Katmai cubs

Brown bear sow and cubs of the year, Katmai National Park, Alaska.
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 400mm f5.6L, 1/500 sec @ 5.6, ISO 400

Katmai National Park in southwest Alaska is home to many Brown bears. These bears are larger than the interior grizzly bears mainly due to the protein rich diet of fish, although they are the same species. This sow with three cubs has a challenge ahead of her in feeding and protecting her hungry little cubs. The density of bears in the vicinity of Brooks river make the sow quite wary, and she needs to fish while simultaneously keeping an eye on her little ones. Male bears are known to kill cubs of the year. Long telephoto lenses are essential in photographing bears, and in particular, sows with little cubs. This is a crop from the original frame, which included more environment but I wanted to emphasize the cubs.