June 2024 – LOOKBANGALORE

Few things are more powerful than witnessing the bond between mother and child—or in this case, cub! In the wilds of Alaska, travelers will observe and photograph fascinating bear behavior and will be treated to affectionate displays between protective mothers and playful cubs. This rarest of encounters can be had on our Alaska Bear Quest Photo Expedition—the ultimate bear photography safari! While you dream of adventure, enjoy this roundup of some of our favorite photographs of brown bear mother and cubs, taken by Nat Hab travelers and guides along the remote coast of Katmai National Park. Also featured are some stellar submissions from our Wildlife Photo Contests of years past.

Nat Hab travelers with brown bears in Alaska.

Brown bear cubs clutch their mother in Alaska.

A brown bear cub nuzzles its mother in Katmai National Park.

Brown bear cubs waiting for their mother in Katmai.

A brown bear mother with cubs in Alaska's Katmai National Park.

A brown bear stares down the photographer in Katmai National Park.

Brad Josephs, one of Nat Hab’s Photo Pro Expedition Leaders, was among the first bear-viewing guides along the Alaska Penisula. Below is a selection of some of our favorite photographs he has taken of brown bear mothers and cubs in Katmai National Park during his decades of experience guiding travelers, professional photographers and film crews. You can also check out Brad’s Daily Dose of Nature, Photographing Bear Behavior: Mothers & Cubs.

A mother bear with playful cubs in a flower field.

A cub strikes a pose among the lupines in Katmai National Park.

A mother bear with cubs on the tidal flats in Katmai National Park.

A brown bear and cub walk along the tidal flats in Alaska.

A wolf and brown bear encounter in Katmai National Park.

Playful bear cubs with a mother bear in Katmai National Park.

Feeling inspired? Watch our Daily Dose of Nature on how to photograph mothers and cubs, and start planning your photo adventure!

The post Mothers & Cubs: Spectacular Grizzly Photos from Alaska Adventures first appeared on Good Nature Travel Blog.

For Valerie Lueth of Tugboat Printshop, the final piece is only one stage of the painstaking yet satisfying process of making woodblock prints. The works emerge from meticulous planning and carving of numerous blocks, which the Pittsburgh-based artist layers on top of one another to achieve a variety of colors, patterns, and striking contrasts.

One recent print “Reflecting Narcissus,” depicts five daffodils reflected in a pool of water. The composition references the Greek mythological character, Narcissus, whose beauty and youth were admired by everyone who looked upon him, even though he didn’t love anyone. That is, until he saw his own reflection in a pool and fell deeply for his image, pining away until he died and was transformed into a flower named for him.

a woodblock print depicting five daffodils reflected in a pool of water — “Reflecting Narcissus”

Lueth (previously) is known for creating detailed prints that call on the beauty of nature and folklore, and she revels in the process behind each work, which you can explore more in-depth on her website. She was recently featured in issue 25 of the printmaking magazine Pressing Matters and has two prints currently available for pre-order, including “Ladder Tree,” shown below.

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woodblock carving in progress of daffodils, shown on a work table with tools and held up by the artist's hand — “Reflecting Narcissus” woodblock in progress

two side-by-side images, showing a woodblock of daffodils with yellow and blue ink on it (on the right) and the print made from the block (on the left) — Left: One color block for “Reflecting Narcissus.” Right: The first layer of the print

a print of a tree being pulled from a woodblock — “Ladder Tree” in progress

two side-by-side images of a raindrop print (on the left) and the woodblock that the print was made from (on the right) — Left: “Raindrops.” Right: The woodblock in progress for “Raindrops”

a woodblock carving of a tree with green ink rolled onto it — “Ladder Tree” block

a detail of a woodblock of a leafy tree with a few branches shaped like a ladder — Detail of “Ladder Tree” block

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Striking New Prints from Tugboat Printshop Reflect on the Mysteries of Nature and Mythology appeared first on Colossal.