Svalbard, Norway

The polar bear looks up the cliffs. He stands on a large rock, looks over his shoulder up the cliffs. Since there was no snow on this island, the animal seems a bit dirty.

copyright Anette Mossbacher, 17 July, 2023

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This photograph was captured with a Canon EOS-1D X and a lens. The following settings were used:

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Exposure time: 1/500s
  • ISO: 3200
  • Focal Length: 365mm

The original photograph has the following dimensions: 5184 by 3456 pixels (WxH).

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The polar bear looks up towards the mountain. This polar bear climbs the cliffs on Karl XII Island in Svalbard, Norway. He stands on a large rock, looks over his shoulder up to another polar bear. Since there was no snow on this island, the animal seems a bit dirty.

Around 5-6 Polar bears roam the island in search of food. There are walruses nearby on the cliffs. From time to time, the polar bears would have a good look at them. Undoubtedly they will sometimes capture a young walrus.

A Hungry Polar Bear

When hungry, a polar bear eats anything, from birds to vegetation to human garbage. There is another polar bear photograph similar to this in which the animal looks straight into the camera. Polar bears we call apex predators because they are on top of the food chain.

Polar bears, Ursus Maritimus, are on the IUCN list as a threatened species because of the loss of sea ice in the Arctic. That is the result of climate change. Undoubtedly, the Arctic warms up, which results in habitat loss for the polar bears. The impressive animal needs pack-ice to survive.

Explore our Arctic wildlife photographs in our Arctic Circle Theme. Please visit our black and white polar bear photograph. The majestic bear is standing at the edge of the Arctic ocean. All our photos you can license stock photos or buy as a photo wall art prints online.

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1 comment for Polar Bear Looks Up While Standing On A Cliff

  1. Christopher Bryce

    I have read that Polar Bears are among the most dangerous predators in the world. I do want them to survive; humans just need to know about how dangerous they are. If there’s no easy escape for you, you could become their next tasty meal. They are very fast – and blend in with the snow so they can’t be seen easily. Camera crews filming in the Arctic always have lookouts always on the alert. They have huge vehicles like giant campers on stilts for actors and crews take shelter.

    • Anette Mossbacher

      Hi Christopher, thank you very much for your comment. Indeed, Polar bears are one of the most dangerous animals in the world. This photograph was taken in Svalbard from a zodiac. We were at a safe distance. I know in Alaska and Canada they will drive with large vehicles to see these animals in the wilderness. Thanks so much for your informative comment, I highly appreciate it.
      Ciao Anette

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