Salmon Attack

Brown Bear & Five Sockeye Salmon, Katmai National Park, Alaska Katmai National Park is located 3hr flight from Anchorage on the south west peninsula of Alaska. The park has an area the size of Wales, not connected by roads is home to the famous 1200 lbs (544 kgs) Brown Bears. The Alaskan salmon run starts in July where the sockeye salmon come up rivers to spawn. They return to the lakes and streams where they were born to lay their eggs. On average only two salmon in a thousand return to the freshwater system that they were born to spawn.

Brown Bear With Three Cubs

Cubs are born in the den during January and February. Twins are most common, but litter sizes can range from 1 to 4. The cubs emerge from the den in June/July, weighing up to 15 lbs (7 kg) and actively explore the world with the supervision of their mother. Mothers are furiously protective of their cubs, however less than 50% survive. Families typically stay together for up to 3 years. After this time the female cubs usually stay in the area that they were born, and the males leave to other areas. Katmai National Park, Alaska

Determination

Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA - 2018

In Mum's Foot Steps

Walking in Mum's Foot Steps. Brown Bear & Cub, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA - 2018

Brown Bear

Katmai National Park, Alaska

The Search For Salmon

Brown bears can run for short periods at 40 mph (64 kms) and an exceptionally acute sense of smell. Brown Bears, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Sockeye Salmon Run

Katmai National Park, Alaska The brown bears eat as many fish as possible from July through to September, as food is unavailable in the winter. They can eat as many as 20 salmon in one day. The bears hibernate in a den for the winter where their heart rate, body temperature and other metabolic rates are drastically reduced. In the winter the bears do not eat.

Brown Bear Waiting For The Perfect Moment

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Favorite Pastime

Brown Bear & Sockeye Salmon, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA - 2018

Sockeye Salmon Almost Got Away

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Sockeye Salmon Eggs

A female Sockeye Salmon returning to spawn depending on her size produces from 2,000 to 4,500 eggs. A female usually deposits the eggs into about five batches on the riverbed. This give the eggs the greatest chance of survival. When the bear catches the salmon they usually eats the eggs first followed by the skin. Katmai National Park, Alaska

Mum Protecting Her Baby

Brown Bears, Katmai National Park, Alaska This was taken after stalking this baby cub in a tree for several hours. The cub was chased into the tree by the sub-adult bear. The sub-adult was fiercely pursuing this cub. The cub was scared, screaming for his life making all sorts of noise. The mother returned from fishing in the river to find her cub fighting for his life in the tree. The mother started shaking the tree to scare the sub-adult bear away, so the baby cub could finally return to the ground after three hours of being chased by this white bear. The mother bear wouldn’t stand a repeat of what happened less than 10 days ago, when her other cub was killed by another boar (male bear). The mom and the cub proceed to leave the area following the river bank, where they ran into the sub-adult bear again. This time the mom has got the cubs back.

Sockeye Salmon Hunt

Brown Bear & Sockeye Salmon, Katmai National Park, Alaska

The Waiting Game

Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Some Days Can Be Slow

Brown Bears, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Come Play with Me

Brown Bears, Katmai National Park, Alaska

They Will Be Here Soon

Brown Bears wait for the Salmon Run, Katmai National Park, Alaska Brown bears are solitary in nature. But often congregate in large groups where there is concentrated feeding.

What A Morning

Brown Bear, Brooks River, Katmai National Park, Alaska

It Looks Good From Up Here

Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska

The Summer Sun

Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska

At least I Got One

Brown Bear & a Sockeye Salmon, Katmai National Park, Alaska