Bear Belly, Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska – Image 2632

The bear viewing along the 100 or so yards of raised boardwalks at the Mendehall Glacier boggles the mind and the view finder. I shot a book on the black bears at the Mendenhall Glacier in a months time essentially never leaving the boardwalks. I shot this photo with well over 100 other people on the viewing platform with me. This large female bear had just finished her salmon supper and reclined on a willow sappling to scratch her chest and lick clean her claws. I have never seen such a relaxed and trusting bear. During the summer months (from late July to early October) over 200,000 cruiseship visitors will walk these boardwalks making this place the most accessible and visited bear viewing location in the world. This image illustrates the month of August in my 2010 Juneau Alaska Calendar and can also be found in my bear book, “Black Bears of Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier”. Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting. Nikon D200, Digital Capture, Nikkor 80-400mm-Mark Kelley