Fall 2025
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This information is to help all travelers and photographers enjoy Alaska travel, wildlife and photography.
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"Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear."-- George Addair
Forest composite © Ron Levy/APA
It’s a Jungle Board Out There
You face being eaten by mosquitoes, large predators, the weather or dysentery. There are inner and outer demons, fears, and space, time & money constraints that need to be managed constantly.
You can look at it as just a pain in the butt or a pleasure worth all the bites. Hours or days in the wild for that golden 1/500 second. (Well ok we relive it throughout our lifetime, and see the results in beautiful photos).
They are both sides of the same coin, the same game with pain and pleasure. The pains we endure are overshadowed by the beauty and trust we feel when we are finally allowed into a beautiful animal’s circle. And the photos we get that others appreciate, and reminds us of the moment forever.This game we play with animals, with its constant re-evaluation of trust, risk, beauty and patience, has unwritten rules. Like chess, these unwritten rules must be recognized and respected to keep you in the game (and alive).
If you violate an animal’s space, or make a sudden move, loud behavior, etc., you can lose its trust and company, not to mention a great photo or your life. Either way, it is usually preventable if recognized early enough. and modified to your advantage — changing your body angle, moving farther away or sideways, staying quiet, looking sideways, etc.
Game theory is the mathematical study of strategic interactions between rational decision-makers, where outcomes depend on the choices of all. It was initially developed by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern to solve economic problems, but is used widely to analyze conflicts and cooperation in politics, computer games, psychology. and much more. Core concepts common to any “game” involve:
Players: The decision-makers in the “game.” This can be individuals, companies, or even countries. In our case, we AND the bears are decision makers. We both react to each other’s movements.
Strategies: The possible choices a player can make. The key assumption here is that each player must consider the other’s goals, potential moves and strategies. This is a key to wildlife photography, relationships and achieving your goals in any negotiation.
Rationality: Related to strategy is the assumption that each player acts in their own self-interest to achieve the desired outcome.
Payoffs: The outcomes or rewards a player receives based on the choices of both players.
Recognize the give-and-take in the field. For those of you who play chess (or checkers), look at wherever you are as a playing board in terms of power centers, safety spots, relief valves, etc. Where are the “pinch points” or funnels that limit passage (rivers, mountains, valleys, etc.), These could be natural or man-made paths, corridors, obstructions, roads, structures, cliffs, rivers, etc. that limits passage. They also offer easy escapes for wildlife or you. Use those pinch points to give the animal a comfortable space for exit, and/or give you an “out”.
You can also use this chess board view to think about offense and defense “power centers”. What areas could you move to in order to get a better view or photo (offense) without being too direct or causing any noticeable fear or change in behavior.
Cues and Clues
Bears, unlike snakes, fish and insects, give us clues that we can relate to on similar sensory levels. As mammals, we use sight and hearing more to judge distance, danger, and direction. We recognize when another mammal is watching us directly, reacting to our movements, playing in similar ways, and caring for their young.
But there are subtle differences with bears that become more evident as we become more observant and aware of their patterns, reactions and behaviors. After observing them and other Alaskan mammals for over 40 years here, there are some common tendencies to keep in mind.
As a generalization, realize that bears and most mammals won’t always be facing you to be aware of you. Peripheral vision can sense your movements without your awareness, especially if you become even slightly larger by moving closer. Combined with drifts of wind bringing your scent to them, the cues may build up subtly.
How many times have you been watching an animal, thinking that you might not be causing any stress or visible reaction, but then the animal starts walking slowly away? Or trotting. It may not seem like they are changing due to anything you have overtly done, but you may have reached its pivot point, “violating” its comfort zone. So it slowly changes its behavior – gets up, stops feeding (itself or its young) or feeds slightly farther away, etc.
One way to clarify subtle cues in the field is to do the same to them and watch. Perhaps turn and walk slowly away from them, either sideways or backtrack. Or sit/lie down, perhaps cover up any clothing that might be bright orange or red. Keep conversation low and give it time to evaluate their reaction. They may show a behavior half an hour later that might be hard to connect to one of your specific actions.
Most of all, give it time. Except for small mammals, small birds or animals in pursuit or fleeing, we humans are usually operating at a faster pace than most animals. Most predators take their time to stalk their prey, which is exactly what you are doing to a bear. They will recognize similar behavior and, especially when they have cubs, will appreciate a slower pace.
