A Mother’s Day Tribute to Brown Bear Matriarchs

Motherhood looks a little different in the wild, but the heart of it feels familiar. Brown bear mothers are fearless providers, foraging, fishing, and guiding their cubs through the changing seasons with patience and persistence.

They are also fierce protectors, keeping their cubs close while giving them room to tumble, explore, wrestle, and grow. Every lesson and watchful moment is part of the deep bond between mother and cub.

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating that bond with a gallery of brown bear mothers and their young. For those who dream of photographing bears in the wild, there is just one spot remaining on this summer’s Katmai, Alaska photography journey, a rare chance to safely observe and photograph these remarkable animals in one of the world’s great wilderness settings.