Tom and I celebrate great photos from photographers on our workshops by selecting a Photo of the Month. For June we chose an image from our Bears of Lake Clark. The image was taken by Tom McDonald in Lake Clark National Park in Alaska. Tom is a wildlife photographer from the great state of Wisconsin. You can view his other work here.
Congratulations to June 2026 ‘s featured photographer – Tom McDonald
The Story…
This was a bear that passed within 10 feet of me. Rob was behind me. Being with bears previously, I knew that these bears were very conditioned to humans. Rob kept saying “You’re okay, you’re okay.” I was not frightened at all and just kept on shooting.
My last shot is of the bears legs. They were so close they were going out of focus. The minimum focus distance on the lens is 8 ft. I was close. It was somewhere between 10 and 5 feet. When it started happening I did not get the blond bear that went by first. They were both female bears. I captured focus on the second, darker bear. I could see drool coming out of her mouth. It looked like she was shaking. It was pretty amazing.
I think she was fully aware that we were there. I think the blond bear was using us as a tree blind. She used us so that the chasing bear could not cut her off.
I knew it happened that people got so close there. But having it happen to me!
EXIF Data:
Camera: Nikon Z9
Lens: Nikon 400mm 2.8
Aperture: f5.6
Shutter: 1/4000th second
ISO: 450
Manual Mode, auto ISO
Exposure Comp: -.7
About Photographing in Lake Clark National Park
I had thought about going to Brooks Camp. I don’t think you would ever have that kind of experience that we had at Lake Clark. It was the best bear shooting that I have ever seen. I’ve shot bears in Wisconsin, the Tetons, Yellowstone, Canada, and Glacier. It is just not comparable. Lake Clark is magical.
The hosts and guides at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge were terrific. I have had guides all over the world. Our guides were thinking like a photographer. They got us in position for great photography. It was just amazing.
I couldn’t believe it, There were so many good opportunities there. I was looking for one good image each day and there were multiple.
I sent some of my images off to BayPhoto right away.
Tom’s Tips for Photographing Bears
1) Backgrounds. A clean background makes a big difference.
2) Keep shooting. There is so much action going on. You never know when the bears are going to turn around and look at you.
3) Try different angles. Move to the left or the right. Get low.
4) Try adjusting your settings for high key images out on the mud flats.
5) Shoot wide for environmental images. I liked the ones with Slope Mountain in it.
6) Try shooting some video too.
On Tom’s Horizon:
Pantanal in Brazil
Churchill for Polar Bears
Patagonia for Cougars
Australia
Bears of Lake Clark 2028
Zambia
Just 1 Space Left: Patagonia Photo Tour November 29-December 10, 2026
Space Available Northern Lights in Alaska February 23-28, 2027. Our easiest Northern Lights Workshop!
Thanks for reading our trip reports!
Have a great summer!
Tom and Cree
