{"id":26649,"date":"2016-11-04T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T11:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=26649"},"modified":"2016-11-14T16:10:10","modified_gmt":"2016-11-14T21:10:10","slug":"adventures-photography-alaskan-grizzly-bears-chris-mclennan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/adventures-photography-alaskan-grizzly-bears-chris-mclennan\/","title":{"rendered":"Adventures in Photography: Alaskan Grizzly Bears with Chris McLennan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gallery\"><div id=\"slickGallery\" class=\"tn-block-slider-wrap\"><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_puffin.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_puffin.jpg\" title=\"Horned Puffin in flight with sand eels in it's beak.  Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.\"><div class=\"caption\">Horned Puffin in flight with sand eels in it's beak.  Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0056.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0056.jpg\" title=\"The leaping salmon at Brooks Falls, straight into the mouth of this waiting bear.  \"><div class=\"caption\">The leaping salmon at Brooks Falls, straight into the mouth of this waiting bear.  <\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0054.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0054.jpg\" title=\"Two young bears enjoy play fighting as a way of developing the skills they will need in adulthood.\"><div class=\"caption\">Two young bears enjoy play fighting as a way of developing the skills they will need in adulthood.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0051.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0051.jpg\" title=\"A mother bear showing her cubs how to dig for clams along the sea shore.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">A mother bear showing her cubs how to dig for clams along the sea shore.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bear_Alaska_014.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bear_Alaska_014.jpg\" title=\"Our group enjoying the evening around the campfire as a bear wanders past.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">Our group enjoying the evening around the campfire as a bear wanders past.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-Sunrise.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-Sunrise.jpg\" title=\"A sunset evening makes for a golden bear image.\"><div class=\"caption\">A sunset evening makes for a golden bear image.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-fish.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-fish.jpg\" title=\"An adult female bear with her catch\u2026\n\"><div class=\"caption\">An adult female bear with her catch\u2026\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_Car_L_002.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_Car_L_002.jpg\" title=\"A bear wanders the beach looking for clams.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">A bear wanders the beach looking for clams.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_bears_14_010.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_bears_14_010.jpg\" title=\"Bear family on the beach.  Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska\"><div class=\"caption\">Bear family on the beach.  Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0305.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0305.jpg\" title=\"Mother bear with her cubs resting in the grass.\"><div class=\"caption\">Mother bear with her cubs resting in the grass.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0300.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0300.jpg\" title=\"\u201cSnorkel\u201d, a bear known due to his technique of diving for fish near the lodge.\"><div class=\"caption\">\u201cSnorkel\u201d, a bear known due to his technique of diving for fish near the lodge.<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"slickGallery-nav\" class=\"tn-block-slider-wrap\"><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_puffin.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_puffin.jpg\" title=\"Horned Puffin in flight with sand eels in it's beak.  Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.\"><div class=\"caption\">Horned Puffin in flight with sand eels in it's beak.  Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0056.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0056.jpg\" title=\"The leaping salmon at Brooks Falls, straight into the mouth of this waiting bear.  \"><div class=\"caption\">The leaping salmon at Brooks Falls, straight into the mouth of this waiting bear.  <\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0054.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0054.jpg\" title=\"Two young bears enjoy play fighting as a way of developing the skills they will need in adulthood.\"><div class=\"caption\">Two young bears enjoy play fighting as a way of developing the skills they will need in adulthood.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0051.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bears_Alaska16_0051.jpg\" title=\"A mother bear showing her cubs how to dig for clams along the sea shore.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">A mother bear showing her cubs how to dig for clams along the sea shore.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bear_Alaska_014.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_bear_Alaska_014.jpg\" title=\"Our group enjoying the evening around the campfire as a bear wanders past.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">Our group enjoying the evening around the campfire as a bear wanders past.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-Sunrise.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-Sunrise.jpg\" title=\"A sunset evening makes for a golden bear image.\"><div class=\"caption\">A sunset evening makes for a golden bear image.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-fish.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Bear-fish.jpg\" title=\"An adult female bear with her catch\u2026\n\"><div class=\"caption\">An adult female bear with her catch\u2026\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_Car_L_002.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_Car_L_002.jpg\" title=\"A bear wanders the beach looking for clams.\n\"><div class=\"caption\">A bear wanders the beach looking for clams.