This giant grizzly emerged from the brush on our side of the river. He was close, and our guides prepared their bear spray. He watched us for a moment before entering the river and swimming to the other side.
Too Close
Katmai National Park, Alaska, United States - 22 Jul 2025 See on Google Maps
In the hinterland of Katmai National Park we would hike down to a river and then walk along the shore (or in the river) to find the big bears. We had armed guides (45s and bear spray) but still nervous with limited options for escape and dense brush near the river edge. We were taking pictures of some bears fishing across the river when this guy crashed through the bush only a few yards away.
I used the 100-500 during the whole trip this was one time I had to move to the 100 side of the zoom lens. He was so close. The ISO was way up to enable a very fast shutter speed to capture the fishing bears. I did not have time to change the settings when this bear surprised us.
The big bear wadded into the river and swam across not bothered by the little group of photographers.
Cal Holman Posted on 10 Oct 2026