Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sleepy Bear

We encountered this sleepy polar bear at the bottom coastline of Ellesmere Island. Completely quiet, it drifted past us on this ice floe. It was a very serene experience, as well as a contrasting experience seeing this apex predator calmly napping in this inhospitable environment.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Grise Fiord, Canada
Camera: ILCE-6500
Copyright: © Aviaaja Louise Schlüter