Wildlife photographer Joe Moreno recently visited Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park to photograph the Alaska Peninsula’s remarkable brown bears, often referred to as “peninsula grizzlies.” These majestic animals are among the largest brown bears in the world, yet Moreno captures intimate moments that reveal their surprisingly gentle side.
Lake Clark National Park is known for its wild beauty. Its lush forests and pristine rivers provide an ideal habitat for brown bears, as the land is rich in food sources such as protein-rich sedge grass and berries, and there is a significant salmon run in late July. Fortunately, the land and the bears are now protected, but that wasn’t always the case.
“Lake Clark is a very special place to observe coastal brown bears in their natural habitat,” Moreno tells My Modern Met. “The last time a bear was hunted and killed in this place was 40 years ago.” Today, lodge owners, park rangers and guides strive to build trust with the local brown bears and foster a sense of tolerance and respect for these magnificent animals.
For about 15 years, wildlife photographers from all over the world have been coming to the Kenai Peninsula in Lake Clark National Park, but without a trained guide they cannot get close to the bears. Moreno explains: “There are strict rules that people must follow to maintain the positive relationship between bears and people.”
Following safety guidelines and gaining the bears’ trust has really paid off for Moreno. His amazing photos give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives and personalities of these notorious grizzlies. Each bear seems completely unfazed by Moreno’s presence as they roam the land, hunting, feeding, wrestling, and entertaining potential mates.
“You can tell when bears are playing fights because they don’t make sounds like the bears in this photo,” Moreno said of one particular shot. “But when they’re really fighting, you hear sounds from deep inside them that are the stuff of nightmares.”
During his time at the park, Moreno learned to recognize the individual bears that live there. One particularly striking photo shows a bear named “Crimp Ear” looking sleepily into the camera while relaxing on the beach. Moreno reveals: “Her friends just call her Crimp.”
Scroll down to see more of Moreno’s extraordinary grizzly bear photographs, which are also available for purchase.
Wildlife photographer Joe Moreno recently captured the remarkable lives of brown bears on the Alaska Peninsula in Lake Clark National Park.
These majestic animals are among the largest brown bears in the world, yet Moreno captures intimate moments that reveal their surprisingly gentle side.
Moreno’s amazing photographs give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives and personalities of these infamous grizzlies.
The park’s rangers and guides have worked for years to gain the trust of local bears and foster a sense of tolerance toward these magnificent animals.
Moreno’s incredible photographs raise awareness of the importance of protecting wild habitats and their inhabitants.
Joe Moreno: Instagram | Shop
My Modern Met granted permission to show photos by Joe Moreno.
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