European brown bear on the Russian border by MaartenCPhotos

I photographed this European brown bear in Finland during the summer. I’d already been to Finland earlier that year in winter, but this trip had a completely different atmosphere. This time, we headed towards the Russian border to spot wild brown bears. Accompanied by a guide, we walked to a safe spot where you could sit with your camera. As soon as you stepped out of the car, you could immediately sense how real the situation was: this was no zoo, but the natural habitat of wild bears.

In this photo, the bear is captured close up, with its head thrust forward and its mouth open. Its sturdy build, dark coat, intense gaze and the food by its mouth give the image a raw, wildlife feel. The green summer setting keeps the photograph natural, but the close-up makes it more powerful and immediate than a tranquil landscape shot. For me, this photograph shows just how impressive it is to see a European brown bear in its own habitat: large, wild and completely at home in the Finnish wilderness.