When the Salmon Run

Photographer

Jan Glatte

Category

Nature Photography - Wildlife

Company

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Germany

During the annual salmon run in Alaska, a Grizzly bear launches itself into the cold waters of a remote lake in pursuit of its next meal. Captured at the precise moment the bear enters the water, the image freezes a powerful and instinctive act of survival. Its body is suspended between land and water, while the splash surrounding it reveals the sheer force of the leap. The salmon migration is one of the most important seasonal events for Alaska’s bears, providing them with the energy they need to survive the long winter ahead. This encounter captures more than a hunting moment; it reflects the raw connection between predator, prey, and the wild landscape they share. Being present during this brief, unpredictable moment allowed me to document the intensity and beauty of one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles.

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