Would you like to see more photos of bears? Visit my new Stock Photo site for a comprehensive collection of over 270 Grizzly bear stock photos, and black bear photos.

"I consider him in most respects the greatest animal on the North American continent, if not in the world. He excels in mental development and physical prowess, and he possesses the rare quality of loyalty. He is full of curiousity and a born adventurer. The species impresses one with superiority, and the individuality of each grizzly stands out .. stories of this 'animal that walks like a man' ever appeal; he is the most impressive animal on the continent. He is the dominant and the most distinguished animal of the world." -- Enos Mills, 'The Grizzly'.

My photographs represent the essence of how I experience these bears. Some of these images were taken in remote backcountry expeditions in the mountains of Alaska, others at popular, though still remote, places like Brooks Falls. Most of my black bears pictures were taken in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The Smoky Mountains are home to over 1500 black bears, and the bears are seen frequently.

I'm constantly working towards furthering my stock lists, and improving my portfolio. These images are all of wild subjects, in their natural environment. Each photo is available for stock use, and photographic prints, screensavers, note cards or calendars are also available. To order any of these pictures, or for complete stock photo lists, drop an email.

Photographing bears is a thrill like no other. They are truly magnificent creatures, and a treat to behold. The grizzly bear, also known as the brown bear along the coastal reaches of Alaska and Western Canada, was once widespread across much of North America, but decimated by European settlers near to the point of extinction. A few grizzlies remain in isolated pockets of wilderness in the Lower 48, in places like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. In Alaska and parts of Canada, the grizzly has prevailed and is doing well. Katmai National Park southwest of Anchorage, in Alaska is one of the best bear viewing places anywhere in the world, with a large population of bears. The bears frequent much of the park, but are most commonly seen along the coastal areas of Hallo Bay and at Brooks River in July and September.

The bears are typically solitary animals, but congregate in places where there is an abundant food source. The rich salmon fisheries of the Alaskan Peninsula make for primary brown bear habitat; Katmai is home to one of the densest populations of brown bears in the world, and consequently many of the images we see are taken there. Though Alaskans tend to differentiate the coastal bears from the grizzlies of the interior and Lower 48 States, the 2 are actually the same species, both known as "Ursus arctos horribilis". The rich protein of their salmon diet makes for big bears. Males, known as 'boars' can reach weights of over 1500 pounds and stand over 10' tall. Grizzlies in places like Denali or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, are rarely half that size, as much of their diet consists of berries, roots and grasses.

The bears forage voraciously throughout the summer months, storing as much fat as they can, before denning for the winter. They are not true hibernators, but rather sleep, much as we do, for an extended period of time. Young are born during this time, and emerge from the dens typically in April or May. The cubs stay with their mother for 2 years before leaving, at which time she'll breed again.

This gallery of images is a collection of photographs taken by Carl Donohue. All images on this site remain the property of Carl Donohue Photography, and are fully protected by federal and international copyright laws. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited, and any reproduction copying, manipulation, alteration, saving or distribution of these images will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. All images are available for licensed use; to do so, please contact Carl via email or phone # (770) 952 4549. Thank you.