Back from Alaska: Brown Bears, Big Moments, and One Adorable Little Rock Star

After 24 hours of travel, I’m finally home—shaking off the jet lag, but still completely immersed in the wild, breathtaking beauty of Alaska. I’ve just returned from leading my Ultimate Brown Bears of Alaska Workshop, and all I can say is… wow. What an experience.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather on the Katmai Coast. While it rained during our travel days in and out, we had just a couple of brief sprinkles during our eight full days in the field. For coastal Alaska, that’s nothing short of miraculous!

The group this year was absolutely wonderful—curious, adventurous, supportive of one another, and full of great energy. And my crew? Truly exceptional. Captain Angus kept us safe and steady at sea. Ruben expertly handled the skiff—getting us out to the bears and back to the ship safely—while keeping everyone entertained throughout. Joan worked culinary magic from dawn to dusk, and James was a tremendous help assisting our legendary bear guide and long-time friend, Brad Josephs. As always, Brad’s deep knowledge of both the bears and the landscape kept us safe and made every encounter more meaningful.

And the bears? They exceeded every expectation. Bigger, bolder, and more photogenic than ever. I came home with memory cards absolutely overflowing—intimate moments, golden light, misty mornings, and scenes that looked like they were highlights from a wildlife documentary.

But among all those moments, there was one tiny rock star who stole the show—and our hearts.

Meet this little “COY” (Cub of the Year)—a playful, curious, and slightly clumsy bundle of energy. Watching this cub explore the world was pure joy. Every tumble, head tilt, and wide-eyed stare reminded us of just how magical and fragile these early moments of life in the wild can be. It’s encounters like this that keep me coming back to Alaska year after year.

I captured this image with the Sony a1 II mirrorless body paired with the phenomenal Sony 300mm f/2.8 lens. The combination delivered stunning clarity and detail, allowing me to freeze a perfect moment that still makes me smile.

There are so many more stories and images to share—from quiet bear interactions to epic landscapes and the beautiful chaos of life on the Katmai Coast—but for now, I’ll leave you with this first favourite.

Stay tuned—more bears (and bear stories!) coming soon.

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub of the Year Shaking (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mark II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens. ISO 1,600, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

Louise, Chris Dodds, Jos, Kristy, Sarah, Mike, Janice, David and James. Image courtesy of Brad Josephs (Thanks, Brad).

Coastal Brown Bear Cub in Sedge Grass

This Coastal Brown Bear Cub was photographed eating sedge grass in heavy fog during my June Ultimate Brown Bears of Katmai Workshop.

Brown bears in Katmai National Park spend an incredible amount of time grazing on one of the few reliable food sources for bears in the spring, Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyaei). As it grows, Lyngbye’s sedge is relatively high in protein and lower in crude fibre, making it easy for bears to digest and extract nutrition after hibernation.

We spent several hours with this beautiful blonde Brown Bear cub down low at eye level - what a gift!

Coastal Brown (Grizzly) Bear Cub in Sedge Grass (Ursus arctos, ours brun) from my Ultimate Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai adventure workshop in Alaska last June. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony 200-600mm Lens (@600mm) ISO 5,000, f/6.3 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Grizzly Brown Bear second summer cub in the rain

A second summer Coastal Brown Bear grazing in the rain from my recently concluded ULTIMATE BROWN BEARS OF KATMAI WORKSHOP. I love cloudy and overcast light, especially when it is misty or drizzling in Katmai. The short grass in mid-June offers amazing low-angle images possible. The bears love the sweet, high-protein sedge and spend much time grazing like cows - smile.

One of the few reliable food sources for bears in the spring is Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyaei). On the Pacific coast of Katmai, large numbers of bears gather to graze like cattle when this sedge emerges in salt marshes. As it begins to grow, Lyngbye’s sedge is relatively high in protein and lower in crude fibre, making it easier for bears to digest and extract nutrition.

Coastal Brown Bear Mother and Cub Clamming

Here’s mom showing her cub how to clam in Geographic Harbor, Katmai National Park, AK. My planned June Ultimate Alaska Bear Boat Trip is officially now another victim of the CORONAVIRUS COVID-19; it is best everyone stay home and let’s flatten the curve together. Join me in October for fishing bears or next June for mothers and cubs.