16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Polar Bear in front of the Brooks Range

My wife and I ventured to Kaktovik, Alaska in hopes of seeing polar bears in the wild. We were anchored in a small aluminum boat near a gravel bar when this bear emerged from the water and walked along the gravel bar towards us. He passed directly in front of us, seemingly unconcerned by our presence, and continued on his way. The Brooks Mountains are in the background.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: Kaktovik, Alaska, Alaska, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Copyright: © Gary Cornwell