Print
He is in his own whirlpool/sauna.
180727BrooksFalls9304Print
This guy looks behind him to see who is catching fish.
180727BrooksFalls9311Print
B&W image of people learning to fly fish. I think the bear wants to take lessons as well.
180727BrooksFalls9327Print
The fishermen are ignoring the bear - I don't know if I could.
The bear eventually gave up on an easy snack and moved on.
An inquisitive bear hopes these anglers might drop a fish his way.
Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park, AK
From Kodiak, AK 2018
I think even eating is tiring this big, old boar out.
180727BrooksFalls9331Print
Salmon headed your way!
180727BrooksFalls9346Print
Easy catch.
180727BrooksFalls9351Print
A real smorgasbord
180727BrooksFalls9352Print
Solid catch
180727BrooksFalls9353Print
Struggling to keep it.
180727BrooksFalls9355Print
This bear looks tired after finally getting a hold on his fish.
180727BrooksFalls9357Print
Hmmm....yum!
180727BrooksFalls9380Print
One lucky fish, one unlucky fish.
180727BrooksFalls9391Print
This color of this young cub caught my eye - I've not seen one so light before.
180727BrooksFalls9400TopazAIClearHIghPrint
Still soaking in his hot tub.
180727BrooksFalls9413Print
Such a forlorn look.
180727BrooksFalls9432Print
Is that a yawn?
180727BrooksFalls9444Print
Just hangin' out.
180727BrooksFalls9445Print
Eating another fish...this guy has to be full now!
180727BrooksFalls9448Print
Does he have it?
180727BrooksFalls9459TopazAIClearHighPrint
A slight disagreement between 2 young'uns.
180727BrooksFalls9475Print
Twins watching mom.
180727BrooksFalls9476Print
Hmmm...what's going on over there?
180727BrooksFalls9477Print
Another one bites the dust.
180727BrooksFalls9479TopazAIClearHighPrint
A nice, plump fish.
180727BrooksFalls9481Print
180727BrooksFalls9482Print
Wasting no time, this bear begins his dinner in the river.
180727BrooksFalls9486Print
They strip the skin first.
180727BrooksFalls9487Print
They strip the skin pulling it all the way to the tail.
180727BrooksFalls9488Print
Perfect technique.
180727BrooksFalls9491Print
Territory dispute.
180727BrooksFalls9499TopazAIClearHighPrint
Additional warning signs of intolerance.
180727BrooksFalls9501TopazAIClearHighPrint
The falls are tricky to navigate without slipping yet still catch a fish.
180727BrooksFalls9522Print
Close but still a miss.
180727BrooksFalls9531Print
Two at once - which one??
180727BrooksFalls9534TopazAIClearHighPrint
Nope, not gonna work.
180727BrooksFalls9536Print
He's got this one.
180727BrooksFalls9547Print
These two are still squabbling.
180727BrooksFalls9551Print
Each wanted the premier fishing hole.
The bear on the right always submitted to the bear on the left - she did not want a fight. As soon as the other bear left, she would resume her fishing in the preferred spot until ornery bear returned - then the scene would replay over again.
From Kodiak, AK 2018