Edition of 950 11" x 14" unframed

A mother polar bear and her spring cubs reflect the pink light of sunrise on the frozen plains of Cape Churchill near Canada's Hudson Bay. All eyes alert to the new day.

Edition of 950 Size 20" x 24" unframed

A mother polar bear and her spring cubs reflect the pink light of sunrise on the frozen plains of Cape Churchill near Canada's Hudson Bay. All eyes alert to the new day.

Edition of 950 Size 11" x 14" unframed

On the broken ice floes of Hudson Bay in Northeast Canada, a female polar bear comforts her two cubs as the wind and falling temperatures begin to wear them down. Polar bears are uniquely adapted for this brutal, frozen world but young cubs need the protection of a warm mother to survive the cold.

Even in Alaska bears can suffer when it gets hot. In late June my wife and I found this juvenile (4-5 years old) grizzly floating in Mikfik Creek with all four paws in the air. Located in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, the grizzly bears arrive in June to meet the returning schools of spawning salmon. They stay there unitl the runs are over in late August.

Edition of 950 16" x 24" unframed

In the world of momma grizzlies, bringing three youngsters into their second summer is a real success story. Now mom must teach her rowdy yearling triplets how to find different foods in all seasons, how to stay out of trouble, how to cross a river, and where to dig a den; it's the hard work of parenting.

Of course, there is still time for fun. Play behavior in any species is all part of the learning process. The triplets favorite game was 'king of the hill' using mom as the mountain--a real hoot to watch!

I have spent hundreds of satisfying hours watching and photographing grizzlies. I have never had a safety problem because I am aware, knowledgeable, and cautious. In this way I show the great bear the respect it is due.

Edition of 950 11" x 14" unframed

In the world of momma grizzlies, bringing three youngsters into their second summer is a real success story. Now mom must teach her rowdy yearling triplets how to find different foods in all seasons, how to stay out of trouble, how to cross a river, and where to dig a den; it's the hard work of parenting.

Of course, there is still time for fun. Play behavior in any species is all part of the learning process. The triplets favorite game was 'king of the hill' using mom as the mountain--a real hoot to watch!

I have spent hundreds of satisfying hours watching and photographing grizzlies. I have never had a safety problem because I am aware, knowledgeable, and cautious. In this way I show the great bear the respect it is due.

Edition of 950 Size 11.5" x 24" unframed

As the sun set, I knew it was time to get off the river, but it was just too beautiful—too exciting.  I decided to stay a little longer and was rewarded when an adult grizzly emerged from the crimson current with his prize— a large sockeye (red) salmon.  It seems the gulls are always present hoping for scraps.

During the three months I spent documenting life on a salmon stream for the National  Geographic, I learned a great deal about the importance of salmon to a healthy watershed.  Each day was an adventure, a new chapter in my understanding of our vanishing wild world.