Though he lives in Florida, photographer Clemens Vanderwerf specializes in images from cold-weather climates, and his portfolio includes shots of the Arctic and Antarctic. In 2011, the Dutch native made his first trip to Alaska, where the wildlife and the raw beauty of the landscape captivated him. Since his inaugural visit, he returns to Alaska about twice annually. He calls it a “true privilege” to be around all the unspoiled wilderness, fresh air and beautiful vistas. Further, he says, “There are not a lot of places like Alaska left in the world. With my images, I hope to create an awareness that we have an obligation to protect our natural environments.” The following images are from Katmai National Park and Preserve.
One early August, the brown bears were busy fishing, but this sow took a nap. Looking for a good angle, I decided to step into the water to get eye-level with her. As I fired away, she rolled onto her back and continued sleeping. Her relaxed and contented pose makes me laugh every time I look at this image.
Credits:
photography by Clemens Vanderwerf