Black Bear, Anan Creek, Wrangell, Alaska #3410

I have been going to Anan Creek Wildlife Observatory, located an hour boat ride from Wrangell in Southeast Alaska, for the past 13 years. The Observatory sits on the edge of Anan Creek, which is packed with spawning pink salmon and supports a large population of black and brown bears. I always get a calendar image from my visits. My first and only cover of National Wildlife Magazine was an Anan Creek bear photo. This year I focused on getting super tight shots and used longer focal lengths between 200-400mm. The action of a black bear snatching a pink salmon swimming underwater happens in a blink of an eye. There are a many missed shots but when it works it gives an intimate frozen moment in the circle of life. Thank you for the gift of your time. Enjoy – Camera: #Nikon #D850, Lens: # Nikkor 80-400mm, Digital Capture, Hand-Held, ©Mark Kelley