In Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, the brown bears have returned to Brooks Falls, where they gorge themselves on salmon from July to September in preparation for the coming winter. The fishing bears have become famous, viewed by millions on live “bear cams,” and celebrated each September during Fat Bear Week with a tournament organized by the National Park Service. Recently, the Getty Images photographer John Moore paid a visit to Brooks Falls, catching images of some of the bears in action.
Brown Bears Fishing at Alaska’s Brooks Falls
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![Two large bears stand at the top of a waterfall, as one opens its mouth wide to catch a jumping salmon.]()
Read moreA brown bear snags a sockeye salmon in midair on August 11, 2023, at Brooks Falls, Alaska, within Katmai National Park and Preserve. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![A brown bear stands at the edge of a lake.]()
Read moreA brown bear scans for salmon on August 12, 2023, near Brooks Falls. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A view of an Alaskan lake from inside a small plane.]()
Read moreNaknek Lake can be seen as visitors fly overhead on August 11, 2023, near Brooks Falls. #
John Moore / Getty -
![Several bears stand in rushing water, above and below a waterfall, with one salmon visible in mid-jump.]()
Read moreBrown bears fish for salmon at Brooks Falls on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![A bear sits in shallow water, eating a salmon.]()
Read moreA brown bear eats his catch near Brooks Falls on August 12, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A couple dozen people stand on a viewing platform above two bears beside a river.]()
Read moreVisitors view brown bears fishing on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A school of salmon swims in greenish river water.]()
Read moreSalmon swim near the mouth of the Brooks River on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![A brown bear leaps in shallow water while fishing.]()
Read moreA brown bear leaps while fishing on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
![Four bears gather above and below a waterfall, as a salmon jumps amid them.]()
Read moreBrown bears watch for jumping salmon on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A brown bear shakes off water while standing in a river.]()
Read moreA brown bear shakes off water while fishing on August 12, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![The head of a bear is visible in a lake as it swims.]()
Read moreA brown bear fishes for salmon on August 12, 2023, near Brooks Falls within Alaska's vast Katmai National Park and Preserve. #
John Moore / Getty -
![Five people stand knee-deep in a river, fly-fishing.]()
Read moreFly-fishers try their luck near Brooks Falls on August 12, 2023. Anglers and brown bears fish the same waters from July to September, while millions of sockeye salmon swim upstream to spawn. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A bear standing below a waterfall chases away another bear.]()
Read moreThe brown bear named Walker chases off a younger bear while defending his fishing spot on August 12, 2023, at Brooks Falls. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![A view of a bear swimming in shallow water, seen from above.]()
Read moreA brown bear fishes for salmon on August 12, 2023, in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. #
John Moore / Getty -
![Several people stand on a viewing platform, observing bears in a nearby waterfall.]()
Read moreVisitors view brown bears fishing at Brooks Falls on August 12, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
![A brown bear stands in shallow river water.]()
Read moreA brown bear stands to get a better view while fishing on August 11, 2023. #
John Moore / Getty -
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![A large bear rests, lying on on moss and grass.]()
Read moreA bear given the name Pepper rests after gorging on salmon on August 12, 2023, near Brooks Falls, Alaska. #
John Moore / Getty
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