Bear Photography in Summer

Summer is a bright, warm and green season when nature is at its most lush. Vegetation is abundant, wetlands and shorelines are vibrant, and the environment offers diverse opportunities for a wide range of wildlife images.

During summer, bears move actively throughout the entire area and can be seen in forests, on marshes and along pond shorelines. Their movement is natural and unrestricted, creating constantly changing photographic situations.

In early summer, the vegetation is still low, making it easier to spot bears and focus accurately. Later in the season, the landscape becomes greener and denser.

Summer is also the mating season, when bear behaviour becomes more active. Males move more, follow females and may encounter other males, offering opportunities to capture dynamic and unique behaviour.

As conditions and animal activity vary, we recommend booking 2–3 nights to maximise your chances of success. Multiple nights significantly increase the likelihood of successful sightings and photographic opportunities.

Season and Schedule

Photography season:
May – mid-August

Duration:
1 night

Schedule:

• 17:00 briefing at Bear Centre

• transfer to the hides after the briefing (500–900 m walk)

• photography from evening until morning

• 07:00 return from the hides

Summer Photography Conditions

Summer progresses quickly and conditions change throughout the season.

Early summer – low vegetation
At the beginning of summer, vegetation is still low, making it easier to observe bears and focus accurately. The movement of bears and their paws is clearly visible, and reflection shots by the water are at their best.

Cotton grass (June–July)
During summer, bears can be photographed in open marshes covered with cotton grass. The best period is usually from mid-June to mid-July, when the landscape can appear covered in white flowers.

Mating season (May–June)
The rutting season increases bear activity and interaction. Males follow females and may encounter each other, creating opportunities to photograph rare behavioural situations.

Late summer – changing light and atmosphere
Towards August, nights begin to get slightly darker, temperatures drop and mist can form during cooler nights, adding atmosphere to photographs.

Light and Photography

Summer offers exceptional lighting conditions:

• possibility to photograph throughout the entire night

• long and soft evening and morning light

• colourful night skies and sunsets

• nearly continuous daylight in June

Summer nights are very bright, and especially in June and July it is possible to photograph all night long.

Mist, sunset colours and water reflections provide additional creative opportunities.

Other Animals

In addition to bears, other wildlife may also be seen:

• wolverine

• wolf (rare but possible)

• fox

• bird broods and waterfowl

On calm summer nights, wolves may be heard howling in the distance, and occasionally they may also be seen near the hides.

Temperature and Equipment

Summer temperatures:

June:

• night: +5 to +10 °C

• day: +10 to +25 °C

July:

• night: +5 to +15 °C

• day: +10 to +25 °C

August:

• night: +5 to +10 °C

• day: +10 to +20 °C

Recommended:

• light clothing (shorts, t-shirt) for warm nights

• warmer clothing for late summer

• sufficient memory cards and spare batteries

In the hides, insects are not a problem, and insect repellent is not recommended.

Who is it for?

Summer is especially suitable for:

• photographers who want to maximise shooting time

• lovers of light, colours and lush nature

• those interested in behavioural photography (mating, interaction)

• both professional and amateur photographers