Shared Moment: Polar Fleece

A photographer captures a tender moment as polar bears cuddle for warmth

Photograph by Missy Mandel
PhotoZone
Jan 30, 2018

SETTLING IN for a long winter’s nap, a polar bear cub curls close to its sleeping mother on the snowy edge of Kaktovic, Alaska, along the Beaufort Sea. Photographing the pair from a nearby boat, Missy Mandel was captivated by the tiny town and the numerous bears that gather there, waiting for the ice to freeze so they can head out to hunt for seals. “I needed to see this magical place,” says Mandel, an avid fan of photographing wildlife, especially mothers and their young. “I just have a connection I can’t explain.”

To submit images for consideration, write to nationalwildlifephoto@gmail.com with “Shared Moment” in the subject line.

National Wildlife® Photo Contest

Call for entries!

This cuddly pair of polar bears won an honorable mention in National Wildlife’s 2017 photo contest. Our 2018 contest is now open for entries through March 16. We invite you to enter your images and earn a chance to win prizes and publication in National Wildlife magazine. Good luck! To enter, go to www.nwf.org/photocontest