18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Planning the Next Swim

A polar bear is scanning the ocean from an ice floe with the midnight sun behind. It has already swum a distance north from Spitsbergen and the next stop is the edge of the polar ice cap. For the moment it has found a comfortable ice floe to rest up. It is also wary as there is another large bear in the vicinity.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
Copyright: © Russell Millner
Awards
Photo of the Day: 06.03.21