Black Bear, Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska – Image 2574

A very large black bear snatches a sockeye salmon out of Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Just 13 miles from downtown Juneau, Steep Creek offers one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Alaska. Over 10 bears eat and live along the banks of this small creek when the salmon runs arrive sometime in mid-July. I shot this handheld photo from the viewing platforms originally built as salmon viewing stations. This image illustrates page 8 in my newest book just released in early June, “Black Bears of Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier”. Nikon D200, Lens:800-400mm f/3.5-5.6 Nikkor, Digital -Mark Kelley