Photographer Matt Addington Has Peaceful Close Encounter With Grizzly Bear in Katmai

Wildlife photographer Matt Addington had a close encounter with a grizzly bear in Katmai National Park, Alaska, during a guided tour. The bear, a sow with cubs, wandered within two feet of Addington as he lay on the ground photographing. Despite the proximity, Addington describes the experience as peaceful and serene, not fearful. His Instagram video of the encounter, posted on July 10, has garnered nearly 40 million views. Addington was guided by Scott and Jackie Stone, who emphasize letting bears be bears. Katmai is home to 2,000 brown bears, which at this time of year consume up to 120 pounds of grass daily to prepare for hibernation. The article notes that getting close to bears is generally inadvisable, but Katmai's abundant food and restricted visitor access reduce risk.