The Coastal Brown Bears of Alaska
I just finished up a fantastic photo tour in Alaska’s gorgeous Lake Clark National Park and Preserve last week. With the incomparable Silver Salmon Creek Lodge as our gracious hosts, we all found the access to the majestic coastal brown bears to be unequaled anywhere in the world. We had a variety of weather – sun, rain, and fog – and an unending variety of world-class wildlife opportunities with enormous bears. Bears fishing, playing, foraging, and lots of interaction between sows and cubs. And rarely did we ever need a lens longer than 400mm!
Here are just a few of the many hundreds of photos from the trip. All photos were captured with a Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X Lens. Enjoy!

Coastal brown bears stalk the shores of Cook Inlet, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

This brown bear sow took a unique, laid back approach to fishing. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Two young cubs follow their mom through a sedge meadow, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Foggy coastal weather helped create this ethereal wildlife image, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

This alert sow stands guard over cubs, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Brown bear cub, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

A tender moment between a mom and her cub, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

A coastal brown bear munches on some tasty grass, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska.
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Richard Bernabe is a professional photographer specializing in travel, wildlife, and nature as well as an author of books, magazine articles, and travel essays published world-wide. Richard is a global influencer is the fields of photography, travel, and wildlife conservation with more than 1.2 million followers across social media platforms. He leads photography tours and workshops all over the world and is a high-demand keynote speaker. For more great information on new images, book projects, public appearances, photography workshops and tours, Sign Up For Richard’s Email Newsletter.
These are just beautiful images Richard.. I love the interaction and sweet personalities you’ve captured..they are so cuuute!
I so want to experience this one day.. Wildlife photography though challenging at times brings such a warmness to our hearts and a respect for what God has created..
Thank you for sharing this..and taking us to all the places we may not get to or have to wait patiently until our time comes to experience for ourselves..
Your pictures are sensitively beautifully and exemplary photographed!
Incredible and gorgeous photos! Wildlife photography can be so unpredictable, but it can also turn out so amazing. Thanks for sharing your work.
Just touched my heart ❤️. That momma bear though! Bear cubs so impressively photographed, Richard.
All of these shots are simply incredible, Richard. Love the one of the bear cub sitting in the sand with his little ears perked up, it’s too cute.
very beautifull pictures
So beautiful, thank you. Love those bears.