Brown Bear Cub of the Year Showing Off Freshly Caught Huge Salmon

Why This COY (Cub of the Year) Stole the Show – And Why You Should Join Us Next Time

If you've been following my recent posts, you've probably seen this little star already — this year’s COY (Cub of the Year) from my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop. And if you're considering joining a future trip, this moment is a perfect example of what makes these workshops so unforgettable.

During one of our incredible outings, this young bear proudly showed off a freshly caught salmon, right in front of our group. It was as if the cub was performing just for us — a rare and thrilling display that had every camera firing.

The image you see here was captured full-frame using my Sony a1 II with the ultra-versatile Sony 400–800mm zoom lens at 584mm. This setup allowed me to isolate the moment cleanly, even from a safe distance — and our participants captured equally impressive shots with their own gear.

Beyond the technical side, it’s these kinds of intimate, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters that define the Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska experience. You’ll have front-row access to wild behaviour, personalized instruction in the field, and the opportunity to hone your skills in one of the most photogenic locations on the planet.

Thinking about joining us on the next adventure? This COY — and many unforgettable moments like this — are waiting.

More Kudos

“I honestly can’t thank you enough for all the work you put into the Katmai trip. I loved it and so appreciate knowing that when I commit to going with you, I know you offer a high-level experience and care to pass on your incredible knowledge of photography. Brown Bears in Alaska was my third trip with you, Puffins and Gannets previously. Each trip, I have returned nourished by nature, richer for the experience, and learned more about photography. Thank you for your hard work during the trip to stay on top of all the variables and make good decisions for your clients’ enjoyment and good pictures.”

- Sarah MacDonald, British Columbia | Canada

I'm proud to have my photo of a Prothonotary Warbler featured on the cover of This May Be The Year by Canadian poet Carole Giangrande.

This thoughtful collection explores both the beauty and the challenges of our world. Through poems about birds, seasons, memory, and loss, Giangrande finds moments of hope and wonder — even in the most difficult times. Her writing is honest, gentle, and deeply connected to nature.

These poems reflect the uncertainty many of us feel today, but also remind us of the comfort we can find in the natural world. It’s a moving and timely book, and I’m honoured that my image is part of it.

Prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea, Pauline orangée, PROW) from mySONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP at Point Pelee National Park of Canada in Leamington, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 20,000, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Coastal Brown Bear Cub Catches Salmon | Tight 800mm horizontal with Splashing Water

There are moments in the field when instinct takes over. One of those moments happened recently as I watched a Coastal Brown Grizzly Bear COY (Cub of the year) playing by the water's edge, tossing around a freshly caught salmon during my recently concluded Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop. Glaucous-winged Gulls lined the water’s edge, circled and called in the background, hoping for scraps, but I locked my focus on the bear—and had the feeling that something was about to happen while trying to keep the distracting gulls out of the image.

Sure enough, the bear cub suddenly stood up, salmon still in its mouth. Without thinking twice, I zoomed all the way to 800mm with the new Sony 400-800mm lens on the Sony a1 II and framed a tight, horizontal head-and-shoulders composition. It was a split-second decision, but the kind that comes from time in the field—watching, waiting, and knowing when and how to make images with visual impact. The bear's posture, the glint in its eye, the fish in its mouth and claws extended with the trailing water for dramatic effect—it all lined up in an image full of drama.

At this time of year, the rivers are teeming with salmon as they return to spawn. It's a feast for the bears, who gorge on these fish to build fat reserves for the winter. But many of the salmon are reaching the end of their lives—scarred, discoloured, and barely holding together after completing their incredible journey upstream. They may not be the pristine, silver fish we imagine, but in their worn-out state, they're arguably even more beautiful—symbols of endurance and the cycle of life.

While adult bears waste no time tearing into their meal, the cubs approach things with a bit more curiosity (and comedy). Watching young brown bears figure out what to do with a slippery salmon is pure entertainment. They chase them, chew the wrong end, toss them in the air, and sometimes forget why they were holding them in the first place. But every awkward step is practice for the future—and fun to witness through the lens.

Wildlife photography is about patience, timing, and the ability to react when instinct says "now." That brief moment when the bear stood tall with its ragged prize was one of those times—and one I won't forget anytime soon.