\n<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_bears_14_010.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_bears_14_010.jpg\" title=\"Bear family on the beach.  Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska\"><div class=\"caption\">Bear family on the beach.  Silver Salmon Creek, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0305.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0305.jpg\" title=\"Mother bear with her cubs resting in the grass.\"><div class=\"caption\">Mother bear with her cubs resting in the grass.<\/div><\/div><div data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0300.jpg\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/McLennan_Alaska_14_0300.jpg\" title=\"\u201cSnorkel\u201d, a bear known due to his technique of diving for fish near the lodge.\"><div class=\"caption\">\u201cSnorkel\u201d, a bear known due to his technique of diving for fish near the lodge.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><script>\r\n\t\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function() 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true\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t<\/script>\r\n\t\t\t<style>\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .caption {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tdisplay:none;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .caption {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tposition:absolute;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbottom:0;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tleft:0;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tright:0;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tdisplay:block;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tcolor:#fff;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tpadding:4px 0 0 10px;\r\n\t\t\t\t\topacity:0;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t-webkit-transition:all .3s ease-in;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t-moz-transition:all .3s ease-in;\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttransition:all .3s ease-in;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground: -webkit-gradient(linear,left top,left bottom,color-stop(0%,rgba(0,0,0,0)),color-stop(100%,rgba(0,0,0,0.8)));\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,rgba(0,0,0,0) 0%,rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%);\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground: -o-linear-gradient(top,rgba(0,0,0,0) 0%,rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%);\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground: -ms-linear-gradient(top,rgba(0,0,0,0) 0%,rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%);\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground: linear-gradient(to bottom,rgba(0,0,0,0) 0%,rgba(0,0,0,0.8) 100%);\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align:left;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tword-wrap:break-word;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .slick-slide {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tposition:relative;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .slick-slide:hover .caption {\r\n\t\t\t\t\topacity:0.7;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .slick-slide img,\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .slick-slide img {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin:0 auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tmax-height:600px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .slick-slide img {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tmax-height:200px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav {\r\n\t\t\t\t\twidth:70%;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin:0 auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tpadding:2em 0;\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align:center;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .tn-slider-prev {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tleft: -88px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .tn-slider-prev {\r\n\t\t\t\t    left: 40px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .tn-slider-next {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tright: -88px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery .tn-slider-next {\r\n\t\t\t\t    right: 40px;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tborder-bottom:6px solid #000;\r\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align:center;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t.gallery {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground:#222;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t#slickGallery-nav .slick-slide {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tmargin:0 6px;\r\n\t\t\t\t\tcursor:pointer;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon at rural landing strips around the world to buzz the runway before landing to ensure no grazing cattle, wandering wildlife or other \u2018native guests\u2019 are in the path of the landing plane\u2026 But buzzing the beach to clear the foraging grizzly bears in Alaska is certainly something different!\u00a0 And yet it\u2019s a common theme to my arrival into Alaska where I run my Grizzly Bear Photo Tour each year from where I run my \u201cAlaskan Grizzly Bear\u201d photo tour each year.<\/p>\n<p>For my guests, it\u2019s always exciting and a great starting point to the trip \u2013 flying by classic Beaver fixed wing to our remote and very comfortable lodge, a beach landing literally amongst the bears as they search the shore for food, discovering the majestic beauty of Lake Clark National Park from the air, and meeting our friendly hosts before settling into the comfy accommodation we will enjoy for the next five nights.<\/p>\n<p>Every year is slightly different, with slight changes to the itinerary adding to the excitement.\u00a0 I remember one trip where my group was a little more hyped than usual having just spent the previous few days photographing humpback whales, puffins and seals in the Kenai Fjords &#8211; a side trip we added to the start of the tour, the highlight of which was seeing and photographing a stunning aurora borealis from the balcony of our accommodation on the very first night!