An Alaska Grizzly Bear: Power, Presence, and Potato Chips
Entering the Alaska Grizzly Bear’s World
Alaska grizzly bear s are majestic creatures, standing as apex predators in their environment. When we—armed with nothing more than cameras and bear spray—enter their territory, we’re at a distinct disadvantage.
This becomes crystal clear when you see one of these magnificent animals emerge from the forest and head to the river to fish. I imagine the feeling is similar to what our ancestors experienced—an awe-struck mix of respect and fear in the presence of something truly wild.
Planning for Safety and Respect with Alaska Grizzly Bears
The experience is both thrilling and intimidating. Still, my passion for photographing these bears drives me to plan carefully—doing everything I can to reduce, though never eliminate, the risk.
This time, I led a small group of photographers to the Russian River on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska—one of my favorite bear-viewing locations. The bears here come for one reason: salmon. And because the river is teeming with fish, people are there too.
When we give bears their space, they typically go about their business. They just want to eat.
A Photographer’s Advantage
The area features a boardwalk with several small walkways leading to the river. It protects the fragile embankment and gives anglers—and photographers—a solid vantage point.
Not long after we arrived, some fishermen told us there was a bear just downriver. We moved quickly but cautiously along the boardwalk until we found a side trail with a perfect view across the river.
A Surprise Picnic
We spotted the bear across the water, ambling onto a gravel bar. It seemed to find something near a log that piqued its interest.
Looking through my 600mm lens, I realized what it had discovered: someone had left their lunch behind. The bear eagerly snacked on a sandwich and a bag of potato chips.
Then came something unexpected—it rolled onto its side, then onto its back, and rubbed its face into the chip bag like a playful cub. It was hilarious, and honestly, a joy to witness.
A Bear and His Baton
After lunch, the bear discovered a fishing rod holder nearby. He examined it, chewed on it, then swung it around like a baton—spinning, flipping, and playing with it like a toy.
While it’s unfortunate that human trash provided the fun, it was fascinating to watch the bear let loose and behave like a curious, carefree animal.
A Different Kind of Bear Photo
Before every bear photography trip, I imagine capturing intense, dramatic images that highlight the grizzly’s wild nature.
But this time, I came home with something completely different—images of a bear lounging in the sun, playing like a goofball, and enjoying an unexpected snack. These candid moments might just be my favorites from the trip.