General Field Tips Around Wildlife
Here are some other tips to keep in mind, which you may be familiar with. Nonetheless, I am continually surprised at how often folks forget or aren’t aware of these faux-pas. Combined with a non-direct approach as mentioned above, these can dramatically increase your face time with bears and most other animals:
1) Use low or angled body position — sit, stoop or lie down
2) Keep conversation & noise low
3) Don’t bring food or personal products with enticing or human smells – peanut butter, perfumes, sweets, meaty sandwiches (I once saw a hiker pull out his bear spray to stop a black bear w/cubs walking toward him. As he retreated and the bear also turned away, he pulled out and began eating a 12” Subway sandwich from his jacket).
4) Wear clothing that is neutral with the scenery — no bright colors. Save the bright orange windbreaker for the boat or other situation. For that matter, it’s nice to bring a camouflage or neutral windbreaker or easily stuff-able poncho to cover yourself and/or your tripod, photo or other gear.
5) Walk softly and carry a big monopod if in uneven or busy terrain.
The Battle Worth Losing
Brown Bears Negotiating, Katmai NP, AlaskaLike strangers or abused people, bears need time to become comfortable around you. If it seems nervous, or moves slightly farther away after a short time, that could be a clue that you might be the culprit. Try moving sideways or back and watch their reaction. Do they stop moving, or sit down and relax? Do they look at you or your direction periodically, or do they not seem to care?
Pull back and look at the broader chess board of possibilities in front of you. View the area as a collection of power centers or energy spots. Many martial arts like judo or aikido use the “opponent’s” energy to neutralize their advances. With animals though, the idea is to neutralize tension by opening spaces between you, repositioning yourself, and, in general, avoid the appearance of a power struggle for position.
Take your time to decide when to play offense versus defense – when to move forward, sideways or backward, or when to just stop and smell the flowers. Are there other “players” on the chessboard – bears or people spaced strategically around? Are there game trails or human trails blocked by animals or natural obstructions? Is there a lone female (sow/”queen”) with or without cubs (“pawns”) that may be drawing the attention of your bear-opponent(s)? Perhaps she is what you should be focusing your photography on for best interactions rather than the closest bear to you.
Try minor adjustments mentioned above like lying down, turning sideways, covering your head, or putting on clothes that blend with the current landscape. You may wonder whether blending in is the best approach — that they might not “see” you or know that you are human. These adjustments will affect them unconsciously and usually improve the bear’s apparent comfort level. Unless it is approaching directly at you or is obviously unaware of your position, slight movements will almost always advise it that you are a human. Then you can assess whether it is coming too close or may be acting aggressively.
One factor that makes a huge difference is whether you are in coastal areas with regular salmon runs (where most photographers go to get dependable bear photos, or in interior areas like Yosemite or Denali Nat’l Parks, where bears have a more sporadic food supply daily.
In coastal salmon areas like Katmai and Lake Clark Nat’l Parks, both brown and black bears are usually fat, happy and feeding on steady salmon runs. Compare that to inland “grizzlies”with sporadic food supplies that they have to forage for and/or chase down larger mammals like caribou or moose. These inland areas are where most of the more dangerous encounters and attacks have been documented in the literature.
Looking at the wildlife playing field before you with broader considerations will eventually get you not only longer, better face time and photos, but with less stress to the animal(s). The success of your offensive or defensive decisions will be judged by how the “players” allow you access into their lives. You may get more face time with a comfortable bear, or it may even lie down to rest , or, the supreme compliment — a sow may lie down and nurse its cubs right in front of you!
Final note: What we learn consciously and unconsciously from animals about intimidation, apprehension and fear will help with our interactions with people.
Consider the carpet salesman who had a modest shop for 30 years in his small town. Then the big city carpet giants moved in and tried to intimidate him and attract customers. Rather than fight them head-on, he took a more subtle route:
Don’t shoot yourself if you don’t get the shot (author)
How many hours have you spent sometimes hoping and praying for a good shot, or good light, or ANYTHING to happen in front of your lens? You rationalize it by saying “Yeah, we all gotta put in our time”. Or, if you’re optimistic, “Yeah, that means next time will be better”.
Both those thoughts are true, but photography, like many endeavors worth pursuing, can still be frustrating. Lots of moving parts, not only in the camera but in the field and out of your control. We still pursue it because inevitably, there are blessings in disguise, close animal interactions, and beautiful light — whether or not we get the shots we came for.
Like the post above suggests, when the odds or Gods seem to be conspiring against you, you can make physical adjustments to improve your angles, sight lines and photos, But what about emotionally? How do you get “juiced” again 
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and get that positive mindset working for you?
Maybe it’s time to think “outside the box”. Don’t keep “fighting fire” with firing off more mediocre shots of bear butts in lousy light. Maybe take a break and find smaller, colorful animals that might show some human emotions in some way. Pikas and squirrels are great for this, but there are other animals like ungulates (deer family, etc.) with large eyes and faces.