\u00a0 Which all combined to mean we hit the ground running when we arrived amongst the bears \u2013 with one of my guests using her first ever DSLR yet capturing images as confidently as everyone else.<\/p>\n<p>Photographing the grizzly bears in Alaska is something really special and this was my personal favorite destination from which to do so.\u00a0 Lake Clark National Park is often described as the \u201cessence of Alaska\u201d as the park includes so many of Alaska\u2019s amazing landscape features all in the one area; from mountain ranges to active volcanoes to coastal rainforest, the famous Turquoise Lake and the tundra of the Western plateau\u2026\u00a0 And then, of course, you have the local wildlife \u2013 including the massive \u2018Ursus Arctos Horribilus\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>A subspecies of the Brown Bear, the Grizzly Bear \u2013 ranging from Alaska down to Mexico \u2013 is one of my favorite wildlife species. \u00a0Although considered carnivorous, in actuality they are prolific omnivores with a diet that includes fish, animals, a wide range of plants and berries, carrion, eggs, seashells and any other opportunistic meal that might come their way.\u00a0 They are mostly solitary animals, coming together during the mating season before the mother raises the cubs on her own.\u00a0 However, it is during the salmon season that they will gather near the waterways, searching out the protein-rich salmon which make up the bulk of their diet prior to hibernation &#8211; which is the perfect time for photography.<\/p>\n<p>The Photo Tour is based from a private 40 acre property within Lake Clark National Park on the western shores of the Cook Inlet, and is one of the only locations I know where you can safely enjoy such intimate bear encounters at close range (and I\u2019ve visited a few).\u00a0 To the point where the bears will wander past our campfire at night while the group is sitting around enjoying a cold drink and eating \u201cS\u2019mores\u201d made over the flames.\u00a0 (An American tradition made with marshmallows and chocolate melted between shortbread biscuits \u2013 the lodge staff flew in the ingredients especially for us).\u00a0 However having the bears so easily accessible is no laughing matter and the guides are excellent \u2013 ensuring we fully comprehended all of the safety instructions and precautions and making sure we maximize the photographic opportunities each day without risk to ourselves or to the bears.<\/p>\n<p>Because the lodge is situated near the coast, this gives us the options of photographing the grizzlies as they stroll the shoreline digging for clams, watching them at the river mouth as they chase the salmon entering from the sea, or exploring the various river tributaries to see the bears wading through the open marshes either side and standing in the shallows as they search for salmon.\u00a0 It is great to have such a diverse range of backdrops and environments for our photography!\u00a0 The bears themselves are as impressive as ever.\u00a0 In Alaska, it is not uncommon for these creatures to reach weights of up to 1500 pounds just before they go into hibernation, which is considerably larger than the same species in other regions.\u00a0 And when you see a large grizzly bear on hind legs, often standing 7 feet tall, it certainly is awe inspiring!<\/p>\n<p>And so it was \u201ccameras at the ready\u201d, taking and comparing shots of amazing sights every day as we explored this region and photographed the many bears we saw there.\u00a0 From mother bears with their cubs, which they would often leave in our vicinity \u2013 knowing the adult male bears were less likely to bother them when near humans, through to juveniles playfighting in the rain, adults gorging on salmon, digging for clams, even one bear who \u201cdives\u201d for fish near the lodge (a learned behaviour, they call him \u201cSnorkel\u201d), there was plenty of variety in our days.\u00a0 Add in a side trip to photograph the incredibly clumsy horned puffin that inhabits this region, and we were all in photographic heaven.<\/p>\n<p>For me, one of the highlights of my most recent trip was when we added an extension package to Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls after the tour.\u00a0 Brooks Falls is a completely different experience to Lake Clark.\u00a0 Viewing time is scheduled and everyone is stuck on the same platform overlooking the same waterfall.\u00a0 After the freedom of the past five days, it seemed a very foreign experience.\u00a0 But Brooks Falls is the best place to be if you hope to get that iconic shot of a bear catching salmon as they leap up the river.\u00a0 When we arrived, there were a few lonely bears in the river but no salmon in sight.\u00a0 What followed was a waiting game as the bears departed and then the salmon arrived, literally hundreds of them leaping up the waterfall!\u00a0 We had left the platform for lunch and on our return, we spent time photographing the leaping salmon \u2013 which was an amazing spectacle in itself \u2013 while waiting patiently for the bears to arrive.\u00a0 We were in luck, with the action all happening that afternoon and thankfully during our allotted time slot on the platform.\u00a0 The results being some terrific shots of the bears as they enjoyed their leaping sushi buffet\u2026!!<\/p>\n<p>All too soon and our journey was at an end.\u00a0 After enjoying our evenings around the fire at the lodge, swapping stories and comparing images with the staff and other guests, and following our flying visit to Katmai, it was time to say goodbye and jump aboard our individual flights back home.\u00a0 Like every trip to Alaska, we left with amazing memories \u2013 and amazing photos \u2013 of a wonderful journey and a fantastic experience.<\/p>\n<p><em>Chris McLennan is a professional travel photographer working around the world on photographic assignments that have seen him shoot in over 50 different countries to date.\u00a0 Check out his website for details of his Alaska Grizzly Bear tour, as well as other exciting locations such as Africa, Norway, New Zealand, Myanmar and more&#8230;\u00a0 <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cmphoto.co.nz\/photo-tours\/\"><em>www.cmphoto.co.nz\/photo-tours\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Professional travel photographer Chris McLennan gives us a peek into his photo tour of Alaska, as he gets up close and personal with grizzly bears during salmon 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