Last year I was invited to join a group of five, mostly strangers. We would be observing and photographing brown bears in Southwest Alaska. An incredible opportunity to immerse myself in a beloved remote corner of the world. As well as, a chance to create photographs I had dreamed of making for a very long time.
We spent 10 days camping in the remote wilderness. No cell service, no modern luxuries (a shower included), and just the necessities for our survival. Of course, we also had a few pounds of camera equipment.
Being from Australia, this would be my first wildlife encounter with the continent’s largest land predators. As well as, my first time observing a bear. The experiences held were so compelling. The curiosity and anticipation were palpable as I prepared for this journey and these moments. The reality of seeing a brown bear in the wild for the first time was a moment of indescribable awe. I will never forget it.
Into the Wild
Our days were quite routine, yet anything but boring, when immersed in the untamed beauty of remote Southwest Alaska. We woke up before sunrise and unzipped our tent with excitement. The day would hold so many unknown possibilities. We would pour a much-needed cup of strong black coffee and check to see if there were any “beach bears.” The campground was right off the shore of Naknek Lake. This was precisely where, days earlier, upon arrival by float plane, we had to wait for a mama and her cubs to pass by before we could deplane and enter the fenced camping grounds. A regular part of the Katmai National Park and Preserve experience!
Long Days
As the sun broke to reveal a new day, we observed these incredible creatures going about their day. Mama bears fish for their very hungry cubs and cubs play and sleep. We dressed in warm layers and put on our waders for the day. Most days consisted of walking 25,000+ steps, which is around 10 miles. All this in waders, with a backpack full of secondary camera equipment. In addition, we carried a tripod that was mounted with a camera ready to go for any chance encounters. Roaming everywhere from Naknek Lake to Brooks Falls and Lake Brooks. We only stopped to go back to the designated eating huts in our campground when night began to fall.
The isolation from the rest of the world was warmly welcomed. It allowed us to focus solely on the present moment. Capturing the beauty, personality, and behavior of the Brown Bears was so impactful, words fail to express it. A nature-lover at heart, I have always enjoyed observing wildlife in their natural habitat. However, this trip can only be described as life-changing. It fostered in me a deeper appreciation for our wilderness and the importance of preserving it for all its inhabitants.
Volcanic Beauty
The geography of Katmai National Park and Preserve is radically unique in its volcanic origins and fosters an ecosystem so special that every effort is made to preserve its vast wilderness. In the summer, Brown Bears attract many thousands of visitors a season, as they feast on salmon runs and build much-needed protein and fat to prepare for the long winter ahead.
Alaskan brown bears and grizzly bears are now considered the same species. The primary distinction between the two lies in their habitat and diet; however, genetically, they are the same species, Ursus arctos. Generally, the term “brown bear” refers to the coastal populations, which tend to be larger thanks to the abundance of food sources and rich fish diet. In contrast, “grizzly bear” typically refers to the smaller, inland populations found 1000 miles or more inland in places like interior Alaska, Canada, and the northwestern United States.
Katmai National Park and Preserve lies on the Alaska Peninsula, 290 miles southwest of Anchorage. The salmon run begins yearly by late June, with over a million fish moving from Bristol Bay into the Naknek lakes and rivers in less than a month. This critical cycle of salmon migration makes Katmai an abundant resource of vital food supplies for an estimated 2,200 brown bears inhabiting the park, as well as for bald eagles, rainbow trout, and all other creatures part of this thriving ecosystem.
Untouched Habitat
Katmai remains one of the last untouched habitats for these remarkable creatures. As bear populations decline globally, the success of Katmai National Park & Preserve largely stems from rangers, scientists, and the public working together to protect the wilderness. This ensures that natural processes and ecological interactions can continue without significant human interference. The park conducts ongoing research studying bear behavior and population, safeguarding over 4 million acres of wilderness crucial for conservation in collaboration with local communities, researchers, and scientists. This makes Katmai a world-class destination for wildlife viewing opportunities, allowing bears to maintain their life cycle undisturbed.
The diverse landscapes, from volcanic terrain to lakes, abundant rivers, and lush forests, are combined factors for photographers seeking to capture captivating images. Katmai offers well-maintained trails and viewing platforms for safely observing wildlife and allowing photographers to capture genuine moments of brown bears (and many other animals) in their element.
Small Things Make a Big Difference
When considering what gear to pack for the trip of a lifetime, I started with the usual camera essentials. From spare memory cards to extra batteries. Lens cleaning kit + waterproof bags and rain covers for camera/lens and moisture-absorbing packets. These are crucial for this type of environment.
My typical wildlife photography backpack consists of the following:
- Sony α7R IV
- Sony 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6
- Sony 200-600mm F5.6-6.3
- Sony 16-35mm f/2.8
- Sony 24-70mm f/2.8
- Sony 2x teleconverter
- A Benro Rhino series carbon fiber tripod/ monopod
Rent What You Need
However, I didn’t just bring the standard gear for this wildlife photography expedition; to elevate my images, I rented a Sony α1 and a Sony 400mm f/2.8 telephoto lens from Adorama Rental Company using this set-up as primary camera throughout the 10-day sojourn.
