Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sharing Is Bearing

If I were to trace my love of wilderness and beautiful landscapes back to a single point in time, a single catalyst that ensured without a doubt that this would be my path for the rest of my life, it would have to be a trip to Alaska with my parents in 1997 when I was 10 years old. It was my first time seeing towering glaciers, massive grizzlies, and true, untouched wilderness. We went back this year to Brooks Falls (site of the world-famous Fat Bear Week Contest) and spent a few days watching the bears absolutely gorge themselves on salmon. I was determined to go home with a classic shot of a bear catching a fish, but I never dreamed I’d be able to get a two-for-one, with a single fish jumping into the mouths of two different bears simultaneously. This is by far my single favorite photo I’ve ever taken.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Alaska, United States of America
Copyright: © Nate Luebbe