Bear Family Standing

The brown bear family of three wakened in the presence of an intruding adult bear. Mom, flanked on both sides by cubs, walked out from the shelter of the big rock to explore the impending danger. Once out in the open, she rose to her full height and surveyed the surrounding area. Instinctively, the cubs stayed close at her side. One cub, nuzzled against her leg, while the other looked up at her questioningly. Both were aware that something was amiss. The image captured the vulnerability of the cubs and the intensity of the mother’s stance, determined to protect her young.

Coastal Brown Bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska, 2014

Canon 1DX, Canon 600mm F/4, Canon 1.4x III Teleconverter, f/5.6, 1/1000s, ISO 1600, monopod