Few things are more powerful than witnessing the bond between mother and child—or in this case, cub! In the wilds of Alaska, Nat Hab travelers photograph fascinating bear behavior and are treated to affectionate displays between protective mothers and playful cubs. This rarest of encounters can be had on our Grizzly Ship Photo Expedition: Kodiak to Katmai—the ultimate bear photography safari! While you dream of adventure, enjoy this roundup of some of our favorite photographs of brown bear mother and cubs, taken by Nat Hab travelers and guides along the remote coast of Katmai National Park. Also featured are some stellar submissions from our Wildlife Photo Contests of years past.

But first, watch our Daily Dose of Nature on how to photograph mothers and cubs, and start planning your photo adventure!

Nat Hab travelers with brown bears in Alaska.

© Alek Komarnitsky

A brown bear with three cubs in Alaska.

© Peter Norvig

Brown bear cubs nurse in Alaska.

© Alan Jones

Brown bear cubs clutch their mother in Alaska.

© Peter Derrington

A cub plays in the water in Alaska.

© Peter Derrington

A brown bear mother and cub

© Jennifer Fogle Smith

A brown bear cub nuzzles its mother in Katmai National Park.

© Peter Norvig

Brown bear cubs waiting for their mother in Katmai.

© Benjamin Spalding

A brown bear mother with cubs in Alaska's Katmai National Park.

© Doug Beach

Two cubs play in the water in Alaska.

© Peter Norvig

A brown bear stares down the photographer in Katmai National Park.

© Peter Norvig

© Brad Josephs

A mother bear with playful cubs in a flower field.

© Brad Josephs

A cub strikes a pose among the lupines in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs

A mother bear with cubs on the tidal flats in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs

A brown bear and cub walk along the tidal flats in Alaska.

© Brad Josephs

A wolf and brown bear encounter in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs

Playful bear cubs with a mother bear in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs

Playful bear cubs with a mother bear in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs

Playful bear cubs with a mother bear in Katmai National Park.

© Brad Josephs