Robert HardingWildlife photographer James Hager captured these great photos of black bear mothers and their curious cubs in Yellowstone National Park. James says:
“Yellowstone National Park is a great place to photograph bears, and black bears in particular, because some of the sows (females) have learned that being close to humans will help protect their new-born cubs. That’s because most backcountry boars (males), that would like to kill young cubs, tend to avoid humans. So, those black bear sows, with their very cute and playful cubs, are usually close to the road system where they’re easy to photograph. Many photographers return year after year, and it’s like a nature photographer’s reunion as old friends gather to make images and enjoy the camaraderie.”
Black bear in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Black bear cub climbing a tree, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Three black bear cubs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Black bear sow and three cubs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Black bear sow and three cubs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Black bear sow and cub coming down from a tree, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Black bear yearling cub, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (James Hager/Robert Harding)
Read more about James Hager’s wildlife adventures here
See more of James Hager’s photographs here