Fishing from the Falls: Brown Bear Photo Roundup

A nature photographer in Brooks Falls in autumn.

Encounter Alaska’s giant grizzlies on Bears of Brooks Falls Photo Expedition. You’ll photograph these enormous brown bears in the golden glow of autumn as they congregate in Brooks Falls, gorging themselves on salmon in preparation for their long winter’s sleep. This immersive adventure is designed with the experienced nature photographer in mind. You’ll visit Brooks Falls during the off-season when tourists are few but plenty of bears remain and get iconic shots of wildlife under the expert guidance of our Expedition Leaders. Capture exhilarating images and build your portfolio through daily workshops and coaching in post-processing and editing techniques. You’ll leave this in-depth expedition with exceptional photographs and remarkable memories of your time with the world’s largest coastal grizzlies.

Enjoy this roundup of some of our favorite photographs of brown bears feasting on the bounty of the summer salmon runs, taken by Nat Hab travelers and guides in Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park. Also featured are some outstanding entries from our Wildlife Photo Contests of years past.

Two bears fish for salmon in Brooks Falls.

Brown bear catches a salmon as its eggs go flying in Alaska.

Red-legged gulls are often found waiting for brown bears to catch salmon and later will eat the scraps. © Justin R. Gibson

A perfectly-timed shot of a salmon entering the mouth of a brown bear in Alaska.

A perfectly-timed shot. © John Baston

A cub delights in his catch of the day. © Lisa Wakida

A grizzly bear catches a salmon from Brooks Falls.

A brown bear shakes off water droplets after a day of fishing. © Jennifer Fogle Smith

Salmon isn't the only seafood giant grizzlies feast on—bears also dig for razor, butter and steamer clams in the tidal flats.

Salmon isn’t the only sea delicacy giant grizzlies feast on—bears also dig for razor, butter and steamer clams in the tidal flats. © Bruce Faanes

A brown bear in Alaska snatches a salmon from a rushing river.

Bear claws in the rushing falls create a fascinating focal point. © Drew Hamilton

One of our most seasoned guides, Brad Josephs, is a professional nature photographer and highly trained naturalist who leads Nat Hab’s Bears of Brooks Falls Photo Expedition. Specializing in bear biology and ecology, he has an intimate knowledge of grizzlies and has decades of experience guiding travelers through coastal Alaska to encounter these captivating creatures. Below is a selection of photos Brad has taken over the years of brown bears as they seize spawning salmon from the falls and feed in coastal waters.

Nature photographers are in for a treat on Bears of Brooks Falls: A Photo Pro Expedition.

An Alaskan brown bear in the fiery glow of sunset.

An Alaskan brown bear in the fiery light of dawn. © Brad Josephs

An iconic wildlife shot on Bears of Brooks Falls: A Photo Pro Expedition

Sunrise and sunset create ideal lighting conditions for nature photography. © Brad Josephs

The competition is fierce as two males attempt to capture a succulent salmon. © Brad Josephs

The captivating stare of a bear in Brooks Falls.

Flounder often make their way into freshwater to feed on salmon eggs and carcasses during the spawning season. This was likely this cub’s first catch! © Brad Josephs

Black-and-white portrait of a brown bear fishing in Alaska.

Three young bears by a salmon run in Alaska.

A brown bear and Alaskan mountain range is reflected in coastal waters.

A thrilling chance encounter with a bear and a bald eagle.

What can be found at the end of the rainbow? If you're in Alaska, it might be a bear!

Guide and nature traveler pose with a bear in the background on Bears of Brooks Falls: A Photo Pro Expedition.

Eager for some photo tips before your Alaska adventure? Be sure to watch Brad’s Daily Dose of Nature, Photographing Bear Behavior: The Quest for Food.