Sunrise, Sunset
Typically, with wildlife photography, animals are most active in the early hours of the morning or evening. However, what’s renowned in Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls, in particular, is that any time can be optimal for animal viewing. Personally, I favor sunrise, sunset colors, and golden hour. During these times, I situate myself either in the river or near the lake’s edge to catch a glimpse of bears fishing and mama bears showing their cubs the way of life in the wild.
Although the bears are accustomed to humans in the park, they are still wild animals and have their own schedules. It’s impossible to predict which location they may frequent at which time of day. It’s certainly important to wait for the right moment and observe the individual bears’ behavior, as this often creates more unique and captivating imagery.
Bear School
It must be noted that to be in the river, permits are required and upon arrival in Katmai National Park and Preserve everyone must attend “Bear school” with a ranger. This orientation covers how to properly store food and follow specific guidelines to ensure the safety of both visitors and bears.
When it comes to maintaining the correct distance:
“Persons may not intentionally approach or remain within 50 yards of a bear or any large mammal, except when on bear-viewing platforms” – NPS.
Team Work
When viewing a bear through a telephoto lens, you need to always be aware of the surroundings. For this reason, we always traveled in a group and one person would be on the lookout whilst others photographed. They looked using a rangefinder to ensure the viewing distance was in line with the correct 50-yard distance.
Limit Impact While Photographing Brown Bears
Respecting the ethics of wildlife photography and not getting too close to any wild animal is imperative to keeping them wild. It is always important to ensure we are limiting our impact on these wild animals as much as possible. They also follow Leave No Trace principles. No litter is left behind, no items are left outside of your tent. As well as correctly storing food and gear when not in use. This included following guidelines for eating in designated meal areas only. Ethical wildlife photography goes beyond maintaining distance. Always ensure that you are following park guidelines to preserve and protect the natural habitat.
Creating Compelling Images of Brown Bears
With respect to creating compelling imagery, it’s important to think about composition, lighting, and dynamic nature in the wild. Using the Sony α1 camera body paired with a 400mm f/2.8 lens and following the “reciprocal rule” when shooting handheld with a telephoto lens is a good starting point for image stabilization and sharpness. The “reciprocal rule” is a guideline to help prevent camera shake and achieve sharp images, stating your shutter speed should be at least the reciprocal of your lens’s focal length. For instance, considering my most-used lens, the 400mm f/2.8, my shutter speed should always be 1/400th of a second or higher.
Anything outside of this is creative expression and creative freedom. Most of my photographs from Katmai used ultra-fast shutter speeds of 1/1000th to 1/4000th of a second or more to freeze the dynamic motion of a bear fishing or playing and capture the water droplets with clarity. In low-light settings, I used a higher ISO to ensure I prioritized my shutter speed being ultra-fast, compensating for reduced ambient light.
Never Leave Anything on the Ground
Handling equipment in the wild can be challenging, to say the least. Use weather-sealed gear to protect against the elements, as well as spare gear (batteries, backup camera, and lens) stored away in a backpack that always remains on your back. It is a rule in Katmai to never leave anything on the ground – bears are curious and don’t understand your backpack is not a toy!
A sturdy tripod is invaluable, not only due to fatigue on long days (these lenses can get heavy when walking 25,000+ steps a day), but a sturdy tripod also ensures your stability in rushing rivers and a stable base during those unexpectedly dynamic moments.
Viewing Platforms for Photographing Brown Bears
Choosing a 24-70mm or 70-200mm focal length can be very useful when on the viewing platforms to capture the infamous bears fishing at Brooks Falls or to encapsulate the whole environment. This approach, typically referred to as environmental portraits, includes the bears along with the jaw-dropping surroundings of foliage, vast lakes, and snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. When composing shots, consider techniques such as leading lines, framing, and the rule of thirds to create visually appealing images. Avoid using flash photography, which can startle wildlife. Patience is always key. By allowing the animals to move naturally and being aware of your surroundings, you will ensure there is plenty of time to create compelling and impactful images. While contributing to the preservation and appreciation of wildlife and our natural world.
Magnificence of the Moment
The connection to nature and the wilderness is profound in such remote and raw settings as Southwest Alaska. Observing the bears in their natural environment, watching them fish skilfully, swim through rivers and streams, and watching as the cubs play and learn essential survival skills were unforgettable moments. They serve as a poignant reminder of the necessity of preserving these pristine and abundant ecosystems for all the creatures that inhabit them. A place like Katmai National Park and Preserve can leave you in awe, often at a loss for words to truly describe the magnificence of the moment. Southwest Alaska and its brown bears will have a permanent place in my heart and mind for all the years to come.
A Note From the Author
I respectfully acknowledge the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people as the traditional owners of the land known as Katmai National Park and Preserve, who have lived in Southcentral Alaska, including the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Archipelago, for thousands of years. The areas within the park, such as the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and Brooks Camp, hold significant cultural and historical importance for the Alutiiq people, who maintain a strong connection to their ancestral lands and sea.