Pull back and see whether other animals might be more active, even though farther away. Could the photo opps be better with fewer, more active animals, or perhaps only one? Are clouds and weather “suggesting” it might be worth the time to wait it out or find brighter pastures?
Or is it just time for lunch, or a nap?
Politics of the Playing Field
It’s not hard to see the parallels with people. And politics. Daily and political conversations have the same unwritten cues and clues to what the other person is really thinking and feeling, either in sync or apart from their actual words. Being aware of these fleeting body movements can bypass a lot of back-and-forth “negotiation”, time and frustration.
If there might be a lot of animals in the spot you’re in, you still might get a great expression, or perhaps great light or the animal might be more active. Time often rewards you with something different or unexpected, just when you’re ready to pack it all in.
It’s like a dating game. Everyone wants a cute subject in bare landscape with no obstructions. You have limited time to read their cues, make a good impression and let things unfold. Bears and people are like cats and mice, both looking for morsels of food and perhaps a little fun in the chase.
Clear your schedule and lower your expectations, both in what you might see and how long that might take. Even if/when the weather turns bad, a great expression or interaction can be worth the effort. They are timeless and irrespective of great light. Your patience will likely entice your subject to relax, come out into the open and offer you the opportunities that you hoped for.
(Continued from last newsletter’s article)
If you’re a savvy investor, you probably know that bear markets can be the best places to invest your time and money. There may be fewer players in the field, and you might get in on the ground (floor) to see a lot of upward movement.
Still, you have to be careful of individual stocks that could eat you alive. Watch carefully for indicators that tell you where to go and when to pull the shutter. Here are 10 Tips & Reasons to Invest in a Bear Market.
APA Investor’s Guide to Wildlife Photography™
√ High Appreciation — Invest your time and money in inspiring, renewable animal stocks with a history of great returns and careful management. Ask others who have invested their time and money with these same stocks — maybe they’ll show you a snapshot of their returns.
√ SEC Protection — Choose stocks that have Special Environmental Conservation protection (private, state or federal) that can protect them from outside forces that may contradict survival of their species.
√ Proven Growth over Time — These may be individuals or populations that have been growing steadily or keeping at a stable equilibrium with the surrounding “environment” over generations. Or animals that are consistently in demand, like cows or pork bellies.
√ Value Investing — When everyone is waiting for a bull moose run, try to find the value and beauty in smaller things that have been under-represented in the media. Smaller, overlooked stocks like a mouse or pika have great potential with its antics and expressions.
√ Invest in Bonds! — Look for bonds with any animal stock. They have universal appreciation and stability over the long term. Committing yourself to the right bond(s) can last for generations, and teach your children priorities in life.
√ Dollar Cost Investing — Keep shooting a little each day or week. Your success and memories will accumulate without breaking the bank with a more expensive trip half way around the world.
√ Short-Term High Interest — This is the opposite of Dollar Cost Investing — it involves a careful assessment of whether a temporary situation is creating an opportunity worth investing in for great returns. Embrace disasters — a volcanic eruption that might be wiping out populations (animal or people) that could benefit from great photographs that generate compassion and donations to save lives.
√ Long and Short Term Dividends — Any animal can bring in great dividends over time. Follow a family during their normal day and record their ups and downs. Find patterns that suggest a rhythm to their lives, and shoot when they are at momentary peaks of action. Not only do you get instant returns on your investment, but long term memories will bring returns for yourself and others the rest of your lives.
√ Diversification — Don’t waste all your battery power and memory space on one animal. Leave some ammo in your storage drives at all times for unexpected situations and beautiful moments. Life is unpredictable, so don’t run out of juice right when you could be “juiced” by a confluence of beauty and action.
√ Beware of Volatility –Avoid animal stocks with wild swings and unpredictable behavior. Emotions can take up a lot of unnecessary time and/or kill your future. Pick serene places and calm animals with growth and stability in their numbers, like rabbits.
√ Bear Market Appreciation — Over the last 50 years, this has been one of the best markets for photographers to spend their time and money in. It continues to appreciate AND return dividends to almost 100% of investors who are patient enough to find individual stocks and wait out periods of no activity.
One final reminder: Let’s always be faithful to our true Board of Trustees out there — our fellow non-humans who, like kids, unknowingly trust us with their futures, and give us inspiration and perspectives into our own futures.
And like kids, they can be moody and can attack at any moment (usually due to our ignorance). But given half a chance, they will honor your presence as much or more than you can honor theirs.
